In recent times, the concept of a ‘smart house’ where the occupant can control all elements of their living space with a simple gesture or voice command has been imagined as the future of housing. However, issues with internet connectivity have been an ongoing issue, making it difficult for smart houses and similar concepts to become a reality without the help of IoT and IoT developers.
IoT can be seen as a miniature version of the internet. To properly operate, sensors, user terminals, data storage and processing hardware, and operating protocols are all needed. IoT Engineers need to have an understanding of the sensors and other hardware components, the software and coding, and other areas such as cyber security, UI design, and communication protocols. In this article, we will cover what is required to become an IoT Engineer, the various paths that IoT Engineers can take once they meet the requirements, and some of the most common uses, terminology, and other relevant information about IoTs and IoT Engineers.
Qualifications of an Internet of Things Engineer
An IoT Engineer must possess a wide range of knowledge, both theoretical and practical, to be successful. This knowledge can be divided into two distinct categories, depending on the level of attention they require.
IoT developers need the following skills related to software:
Coding in JS, Java, or Python: As the range of libraries, frameworks and packages available for use in the Internet of Things (IoT) and across a variety of domains continues to increase, many modern high-level languages offer a wealth of features beyond that of their source code. As such, it is essential for developers working in the IoT to be proficient in at least one of these languages and their associated frameworks, packages and libraries.
Server-side frameworks, such as Node.js, Netbeast and Neura, can be utilised by IoT experts to assist in the development of Internet of Things applications. Server-side web development requires these frameworks to manage a variety of connected devices.
Here are some of the requirements for IoT developers in terms of hardware:
Sensors: Having a thorough understanding of sensors and their integration into new or existing system architecture is essential for any aspiring Internet of Things engineer. This familiarity is essential for collecting and sharing information with other parts of the network in near-real time, making it one of the most important prerequisites for IoT developers.
GPS: Today, many applications of the Internet of Things rely on real-time access to location data, making it a valuable skill for engineers who are looking for work in the fields of smart transportation, wearable technology, and logistics.
Technology for portable use: Wearables and smartphones are two examples of the mobile devices utilised in IoT systems. As evidenced in drone applications and transportation logistics, the hardware in question is not fixed but instead mobile in many IoT implementations. It is therefore essential for IoT engineers to be knowledgeable in the operation and upkeep of these portable devices.
In order to succeed as an IoT engineer, you need to have the following skill sets, all of which are data-centric.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Data analysis is an essential skill for any data analyst. It enables them to ingest, analyse and present large datasets in an informative manner. This will be particularly beneficial to engineers operating in the Internet of Things sector, as they are likely to encounter vast volumes of data.
Massive Quantities of data: It has been highlighted that a vast amount of data is generated by IoT devices, which must be evaluated quickly and accurately. Therefore, although machine learning and artificial intelligence have cross-over applications with Big Data, the skill set that Big Data encompasses, including the expertise of data managers, is essential for IoT engineers.
To Use the cloud: The key challenge associated with IoT data is storage, rather than the data gathering or analytics previously mentioned. That is why it is essential for potential IoT developers to be adept in managing large volumes of data on the Cloud.
Other Needed Qualities in IoT Engineers
User interface (UI)-focused design: It is critical that users of Internet of Things systems have full control over all system functions through the user interface. Additionally, the user interface should support cross-device collaboration. While this may be a challenging task, aspiring IoT engineers should seek to gain knowledge on the architecture of the underlying infrastructure in regards to the user experience.
Internet Safety: The scalability and complexity of Internet of Things (IoT) systems present them to digital or cyber security vulnerabilities. Although air-gapping can be a viable option to mitigate this issue, it is not always feasible. Therefore, it is essential that IoT developers have a sound knowledge of cyber security.
What IoT Engineers Need to Know About IoT’s Functioning and architecture:
The Internet of Things (IoT) architecture consists of four main levels, each responsible for a specific aspect of its operation. These four tiers are universal and can be applied to any IoT system, regardless of its size or complexity. The four layers are as follows:
Layer of sensing for information collection: The sensors and other associated devices that comprise this layer of the Internet of Things (IoT) system gather data from the physical environment and transmit it over the internet.
Transmission of data via a network’s uppermost layer: This encompasses items such as Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) and other networking hardware. The latter is what converts analogue sensor readings into digital information for usage by Internet of Things (IoT) apparatus. Should the network be configured to be connected to the internet, then sophisticated gateways are necessary to provide protection against threats such as malware and to filter incoming data.
A data processing layer that does: The following units process the information gathered in the initial layer. Here, the data is processed and then routed to a data centre, where it is available to various software applications. This layer of the Internet of Things (IoT) concentrates on the end user and their interaction with the numerous smart applications that are available. Devices with end-user applications in various sectors are encompassed by this category.
