Sensors, Actuators, Wireless Sensor Networks, and the Internet of Things

Summary

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a transformative technology with applications pervading all facets of modern living. Sensors and actuators account for a significant percentage of interconnected devices in the IoT, enabling massive data acquisition and smart actuation for services. This chapter provides an overview of the interface between sensors, actuators, and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in the IoT. It begins by identifying the general categories of sensors and actuators. Next, it discusses WSN technology, noting network and protocol architecture, as well as the elements of a generic WSN node. Particular attention is given to the role of WSN technology as an IoT component, exploring how middleware solutions facilitate this integration. The convergence of WSN technology and cellular mobile networks is also explored, highlighting the potentially revolutionary implications of sixth‐generation (6G) wireless communication networks. Finally, the chapter identifies some open problems, observed trends, and possible future research directions.