The Internet of Things (IoT) industry is booming— By 2020, more than 20.8 billion IoT devices will be in use...
As connected homes and smart cities , smart school, cars, and offices become more mainstream,
more developers are needed to ensure that devices operate properly and securely.
The term "IoT developer" remains broad. "There are a lot of discipline areas that are in play, including security, networking, systems engineering, cloud programming, and hardware device programming," "It pays to be multilingual so that you can be flexible and play many different roles in the team."
There are four stages in developing an IoT device...
Assembly of the physical hardware: This requires engineering skills, and is usually not completed by a developer. Most IoT devices use primarily pre-assembled boards and sensors connected on them.
Programming the device: This requires programming skills to read the data from the sensors connected on the IoT device, and send them to the server.
Programming the server that will receive and store the data from the device: This requires the use of server side languages, like PHP, ASP.NET or Node.js, and database queries based on MySQL or some other SQL derivative.
Displaying data to the device user: This involves creating the web page or app that will depict the collected data to the user, which requires web development knowledge of PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, MySQL, or another framework.
"Usually a developer is not responsible for all those stages," "So, in order to specify on how to get started on a career in the field, first they have to decide on which stage of the development process they want to get aboard."
Here are six tips from IoT experts on how to break into a career developing connected devices.
1. Gain a deep understanding of sensors
Unlike other developers, those who work in the IoT space must have a deep understanding of sensors and wireless communication
It's recommended that IoT developers have a background in computer science or electrical engineering,"Beyond computing, IoT will take you into the world of mechanical and civil engineering as sensors gather physics data
2. Focus on user interface
When developing a commercial IoT product, it's important to hold yourself to high quality standards for user experiences. Quality and reliability are paramount to this experience and need to be part of any developer's mentality."
3. Learn JavaScript or Python
Using a web based language for both the data processing backend, and the code running on the device itself makes a lot of sense. "JavaScript is a very event-driven language, and this makes it ideal for reacting to new data from devices and triggering actions on the devices themselves."
4. Play with a Raspberry Pi
"Raspberry Pis are very inexpensive, tiny computers, and are often employed in proof of concept IoT projects," Schrock said. "They're also a great way to learn how to solder together simple circuits, and link those circuits with software. Putting together some simple demo projects and then coming up with, and executing, some projects of your own is a great way to show that you have the initiative and know-how to work in IoT."
5. Find a community
Involvement in the surrounding communities of makers, inventors, and entrepreneurs with whom one can explore, develop, and refine their ideas into a reality is an important factor for becoming an IoT developer.
6. Keep your skills cutting edge
Learning one platform or skillset isn't enough, according to IBM research scientist and master inventor Eli Dow. "The platform you write for this week will often be obsolete within 6 months to a year," Dow said. "Sensors will change, single board computers or other embedded platforms will continue to evolve, and you have to have the flexibility to adapt as platforms change at a blistering pace."
Internet of Things (IoT) Flow :
EDGE DEVICE(Sensors) <=> Gateway <=> Middleware <=> WEB END/CLOUD INTEGRATION
IOT Platform :
Sample Technology Stack :
Edge Device Programming : sketch API
Middle Ware(Gateway) :Java Processing Engine: Rest Services , J2ee Services ,java
WEB END/CLOUD INTEGRATION : Easyeclipse (PHP),WEB UI: PHP/CLOUD Integration, WEB END : Rest API & JSON FORMAT
BIGData (Backend /Database ): MongoDB, MySQL, robomongo
Application Support Software : JRE/JDK , Ecilipse, Apache software and XAMPP
above is just example : many more ......
Communication protocols:
4G / LTE:
Long-Term Evolution* (LTE*) is a high speed standard used in wireless communication that is widely deployed on mobile phones.
Strengths: Fast data transfer, with peak download rates up to 299.6Mbit's. Has a high adoption rate.
Limitations: Not optimized for low power consumption. Is a complex system, with higher costs in implementation and maintenance.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart City, and Industrial Automation. Other uses include automated vehicles, and fleet management.
BACnet:
BACnet is a communication protocol developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for use in heating and cooling appliances. The standard operates over other communication standards such as ARCNET, Ethernet, ZigBee and LonTalk.
Strengths: Specifically tailored to the needs of heating and cooling devices.
Limitations: Not built for anything out of the heating and cooling space.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart City, Building Management Systems, and Smart Home. Other uses include HVAC, lighting control, access control, and fire detection systems.
Example: The E50H5 BACnet MS/TP DIN Rail Meter is used in Smart Buildings to monitor power, and tracks usage of gas, water, steam, or other energy forms.
Bluetooth LE :
Bluetooth Low Energy is a wireless technology for creating personal area networks. This is an offshoot of Bluetooth technology designed to run in low power situation.
Strengths: Well suited for small devices with low power resources. A low cost technology that is compatible with a large installed base of devices. The small physical size also is useful for building small devices, such as wearables.
Limitations: Range limited to 100m, and maximum throughput is 2.1 Mbits/s.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart Home, Visual Retail and Building Management Systems. In addition, can be found in fleet management and telematics, health care, sports and fitness, and human interface devices.