Common Concepts for Future Internet of Things Engineers
As an Internet of Things (IoT) engineer, there are certain terms and tools that you should be familiar with. It is important to understand some of the most fundamental IoT concepts, such as:
Blue tooth low energy (BLE): This Bluetooth variety requires less energy to operate, thus the name is indicative of its power efficiency. Unlike standard Bluetooth, it doesn’t need to be paired to work, and it is not intended for streaming video or music. However, it is ideal for small data packets which demand considerably less energy. Its many advantages make it an obvious choice for Internet of Things (IoT) developers.
Modulation of the pulse width (PWM): It’s a way to change the intensity of a light or the rate at which a motor spins from a digital signal to an analog one.
- Shodan
- This Is a Contiki for the Internet of Things
- WoT (Web of Things) (Web of Things)
- MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport Protocol) (Message Queue Telemetry Transport Protocol)
- Standardization on the Bluegiga APX4 protocol
- Arduino
- This Is a Raspberry Pi.
- GPIO
- IoT – PREDIX
- Thingful
IoT Engineers: Frequently Asked Interview Questions
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a rapidly growing area of expertise, requiring engineers to stay up to date with a wide range of topics. As a result, interviews with prospective IoT Engineers often focus on one particular area of expertise rather than a broad range. Additionally, the development of an IoT system involves time spent on both code and hardware, such as sensors and similar devices, so any tests should reflect this. Common technical questions for entry-level IoT Engineers include:
- What characteristics do all IoTs share? Why do IoT engineers care about these functionalities, and what are the pros and cons?
- How do IoT systems work, and what should an IoT engineer be focusing on in terms of the many parts that make up these systems?
- What are the various communication models supported by the typical IoT infrastructure?
- Explain how an IoT system operates in broad strokes.
- Which datasets may be accessed by IoT Engineers?
Explain What You Mean by “sharding” and “replication.”
IoT developers may expect to be asked complex technical issues like:
- Explain the variations between Internet of Things, Industrial Internet of Things, Wireless Sensor Networks, and Machine-to-Machine communications.
- Explain how an IoT gateway works.
- The importance of device management in the Internet of Things.
- Examine the key differences between Arduino and the Raspberry Pi.
- Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases:
- BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) (Bluetooth Low Energy)
- PQM (Pulse Width Modulation) (Pulse Width Modulation)
- Shodan
- This Is a Contiki for the Internet of Things
- WiT (Web of Things) (Web of Things)
- MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport Protocol) (Message Queue Telemetry Transport Protocol)
- Standardization on the Bluegiga APX4 protocol
- Arduino
- This Is a Raspberry Pi.
- Brief for “General Purpose Input/Output,” or GPIO.
- IoT – PREDIX
- Thingful
The IoT Engineers’ Personal Questions Cover the Following Topics:
- How long have you worked as an Internet of Things (IoT) engineer?
- When working as an Internet of Things Engineer, what are some of your go-to resources?
- As an IoT Engineer, please describe some of the projects you have worked on.
Use Cases and IoT Developers
The Internet of Things (IoT) has seen a significant rise in popularity in recent years, leading to a high demand for IoT experts across all industries that utilise wireless devices. Examples of these devices include, but are not limited to,
Homes with smart technology and urban areas with the same Characteristics The advantages and practical applications of using Internet of Things (IoT) systems were highlighted earlier with the example of smart homes. Automated Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are just one example of the IoT, but this technology can be applied to any device from a basic set-top box to a fully interconnected smart home. With further development, the IoT could even extend to creating a smart city.
Technologies in healthcare: The use of connected technology in healthcare has opened the door to remote, real-time patient monitoring, while also improving coordination and boosting productivity.
Automated or driverless vehicles: Autonomous vehicles are often associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI), however, for them to become commonplace, they need to be able to communicate and collaborate to prevent congestion. The Internet of Things (IoT) is beneficial in this regard, as it increases efficiency, productivity and reduces the risk of collisions.
Hospitality: The implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) in the hospitality sector is a novel concept with appealing implications. IoT has simplified the processes of tracking customer spend, taking orders, issuing invoices and booking rooms.
Farming: In the realm of Internet of Things (IoT), sensors are implemented to monitor the environment and enable the attainment of optimal crop yields. Parameters such as humidity and rainfall must be taken into account to achieve this.
Industry: As technology advances, automation has become commonplace across many industries. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one such technology that helps to ensure efficient coordination between different departments and processes, thereby avoiding common issues such as bottlenecks in production.
Conclusion
Given the extensive training and experience needed, being an Internet of Things engineer is a highly sought-after choice for technical graduates. Although it requires a significant investment of time and effort, the reward is that those who meet the requirements possess marketable skills in multiple disciplines.
