What is IoT?IoT Basics for your Business

A beginner´s guide to IoT terminology

Brought to you by Telenor Connexion

Here’s a guide to help you understand what is what in the age of connected things. Have this cheat sheet at hand to stay smart about everything smart: from smart devices, through communication technologies, to terms associated with the Internet of Things!

But first, what is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of what?

the concept of connecting any device (i.e “thing”) to the Internet (and/or to each other) to make it talk, listen and/or perform tasks. This includes everything from cellphones, coffee makers, washing machines, head- phones, lamps, wearables, and almost anything else you can think of.

IoTInternet of Things

Coined in 1999, this refers to the active exchanged of information between devices previously unconnected.

IoEInternet of Everything

Another term for IoT coined by and still used by Cisco, implies that IoT is not only made up of things, but also of data, process and people.

IIoTIndustrial Internet of Things

An umbrella term for M2M technology when it is focuses exclusively on industrial machines.

M2MMachine to Machine

A communications style emphasizing data transfer between large (sometimes industrial) machines that makes use of near-instantaneous data transfer to facilitate higher efficiency and pre-empt problems.

V2VVehicle to Vehicle

It is simply put, communication be– tween two vehicles. It is used com-monly to describe Fleet Management, a style of business that maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste by continuously transmitting locational and statistical data between large fleets of vehicles and a central hub.

1G

2G

3G

4G

5G

1991Analog

communication

1991GSM, GPRS,

EDGE

2001UMTS HSPA

2010LTE, LTE

Advanced

2020Unknown standards

80 - 100Kbit/s

Up to 2 Mbit/s

Up to 32 Mbit/s

300+Mbit/s

DAT

A SP

EED

Voice Voice

SMS

Voice

SMS

InternetInternet

Video call

Voice HD voice

SMS

Internet Internet

Video call

HD Video calling

4K Video Streaming

Gamingservices

Cloud computing

RealtimeGaming

VR Services

Mobile connectivity1G to 5G: From people to people and things

IoT Dictionary - Mobile Networks

The Organizations

CDMA2000CDMA2000 (also known as C2K or IMT-MC) is a family of 3G mobile tech-nology standards for sending voice, data, and signaling data between mobile phones and cell sites. Not to be confu-sed with “the other” CDMA which stands for Code Division Multiple Access, a technique where several transmitters can send information simultaneously over a single communication channel.

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a packet oriented mobile data service on the 2G cellular communication system’s global system for mobile communications (GSM). GPRS introduced

packet switched data which meant in-ternet access.

GSMGlobal System for Mobile Communica-tions (originally Groupe Spécial Mobile), is a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Insti-tute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile phones, first deployed in Finland in July 1991.

UMTSThe Universal Mobile Telecommunica-tions System (UMTS) is a third genera-tion mobile cellular system for networks based on the GSM standard.

3GPP3rd Generation Partnership Project is a collaborative project established in 1998 aimed at developing globally accepta-ble specifications for third (and future) generation mobile systems.

IEEEThe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers describe themselves as the “world’s largest technical professional society.” It aims to promote standardi-zation through international electronics development.

GSMAThe GSM Association represents the in-terests of mobile operators worldwide,

uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software compa-nies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA or-ganizes the largest annual event in the mobile industry, the GSMA Mobile World Congress. W3CThe World Wide Web Consortium is the main international standards organiza-tion for the World Wide Web (abbrevia-ted WWW or W3).

IoT Dictionary - The “Smarts”

Smart bulbA connected (usually by WiFi) LED light-bulb that typically allows for remote control, automation, and customization.

Smart cityA city that has a governing body pro-moting the use of IoT and green tech-nologies. Typically these technologies are used to increase efficiency, decrea-se waste, and improve the quality of residents’ day-to-day lives.

Smart gridOne of two things: • The device used to measure electri-

city usage in a home (more often called a ‘smart meter’ but sometimes used interchangeably)

• A power grid of the utilities company that is enabled to work with smart meters and smart homes to provide a more customized and eco-friendly experience to the consumer and to save on the costs of wasted electri-city as found in traditional electricity grids.

Smart homeA home that consists of other smart products like a smart grid, smart bulb, and most typically, the ability to control, customize, and automate temperature and lighting throughout the house. Another common feature is the abi-lity to lock and unlock the doors and windows remotely. When used in com-mercial construction, this is sometimes called ‘Smart Building.’

