Networks, protocols, standards Flashcards
Communication modules
A communication module is a hardware device that facilitates communication between different systems or devices. It can be wired or wireless and is used to exchange data and enable devices to work together e.g. via network protocols such as WiFi or Bluetooth. Communication modules are integral in IoT devices, allowing them to connect to the internet or other devices. This includes smart home devices like thermostats and lights.
Describe the IoT gateway (IoT-G) architecture functionalities
Translate between different interfaces such as (802.15 ←→ 802.11) and (Protocol COAP ←→ HTTP).
Resource Discovery (RD) discover resources that are available in the network.
Local Applications Management which supports edge-computing.
OSGi protocol → a framework for managing modules and services in Java-based applications.
Wireless
Enables mobility and easy installation by eliminating the need for cables.
Piconet
A basic Bluetooth network where a master device controls communication with multiple partner devices.
Scatternet
This consists of multiple interconnected piconets where devices can participate in multiple networks to share resources and bandwidth efficiently.
Describe IoT standards and protocols
How IoT devices communicate with the network:
- Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules that dictates how data gets sent to the Internet.
- IoT protocols ensure that information from one device or sensor gets read and understood by another device, a gateway, or a service.
- Standards define broad guidelines and specifications that help ensure that different systems and devices can interact, e.g., IEEE 802.15.4 is a wireless communication standard used in Zigbee.
- IoT standards and protocols are used to enable communication, interoperability, security, and management in IoT systems. They ensure that different IoT devices, regardless of manufacturer or technology, can work together efficiently and reliably.
IoT protocol stack
An IoT protocol stack is a collection of protocols used to manage communication and data transfer between devices in an IoT system.
Different IoT standards and protocols
6LoWPAN, ZigBee, LiteOS, OneM2M, Data distribution service (DDS), constrained application protocol (CoAP) and MQTT.
6LoWPAN
IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks is an open standard defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The 6LoWPAN standard enables any low-power radio to communicate to the internet, including 804.15.4, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Z-Wave (for home automation)
CoAP
constrained application protocol. A standard protocol optimized for resource-constrained devices in IoT networks.
MQTT
message querying telemetry transport protocol. A lightweight message transfer protocol designed for devices with limited resources or bandwidth. Reliable message delivery, support for unreliable networks, and security are enabled, but not by default. MQTT support TLS - transport layer security.
LiteOS
is a Unix-like operating system (OS) for wireless sensor networks. LiteOS supports smartphones, wearables, intelligent manufacturing applications, smart homes and the internet of vehicles (IoV). The OS also serves as a smart device development platform.
OneM2M
is a machine-to-machine service layer that can be embedded in software and hardware to connect devices. The global standardization body, OneM2M, was created to develop reusable standards to enable IoT applications across different verticals to communicate.
Data Distribution Service (DDS)
was developed by the Object Management Group (OMG) and is an IoT standard for real-time, scalable and high-performance M2M communication.
Spectrum scarcity
refers to the lack of available radio frequency spectrum for wireless communication services. As there are a limited number of frequencies that can be used for wireless signals, there can be congestion and limitations on how much data can be transmitted without interference.
Spectrum
is the frequency band used for wireless communication. Wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and cellular networks use radio signals to send and receive data, and these signals need to be transmitted within specific frequency ranges or spectrums. There is licensed spectrum which means that operators, telecom companies or organizations have the exclusive right to use it, mobile telephony like 3G and LTE use licensed spectrum. This means less interference as access is limited. Unlicensed spectrum can be transmitted by anyone without a license. They can become crowded with interference from nearby systems. Examples of unlicensed spectrum are WiFi for home and office use.
What roles do PTS, ETSI, and the EU play in spectrum management?
They are organizations that allocate and regulate spectrums for different types of wireless services.
Dynamic spectrum sharing
A method that allows different users to share the same spectrum when it is not used by others. This means that you can use the spectrum when it is available and release it when it is not needed.
Spectrum in iot
A spectrum is a continuous range of frequencies, usually quite wide, where waves share certain common features. Use a specific part of the spectrum when you’re active, then let it go when you’re done.
Wireless or wired sensor networks?
The choice between wireless and wired sensors affects network design, including factors such as range, installation cost and maintenance.
Interference
When multiple wireless devices use the same frequency, signals can interfere, causing data loss and lower quality of service. ISM bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz), commonly used for IoT, are unlicensed and prone to interference. Frequency hopping helps avoid interference by quickly switching between frequencies.
Two requirements for IoT Protocol stacks
1.Support for constrained devices, categorized by limitations in memory, processing power, and network capability:
- Class 0: Extremely limited; needs gateways to connect to IP networks.
- Class 1: Limited, but can connect directly to IP networks, though some IP protocols may be challenging.
- Class 2: Less limited; can run a typical IP stack like most computers.
All classes require lightweight, energy-efficient, and bandwidth-friendly protocols across all layers.
- Massive scalability, which poses major issues as device identification addressing, name resolution, security, routing protocols and areas that are affected by the flooding of devices.
Which areas (different technical aspects and subsystems) are affected by the flooding of devices?
- Device addressing: interconnected things need to be individually addressable for ubiquitous communication between systems (IPV6).
- Management of credentials: lightweight and highly automated credential management mechanisms.
- Control pane: Routing protocols to route big data. elastic control pane mechanisms.
