B8304 - INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET OF THINGS T

Learning outcomes

This course deals with wireless communications for the Internet of Things (IoT). The course will be dedicated to the description of the main applications of the IoT and the available wireless technologies enabling the deployment of IoT networks. The student will be capable of identifying relevant and business-oriented applications of the IoT and the most suitable technology for the deployment of the specific application. The course will include some team working, where students will discuss and share ideas on novel IoT applications and where they will have the opportunity to observe some real networks and measure their performance.

Course contents

Part I - Introduction (3 hours)

- IoT: Definition

- IoT: A Communication Perspective

- IoT: Application Domains

- The Course

Part II - Fundamental Tools (15 hours)

- Fundamentals of Wireless Communications

- Fundamentals of Wireless Networks

- Fundamentals of Wireless Controlled and Random MAC

- Aloha and S-Aloha in Compact Networks

- CSMA: Hidden and Exposed Node Problem

- Radio Network Architectures

- Short Range Systems: 802.15.4 and Zigbee

- Long Range Systems: LoRa and LoRaWAN

- Long Range Systems: NB-IOT

- 5G

Part III - Making the IoT (3 hours)

- Preparation to the Lab activities

- Smart Cities

- Smart Manufacturing

Part IV - Lab (9 hours)

Hands-on sessions with LoraWAN and Grafana

Readings/Bibliography

Slidesets and material made available by the instructor.

Teaching methods

The course is based on chalk-and-talk approach for the first 18 hours. Then, interactive sessions will be proposed in the class for the next 15 hours, to consolidate the conceptual parts via numerical exercises, discussions on real world use-cases, team working sessions.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of two parts: a written test and a discussion of the outcomes of the group work.

The written exam will consist of some numerical exercises, based on the contents of Part I and II of the course, and a closed answer questionnaire with 30 questions. Each question has four answers, one is correct and gives one point, three are wrong and give -0.33; the student can also choose not to answer, scoring zero; the exam is passed if the total score is 18 or more. It is open book, with a duration of 30 minutes. It is held online.

For the discussion the students will provide a five-minute pitch; the pitch will present one of the hands-on activities performed including the numerical achievements. A short discussion will follow in order to determine whether the student has got the main aspects of the thory behind the experience.

The two parts of the exam will be made on the same date.

The outcome of the exam is pass or fail.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities:

We recommend contacting the University Office responsible for support services in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will evaluate the students' needs and, where appropriate, propose possible accommodations. These must in any case be submitted for approval at least 15 days in advance to the course instructor, who will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Material provided by the instructor: slidesets, links, templates, datasets.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Buratti