Skip to main content
Log in

The internet of things: a survey

  • Published:
Information Systems Frontiers Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent year, the Internet of Things (IoT) has drawn significant research attention. IoT is considered as a part of the Internet of the future and will comprise billions of intelligent communicating ‘things’. The future of the Internet will consist of heterogeneously connected devices that will further extend the borders of the world with physical entities and virtual components. The Internet of Things (IoT) will empower the connected things with new capabilities. In this survey, the definitions, architecture, fundamental technologies, and applications of IoT are systematically reviewed. Firstly, various definitions of IoT are introduced; secondly, emerging techniques for the implementation of IoT are discussed; thirdly, some open issues related to the IoT applications are explored; finally, the major challenges which need addressing by the research community and corresponding potential solutions are investigated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alcaraz, C., & Lopez, J. (2010). A security analysis for wireless sensor mesh networks in highly critical systems. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Part C: Applications and Reviews, 40(4), 419–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atzori, L., Iera, A., & Morabito, G. (2011). SIoT: giving a social structure to the internet of things. IEEE Communication Letters, 15(11), 1193–1195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bi, Z., Xu, L., & Wang, C. (2014). Internet of Things for enterprise systems of modern manufacturing. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2300338.

  • Bluetooth SIG. (2014). Generic Attributed Profile (GATT). Bluetooth SIG Specification, https://www.bluetooth.org/en-us/specification/assigned-numbers/generic-attribute-profile.

  • Broll, G., Rukzio, E., Paolucci, M., Wagner, M., Schmidt, A., & Hussmann, H. (2009). Perci: pervasive service interaction with the internet of things. IEEE Internet Computing, 13(6), 74–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, H., Xu, L., Xu, B., Xie, C., Qin, S., & Jiang, L. (2014). IoT-based configurable information service platform for product lifecycle management. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306391.

  • Chi, Q., Yan, H., Zhang, C., Pang, Z., & Xu, L. (2012). A reconfigurable smart sensor interface for industrial WSN in IoT environment. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306798.

  • Ciganek, A., Haseman, W., & Ramamurthy, K. (2014). Time to decisions: the drivers of innovation adoption decisions. Enterprise Information Systems, 8(2), 279–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dada, A., & Thiesse, F. (2008). Sensor applications in the supply chain: the example of quality-based issuing of perishables. LNCS, 4952, 140–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng, R. H., Li, Y., Yung, M., & Zhao, Y. (2010). A new framework for RFID privacy. LNCS, 6345, 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • EPCglobal. (2013). Radio-frequency identity protocols class-1 generation-2 uhf rfid protocol for communications at 860–960 MHz, Version 1.2.0, http://www.gs1.org/gsmp/kc/epcglobal/uhfc1g2/uhfc1g2_1_1_0-standard-20071017.pdf.

  • ETSI. (2013). The European Telecommunications Standards Institute, [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.etsi.org/.

  • Fan, Y., Yin, Y., Xu, L., Zeng, Y., & Wu, F. (2014). IoT based smart rehabilitation system. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2302583.

  • Fang S., Xu, L., Zhu, Y., Ahati, J., Pei, H., Yan, J., et al. (2014). An integrated system for regional environmental monitoring and management based on Internet of Things. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2302638.

  • Fielding, R. T., & Taylor, R. N. (2002). Principled design of the modern web architecture. ACM Transactions Internet Technology, 2(2), 115–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleisch, E. (2013) What is the Internet of things? [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.im.ethz.ch/education/HS10/AUTOIDLABS-WP-BIZAPP-53.pdf .

  • Floerkemeier, C., Roduner, C., & Lampe, M. (2007). RFID application development with the Accada middleware platform. IEEE Systems Journal, 1(2), 82–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frenken, T., Spiess, P., & Anke, J. (2008). A flexible and extensible architecture for device-level service deployment. LNCS, 5377, 230–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gama, K., Touseau, L., & Donsez, D. (2012). Combining heterogeneous service technologies for building an Internet of Things middleware. Computer Communications, 35(4), 405–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guinard, D., Trifa, V., Pham, T., & Liechti, O. (2009). Towards physical mashups in the web of things. Proc. IEEE Sixth International Conference on Networked Sensing Systems (INSS 09), Pittsburgh, PA, pp.196–199.

