Internet of Things: How did we get here? from Coursera

It is hard to imagine life without your Smartphone – you have come to rely on it so much – for your work; to stay in touch with family and friends; to capture and share those special moments; to find your way around in a new neighborhood. Did you ever wonder how and when all this happened? Or how and when GPS sensors came to be in your cell phone?

In this course, we will explore the convergence of multiple disciplines leading to todays’ Smartphones. You will learn about the birth and evolution of Telephony Networks, Broadcast Networks (TV and Radio) and Consumer Electronics. We will discuss the impact of Internet, (multimedia) content, smartphones and apps on everyday lives. We will then look at how this emerging platform called the Internet of Things – wherein billions and trillions of devices communicating with each other and “the cloud” – could enable unprecedented, innovative products and services. Take this course if you want to understand what great new advances in mobile-enabled products will be coming our way!

Learning Goals: This course provides a core grounding in how science and technology have developed to enable the Internet of Things – in a way appropriate for any learner. For those interested in developing further hands-on expertise in designing and developing for the Internet of Things, this course will provide a context to the discoveries and converging technologies that will springboard the next round of innovations. After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Compare how the telephone system works (that is, peer-to-peer networks) with how media delivery works (that is, broadcast/multicast networks).

2. Explain the tradeoffs between circuit switched networks (that is, dedicated resources) and packet switched networks (that is, shared resources).

3. Tell interesting stories about key innovations that transformed the communications, entertainment and consumer electronics industries.

4. Explain how email, YouTube, SMS, etc. work.

5. Find resources for those wishing to do more of a “deep-dive” into the above topics.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome

Welcome to the first course in the Internet of Things specialization! We hope you’re just as excited as we are to begin this fascinating journey! Before getting started with the material, we would like to introduce you to the team that made this all possible, as well as give you a preview of what to expect throughout the entire specialization.

Circuit Switched Networks

In order to answer the big question, “how did we get here?” we must start from the beginning. The beginning of what you may ask, well the beginning of telecommunication! In this course we will cover the birth of the telephone and its gradual evolution through different networks. Humans love to talk, which might explain the speedy growth of telephony networks.

Packet Switched Networks

Now that we have looked at circuit switched networks, we will begin to talk about packet switched networks. Digital networking will change in the telephone industry is what allowed all of the exciting new features we see on mobile phones. In this course, we will clarify differences between circuit and packet switched networks, as well as reveal what digital networking allows us to do.

Computer Telephony

The convergence begins! Computers and telephones start working together which served a great opportunity for business in many ways. Imagine a world without caller ID or voicemail, scary isn’t it? Telephony begins to take the digital route, which brings a whole new experience in telecommunications. The digitization of telephones wasn’t all positive, for it created the possibility of hackers accessing personal information.

Wireless Technologies

Telephones eventually become a new entity which we might recognize as the cell phone. Phone mobility revolutionizes the telecommunications market, phones are no longer apply to homes but rather to people. Cell phones were a game changer for telephone companies.

Features and Apps

Phone applications are born! This is probably the greatest contribution to the telephone industry because now phone don’t just make phone calls and take messages, but also handle finances, entertain, educate, control your home, turn on your car and anything you can imagine! The limits of a technology have never been more endless, if you can think it you can sure build an app for it.

Future Outlook

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the last module in this course! At this point, you should know the history of the internet and many innovations that it has advanced with, but what is the Internet of Things anyway? That question and many more will be answered in this final course!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for learners with an interest in the convergence of technology disciplines, which is the bedrock for creating today's smartphones

Taught by Ganz Chockalingam and Harinath Garudadri, who have extensive experience in the telecommunications and consumer electronics industries, which lends credibility to the instruction

Examines key innovations that transformed multiple industries including communications, entertainment, and consumer electronics

Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the internet and its impact on various aspects of life

Explores the birth and evolution of telephony networks, broadcast networks, and consumer electronics, which is highly relevant to understanding the development of smartphones

Intended for learners who want to understand the future advancements in mobile-enabled products and services

Reviews summary

Largely negative iot course

According to students, this Internet of Things course is largely negative and best avoided. Issues with content, technical problems, and bad testing make it a poor choice.

Too much non-technical stuff.

"This course had lots of interesting facts about various organisations and their history which I liked so much, but mostly everything were non technical which is fine but testing our knowledge in those areas didn't seem like a good idea."

Watch the first lecture only.

"Watch the first lecture... it never gets better."

"Not OK: Technical problems with the site repeatedly moved me back to previously completed lessons."

"I quit when it moved me back to lesson 2 for the 3rd time."

Don't like the questions.

"The questions from quizzes was totally random, that is, it was not even said about in the video lectures."

"The fill in the blanks type questions were too random, where we were supposed to enter the exact answer (even the spaces mattered)."

