IoT
An introduction to IoT
6 min read
The three-part model
Every IoT system does three things: sense (a sensor measures the world), send (a radio moves that measurement — Wi-Fi, GSM or LoRa), and decide (a server, phone or the device itself acts on it). Keep this model in mind and even complex systems become readable.
Choosing a connection
Wi-Fi (ESP32/ESP8266) is free and fast but short-range. GSM (SIM800L) works anywhere with phone signal at the cost of a SIM and airtime. LoRa reaches kilometres on coin-cell power but sends only small packets — ideal for farms and remote monitoring.
A great first project
A room-climate monitor: ESP32 + DHT22, posting temperature and humidity to a free dashboard every minute. It teaches sensing, connectivity, power and data visualisation in one afternoon — and every part is reusable.
Ready to put it into practice?