  • Guinard, D., Trifa, V., Karnouskos, S., & Spiess, P. (2010). Interacting with the SoA-based internet of things: discovery, query, selection, and on-demand provisioning of web services. IEEE Transactions on Service Computing, 3(3), 223–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, J., Xu, L. D., Xiao, G., & Gong, Z. (2012). Improving multilingual semantic interoperation in cross-organizational enterprise systems through concept disambiguation. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 8(3), 647–658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hachani, S., Gzara, L., & Verjus, H. (2013). A service-oriented approach for flexible process support within enterprises: application on PLM systems. Enterprise Information Systems, 7(1), 79–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, W., & Xu, L. (2014). Integration of distributed enterprise applications: a survey. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 10(1), 35–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, W., Yan, G., & Xu, L. (2014) Developing vehicular data cloud services in the IoT environment. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2299233.

  • Hepp, M., Siorpaes, K., & Bachlechner, D. (2007). Harvesting Wiki consensus: using wikipedia entries as vocabulary for knowledge management. IEEE Internet Computing, 11(5), 54–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez-Castro, J. C., Tapiador, J., Peris-Lopez, P., & Quisquater, J. (2013). Cryptanalysis of the SASI ultra-light weight RFID authentication protocol, [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://arxiv.org/abs/0811.4257 .

  • Hunter, D., Yu, H., Pukish, M., Kolbusz, J., & Wilamowski, B. (2012). Selection of proper neural network sizes and architectures-a comparative study. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 8(2), 228–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IERC. (2013). Coordinating and building a broadly based consensus on the ways to realise the internet of things in Europe, [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.internet-of-things-research.eu/pdf/Poster_IERC_A0_V01.pdf.

  • Ilic, A., Staake, T., & Fleisch, E. (2009). Using sensor information to reduce the carbon footprint of perishable goods. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 8(1), 22–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ITU. (2013). The internet of Things, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Internet Report [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/opb/pol/S-POL-IR.IT-2005-SUM-PDF-E.pdf.

  • Jara, A. J., Zamora-Izquierdo, M. A., & Skarmeta, A. F. (2013). Interconnection framework for mHealth and remote monitoring based on the internet of things. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 31(9), 47–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jardim-Goncalves, R., Grilo, A., Agostinho, C., Lampathaki, F., & Charalabidis, Y. (2013). Systematisation of interoperability body of knowledge: the foundation for enterprise interoperability as a science. Enterprise Information Systems, 7(1), 7–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, H., Zhao, S., Zhang, Y., & Chen, Y. (2012a). The cooperative effect between technology standardization and industrial technology innovation based on Newtonian mechanics. Information Technology and Management, 13(4), 251–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, H., Zhao, S., Qiu, S., & Chen, Y. (2012b). Strategy for technology standardization based on the theory of entropy. Information Technology and Management, 13(4), 311–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, H., Zhao, S., Wang, X., & Bi, Z. (2013). Applying electromagnetic field theory to study the synergistic relationships between technology standardization and technology development. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30(3), 272–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, L., Xu, L., Cai, H., Jiang, Z., Bu, F., & Xu, B. (2014). An IoT oriented data storage framework in cloud computing platform. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306384.

  • Joshi, G. P., & Kim, S. W. (2013). Survey, nomenclature and comparison of reader anti-collision protocols in RFID, IETE Technical Review, [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://tr.ietejournals.org/text.asp?2008/25/5/285/44659.

  • Juels, A. (2006). RFID security and privacy: a research survey. IEEE Selected Areas in Communications, 24(2), 381–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, K., Pang, Z., Xu, L., Ma, L., & Wang, C. (2014). An interactive trust model for application market of the Internet of Things. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306799.

  • Karpischek, S., Michahelles, F., Resatsch, F., & Fleisch, E. (2009). Mobile sales assistant – an NFC-based product information system for retailers. Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Near Field Communications 2009, Hagenberg, Austria, 2009, pp.20–23.

  • Kataev, M., Bulysheva, L., Emelyanenko, A., & Emelyanenko, V. (2013). Enterprise systems in Russia: 1992–2012. Enterprise Information Systems, 7(2), 169–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirtsis, D. (2011). Closed-loop PLM for intelligent products in the era of the internet of things. Computer-Aided Design, 43(5), 479–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klair, D. K., Chin, K.-W., & Raad, R. (2010). A survey and tutorial of RFID anti-collision protocols. IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, 12(3), 400–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kranenburg, V. (2013). Moscow futurodesign lab co-create urban intelligence: designing smart interfaces between people and city, [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.theinternetofthings.eu/content/moscow-futurodesign-laboratory-workshop-co-create-urban-intelligence-designing-smart-interfa.

