In today’s immersive world, electronic components are the foundation of countless devices used in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications, to name a few.
As end-user devices evolve to incorporate new technologies such as artificial intelligence, so do the electronic components that enable these.
But first, we will examine how the emergence of the Internet of Things is influencing the design of electronic components. In addition, how its influence is pushing forward innovation within the electronics industry, manufacturing, and its effects on BOM management solutions.
In this blog post, we are going to break down what the Internet of Things is and why it is valuable in today’s increasingly digital world so that readers can obtain some valuable insights
Key Takeaways
- Understanding what IoT is
- Looking at its diverse impacts
- Uncovering some sustainability and secure components factors
Simply put, the Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects known as “things”. Sensors and other technologies are included in these items, allowing the objects to communicate with one another. This information sharing is possible as long as these devices are connected to the internet.
You might’ve heard of the term “smart”. Well, this is basically how everyday appliances, such as washing machines and heaters, are able to be connected to the internet and share information with other devices. For example, this means you can set a load of washing to run using your phone and switch on the heating before you’ve even stepped through your front door.
So, you can see that demand for this interconnectivity is rising on a consumer level, as the Internet of Things can help make everyday tasks run smoothly. Though when applied on a grander scale in manufacturing and other industries, IoT can take efficiency and innovation to a whole new level.
Interesting Facts
In 2024, connectivity integrated circuits (ICs) held over 26.1% of the IoT semiconductor market. This segment is bolstered by the rollout of 5G, which offers faster, more reliable connections.
Now that everyone wants their home and office devices to have this ability to interconnect and communicate, electronic component designers have had a few challenges to face.
Electronic component designers have had to incorporate this connectivity while keeping components small, powerful, and safe. It’s a significant accomplishment.
Designers have been influenced by the key trends guiding the IoT. These include, but are not limited to, keeping technology compact and adapting to AI. Let’s examine them in more detail.
The goal here is to have small yet mighty electronic components. IoT devices are becoming increasingly more compact, but all the while being able to achieve so much more than older models.
Take your mobile phone, for example. It is far less bulky than before, yet the technology allows you to organize your life, take professional-style photographs, and more. The components that make up the device have been miniaturized. There is no longer a bulky battery. Instead, a slimline and discreet power pack is integrated into the device.
However, the key is to ensure that in reducing the size and weight of the device, the performance remains unaffected. If anything, IoT devices should be even more powerful, and so, the components need to follow the same principles.
It’s no secret that there is a considerable drive across sectors to hit sustainability targets. Therefore, market leaders are looking to new technologies to help them become more ecologically aware. But how can IoT influence component design to achieve this?
Electronic component designers are encouraged to create products that are designed to conserve and manage energy efficiently. Furthermore, there is a current trend of reusing and repurposing materials from old devices. This is a far less invasive method of obtaining valuable resources than removing them from the earth.
Exciting new materials discovered by scientists are being incorporated into electronic component design. These materials hold an array of properties that are far superior to those of materials used previously. For example, graphene, extracted from graphite, is now used for screen displays as it is super thin, strong, and surprisingly flexible.
Gallium Nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) are two other new materials used by component designers. GaN and SiC are used in compact high-power IoT devices because they can withstand high voltages and temperatures.
Manufacturing processes have had to speed up and become more streamlined to keep up with IoT’s rapid evolution. One way is to utilize 3D printing for faster prototyping and limit time lost in the testing phases.
Another option is to include automation and robotics in the manufacturing process. New manufacturing techniques enable the rapid production of electronic components to meet increasing demand and IoT requirements, all at a lower cost.
Security is a big deal as IoT networks expand. The sharing of data between devices, as useful and efficient as it is, can put the owner’s personal information at risk. The advances in IoT are not without obstacles, and security is the main challenge.
Many IoT components now require hardware-level security features like hardware-based identity verification. USB security keys, smart cards, and one-time password tokens are some examples. Manufacturers can protect their devices from both physical and digital threats by incorporating security into the hardware.
Electronic component design can adopt AI to help create components. Design tools that incorporate AI features can simulate performance and highlight any potential faults early on. This way, AI is used as a predictive tool that guides the design process.
AI plays an important role in the IoT, as smart devices rely on AI to become more responsive and attuned to consumer usage habits. As a result, device users will get a more personalized experience.
The IoT and, by extension, its electronic components need to be able to cope with the rollout of 5G networks. This means supporting super-fast data transfer and greater bandwidth while keeping power consumption and latency low.
As a result, developing advanced antennas, high-frequency circuits, and power amplifiers is critical for ensuring high-speed device communication. Furthermore, there are reports of 6G connectivity in the works. As a result, component technology must adapt rapidly and evolve before the next generation arrives.
IoT provides BOM management with better interconnectivity, enabling real-time tracking of components throughout the supply chain. Integrating IoT devices and features such as scanners and smart systems allows manufacturers to have a firm grip on inventory levels and be alerted to potential shortages, well in advance.
It’s clear that the Internet of Things can help with every stage of component design and manufacturing, from creating compact, powerful components that can withstand our technological demands to streamlining the component manufacturing process. Simply put, the Internet of Things’ influence is positively changing the face of electronic component design and manufacturing.
Ans: The number of IoT devices is expected to reach 40.6 billion by 2034, with the market projected to grow to $2.72 trillion by 2030.
Ans: The four important components of IoT are sensors/devices, connectivity, data processing, and a user interface.
Ans: It includes concepts like connectivity, continuity, compliance, coexistence, and cybersecurity.
