Green Communications: Principles, Concepts and Practice

Chapter 11Green MTC, M2M, Internet of Things

Andres Laya¹, Luis Alonso², Jesus Alonso-Zarate³ and Mischa Dohler⁴

¹KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Kista, Sweden

²Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain

³Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), Barcelona, Spain

⁴Centre for Telecommunications Research, King's College London (KCL), London, UK

11.1 Introduction

The capability of having any type of object interconnected and Internet-connected creates an unprecedented access and exchange of information that has been baptized as the Internet of Things (IoT) [1]. With the advancement of integrated technologies, improved batteries, and electronic miniaturization, everyday things will be equipped with sensors and microprocessors to collect information around them and execute smart applications. In addition, they will be able to communicate with each other. The IoT has the potential to revolutionize innovations; create new products, services, business; and reshape consumer's behavior. IoT represents a major player for the future of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).

The development of the IoT must be environment friendly. ICT have shown to be a key contributor to global warming and environmental pollution; it is predicted that the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ICT will account for 12% of all emissions by 2020 at a growth rate of 6% per year [2]. Therefore, it is mandatory ...