IoT Subject Detailed Answers (VTU, 7th Sem, 21CS735)

Q1: List the difference between sensors and actuators.

Ans: Sensors are devices that detect physical changes such as temperature, pressure, or motion and convert them into

signals that can be read by humans or machines. They play a critical role in IoT as they gather data from the

environment. Actuators, on the other hand, take input signals from control systems and perform a physical action such

as turning on a motor, moving a valve, or starting a fan. For example, in a smart home, a sensor might detect the room

temperature, and an actuator would adjust the thermostat accordingly.

Q2: Explain the basic parameters used to classify sensors with any one application.

Ans: The basic parameters used to classify sensors include sensitivity (the smallest change a sensor can detect), range

(the maximum and minimum values the sensor can measure), accuracy (how close the sensor's measurements are to

the true value), and response time (the speed at which the sensor can detect changes). For example, in industrial

automation, a proximity sensor is used to detect the presence or absence of objects and must have high sensitivity and

accuracy within a specified range.

Q3: Brief the chronology for the evolution of Internet of Things (IoT).

Ans: The evolution of IoT can be divided into several phases. It started with the invention of the Internet in the 1960s,

where communication between computers was the focus. In the 1980s and 1990s, RFID technology was introduced,

allowing objects to be tagged and tracked. The term 'Internet of Things' was first coined in 1999 by Kevin Ashton. With

the development of cloud computing and big data analytics in the 2000s, IoT grew rapidly, enabling millions of devices to

connect, leading to the current phase dominated by 5G and AI-driven IoT.

Q4: Explain the various enablers of IoT.

protocols like MQTT and CoAP), and cloud computing platforms, which allow vast amounts of data to be processed.

Additionally, the widespread adoption of 5G, IPv6 for addressing, and advancements in machine learning have

accelerated IoT deployments across industries like healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities.

Q5: Illustrate about the various IoT networking components with a list used for forming small networks with examples.

Ans: IoT networking components include sensors (which collect data), gateways (which transfer data from the sensors

to the cloud), cloud platforms (for data storage and analytics), and actuators (which act on data-driven decisions).

Examples of IoT networks include smart homes, where components like Wi-Fi-enabled sensors and smart appliances

communicate via Zigbee or Bluetooth for small-scale networks.

Q6: Explain the various network topologies used for IOT with implementation of one topology.

Ans: Common network topologies used in IoT include star, mesh, and tree topologies. In a star topology, all devices are

connected to a central node (gateway), making it simple and easy to manage but less resilient. Mesh topology allows

devices to communicate with each other directly, offering greater reliability and scalability, commonly used in

applications like smart lighting systems.

Q7: Illustrate with example the Address management classes used for IOT.

Ans: Address management in IoT involves using IPv4 and IPv6. IPv6 is preferred because it supports a larger number of

devices with its vast address space. Address classes include Class A (for large networks), Class B (for medium-sized

networks), and Class C (for small networks). In IoT, dynamic IP assignment (DHCP) is used in large-scale deployments

to allocate IP addresses efficiently.

Ans: Transducers are devices that convert one form of energy into another. A common example is a piezoelectric

transducer that converts mechanical pressure into electrical signals, used in applications like medical ultrasound

imaging. Salient features of transducers include high accuracy, sensitivity, and the ability to operate in harsh

environments.

Q9: List the various characteristics used to select a suitable sensor? Explain the basic characteristics required for

selecting a motion sensor.

Ans: Selecting a suitable sensor for an IoT application involves considering factors like cost, power consumption,

accuracy, and the environment where it will be used. For instance, a motion sensor needs to be highly responsive, have

a wide detection range, and be reliable in varying light conditions, making passive infrared (PIR) sensors a popular

choice for security systems.

Q10: Using three sensors, demonstrate how they are grouped according to their sensing capabilities.

Ans: Sensors can be grouped based on their capabilities. For example, temperature sensors include thermistors, RTDs,

and thermocouples. Similarly, proximity sensors can be optical, ultrasonic, or capacitive, each suitable for different

applications such as industrial automation, vehicle detection, and object counting.

Q11: Brief the major factors that influence the choice of sensors in IoT-based sensing solutions.

Ans: The factors that influence sensor choice in IoT include environmental conditions (such as temperature and

humidity), power requirements, cost, size, and accuracy. For example, in wearable devices, sensors must be compact

and have low power consumption, while in industrial automation, robustness and high precision are critical.
Q12: Explain the seven classes of actuators with examples.

Ans: The seven classes of actuators include hydraulic (e.g., hydraulic pumps used in heavy machinery), pneumatic

(e.g., air compressors used in manufacturing), electric (e.g., motors used in robots), thermal (e.g., heaters), magnetic

(e.g., solenoids), mechanical (e.g., gears), and piezoelectric (e.g., for precision movement in printers). Each class is

suited to different applications based on the type of action needed.

Q13: Explain the Addressing during node mobility with one real time application.

Ans: In IoT, addressing during node mobility is critical to ensure seamless communication. This is often handled using

Mobile IP, which allows devices to maintain the same IP address even as they move between networks. A real-world

example is in vehicular networks, where cars must continuously communicate with infrastructure while on the move.

Q14: Differentiate the IoT versus CPS.

Ans: IoT (Internet of Things) focuses on connecting devices to the internet to collect and share data, while CPS

(Cyber-Physical Systems) integrate computational algorithms with physical processes for real-time interaction. For

example, a smart thermostat is an IoT device, while an autonomous car is a CPS because it processes real-time data to

make decisions while interacting with its physical environment.

Q15: Explain the Actuator Characteristics with two applications.

Ans: Actuator characteristics include the type of movement produced (linear or rotational), response time, power

consumption, and precision. Applications include electric actuators in robotic arms for precise motion and pneumatic

actuators in factory automation for fast, repetitive tasks.

Q16: Differentiate between Transducers and actuators.

on control signals. For example, a thermocouple transducer converts temperature into an electrical signal, while an

electric motor actuator receives electrical signals to perform mechanical action.