Definition & Characteristics of IoT

Definition

IEEE

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a framework in which all things have a representation and a presence in the Internet. More specifically, the IoT aims at offering new applications and services bridging the physical and virtual worlds, in which Machine‐to‐Machine (M2M) communications represents the baseline communication that enables the interactions between Things and applications in the Cloud.

IERC – European Research Cluster on the Internet of Things

A dynamic global network infrastructure with self-configuring capabilities based on standard and interoperable communication protocols where physical and virtual “things” have identities, physical attributes, and virtual personalities and use intelligent interfaces, and are seamlessly integrated into the information network, often communicate data associated with users and their environments.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) – sometimes referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT) – involves connecting smart devices and systems in diverse sectors like transportation, energy, manufacturing, and healthcare in fundamentally new ways. Smart Cities/Communities are increasingly adopting CPS/IoT technologies to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of their operation and improve the quality of life.

International Standard Organization (ISO)

It is an infrastructure of interconnected objects, people, systems, and information resources together with intelligent services to allow them to process information of the physical and the virtual world and react.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

IoT is type of network that is available anywhere, anytime, by anything and anyone.

Characteristics of IoT

Dynamic & Self-Adapting

IoT devices and systems may have the capability to dynamically adapt with the changing contexts and take actions based on their operating conditions, user’s context, or sensed environment. For example, consider a surveillance system comprising of several surveillance cameras. The surveillance cameras can adapt their modes (to normal or infra-red night modes) based on whether it is day or night. Cameras could switch from lower resolution to higher resolution modes when any motion is detected and alert nearby cameras to do the same. In this example, the surveillance system is adapting itself based on the context and changing (e.g., dynamic) conditions.

Self-Configuring

IoT devices may have self-configuring capability, allowing many devices to work together to provide certain functionality (such as weather monitoring). These devices have the ability configure themselves (in association with the IoT infrastructure), setup the networking, and fetch latest software upgrades with minimal manual or user intervention.

Interoperable Communication Protocols

IoT devices may support several interoperable communication protocols and can communicate with other devices and with the infrastructure. We describe some of the commonly used communication protocols and models in later sections.

Unique Identity

Each IoT device has a unique identity and a unique identifier (such as an IP address or a URI). IoT systems may have intelligent interfaces which adapt based on the context, allow communicating with users and the environmental contexts. IoT device interfaces allow users to query the devices, monitor their status, and control them remotely, in association with the control, configuration and management infrastructure.

Integrated into Information Network

IoT devices are usually integrated into the information network that allows them to communicate and exchange data with other devices and systems. IoT devices can be dynamically discovered in the network, by other devices and/or the network, and have the capability to describe themselves (and their characteristics) to other devices or user applications. For example, a weather monitoring node can describe its monitoring capabilities to another connected node so that they can communicate and exchange data. Integration into the information network helps in making IoT systems “smarter” due to the collective intelligence of the individual devices in collaboration with the infrastructure. Thus, the data from many connected weather monitoring IoT nodes can be aggregated and analyzed to predict the weather.