Memories for the Intelligent Internet of Things

2Memory Applications for the Intelligent Internet of Things

2.1 Introduction

The Intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) is a term used here for smart networks of processing systems communicating with each other, analyzing the data generated, and responding to the conclusions of this analysis. These networks are expected to improve smart automation in many fields. Examples of such smart networks of systems communicating with each other are: wearable medical devices that take data and transmit it regularly to the network to aid in medical monitoring and evaluation of patients; networks in smart houses that detect motion, fire, smoke, state of door locks; and control cameras or audio devices and turn on/off household equipment under the guidance of a smart network controller. Communicating tags are used everywhere on IoT sensors and they need to be very low cost and work with very low levels of intermittently harvested energy. Energy harvesting is a requirement for the many sensors required in such ubiquitous networks since replacing batteries would be prohibitive. Where batteries are used, ultralow power is required. The many devices used in an IoT network must be very low cost.

Data storage is needed in smart networks. Memories are required to collect the information and process it. Many microcontroller units (MCUs) for IoT have the required memory embedded in the processor. In addition, the processors themselves must have near zero power consumption in standby since most of ...