  • Kranenburg, R., & Anzelmo, E. (2011) The Internet of Things, 1st Berlin Symposium on Internet and society, Oct 25–27, 2011.

  • Krapelse, H. J. (2013). RFID application in healthcare – scoping and identifying areas for RFID deployment in healthcare delivery, RAND Europe. [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR608z1.html.

  • Lam, C., & Ip, W. (2012). An improved spanning tree approach for the reliability analysis of supply chain collaborative network. Enterprise Information Systems, 6(4), 405–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, L. (2012). Effects of enterprise technology on supply chain collaboration: analysis of China-linked supply chain. Enterprise Information Systems, 6(1), 55–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, L. (2013). Technology designed to combat fakes in the global supply chain. Business Horizons, 56(2), 167–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., & Liu, J. (2012). An efficient and flexible web services-based multidisciplinary design optimisation framework for complex engineering systems. Enterprise Information Systems, 6(3), 345–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Xu, L., Wang, X., & Wang, J. (2012a). Integration of hybrid wireless networks in cloud services oriented enterprise information systems. Enterprise Information Systems, 6(2), 165–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., Hou, M., Liu, H., & Liu, Y. (2012b). Towards a theoretical framework of strategic decision, supporting capability and information sharing under the context of Internet of Things. Information Technology and Management, 13(4), 205–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Q., Wang, Z., Li, W., Li, J., Wang, C., & Du, R. (2013a). Applications integration in a hybrid cloud computing environment: modelling and platform. Enterprise Information Systems, 7(3), 237–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Xu, L., & Wang, X. (2013b). Compressed sensing signal and data acquisition in wireless sensor networks and internet of things. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 9(4), 2177–2186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., Li, S., & Zhao, S. (2014a). QoS-aware scheduling of service-oriented Internet of Things. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306782.

  • Li, S., Oikonomou, G., Tryfonas, T., & Chen, TM. (2014). A distributed consensus algorithm for decision-making in service-oriented Internet of Things. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306331.

  • Malatras, A., Asgari, A., & Bauge, T. (2008). Web enabled wireless sensor networks for facilities management. IEEE Systems Journal, 2(4), 500–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marry, W. (2013). Disruptive civil technologies six technologies with potential impacts on us interests out to 2025, [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://swemgovdocs.blogs.wm.edu/.

  • Miorandi, D., Sicari, S., De Pellegrini, F., & Chlamtac, I. (2012). Internet of things: vision, applications and research challenges. Ad hoc Networks, 10(7), 1497–1516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitrokotsa, A., Rieback M. R., & Tanenbaum, A. S. (2013). Classifying RFID attacks and defences. [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/publications/isf-2009.pdf.

  • Mutti, C., & Floerkemeier, C. (2008) CDMA-based RFID systems in dense scenarios: Concepts and challenges. Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. on RFID, Las Vegas, NV, pp. 215–222.

  • Panetto, H., & Cecil, J. (2013). Editorial Information systems for enterprise integration, interoperability and networking: theory and applications. Enterprise Information Systems, 7(1), 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pautasso, C., & Wilde, E. (2009). Why is the web loosely coupled? A multifaceted metric for service design. Proc. 18th International World Wide Web Conference (WWW 09), pp. 911–920.

  • Peris-Lopez, P., Hernandez-Castro, J. C., Estevez-Tapiador, J. M., & Ribagorda, A. (2006). M2AP: a minimalist mutual-authentication protocol for low-cost RFID tags. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 4159, 912–923.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pretz, K. (2013). The Next Evolution of the Internet. [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://theinstitute.ieee.org/technology-focus/technology-topic/the-next-evolution-of-the-internet.

  • Ren, L., Zhang, L., Tao, F., Zhang, X., Luo, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2012). A methodology towards virtualisation-based high performance simulation platform supporting multidisciplinary design of complex products. Enterprise Information Systems, 6(3), 267–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roman, R., & Lopez, J. (2009). Integrating wireless sensor networks and the internet: a security analysis. Internet Research, 19(2), 246–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roman, R., Alcaraz, C., Lopez, J., & Sklavos, N. (2011). Key management systems for sensor networks in the context of the Internet of Things. Computers and Electrical Engineering, 37(2), 147–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, W., Xu, W., Yang, F., Xu, L., & Jiang, C. (2013). A framework for service enterprise workflow simulation with multi-agents cooperation. Enterprise Information Systems, 7(4), 523–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, F., Cheng, Y., Xu, L., Zhang, L., & Li, B. (2014a). CCIoT-CMfg: cloud computing and Internet of Things based cloud manufacturing service system. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306383.

