With continuous advancements in sensor and networking technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) is taking shape as an ever-present always-on global computing network. The most critical piece in the IoT puzzle are the sensors and this is a short introduction to the IoT Internet of Things Sensors.The Internet of Things means different things for different people. From the viewpoint of connectivity, IoT means “from anytime, anyplace connectivity for anyone, and for anything”. From the viewpoint of communication, IoT is “a global network of interconnected objects uniquely addressable based on standard communication protocols”. Finally, from the viewpoint of networking, IoT connects “a network of interlocked computers to a network of interconnected objects”.

IoT means a “Smarter World”

The number of devices and industries connected to the internet is exponentially increasing and having all of them interconnected via wire or wireless will put a powerful source of information at your fingertips.

Fun historical fact, before we start! Did you know that the IoT is not something new ? In 1982, a modified coke machine at CS Department of CMU, was connected to the IoT which was able to report the number of drinks contained and also reports whether the drinks were cold or not.

IoT promises to deliver an always-on, always-connected world of devices and convenience. At the same time, there are significant challenges that could stand in the way of realizing its potential benefits.

A survey result published by Gartner Research report on the IoT, billions of devices are already connected in 2015 and that number will climb to 25 billion in next few years. According to this report, IoT offers promising solutions to transform several industrial applications such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, security surveillance, food processing industry, logistics, and more.

The Role of Sensors in IoT

Healthcare Industry:

Leveraging IoT’s identification, sensing, and communication capacities, all the objects in the healthcare are continuously monitored and tracked. In particular, biomedical sensors are the entry post for data into the IoT.

Food Supply Chain:

IoT networks are designed to address traceability, visibility, and controllability. The Internet of Things Sensors for Food Supply Chain comprises of three parts:1) the field devices - WSN code, RFID tags and user interface terminals2) the back-end systems include: databases, servers, and terminals connected by distributed computer networks3) the communication infrastructures including WLAN, cellular, satellite, power line, Ethernet, etc.

Sense Mine Disaster

Specifically designed to sense mine disaster signals in order to make an early warning, disaster forecasting, and safety improvement. IoT sensors track the location of underground miners and analyze safety data collected from sensors to enhance safety measures.

Firefighting

To detect potential fire and to provide early warnings for possible fire disasters. Featured with RFID tags, mobile RFID readers, intelligent video cameras, sensor networks, and wireless communication networks, IoT Fire Sensors could perform automatic diagnoses to realize real-time environmental monitoring.

Leading Manufacturers of Internet of Things Sensors

IoT sensors employ some of the most cutting edge technology in sensor design and fabrication. Some of the major manufacturers are listed below:

Mems Technology: Dedicated to providing powerful sensing solution to bring end-to-end WSN systems to market quickly and economically.

Monnit: The leader in low-cost Remote Monitoring Solutions and Wireless Sensing allows you to monitor/control your business or home from anywhere.

TE Connectivity: Partner with customers to transform their concepts into tomorrow’s inventions

ST Microelectronics: Provides the simplest, fastest and most robust way to develop applications for the Internet of Things (IoT)

NXP Semiconductors: Technologies fueling with innovation in automotive, and unveiling the future with innovative security

Texas Instruments: The leader in analog and embedded processing products helps to make the world smarter, safer, greener, healthier and more fun.

Dialog Semiconductor: Feature integration and innovation enable customers to move fast and differentiate.

Internet of Things Sensors Revolution

Now you are aware of what IoT is, its applications and leading manufacturers. Let us now understand how smart sensors are transforming the IoT

1. Sensors are the indispensable enablers of IoT. The Internet of Things sensors with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags serve three purposes, i.e. identify items, locate them and determine their environmental conditions.
2. Smart Internet of Things Sensors impact the food supply chain which can improve the manufacturing process of the products. They take control of the entire manufacturing process to monitor, control, and improve operations.

Important Applications of Internet of Things Sensors for Smarter World

IoT – The big wave of connectivity is going beyond laptops and smartphones and it’s going towards interconnecting cars, smart homes, and smart cities. Continue reading to know how applications of IoT transform our lives and the areas where IoT will make a huge impact on business and society.

IoT for Smart Cities:

Smart Parking: Used in monitoring the availability of parking spaces in the city.

Structural health: Monitoring of unexpected vibrations and material conditions in buildings, bridges, and historical memorials

Noise Urban Maps: Monitor and control noise pollution in bar areas and centric zones in real time.

Smartphone Detection: Used to detect iPhone and Android devices that work with WiFi or Bluetooth interfaces

Smart Roads: Highways with warning messages and diversions based on the climate conditions and unforeseen events like accidents or traffics.

IoT for Smart Environment:

Forest Fire Detection: Define alert zones by monitoring the combustion of gases and preventative fire conditions.

Air Pollution: Control the emission of CO2 in factories, pollution emitted by cars and toxic gases generated in industries.

Snow Level Monitoring: Used to measure the quality of ski tracks and alert security forces to prevent avalanche.

Landslide and Avalanche Prevention: Used to monitor soil moisture, vibrations and earth density to detect risky patterns in lands

IoT for Security and Emergencies:

Perimeter Access Control: Access control to restricted areas and detection of people in prohibited areas.

Liquid Presence: Used for liquid detection in data centers, and warehouses to prevent breakdowns and corrosion

Radiation Levels: Measure radiation levels in nuclear power stations surroundings to create leakage alerts.

Hazardous Gases: Used to sense the leakage of gas levels in industrial environments, surroundings of chemical factories and industries.