Smart labelAn enhanced version of a bar code. Unlike traditional bar codes, a smart label can contain much more informa-tion about a product. Smart abels take the shape of RFID tags, Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)tags, or the most commonly seen, QR codes.

Smart meterA meter in a house or building that measures electricity, gas, or water consumption. It is termed ‘smart’ because it responds to usage and will increase or decrease flow according to the general consumption data from the utility company as well as the individuals within the building.

Smart manufacturingTaking advantage of advanced informa-tion and manufacturing technologies to enable flexibility in physical processes to address a dynamic and global market. Smart manufacturing is the foundation of what is sometimes referred to as Industry 4.0 – the next industrial revo-lution – where smart machines develop new smarter machines.

Smart watchA type of wearable. It is a wristwatch- like device that is usually connected to a smartphone or other wearable device to give the user a control panel on his or her wrist. Smart watches most often use Bluetooth technology to communicate.

IoT Dictionary - The Technosocial Landscape

AI The concept of Artificial Intelligence refers to a piece of software that perce-ives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chance of success at a random goal. For example, when a machine uses cutting-edge techni-ques to competently perform or mimic “cognitive” functions that we intuitively associate with human minds, such as “learning” and “problem solving”.

BluetoothOne of the world’s most common communications technologies. It allows for data transmission by radio waves over a short distance.

BLEBluetooth Low EnergyA new iteration of Bluetooth technology aimed at servicing IoT devices.

Raw Tech

LED Display

Bluetooth LE

SOC

Lithium IonBattery

Sensor networksCloud computingBig dataNanobotsSmartwatches3D printersVirtual reality Augmented realityDronesSmartphones

Crowdsourcing Crowdfunding Peer-to-peer Quantified self (HealthKit)Autonomous homes Place-based services Digital nomadism Autonomous transport Sharing economy

Enabling Tech Social Tech

GPS NanoTechnology

TCP/IP NFCLaser

Raw Technologies

Raw TechnologiesFoundational inventions and discoveries that drive product innovation. Not usually sold directly to the consumer.

Enabling TechnologiesPhysical and digital platforms that enable the development of new consumer-oriented tools and services.

Social TechnologiesChanges in consumer behaviour and social norms as society adapts to new opportunities made possible by tech-nological innovation.

IoT Dictionary - Raw Technologies (cont.)

ECUElectronic Control Unit is a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical system or subsystems in a transport vehicle

GPSGlobal Positioning System is a tech-nology created by the US Government that allows for location services. It is space-based, transmitted through sa-tellites, and requires a triangulation of four satellites to pinpoint a location on Earth.

IP AddressAn Internet Protocol Address is a uni-que designating number assigned to a computer (or other device) that is con-nected to a network, most notably the Internet.

NFCNear Field Communication is a set of communication protocols that enable two electronic devices, one of which is usually a portable device such as a smartphone, to establish communica tion by bringing them within about 4 cm (2 in) of each other.

Mesh NetworkThe type of network as seen in a LAN or WLAN.

RFIDRadio Frequency Identification Devices are used for data transmission and cap-ture by way of radio waves.

TCP/IPThe Internet Protocol suite is the com-puter networking model and set of communications protocols used on the Internet and similar computer networks.

UIDA Unique Identifier is number given to any device within any system to allow the ability to interact with it.

WiFiA technology that allows for wireless device communication over specific ra-dio brands. WiFi, which is not an abbre-viation, is the most common technology used for wireless Internet connection.

Z-WaveA communications technology typically used in security automation and smart homes.

ZigBeeA technology providing data communi-cations over a low-power WLAN.

IoT Dictionary - Enabling Technologies

ADASAdvanced Driver Assistance Systems are systems to help the driver in the driving process. When designed with a safe Human-Machine Interface, they should increase car safety and more generally road safety.

AMIAdvanced Metering Infrastructure is a digital architecture that allows for two-way communication between a smart meter and a provider, by way of an IP Address.

APIAn Application Programming Interface is a set of routine definitions, proto-cols, and tools for building software and applications. An API connects your business processes, services, content, and data to channel partners, internal teams, and independent developers in an easy and secure way. APIs are quick-ly becoming the de facto standard by which companies exchange data and build consistent cross-channel custo-mer experiences.

APNAn Access Point Name is a gateway that translates communications between telecommunications and computer networks (most often the Internet).

