1. Introduction to IoT Embedded Platforms
- Embedded systems are at the core of IoT devices, enabling data collection, processing, and communication.
- IoT embedded platforms integrate hardware and software to support real-time operations.
2. Key Components of IoT Embedded Platforms
- Microcontrollers (MCUs) / Microprocessors (MPUs): Act as the brain of the IoT device. Examples: ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi.
- Sensors & Actuators: Collect data (e.g., temperature, motion) and perform actions (e.g., turn on a motor).
- Connectivity Modules: Enable communication using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRa, or Cellular (4G/5G).
- Memory & Storage: Flash memory for firmware and RAM for processing.
- Power Management: Low-power operation is crucial for battery-powered IoT devices.
3. Popular IoT Embedded Platforms
- Arduino: Easy-to-use development board, suitable for beginners.
- ESP8266/ESP32: Affordable, Wi-Fi-enabled MCUs for IoT projects.
- Raspberry Pi: Single-board computer with Linux support, suitable for advanced IoT applications.
- BeagleBone: Open-source platform with high-performance computing.
- STM32: Industrial-grade MCUs with rich peripheral support.
4. IoT Communication Protocols
- MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) – Lightweight, used for cloud communication.
- CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) – Optimized for low-power devices.
- HTTP/HTTPS – Web-based communication.
- LoRaWAN – Long-range, low-power wireless communication.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) – Short-range, low-power communication.
5. Embedded OS for IoT
- FreeRTOS – Real-time OS for microcontrollers.
- Zephyr OS – Lightweight open-source RTOS.
- RIOT OS – Secure, energy-efficient OS for IoT.
- Linux (Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone) – Used for complex applications.
6. IoT Cloud Platforms
- AWS IoT Core
- Google Cloud IoT
- Microsoft Azure IoT
- IBM Watson IoT
- ThingsBoard (Open-source IoT platform)
7. Security Considerations in IoT Embedded Platforms
- Secure boot and firmware updates.
- Data encryption and authentication.
- Network security (TLS, VPNs).
- Hardware security (TPMs, Secure Elements).