Wicked Wi-Fi 101 Final Project Showcase
Chapter 8: IoT Weather Station Project |
Welcome to the final chapter of Cypress Academy Wicked Wi-Fi 101! In this chapter, we'll be working on a comprehensive project that incorporates all the concepts and skills learned throughout the course. The project is designed to help you practice pulling together different components and features to create a fully functional IoT device. |
When teaching this class in person, students are assigned a class project that requires them to design and build an IoT weather station. This project allows students to apply their knowledge of GPIOs, I2C, RTOS features, U8G library, JSON parsing, Wi-Fi connectivity, TLS security, MQTT, HTTP, and more. |
IoT Weather Station Overview |
The IoT weather station project involves designing and building a device that can read temperature, humidity, and ambient light data from sensors. The device then displays this information on an LCD screen along with the name of the IoT thing, its IP address, and other relevant details. |
The device connects to the cloud using Wi-Fi and sends updated weather information every 30 seconds. Users can also press a mechanical button to send weather data to the cloud immediately, without waiting for the scheduled update interval. |
Project Features |
The IoT weather station project includes several features that demonstrate various aspects of IoT development. Some of these features include: |
• Reading temperature, humidity, and ambient light data from sensors |
• Displaying weather information on an LCD screen |
• Connecting to the cloud using Wi-Fi and sending updated weather information every 30 seconds |
• Allowing users to send weather data to the cloud immediately using a mechanical button |
• Implementing TLS security for secure communication with the cloud |
• Using MQTT and HTTP protocols for data exchange between the device and the cloud |
• Parsing JSON documents to extract relevant weather information |
Additional Functionality |
In addition to the features mentioned above, the IoT weather station project also includes several other functionalities. These include: |
• A UART user interface that allows users to interact with the device using a serial connection |
• Capsense buttons that allow users to control which weather station's data is displayed on the screen |
• A feature that allows users to view the current state of all known weather stations using a single command (X) |
Conclusion |
Congratulations on completing Chapter 8 and the entire Cypress Academy Wicked Wi-Fi 101 course! This project has provided you with hands-on experience in building a comprehensive IoT device that incorporates various features and technologies. |
We hope this course has been informative and engaging, and we look forward to seeing what you create next. As always, feel free to post your comments and questions in our Wi-Fi developer community or email us at [alan.hawse@cypress.com](mailto:alan.hawse@cypress.com). |
IoT Project |
The IoT project refers to the development and implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, which involve connecting physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items to the internet, enabling them to collect and exchange data. |
Background |
The concept of IoT emerged in the late 1990s, but it wasn't until the early 2010s that the term gained popularity. The rapid advancement of technology, decreased costs of sensors and microcontrollers, and the widespread adoption of internet connectivity have driven the growth of IoT. |
Key Characteristics |
IoT projects typically involve: |
• Sensor Technology |
Used to collect data from the physical environment. |
• Connectivity Options |
Such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks, which enable devices to communicate with each other and the cloud. |
• Data Analytics |
Used to process and interpret the data generated by IoT devices. |
Applications |
IoT projects have a wide range of applications across various industries, including: |
• Industrial Automation |
Predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, and quality control. |
• Smart Homes and Cities |
Energy management, waste management, and public safety. |
• Healthcare |
Remote patient monitoring, medical device integration, and personalized medicine. |
Benefits |
IoT projects can bring numerous benefits, including: |
• Increased Efficiency |
Automated processes and real-time monitoring. |
• Improved Safety |
Predictive maintenance and anomaly detection. |
• Enhanced Customer Experience |
Personalized services and real-time engagement. |
Wicked Wi-Fi 101 Final Project Showcase |
After weeks of learning and exploration, the Wicked Wi-Fi 101 class has finally reached its culmination. The final project showcase was a spectacular display of creativity, innovation, and technical prowess. In this article, we'll delve into the details of the projects that stole the show. |
Project 1: Wi-Fi Enabled Home Automation |
This project was a smart home automation system that utilized Wi-Fi to control and monitor various appliances. The team designed an intuitive mobile app that allowed users to remotely control lighting, temperature, and security systems. The project impressed the judges with its seamless integration of hardware and software components. |
Project 2: Wi-Fi Based IoT Weather Station |
This innovative project created a wireless weather station that utilized Wi-Fi to transmit real-time weather data to the internet. The team designed a sleek and compact device that measured temperature, humidity, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure. The judges praised the project for its accuracy and potential for practical applications. |
Project 3: Wi-Fi Security Auditing Tool |
