Learning IoT - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ppTRN
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 11:40:25 am
content: Hi everyone, since we are primarely Electronic Enegeneers, i think this is the best place to ask.In the last few years systems like ESP32 and such have become so popular that it is basically mandatory to be able to use them. The problem is, i never, and I meannever, have been thought what "the internet" is! What are the real capabilities of this devices? How do I really learn what they are doing, except the usual tutorials that places the usual words "server, API, https ecc" and make an example out of those, widouth explaning what is really happening?I realize that the IT world is really huge and my question can be compared to the electronic equivalent of "how do I use a transistor", but... I guess i need to start somewere!I wonder if you might suggest me links, books, any resources that you really think is valid to complete an Electronic Engeneer'sformamentisabout IoT sistems in a complete way. Of course i understand that i might need to build more solid basis about networking, and that is fine, just post whatever materials you think is worth go throug.I hope that with these few words i made my perplexities clear and understandable. Thank you!

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 12:13:24 pm
content: The Internet of Things is to me just a catch phrase and is more of a marketing issue then a real technical one. But that is my opinion.The internet itself is a collection of servers, network gear and computers all inter connected. It is used to communicate in what ever way, and the same applies to the Internet of Things premise. Every appliance is getting a connection to this internet to do things for you. Think of your refrigerator that can keep track of the inventory in it and order more when needed. Or simply your doorbell that has a camera and a microphone and makes a connection to your smart phone when someone pushes the button on it.Things like the ESP32 you mentioned, which basically is just a microcontroller with build in wireless connectivity, is not really IoT. It can be used to build an IoT device.So what is there to learn. Protocols used for communication. Hardware to make an IoT device, either wired or wireless. You can try searching for information about home automation.

author: ppTRN
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 12:32:25 pm
content: Quote from: pcprogrammer on February 13, 2023, 12:13:24 pmI culdn't have said it better, so that just to figure out what might be the best sources to learn what stated above.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 12:51:13 pm
content: A quick google gavethis

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 03:35:34 pm
content: I think of IoT as the internet at its edge - the last device in a long, networked, chain of devices.I'm working on a little project that just monitors the running state of a sump pump and makes the info available by way of a web server. I can check the running status of the pump from any cell phone, tablet, PC or even another edge device that can interact with the web server.This is a trivial project because I chose the Raspberry Pi Pico W which comes with a WiFi gadget and sample HTTP Server code. A couple of hours work and my IoT thing comes to life.There are many choices when it comes time to build something and this Pi Pico W has a brilliant future. And they're cheap - around $13 here in the US.If I were starting out, I might consider this Starter Kit:https://www.amazon.com/Freenove-Raspberry-Included-Compatible-313-Page/dp/B0BJ1QC6X8

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 04:23:17 pm
content: Quotesitsfalls down in shock that something is almost half the price in the uk,normally they just swap the $ and £ around

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 06:02:22 pm
content: Quote from: ppTRN on February 13, 2023, 12:32:25 pmAgreed. It's all marketing with no standard definition.I've always considered IoT to mean "can communicate via some form of ethernet (wired or wireless)". That can be as simple as just receiving data (like a clock), just writing data (like a sensor) or bi-directional while possibly applying some logic to the data to perform some kind of action. I guess the big thing is that it's addressable and can communicate wherever the internet pipes take you.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 06:13:36 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on February 13, 2023, 04:23:17 pmThe price is a LOT better at Adafruit (Amazon is NEVER a price leader). The Pi Pico (non W variant) is $4 and the W (WiFi) variant is $6.Sometimes shipping makes up the difference and Adafruit shipping is pricey. First class (the cheapest) is around $6 and Priority Mail is a bit over $13 but much faster and trackable.If you buy $100, Adafruit shipping is free - so buy a bunch of W boards!Like most things, prices vary all over the map and you just have to decide where to leave your money.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 06:21:52 pm
content: A networked toaster would certainly count as a 'Thing' in the 'Internet of Things' arena:https://gajitz.com/crunchy-forecast-toaster-prints-the-weather-on-your-breadI can actually see some utility in a networked refrigerator talking to a database printing up a shopping list. With stores delivering just about everything, all you would need to do is hit the "Order" button on the refrigerator and wait for the truck to arrive.Networking is everything!

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2023, 06:39:56 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 13, 2023, 06:21:52 pmIf the printing is done by charring of the toast it might well be good for some intestinal problems like creating cancer.Quote from: rstofer on February 13, 2023, 06:21:52 pmAnd create even more of a world without social interaction on an actual human level,(Not that I'm much of that, but with the wife in NL taking care of her parents, I have to do the shopping myself)