Network Technologies and Microcontrollers in Internet of Things (IoT) - A Review

ABSTRACT

Our physical world is transforming at an unprecedented rate into a complex and dynamic system of connected devices. Such dynamics are evident due to COVID-19 making the organisations rethink the way they work and operate. Working digitally and virtually across locations along with partner organisations is the need of the hour. Internet of Things makes such communication possible. The increasing importance of capturing real-time data and acting upon the insights is the driving focus of Internet of Things (IoT) - both in terms of its wider applicability and the path towards achieving scale. Defined as the interaction between the digital and physical worlds, IoT helps the digital world interact with the physical world using a plethora of sensors and actuators. The sensors take data from various devices, convert it into viable actions for human analysis. This paper brings forth Bluetooth, Zigbee, RFID, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, ANT, 6LoRaWAN, NFC, GSM technology, and Cloud software technologies used by various IoT devices. They aid sensors which collect data from multiple devices. Comparison of these technologies is made on basis of frequency band, range, data rate and modulation type. This paper also discusses microcontrollers namely Arduino Uno, Adafruit Feather Huzzah32, SparkFun ESP8266 Thing, and Raspberry Pi which analyse, and process data based on various settings to perform tasks or provide the data required by industry. Wi-Fi technology embedded on Arduino controller is recommended, the deciding factors being security, availability, reliability, mobility, performance, scalability, interoperability, management and trust.