IoT Dictionary

Things as a Service.

Time Division Multiple Access.

An IT concept regarding the long-distance transmission of data. In vehicles on the move, telematics refers to the integrated use of telecommunications and informatics, such as dashboard screens that show the vehicles current position on a map or in centralized tracking applications.

Terrestrial Trunked Radio. This operates as a two-way transceiver and is popularly used by the emergency services as well as on transport such as rail and on marine vessels. It operates on low frequencies split over 4 channels (ranging between 380 and 400 MHz for emergency services and higher for civilian use). The use of low frequencies allows for far greater transmission distances but lower data transfer rates.

An entity or physical object that has a unique identifier, an embedded system, and the ability to transfer data over a network.

Something with an embedded system and an Internet connection that has been co-opted by a hacker to become part of a botnet of networked things.

A platform for managing real-world Things and their digital representations.

The concept of delivering IoT functionality without the end user having to operate or maintain extensive hardware. For example, services such as Hadoop can be delivered in the cloud to receive and process the data generated by IoT-enabled sensor networks.

ThingManager.

A simplified IPv6-based mesh networking protocol geared to the smart home vertical. Developed on low-cost 802.15.4 chipsets, Thread is designed for extremely low power consumption.

A MEMS concept referring to the measurement of the inclination or angle of change with respect to gravity. Typical applications include industrial equipment platform stabilization and landscape/portrait detection on handheld devices.

Short for transmitter-receiver. A transceiver both transmits and receives analog or digital signals. A transceiver is normally built into a network interface card.

The core standard protocol for Internet-based communications. Some wireless systems “break” TCP/IP in order to lower the overhead of the on-air signals.

A characteristic of ubiquitous computing where smart devices respond to users’ needs in the background. The devices are invisible (“transparent”) in the sense that they operate without the conscious thought or interaction of the user who is benefiting from the object or Thing.

A new FCC program that makes unused TV station bands available for temporary and controlled use in a small geographic area. This is used mostly by rural Internet service providers and wireless microphone providers.