- EECE 5155: Wireless Sensor Networks and the Internet of Things, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Fall 2022 and Spring 2025 semesters.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the cutting-edge advancements in communication, networking, and data-collection technologies for the Internet of Things (IoT). The curriculum is delivered through a combination of theoretical lectures, hands-on laboratory assignments, and a comprehensive final project. The theoretical lectures cover the core components of the IoT data path, including data acquisition, local data processing, data communication, data streams, cloud storage, and data analytics. Special attention is dedicated to the design, modeling, and experimentation of communication and networking solutions across all layers of the protocol stack, from the physical layer to the application layer. Key IoT communication standards such as SigFox, LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT are also introduced. In the laboratory assignments, students engage with advanced tools such as the ns-3 network simulator and Wireshark to perform network simulations that enhance their understanding of IoT networking and communication concepts, as well as with large-scale wireless platforms such as the Colosseum wireless network emulator. (The Texas Instruments CC2650 LaunchPad development kit, now discontinued, and IoT sensors were used in the Fall 2022 class instead of ns-3 and Wireshark.) These practical experiences help to reinforce the theoretical knowledge gained in class. For the final project, students collaborate in groups to research and develop technical reports on emerging application areas of the IoT, such as the Internet of Underwater Things, the Internet of Underground Things, the Internet of Nano-Things, and the Internet of Space Things. The project culminates in a formal presentation, allowing students to showcase their findings and technical insights to the class.