"Some of the multiple correct questions had answers wrong."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Internet of Things: How did we get here? with these activities:

Learn about the birth of telephony

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Review the birth of telephony to understand the origins of the Internet of Things and telecommunications.

Browse courses on Telecommunications

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Research the first telephones and how they worked.
Read about the inventors and innovators who developed the telephone.
Reflect on what life was like before telephones and how they changed society.

Organize notes and course materials

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Compile notes and course materials to improve knowledge retention and organization.

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Review and organize notes from lectures and readings.
Create electronic or physical folders for different topics.
Summarize key concepts and highlight important information.

Explore the working of email and YouTube

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Follow tutorials to explore how email and YouTube function and how they relate to the Internet of Things.

Browse courses on Email

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Find tutorials on how email works.
Go through tutorials explaining how YouTube works.
Learn about the different protocols and technologies involved in these services and how they connect to the Internet of Things.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Compare circuit and packet switched networks

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Practice comparing circuit and packet switched networks to enhance network understanding.

Browse courses on Network

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Identify the key differences between these two types of networks.
Create a diagram or table to compare these two types of networks.
Consider real-world examples of where each type of network is used.

Explain key innovations in the communications and entertainment industries

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Develop an understanding of the innovations in the communications and entertainment industries and how they have impacted the Internet of Things.

Browse courses on Technology

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Research and select a specific innovation in the communications or entertainment industry.
Explain how this innovation has impacted the development of the Internet of Things.
Create a presentation, blog post, or video to share your findings.

Discuss the future of the Internet of Things

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Collaborate and discuss the future of the Internet of Things with peers to explore its potential applications and implications.

Browse courses on IoT

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Identify potential applications of the Internet of Things in various industries.
Discuss the ethical implications and challenges of the Internet of Things.
Imagine and brainstorm innovative ideas for the future of the Internet of Things.

Contribute to IoT open-source projects

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Gain practical experience by contributing to open-source IoT projects, deepening understanding of the IoT ecosystem.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source IoT projects that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Make contributions to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Internet of Things: How did we get here? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for overseeing the development and launch of new products. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet the needs of customers and are successful in the marketplace. This course will provide Product Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to develop and manage IoT products. With this knowledge, Product Managers can lead their teams to success in the rapidly growing IoT market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that promote products and services. They work with other departments to develop marketing strategies, create marketing materials, and manage marketing budgets. This course will provide Marketing Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to develop and manage IoT marketing campaigns. With this knowledge, Marketing Managers can lead their teams to success in the rapidly growing IoT market.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams to achieve sales goals. They work with customers to identify their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course will provide Sales Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to sell IoT products and services. With this knowledge, Sales Managers can lead their teams to success in the rapidly growing IoT market.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with a variety of data sources, including IoT data. This course will provide Data Scientists with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to collect, clean, and analyze IoT data. With this knowledge, Data Scientists can use IoT data to solve problems and make predictions in a variety of industries.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to identify and solve problems. They analvze business processes and make recommendations for improvements. This course will provide Business Analysts with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to analyze IoT data and make recommendations for how businesses can use IoT to improve their operations.

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IT Manager

IT Managers plan, implement, and manage IT systems. They work with a variety of IT technologies, including IoT technologies. This course will provide IT Managers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to plan, implement, and manage IoT systems. With this knowledge, IT Managers can help their organizations take advantage of the benefits of IoT.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies. This course will provide Software Engineers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to develop IoT applications. With this knowledge, Software Engineers can develop innovative IoT applications that will improve people's lives.

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Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. They work with a variety of networking technologies, including IoT networks. This course will provide Network Engineers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to design and manage IoT networks. With this knowledge, Network Engineers can ensure that IoT networks are reliable and secure.

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Security Analyst

Security Analysts identify and mitigate security risks. They work with a variety of security technologies, including IoT security technologies. This course will provide Security Analysts with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to identify and mitigate IoT security risks. With this knowledge, Security Analysts can help protect IoT networks and devices from cyberattacks.

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Hardware Engineer

Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test hardware devices. They work with a variety of electronic components and technologies. This course will provide Hardware Engineers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to design and develop IoT devices. With this knowledge, Hardware Engineers can develop innovative IoT devices that will improve people's lives.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students on a variety of subjects, including IoT. This course will provide Teachers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to teach IoT to students.

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Student

Students are enrolled in educational programs, such as this course on the Internet of Things (IoT). This course will provide Students with a deep understanding of the IoT and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to use IoT to solve problems and improve their lives.

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Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of topics, including IoT. This course will provide Consultants with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to advise organizations on how to use IoT to improve their operations.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course will provide Entrepreneurs with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to use IoT to start and grow their own businesses.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research on a variety of topics, including IoT. This course will provide Researchers with a deep understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its potential applications. It will also teach them how to conduct research on IoT.

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