Context
iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub), under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) launched Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway and Node System.
About Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Gateway
- Cost-effective system connecting Bluetooth-enabled sensors to cloud platforms.
- Enables real-time environmental monitoring, data transmission, and advanced analytics across various sectors like agriculture, logistics, and environmental resilience.
- Features
- Robust Connectivity: Supports 4G, WiFi, and LAN.
- Long-Range Communication: Transmits data up to 1 km in line-of-sight.
- Data Aggregation: Collects and processes data from multiple nodes.
- Weatherproof and Compact Design: Durable in extreme weather, easy to deploy.
- Wireless Connectivity: Reduces wiring needs and installation costs.
- Low Power Consumption: Energy-efficient for prolonged use.Scalability: Manages over 100 BLE nodes for large IoT networks.
- Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA): Supports remote firmware updates.
- Compatibility: Integrates with mobile apps, cloud platforms, and sensors.
- User-Friendly: Easy to use and deploy in various conditions.
Potential Applications of BLE Gateway
- Agriculture
- Precision farming through monitoring factors like soil moisture and air quality. Supports sustainable farming practices.
- Logistics
- Ensures optimal environmental conditions for perishable goods in cold storage and during transit, minimizing spoilage risks.
- Smart Cities & Industrial Sites
- Large-scale monitoring networks for enhancing operational efficiency and security.
- Real-time Data Transmission
- Allows customizable alerts for proactive responses to changes such as temperature spikes or unauthorized movements.
About Internet of Things (IoT)
- IoT refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange data over the internet.
- Key Components of IoT:
- Devices/Things: Physical objects (sensors, actuators, etc.) that collect and share data.
- Connectivity: Communication channels (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.) to transfer data.
- Data Processing: Processing of the collected data through cloud computing or local data centers.
- User Interface: The platform or application through which users interact with IoT systems (mobile apps, web portals).
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm, which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day’s weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to the office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a- message to your office accordingly.
In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) Border Gateway Protocol
(b) Internet of Things
(c) Internet Protocol
(d) Virtual Private Network
Answer: (b)