  • Tao, F., Zuo, Y., Xu, L., & Zhang, L. (2014b). IoT based intelligent perception and access of manufacturing resource towards cloud manufacturing. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306397.

  • Ulmer, J., Belaud, J., & Le Lann, J. (2013). A pivotal-based approach for enterprise business process and IS integration. Enterprise Information Systems, 7(1), 61–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Looy, A., Backer, M., & Poels, G. (2014). A conceptual framework and classification of capability areas for business process maturity. Enterprise Information Systems, 8(2), 188–224.

  • Vermesan, O. (2013). CERP-IoT strategic research agenda. [cited 2013 May 20]; available from http://www.rfid-in-action.eu/cerp/.

  • Vilamovska, A. M., Hatziandreu, E., Schindler, H. R., Oranje-Nassau, C. V., Vries, H., Krapels, J. (2012). Study on the requirements and options for RFID application in healthcare Identifying areas for Radio Frequency Identification deployment in healthcare delivery: a review of relevant literature. Directorate General Information Society and Media, European Commission. Santa Monica, CA, USA: The RAND Corporation.

  • Viriyasitavat, W., Xu, L., & Viriyasitavat, W. (2014a). Compliance checking for requirement-oriented service workflow interoperations. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2301132.

  • Viriyasitavat, W., Xu, L., & Viriyasitavat, W. (2014b). A new approach for compliance checking in service workflows. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2301143.

  • Wang, C. (2012). Editorial advances in information integration infrastructures supporting multidisciplinary design optimization. Enterprise Information Systems, 6(3), 265.

  • Wang, X., & Xu, X. (2012). DIMP: an interoperable solution for software integration and product data exchange. Enterprise Information Systems, 6(3), 291–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, F., Ge, B., Zhang, L., Chen, Y., Xin, Y., & Li, X. (2013). A systems framework of security management in enterprise systems. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30(3), 287–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Bi, Z., & Xu, L. (2014). IoT and cloud computing in automation of assembly modelling systems. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2300346.

  • Welbourne, E., Battle, L., Cole, G., Gould, K., Rector, K., Raymer, S., Balazinska, M., & Borriello, G. (2009). Building the internet of things using RFID: the RFID ecosystem experience. IEEE Internet Computer, 13(3), 48–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilamowski, B. (2010). Challenges in Applications of Computational Intelligence in Industrial Electronics. Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics (IEEE ISIE 2010), Bari, Italy, July 4–7, 2010, pp. 15–22.

  • Xiao, G., Guo, J., Xu, L., Gong, Z. (2014). User interoperability with heterogeneous IoT devices through transformation. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306772.

  • Xing, Y., Li, L., Bi, Z., Wilamowska-Korsak, M., & Zhang, L. (2013). Operations research (OR) in service industries: a comprehensive review. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30(3), 300–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L. (2011a). Enterprise systems: state-of-the-art and future trends. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 7(4), 630–640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L. (2011b). Information architecture for supply chain quality management. International Journal of Production Research, 49(1), 183–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L., & Viriyasitavat, W. (2014). A novel architecture for requirement-oriented participation decision in service workflows. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2301378.

  • Xu, L. D., Viriyasitavat, W., Ruchikachorn, P., & Martin, A. (2012a). Using propositional logic for requirements verification of service workflow. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 8(3), 639–646.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L. D., Wang, C., Bi, Z., & Yu, J. (2012b). AutoAssem: an automated assembly planning system for complex products. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 8(3), 669–678.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, B., Xu, L., Cai, H., Xie, C., Hu, J., & Bu, F. (2014). Ubiquitous data accessing method in IoT-based information system for emergency medical services. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306382.

  • Zheng, X., Martin, P., Brohman, K., & Xu, L. (2014a). CLOUDQUAL: a quality model for cloud services. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2306329.

  • Zheng, X., Martin, P., Brohman, K., & Xu, L. (2014b). Cloud service negotiation in IoT environment: a mixed approach. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. doi:10.1109/TII.2014.2305641.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Li Da Xu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, S., Xu, L.D. & Zhao, S. The internet of things: a survey. Inf Syst Front 17, 243–259 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-014-9492-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-014-9492-7

Keywords

Navigation