In this rapidly developing digital age, IoT applications are becoming increasingly widespread, especially in various fields of intelligence and automation. As a key component of IoT applications, microcontrollers play an important role.

A microcontroller is a chip that integrates processor cores, memory, and input/output functions. They have small size, low power consumption, and high integration characteristics which make them an ideal choice for IoT applications.

Below are some IoT applications using microcontrollers:

• Smart Home System

• Industrial Automation

• Smart Agriculture

• Health Monitoring

• Smart Transportation System

Smart Home System

The smart home system is an important field in the application of the Internet of Things. By using microcontrollers, various intelligent and automated functions can be realized to enhance the comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency of homes. Here are some examples of microcontroller products related to smart home systems:

1. Arduino series: Arduino is a popular open-source microcontroller platform that provides multiple models and specifications of microcontroller boards such as Arduino Uno, Arduino Mega, and Arduino Nano. These boards have rich input/output interfaces and easy-to-program development environments suitable for various smart home applications.

2. Raspberry Pi series: Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer that integrates microcontrollers and processors. It has powerful computing capabilities and rich interfaces suitable for building smart home control centers, media centers, automation systems, etc.

3. ESP8266/ESP32 series: ESP8266 and ESP32 are low-cost, low-power Wi-Fi modules that integrate microcontrollers with Wi-Fi communication functions. They are widely used in smart home devices such as smart sockets, smart bulbs, and smart switches.

4. STMicroelectronics series: STMicroelectronics offers multiple series of microcontroller products such as the STM32 series and STM8 series. These microcontrollers have high performance, low power consumption, and rich peripheral interfaces suitable for controlling and connecting smart home systems.

STMicroelectronics STM32F4 series microcontrollers

5. Texas Instruments Series: Texas Instruments offers multiple series of microcontroller products, such as the MSP430 series and Tiva C series. These microcontrollers have low power consumption, high integration, and rich peripheral interfaces, making them suitable for controlling and sensing smart home devices.

Industrial Automation

Industrial automation is an important field in IoT applications. By using microcontrollers, monitoring, control and automation of production lines can be achieved. Microcontrollers play a key role in industrial automation by providing powerful processing capabilities, rich peripheral interfaces, and reliable performance. The following are some common applications in industrial automation along with examples of some microcontroller models:

1. PLC (Programmable Logic Controller): PLC is a commonly used control device in industrial automation that uses microcontrollers as its core to monitor and control the production process. Microchip's PIC16F877A and Siemens' SIMATIC S7 series are common PLC microcontrollers.

2. Robot Control: Microcontrollers also play an important role in the field of industrial robot control. For example, STMicroelectronics' STM32 series and Arduino's Robot series provide rich functionality and interfaces for robot motion control and sensing.

3. Data collection and monitoring: Microcontrollers can be used in data collection and monitoring systems to monitor parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pressure. For example, Texas Instruments' MSP430 series and Analog Devices' ADuCM series provide low-power and high-precision data acquisition functions.

4. Automation control system: Microcontrollers can be used to build automation control systems, such as automated process control and automated warehousing systems. For example, Renesas' RX series and Infineon's XMC series both provide high-performance and reliable microcontrollers suitable for automation control applications.

5. Industrial communication and networking: Microcontrollers can be used to implement industrial communication and networking functions, such as Modbus communication and Ethernet connectivity. For example, Microchip's PIC18F series and NXP's LPC series provide rich communication interfaces with protocol support.

Smart Agriculture

Smart agriculture is an important field in the application of the Internet of Things (IoT). By using microcontrollers, agricultural production can be made intelligent and automated. Microcontrollers play a key role in smart agriculture by providing functions such as data collection, control, and communication. The following are some common applications in smart agriculture along with examples of microcontroller models.

1. Irrigation System: By using microcontrollers and sensors, an intelligent irrigation system can be achieved that automatically controls irrigation based on soil moisture and weather conditions. For example, Arduino Uno and ESP8266 series are commonly used microcontrollers for building smart irrigation systems.

Read more: NodeMCU ESP8266 [Video+FAQ]: ESP32 vs ESP8266

2. Greenhouse Control: Microcontrollers can be used to control greenhouse environments such as temperature, humidity, and lighting parameters. By using microcontrollers, the environmental conditions inside the greenhouse can be automatically adjusted to provide suitable growing conditions. For example, Raspberry Pi and STM32 series are commonly used microcontrollers for greenhouse control systems.

