IoT Microcontrollers and Sensors Quiz

Understanding Healthcare and Lifestyle Devices

• Healthcare devices focus on medical monitoring and diagnostics, while lifestyle devices typically enhance personal well-being or convenience.
• Both types utilize sensors and actuators to bridge the physical and digital realms.

Microcontrollers

• Microcontroller Unit (MCU) is a compact computer on a microchip, dedicated to specific functions and often embedded in devices like cellphones and household electronics.
• Basic structure includes CPU, memory, input/output ports, timers, and analog-digital converters.

Types of Microcontrollers

• Bits determine the data bus, addressing, and register width:

  • 8 bits: Basic logic and arithmetic (e.g., Intel 8031/8051).
  • 16 bits: Enhanced accuracy and performance (e.g., Intel 8096).
  • 32 bits: Used in automatically controlled devices, including medical applications (e.g., Texas Instruments AM5749ABZXEA).

• External Memory Microcontroller: Lacks integrated program memory on the chip (e.g., 8031).

• Embedded Memory Microcontroller: Contains all essential functioning blocks on-chip (e.g., 8051).

Instruction Set Architectures

• CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer): Allows single instructions to replace multiple simple instructions, optimizing performance.
• RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer): Minimizes operation time by shortening clock cycles, streamlining the instruction process.

Memory Architectures

• Princeton Architecture: Shares single memory and bus for both data and instructions.
• Harvard Architecture: Utilizes separate memory units for instructions and data, connected by distinct buses.

Gateways in IoT

• Function as a bridge between different communication technologies, integrating various connectivity types, interfaces, and protocols.
• Acts as a connection point between cloud systems and devices like controllers and sensors.

IoT Protocols

• Defined standards that guide communication between devices.
• Examples include:
  • Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
  • Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT)
  • Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (HL7 FHIR)
  • Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP)
  • Data Distribution Service (DDS)

MQTT Protocol

• Most widely used IoT protocol, a free open standard focusing on efficiency.
• Operates using a publish/subscribe model, suitable for resource-constrained devices.
• Key design principles aim to minimize bandwidth and ensure reliable message delivery.

MQTT Architecture

• Consists of a single broker and multiple clients.
• Broker ensures message availability even when connections are interrupted.
• Topics function like a file system, categorizing messages to be sent from clients to the broker.

HL7 FHIR

• An interoperability standard for electronic healthcare information exchange developed by Health Level Seven International.
• Provides a framework for the sharing, integration, and retrieval of electronic health information, supporting clinical practice and healthcare service management.