module specification

The module is designed to provide students with technical knowledge and skills on Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Theoretical material delivered in the lectures is supported by practical lab work to ensure students have a sound grasp of the technical content where students are expected to develop IoT systems. A number of devices, platforms and software tools will be introduced during the course from different vendors. The module is assessed through lab reports and final examination

CT4002 completed

Introduction to the Internet of Things: What is the IoT and why is it important? Elements of an IoT ecosystem. Standards and development platforms. Technology and business drivers. IoT applications, trends and implications. LO1

Sensors and sensor nodes: Sensing components and devices. Sensor modules, nodes and systems. LO2

Connectivity and networks: Wireless technologies for the IoT. Wireless sensor networks. LO4

Industry perspective: Business considerations. Legal, social, ethical and professional issues related to IoT technologies and systems. LO5

IoT lab exercises. LO3,6

Students will be expected to carry out independent background study to familiarise themselves with the platforms and tools that will be used during the module. The module includes online learning material via Weblearn (VLE), face-to-face delivery of content, teaching/tutorial and assessment activities, student support and feedback.

After completing this module, student should be able to:
LO1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of “Internet of Things” in different context;
LO2. Understand key components that constitute an IoT system;
LO3. Apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to design, build and test a complete, working IoT system;
LO4. Understand where the IoT concept fits within the broader ICT industry and possible future trends;
LO5. Acquire awareness of legal, social, ethical and professional issues related to IoT technologies and systems;
LO6. Work effectively and responsibly in a group demonstrating professional documentation, planning, management, leadership and inter-personal skills.

The module will be delivered through a series of lectures and supported by tutorials, directed independent learning, and e-learning/blended learning to promote learning outcomes LO1, LO2, LO4 & LO5. The technical aspect of this module will be delivered through hands-on lab LO3 & LO6. Students will work in groups, maintain a record of their work in a logbook and use this to produce an individual technical report based on their practical work. Supporting material on the module lectures/ tutorials/ assignments/ recordings) will be available to students on Weblearn (VLE). This site is continuously updated with guidelines and additional lecture support material throughout the year. Coursework (formative and summative) is based on lab work and consists of formal reports. Laboratory coursework, which is formative and summative assessment, covers relevant technical aspects of the module assessing learning outcomes LO3, LO5 & LO6. Students are required to maintain a record of their work in a logbook. Rapid feedback will be provided within two weeks of submission of coursework so that students can gauge their knowledge and understanding. The module is concluded with closed-book end of module 2-hour unseen examination (summative assessment), which is used to assess LO1, LO2 & LO4.

Technical:
[1] R. Buyya, A. V. Dastjerdi, Internet of Things: Principles and Paradigms, Cambridge, MA, 2016.
[2] A. Al-Fuqaha et. al, “Internet of Things: A Survey on Enabling Technologies, Protocols, and Applications,” IEEE Communication Surveys & Tutorials, Vol. 17, No. 4, 2015.
[3] J. Biron and J. Follett, “Foundational Elements of an IoT Solution,” O'Reilly Media, 2016.
[4] Keysight Technologies, “The Internet of Things: Enabling Technologies and Solutions for Design and Test”, Application Note, 2016.
[5] Charles Bell, “Beginning Sensor Networks with Arduino and Raspberry Pi”, Apress, 2013.
[6] https://www.cisco.com/c/en_ca/solutions/iot/resources.html

Business:
[7] D. Evans, “The Internet of Things: How the Next Evolution of the Internet Is Changing Everything,” Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group, 2011.
[8] McKinsey & Company, “The Internet of Things: Mapping the value beyond the hype,” McKinsey Global Institute, 2015.
[9] European Alliance for Innovation (EAI), “Internet of Things: Exploring the potential,” Innovation Academy Magazine, Issue No. 03, 2015.
[10] ITU and Cisco, “Harnessing the Internet of Things for Global Development,” A contribution to the UN broadband commission for sustainable development.

Journals:
Journal of Communications and Networks
IEEE Communications Letters
IEEE Communications Magazine
IEEE Communications Standards Magazine
IEEE Transactions on Communications
IET Communications

Websites: IEEE xplore