This project developed a comprehensive security auditing tool that utilized Wi-Fi to scan and identify vulnerabilities in wireless networks. The team created a user-friendly interface that provided detailed reports on network security, highlighting potential threats and suggesting remedial measures. The judges commended the project for its relevance and potential to improve wireless security. |
Project 4: Wi-Fi Controlled Robot Arm |
This project designed a robotic arm that was controlled using Wi-Fi. The team created a custom-built robotic arm that could be operated remotely using a mobile app. The judges were impressed by the project's technical complexity and potential for applications in fields like manufacturing and healthcare. |
Conclusion |
The Wicked Wi-Fi 101 final project showcase was an incredible display of talent, creativity, and technical expertise. Each project demonstrated a deep understanding of wireless networking concepts and their practical applications. The judges were impressed by the quality of work presented, and we're excited to see what these talented individuals will achieve in the future. |
Q1: What is Wicked Wi-Fi? |
A: Wicked Wi-Fi is a project that aims to provide free and secure public Wi-Fi hotspots in various locations. |
Q2: What is the main objective of the Wicked Wi-Fi 101 Final Project Showcase? |
A: The main objective is to demonstrate a working prototype of the Wicked Wi-Fi system and showcase its features and capabilities. |
Q3: What are the key components of the Wicked Wi-Fi system? |
A: The key components include Wi-Fi routers, access points, a central management server, and a user authentication system. |
Q4: How does the Wicked Wi-Fi system ensure security for its users? |
A: The system uses encryption protocols such as WPA2 and HTTPS to secure data transmission, and also implements a firewall to block unauthorized access. |
Q5: What is the role of the central management server in the Wicked Wi-Fi system? |
A: The central management server monitors and controls all aspects of the network, including user authentication, traffic management, and security. |
Q6: Can users access the internet from any location using Wicked Wi-Fi? |
A: No, users can only access the internet from designated public hotspots that have been set up with Wicked Wi-Fi routers and access points. |
Q7: How do users authenticate themselves on the Wicked Wi-Fi network? |
A: Users can authenticate themselves using a username and password, or through social media authentication methods such as Facebook or Google. |
Q8: What is the expected internet speed for users on the Wicked Wi-Fi network? |
A: The expected internet speed is up to 100 Mbps, depending on the location and number of users connected to the network. |
Q9: Can users access any website or online service using Wicked Wi-Fi? |
A: No, some websites or online services may be blocked due to content filtering or other restrictions imposed by the network administrators. |
Q10: What are the future plans for expanding and improving the Wicked Wi-Fi project? |
A: Future plans include expanding the number of public hotspots, increasing internet speeds, and adding new features such as mobile payments and location-based services. |
Rank |
Pioneers/Companies |
Contribution |
1 |
Norm Abramson (AlohaNet) |
Developed the first wireless network, ALOHAnet, in 1970 |
2 |
John O'Sullivan (CSIRO) |
Invented Wi-Fi technology as we know it today, with a patent filed in 1992 |
3 |
Vic Hayes (IEEE) |
Chair of the IEEE committee that developed the 802.11 standard for Wi-Fi |
4 |
Cisco Systems |
Released the first commercial Wi-Fi router in 1999, popularizing Wi-Fi technology |
5 |
Apple Inc. |
Introduced Wi-Fi capabilities in their iBook laptops in 1999, further increasing adoption |
6 |
Wi-Fi Alliance |
A trade association that promotes and certifies Wi-Fi technology since 2000 |
7 |
Boingo Wireless |
Launched the first commercial public Wi-Fi network in 2001, providing hotspots worldwide |
8 |
T-Mobile HotSpot |
Introduced a large-scale public Wi-Fi network in 2002, expanding availability of Wi-Fi |
9 |
Municipal Wireless Networks (Muni Wi-Fi) |
A movement that brought free or low-cost public Wi-Fi to cities and towns worldwide since the mid-2000s |
10 |
Google |
Launched Google Wifi in 2016, a mesh network system that provides seamless whole-home coverage, further popularizing Wi-Fi technology |
Wicked Wi-Fi 101 Final Project Showcase |
Section |
Technical Details |
Network Architecture |
The network architecture consists of a wireless local area network (WLAN) with the following components:
- Access Points (APs): 5x Ubiquiti UniFi AP-AC-Pro, each connected to a Gigabit Ethernet switch.
- Switches: 2x Cisco SG200-8 8-port Gigabit switches, used for connecting APs and other network devices.
- Routers: 1x pfSense firewall/router, running on an Intel NUC.
|
Wireless Configuration |
The wireless network is configured as follows:
- SSID: Wicked Wi-Fi 101
- Frequency: Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
- Channel Width: 20MHz (2.4GHz) and 40MHz (5GHz)
- WPA2-PSK encryption with AES-256 bit
|
Security Measures |
To ensure network security, the following measures have been implemented:
- Firewall: pfSense with configured rules to block unwanted traffic.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS): Suricata, running on the pfSense firewall.
- Regular software updates and patching for all network devices.
|
Performance Optimization |
To optimize network performance, the following measures have been taken:
- Quality of Service (QoS) configuration on the pfSense firewall to prioritize critical traffic.
- Caching and content filtering using a dedicated caching server.
- Regular monitoring and analysis of network performance using tools like Wireshark and Grafana.
|
|