- Wireless spectrum: avoid the “spectrum crunch” as a result of an increase in the number of endpoints and the increase in traffic from the endpoints.
Definition of WSN, wireless sensor network
A network of distributed sensor nodes collects data on physical conditions (e.g., temperature, motion) and sends it to base stations. It can collect and transmit data to one or more base stations. WSNs are key in cyber-physical systems, linking physical objects to digital representations by integrating real-world data into digital systems.
Function of WSN, wireless sensor network
Each sensor node collects data and routes it to the base station, which then sends it to the end user via single-hop or multi-hop (lower power) communication. The base station can also connect with the task manager over the internet. Low power consumption is a key constraint for sensor nodes.
What is a Base station (sink node)
A node in the WSN that collects data from sensor nodes and transmits it to end users. Can use single-hop or multi-hop communication to transmit data.
WSN protocol stack
Describes how the wireless sensor network (WSN) protocol stack is organized, with layers and management planes working together to optimize performance, especially given the energy limits and occasional mobility of sensor nodes.
Different layers in the protocol stack for WSN
- Application layer: different types of application software can be built and used in the application layer.
- The transport layer: maintaining the data flows in order for WSN to function. Ensures reliable transmission of sensor data between nodes and end users.
- The network layer: Routes data from the transport layer.
- The data link layer: Uses a power-aware MAC protocol to minimize collisions with neighbours’ broadcasts in noisy, mobile environments.
- The physical layer: Manages frequency selection, modulation, signal encryption, and transmission/receiving techniques.
Software-Defined Wireless Sensor Networks (SDWSN)
In an SDWSN architecture, complex tasks (e.g., QoS provisioning, traffic re-routing) are centrally managed on the control plane, while simpler tasks run on the data plane, saving device processing power. Benefits include improved traffic load balancing, resource control, and alignment.
Industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs)
Use of wireless sensor networks in industrial environments to support applications that are time-sensitive and require data transmission within specific time limits. To monitor and control industrial processes in real-time and support time-critical applications.
3 pillars of the 5G tech standard
5G-IoT is one of the three Pillars of the 5G Tech standard.
- Enhance mobile broadband EMBB 2Gb/s,
- Machine-2-Machine M2M-5G-IoT,
- Ultra Relible Low Latency Communications (URLLC).
What is Cloud-RAN (C-RAN)?
A cloud-based radio access architecture used in 5G IoT to improve network resources and efficiency through centralized management and optimization.
What is LAN?
stands for local area network. In LAN, a smaller geographic region is covered, such as a commercial building, an office block, or a home, and does not require any leased communications infrastructure. The most popular wired LAN technology is Ethernet. Wi-Fi is the most prevalent Wireless LAN (WLAN) technology.
What is WAN?
WAN stands for wide area network, providing communication links over long distances, such as metropolitan, regional, or even global areas. Wireless WAN (WWAN) refers to cellular networks, with current technology like LTE (4G) and upcoming 5G.
What are the wireless network standards for IoT?
RFID, Wifi, Bluetooth, Zigbee (BLE - Bluetooth Low Energy), Cellular (3G, 4G, LTE, 5G+), Licensed LPWAN (LTE-M, NB-IoT), Unlicensed LPWAN (LoRa, Sigfox), WiFi (HaLow)
What is LPWAN?
LPWAN (Low-Power Wide Area Network) is a wireless network for devices needing long-range, low-data communication with high energy efficiency, ideal for large-scale applications like smart cities, agriculture, and logistics. It supports IoT devices to communicate over long distances with minimal energy, enabling long-term operation.
Licensed LPWAN
e.g., on licensed LPWAN is NB-IoT, LTE-M
Unlicensed LPWAN
e.g., on unlicensed LPWAN is LoRa and Sigfox.
Zigbee
ZigBee is a standard for wireless control and monitoring of equipment in homes and industries. It serves as an alternative to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for low-power IoT devices that don’t need much bandwidth. ZigBee connects smart devices like lights, outlets, locks, and switches in a smart home network. It is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The ZigBee Alliance developed Dotdot, a universal language for IoT that allows smart objects to communicate securely across networks.
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves to automatically identify and track tagged objects. It consists of two main components: tags and readers. The reader emits radio waves that the passive RFID tag uses to send back its identity and relevant information, relying on the reader’s signals for power. RFID is commonly used in supply chain management, inventory tracking, library systems, and pet microchipping.
WiFi HaLow
is a wireless communication technology designed to offer longer range and lower power consumption than traditional Wi-Fi networks.
Describe the standard development cycle
Stage 1: Initiating the project,
Stage 2: Mobilizing the working group,
Stage 3: Drafting the standard,
Stage 4: Balloting the standard,
Stage 5: Gaining the final approval,
Stage 6: Maintaining the standard
Why technology standards?
standards are documents that establish an agreed way of doing something. From accepted best practices to technical specifications or requirements, standards- developed by volunteers - help ensure a common approach and repeatable outcome in design and development. Almost all products, services and technologies in use today are developed, connected, or enabled in some way by standards. Benefits: Interoperability, Lower costs; mobility; innovation.
TLS
transport layer security. Is a cryptographic protocol that provides secure communication over a network. It ensures data confidentiality, integrity, and authentication between the IoT device (client) and the cloud server (broker) by encrypting the data sent over the MQTT protocol.
