IoT Communications from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Course Overview and Introduction to Radio Frequency Protocols

Welcome to IoT Communications. This course builds on the previous course: IoT Devices. After we have built and programmed a small self-driving vehicle, now it's time get into more advanced territory and enhance the device's connectivity further. To do so you will study radio frequency (RF) communication, the MAC layer, Mesh Networking as well as distributed algorithms for use with geographic locations. As part of the "Honors" activity, these techniques will be applied to your device in the lab, which is composed of four steps, one in each week of the course. In Week 1, after going over some orientation for the course, you will focus on radio frequency (RF) communication, how it fits in with the larger scope of electromagnetism, how RF signals propagate in physical environments, how RF signals can be used to encode data, and how all this information is useful in constructing resilient and high-bandwidth IoT communication substrates.

Week 2 - Protocols: Media Access Protocol

We will learn about the lowest level of communication protocols in IoT - the MAC layer. This is the layer that deals with all the unpleasant and challenging situations that come about through the use of RF in challenging environments. We will learn about mechanisms to efficiently send and receive data, with low power, discover and pair with other nodes, deal with transmission collisions, and so on.

Week 3 - Protocols: Mesh Routing

We will talk about mesh networking, a set of techniques that allow wireless devices to work together to discover and maintain working paths to destinations. These techniques enable communication across multiple hops, by having nodes help each other out, routing through multiple layers of intermediate proxies to construct paths to any destination that needs to be reached. The techniques we talk about in this lecture form the foundation for many operations needed to be conducted in IoT, such as dissemination, replication, multicast, service discovery, and so on.

Week 4 - Protocols: Service Discovery

We will study the next layer up of distributed algorithms that are used in IoT networks. We will continue our exploration of mesh routing, and describe how such techniques can be used to place data at geographic locations, forward in "intermittently-connected" setting, perform multicast, and more.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores advanced topics, including radio frequency protocols and mesh networking techniques

Taught by Matthew Caesar, who has a strong reputation in IoT research and development

Combines theoretical concepts with hands-on labs, providing a comprehensive learning experience

Builds upon a foundation in IoT devices, making it suitable for intermediate learners

Emphasizes the practical applications of IoT connectivity in various industries

Reviews summary

Iot communications course review

According to students, this course covers IoT communications in great detail, including routing. Learners say that the visual material, explanations, and assignments are easy to follow. However, there are difficulties with completing tasks for the PiCar. Students recommend this course highly.

The explanations in this course are easy to understand.

"Excellent routing explanation for IoT."

"I have taken a similar course before at University and it was difficult for me to follow the concepts, in comparisson this course is easy to follow and information is detailed."

"i never see like this coursecourse is very and understandable"

This course covers IoT communications in great detail.

"A very detailed course covering a wide range of topics on IOT communications."

"Excellent routing explanation for IoT."

There are difficulties completing tasks for the PiCar.

"But there are difficulties with completing the task for PiCar."

"Of all the courses and specializations I've taken through Coursera, by far, this is the worst."

"A more reliable product for the cost should have been selected. The wifi car is poorly constructed and unreliable."

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 IoT Communications with these activities:

Coding Refresher

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Strengthen your coding fundamentals to prepare for implementing IoT protocols and algorithms.

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Review basic programming concepts
Practice coding exercises to reinforce your understanding

RF Communications Tutorials

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Enhance your comprehension of the fundamentals of RF communication and its application within IoT contexts.

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Explore online tutorials on RF communication principles
Practice implementing basic RF communication techniques

Review Electromagnetism Concepts

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Reviewing this topic will help you better understand the foundational concepts of radio frequency (RF) communication as applied in IoT.

Browse courses on Electromagnetism

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Review materials on electromagnetism
Complete practice problems related to electromagnetism

Four other activities

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MAC Layer Simulation Exercises

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These drills will strengthen your understanding of MAC layer protocols and their role in IoT.

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Simulate various MAC layer protocols in a virtual environment
Analyze the performance and efficiency of different MAC layer protocols

Mesh Networking Discussion Group

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Engaging in discussions will deepen your grasp of mesh networking techniques and how they contribute to IoT.

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Join or create a study group focused on mesh networking
Participate in discussions and share knowledge with peers

IoT Service Discovery Solution

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Create a practical solution for implementing service discovery in an IoT network, consolidating your understanding of this key concept.

Browse courses on Service Discovery

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Design and implement a service discovery mechanism for an IoT network
Test and evaluate the effectiveness of the service discovery solution

Contribute to IoT Open-Source Projects

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By contributing to open-source IoT projects, you gain hands-on experience and contribute to the advancement of IoT technologies.

Browse courses on IoT

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Identify open-source IoT projects that align with your interests
Contribute to the project by submitting code, documentation, or bug fixes

Career center

Learners who complete IoT Communications will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer systems. They ensure that systems are running smoothly and efficiently, and that data is transmitted securely. This course may be useful for Systems Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, install, and maintain computer networks. They ensure that networks are running smoothly and efficiently, and that data is transmitted securely. This course may be useful for Network Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Network Administrator

Network Administrators manage and maintain computer networks. They install and configure hardware and software, and they monitor networks for problems. This course may be useful for Network Administrators because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Managers plan and direct the implementation of information technology systems. They work with users to identify their needs, and they develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Information Technology Managers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from designing power plants to developing new medical devices. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design and implement security measures to protect computer networks from unauthorized access. They work on a wide range of projects, from developing firewalls to implementing intrusion detection systems. This course may be useful for Network Security Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Wireless Network Engineer

Wireless Network Engineers design and implement wireless networks. They work on a wide range of projects, from designing small office networks to developing large-scale enterprise networks. This course may be useful for Wireless Network Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data pipelines. They ensure that data is collected, processed, and stored in a way that makes it accessible and useful. This course may be useful for Data Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computer technologies. They design and implement algorithms and data structures, and they develop new theories and models for computing. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They ensure that software is running smoothly and efficiently, and that data is transmitted securely. This course may be useful for Software Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop embedded systems. Embedded systems are computer systems that are embedded in other devices, such as cars, airplanes, and medical devices. This course may be useful for Embedded Systems Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Telecommunications Engineer

Telecommunications Engineers design, build, and maintain telecommunications networks. They work on a wide range of projects, from installing fiber optic cables to developing new wireless technologies. This course may be useful for Telecommunications Engineers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Computer Network Architect

Computer Network Architects design and implement computer networks. They work on a wide range of projects, from designing small office networks to developing large-scale enterprise networks. This course may be useful for Computer Network Architects because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer and Information Systems Managers plan and direct the implementation of computer and information systems. They work with users to identify their needs, and they develop and implement solutions that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Computer and Information Systems Managers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of products. They work with engineers and designers to develop new products, and they work with marketing and sales teams to bring those products to market. This course may be useful for Product Managers because it provides a foundation in radio frequency (RF) communication, MAC layer protocols, mesh networking, and distributed algorithms.

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