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This article examines the importance of electronic components in IoT devices. IoT devices collect sensor data, analyze it using a microcontroller, and transfer it to the cloud for analysis. Electronic gadgets are connected to the Internet using IoT.
Today, IoT devices are employed in consumer products, health monitoring, automotive, agricultural sciences, industrial automation/monitoring, smart buildings, etc. IoT devices may exceed 30 billion by 2025. A few electrical components power every IoT gadget. This essay will emphasize the importance of electrical components in IoT devices.
How Does the Internet of Things (IoT) Work?
Electronic gadgets are connected to the Internet via the Internet of Things. It is a massive network of RFID, infrared, global positioning, laser scanners, and other information-sensing devices connected to the Internet. It lets networked devices and systems gather, transmit, and analyze data without human interaction.
Electronics, software, and communications dominate the Internet of Things. Recognize and identify important information using electronic product identification, communicate and transmit using communication methods, and process and store information using computers.
Electronic Components in IoT Devices
Most IoT devices need sensors, power management, microcontrollers, etc.
Sensor
IoT embedded system design requires sensors. The sensor’s principal task is to detect environmental changes and transform data into electrical signals. Temperature (thermocouples, thermistors, RTD), pressure (TPMS, BMP180), motion (PIR, ultrasonic), proximity (ultrasonic, photoelectric, capacitive, inductive), accelerometer (Hall effect, capacitive), and humidity sensors.
Microcontroller
Microcontroller ICs power IoT devices’ processing, intelligence, input/output, and memory, serving as the central hub for all operations. This is the device’s brain. The embedded microcontroller must assess and interpret sensor input to trigger specific reactions like starting, switching on lights, sending messages, etc., acting as the brain of the IoT device.
Additionally, it may transmit real-time sensor data for remote control or monitoring to the cloud or other linked devices. Data processing, communication module management, device control, user interface response, and other tasks are performed by mcu ICs, highlighting their versatility in IoT applications.
Communication Module
IoT devices can connect to the Internet, share sensing data in the cloud, and receive information from the cloud or other devices. The connection module lets IoT devices talk to and swap data with external systems. WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, RFID, and other communication modules are needed for IoT devices.
Power-Management Components
In IoT devices, power management components regulate, distribute, and optimize power supply. Energy optimization, sleep and wake modes, dynamic voltage adjustment, and other functions are also available.
Storage Components
IoT devices employ storage components like NAND FLASH, EEPROM, eMMC, etc., to store data such as operating system, user preferences, firmware, activity logs, etc. Data is manageable during power outages.
Interface Component
IoT devices employ interface components to collect user input and show information, making them easy to use, monitor, and control. Touch screens, LED indicators, biometric sensors, OLED displays, microphones, buttons, etc., are common interface components. These components simplify IoT usage and enhance user experience.
Actuator
Actuators, unlike sensors, act on microcontroller digital signals. Take for granted that hallway lights switch on as someone goes along. Once the proximity sensor detects a person, the information is transformed into an electrical signal, which is then sent to the microcontroller for processing and analysis. The microcontroller then uses this signal to power the LED.
Conclusion
IoT devices are massively expanding. IoT market growth is 26.1% during 2023-2030. Thus, electronic components will become increasingly complex and important. This will also spur better, more efficient electrical component innovation. The future years will likely see new electrical component advancements and their extensive participation in IoT devices.