Example: In this code sample, Bluetooth LE is used with a TI SensorTag CC2650 to monitor the enviornment, such as in a Smart Home.
GPRS:
General Packed Radio Service* (GPRS*) is a mobile communication standard that uses GSM (global system for mobile communications) on 2G and 3G networks. It is different from other mobile technologies in that it's a best-effort service that guarantees a minimum quality of service to the communication.
Strengths: A good candidate for "always on" connections. An older standard that can connect to legacy devices, and networks that have wide been widely adopted.
Limitations: Only supports low speed mobile communications.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart City, Visual Retail and Industrial Automation. In addition it is also used in transportation, and fleet management.
Example: The Grove GPRS Module, V2 is detailed here, and is used to connect a variety of sensors in Visual Retail situations, .
GPS:
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a global navigation network based on a network of satellites. Devices with GPS receivers are able to pinpoint their precise coordinates.
Strengths: Freely available, and implemented on military hardware. Available almost everywhere.
Limitations: A one way communication method that only receives data. Used only for reporting location data.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Industrial Automation. In addition, can be used in transportation based devices, fleet management, and automated vehicles.
Example: The UBLOX LEA-6H based GPS shield from DFRobot is used to connect to a variatey of sensors in Industrial Automation.
LoRaWAN:
A long range, low power platform. Data is encrypted, and available to regional, national, or global networks. This technology is intended for battery powered devices.
Strengths: Long range communication range of up to 2-5 kilometers in dense urban areas. Low power consumption.
Limitations: Lower data speeds over 3G networks.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart City, and Industrial Automation. Also used in fleet management and wearable devices.
Example: The SX1276 LoRa/FSK Modem is used to connect to a variety of sensors in a Smart City environment.
Modbus:
Modbus is a protocol designed to communicate over serial com ports It is a tried and true technology, having being developed in 1979 for working with programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Since then, the technology has been extensively used in industrial applications.
Strengths: Solid, time proven communication method. Compatible with older devices, and may be used to connect to legacy technology already in place. This is also an open protocol, and can be implemented without cost.
Limitations: Restricted to a single, non-wireless transmission method.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart Home, Visual Retail and Building Management Systems.
Example: The T3311 Temperature and Humidity transmitter is being deployed for Smart Building to monitor temperatures in building HVAC automation, warehouse, and for archival storage in museums.
NFC/RFID:
Near field communications (NFC) is a subset of RFID technology that allows for wireless communication between very short distances of about 1.6 inches. This is generally used for transferring data from embedded chips in plastic cards, such as credit cards.
Strengths: Chips that contain data need no power. Low cost to implement.
Limitations: Restricted to transferring small amounts of data at close range.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart Home, Visual Retail and Building Management Systems. Additionally, it has been used in card authentication, commerce, and bootstrapping other communications methods.
Example: The Sparkfun RFID Evaluation shield is used to in Visual Retail to read RFID chips.
SigFox:
A low power, wide area network designed to operate on the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical ISM radio band. This is a closed standard
Strengths: Low cost, and low energy. Compatible with Bluetooth, GPS, 2G/3G/4G, and Wi-Fi.
Limitations: Proprietary solution offered by SigFox*.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart City, and Industrial Automation. Also found in fleet management, retail, agriculture, and Health & assisted living, and home automation.
Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi is a wireless standard that most people will be familiar with for establishing local area networks. Wi-Fi networks are standard for both home and office applications.
Strengths: Widely adopted and ubiquitous. Long range when compared with other technologies. Good data throughput rates.
Limitations: Power consumption is high, and physically size is large.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart Home, Visual Retail and Building Management Systems. In general, useful for larger boards and gateways that have access to robust power resources. In addition, found in intelligent vending machines, smart homes, Fleet Management and Telematics.
Example: Wi-Fi is used to monitor the environment for Smart Home or Buildings in the How to Build an Environment Monitor Solution reference implementation.
Z-Wave:
Z-Wave is a wireless technology developed for use in home automation. It is designed for reliability, and low latency.
Strengths: Specialized for use in home automation, and can be considered a drop in solution for home IoT devices.
Limitations: About 30 meter range. A low data rate system.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart Home, Visual Retail and Building Management Systems. Additionally, its found in lighting, HVAC, security, and home cinema applications.
Examples: The Trane TZEMT400 Z-Wave Thermostat is used in Smart Home applications to monitor temps, and for remote management.
ZigBee:
ZigBee is a wireless technology for deploying personal area networks that has been designed to be small, low power, and inexpensive. As a simple system, it's suitable for a wider range of less complex devices, such as light switches.
Strengths: Low latency and power consumption make it ideal for battery powered devices, which can run for years. It's simple topology allows it to be integrated with other simple devices.
Limitations: Range is limited to 10-100 meters and is line of sight. Low data rates.
Well Suited For: Larger markets include Smart Home, Visual Retail and Building Management Systems. In addition, it's found in home entertainment, industrial control, medical data collection, and Smoke/Intruder warnings applications.
Example: The Z311X, Netvox ZB11D* and more are used to build a smart conference room in this Intel case study.