LAN

Local Area Network is a network that interconnects devices within a limited area such as a residence, school, or office building with a locally managed network equipment. Most commonly seen as a connection between two de-vices by way of an Ethernet cable

LPWANA Low-Power Wide Area Network is a WAN that functions using a low bit rate and typically incorporates or caters to smart devices.

Big dataAmounts of data that are so large that traditional technologies cannot handle their transfer or analysis. Certain IoT technologies specialize in handling and transferring big data as it is seen as key to large companies’ goal to maxi-mize efficiency.

Connected carA connected car is a car that is equip-ped with Internet access, and usually also with a wireless local area network.

Cloud computingInternet-based computing that allows for data access from distinct compu-ters or devices. Typically referred to as though the ‘cloud’ itself is storing the data, but data is stored on physical computers that allow access at any time to the data via the Internet.

Drones

IoT Dictionary - Enabling Technologies (cont.)

An unmanned aerial vehicle, common-ly known as a drone, as an unmanned aircraft system, or by several other names, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard.

EC-GSMExtended coverage GSM IoT (EC-GSM-IoT) is a standard-based Low Power Wide Area technology. It is based on eGPRS and designed as a high capa-city, long range, low energy and low complexity cellular system for IoT com-munications.

EUICCThe embedded SIM (also called eSIM or eUICC) is a new secure element desig-ned to remotely manage multiple mo-bile network operator subscriptions and be compliant with GSMA specifications.

GatewayA “hub that translates” communication between two computers or devices that allows these to understand each other´s data transfer and communication.

HubA hardware device that connects other data-transmitting devices to a central station.

ITS

Intelligent Transportation Systems are advanced applications which (without embodying intelligence as such) aim to provide innovative services relating to different modes of transport and traffic management, and enable various users to be better informed and make safer, more coordinated, and ”smarter” use of transport networks.

LORALoRa targets wide area network (WAN) applications and is designed to provide low-power WANs with features specifi-cally needed to support low-cost mobile secure bi-directional commu-nication in IoT, M2M and smart city and industrial applications.

MaaSManagement-as-a-Service is the management of a network and systems, presented to the client in a web interface. In a sense, it’s a specia-lized version of SaaS, where the first “S” involved is management software.

IoT Dictionary - Enabling Technologies (cont.)

NB-IoTNarrowband IoT is a narrowband radio technology specially designed for the Internet of Things (IoT), hence its name. Special focus of this standard is on indoor coverage, low cost, long battery life, and large number of devices. This technology can be deployed in GSM and LTE spectrum.

OTAOver-the-Air provisioning refers to various methods of distributing new software, configuration settings, and even updating encryption keys to devi-ces of sorts.

RoamingRoaming ensures that a traveling wi-reless device (typically a cell phone) is kept connected to a network without breaking the connection when travel-ling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network.

SaaSSoftware as a Service is a software licensing and delivery model in which software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted.

SigfoxSigfox is a cellular style system that enables remote devices to connect using ultra-narrow band, to provide low power low data rate, and low cost communications for remote connected devices.

TSPA Telematics Service Provider is a com-pany (or function) that takes care of vehicle manufacturers’ need to route data and voice to and from the vehicles produced.

WANWide Area NetworkA network that extends over a large geographical area.

WearablesAn umbrella term for any IoT device designed to be worn by a human or animal.

WLANA Wireless Local Area Network func-tions the same way as a LAN does, except that a device can connect to the network wirelessly.

Social Technologies

AMRAutomatic Meter Reading is the tech-nology of automatically collecting consumption, diagnostic, and status data from water meter or energy me-tering devices and transferring that data to a central database for billing, troubleshooting, and analyzing.

Autonomous homesFunctionality in autonomous homes range from security systems and cli-mate control to automated televisions, dishwashers, laundry machines, and other appliances. Apple’s HomeKit and Google’s Nest are popular applications.

Autonomous transportThe concept of vehicles that are capa-ble of sensing its environment and navigating without human input, using for example, radar, lidar, GPS, odometry, and computer vision.

Peer-to-peerPeer-to-peer computing or network- ing is a distributed application archi-tecture that partitions tasks or work loads between peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application.

Quantified selfThis concept incorporates technology into data acquisition on aspects of a person’s daily life in terms of inputs (e.g. food consumed, quality of surrounding air), states (e.g. mood, arousal, blood oxygen levels), and performance (e.g. mental and physical).

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