Sensors in the Age of the Internet of Things: Technologies and applications

Understanding the Sensor Foundations of the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things would remain a concept without the physical layer that observes the world. This volume, edited by Octavian Adrian Postolache, Edward Sazonov, and Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, offers a rigorous look at how sensor technologies are being adapted for connected, data-driven environments. It draws on the latest research from the IET Control, Robotics and Sensors Series to give readers a practical and theoretical grounding in IoT sensing.

What the Book Covers

The opening chapter surveys the IoT landscape, including communication protocols, data protocols, and platform choices. From there, the focus narrows to the sensors themselves: classification, characteristics, and the specific devices used for measuring temperature, humidity, pressure, motion, gas, light, and distance. Later chapters address communication interfaces and standards such as IEEE 1451 and OPC, along with a detailed case study of a multisensor interface using Bluetooth Low Energy. Fog computing middleware for distributed cooperative data analytics is also explored, showing how sensor data can be processed closer to the source.

Why the Technical Depth Matters

Rather than treating IoT as a single technology, the book shows how decisions at the sensor level affect reliability, power consumption, and the usefulness of the data collected. Engineers and researchers working on embedded systems, wireless networks, or data analytics will appreciate the attention given to standards and real-world implementation challenges.

Who Can Use This Book

The material is designed for professionals and graduate students in electrical engineering, computer science, and related fields. It works well as a reference for those building or evaluating IoT systems, as well as for researchers looking for current directions in sensing and data infrastructure.

A Resource for the Connected World

With a balance of foundational explanation and research-level discussion, this ebook helps readers place sensors at the centre of the IoT conversation. It is a strong addition to the library of anyone serious about connected devices and the data they produce.