3. Crop Monitoring: Microcontrollers can be used to monitor crop growth conditions such as soil moisture, temperature, and lighting parameters. Real-time monitoring of crop growth status can be achieved by using microcontrollers and sensors with irrigation and fertilization performed as needed. For example, Microchip's PIC series and Texas Instruments' MSP430 series are available for crop monitoring systems.

4. Feed Management: Microcontrollers can automate feed management systems providing precise feeding according to animal needs and schedules. For instance, Arduino Mega or NXP LPC series is applicable in automatic feeding systems for poultry farming or livestock breeding.

5. Precision Climate Control: Microcontroller technology enables climate control in greenhouses or plant factories with precision adjustment of factors like temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, etc. By utilizing microcontroller chips along with sensors, the optimal growing environment could thusly be provided. For instance, the STMicroelectronics' STM32 Series or ESP32 Series is applicable in precision climate control systems.

Health Monitoring

Health monitoring is an important field in the application of the Internet of Things. By using microcontrollers, it is possible to monitor and provide remote medical care for human health conditions. Microcontrollers play a critical role in health monitoring by providing functions such as data collection, signal processing, and communication. The following are some common applications and examples of microcontroller models used in health monitoring.

1. Biosensors: Microcontrollers can be used in conjunction with biosensors to monitor physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body temperature. Real-time collection and processing of biological signals can be achieved through the use of microcontrollers to provide accurate health monitoring results. For example, Analog Devices' ADuCM series and Texas Instruments' MSP430 series can be used for biosensor interfaces and signal processing.

2. Remote Medical Care: Microcontrollers can be used in remote medical systems to achieve remote monitoring and diagnosis. Health monitoring data can be transmitted to medical experts or cloud platforms through the use of microcontrollers and communication modules to provide remote medical services. For example, Nordic Semiconductor's nRF series and STMicroelectronics' STM32 series can be used for communication and data transmission in remote medical devices.

3. Wearable Devices: Microcontrollers play an important role in wearable devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart glasses. By using microcontrollers and sensors, real-time monitoring of human activity, sleep quality, heart rate, and other parameters can be achieved. For example, Arduino's Nano and Microchip's PIC series can be used for control and data processing in wearable devices.

4. Medical Equipment: Microcontrollers can be used for the control and monitoring of medical equipment such as ventilators, electrocardiographs (ECG), blood glucose meters, etc. By using microcontrollers, precise control and data acquisition of medical equipment can be achieved. For instance, Renesas' RX series and Infineon's XMC series are suitable for controlling medical instruments or signal processing.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Intelligent transportation systems are an important field in IoT applications where microcontrollers play a crucial role by providing functions like data collection, control & communication to achieve traffic flow monitoring with intelligent traffic lights & parking systems that enhance efficiency & safety on roads. Below are some common applications found in intelligent transportation systems along with examples of some microcontroller models.

1. Traffic flow monitoring: Real-time monitoring of traffic flow and vehicle speed can be achieved by using microcontrollers and sensors. These data can be used for traffic management and road condition prediction. For example, STMicroelectronics' STM32 series and Texas Instruments' MSP430 series can be used for data acquisition and processing in traffic flow monitoring devices.

2. Intelligent traffic lights: Microcontrollers can be used in intelligent traffic light systems to achieve adaptive adjustment of signals based on traffic flow and priority. By using microcontrollers and communication modules, remote control and coordination of signal lights can be realized. For example, Microchip's PIC series and NXP's LPC series can be used for control and communication in intelligent signal lights.

3. Smart parking system: Microcontrollers can be used in smart parking systems to achieve parking space detection and navigation. Real-time monitoring of parking space occupancy status with sensors is possible, along with providing navigation guidance through the use of microcontrollers as well. For example, Arduino's Uno or ESP8266 series are suitable for car park detection & communication within a smart parking system.

4. Traffic safety monitoring: Microcontrollers are also applicable to transportation safety surveillance systems such as traffic cameras or violation monitors that automatically identify & record violations via image processing algorithms when combined with appropriate hardware components like Raspberry Pi or STMicroelectronics' STM32 Series.