Internet of Things(IoT) capacity building for Universities

This program is aimed for university students keen in learning more about the IoT, embebbed systems and firmware. We focus on MicroPython,Linux and gateway systems. The strength of our program is being able to infuse industrial experience into the learning. The program is 80% practical.

Programe Vision

• To train the next generation of Africa’s electronic hardware developers,designers, engineers and system integrators.
• To train students to design and build solutions that create impactful electronic hardware solutions that produce value
• Develop the understanding of how the integration of various disciplines like hardware,communication protocols and software come together to produce innovative products
• Train students to build solutions that are relevant and meaningful to society both domestic and abroad

Life skills obtained

• Gain practical hands-on design configuration, engineering implementation and testing of innovative prototypes
• Software and firmware engineering principles
• Knowledge of low power networks and protocols
• IoT skills(critical-thinking) that can be transfered and applied to other fields

Outcomes/Benefits obtained by students

• Device provisioning, device security and device registration
• Firmware updating and device configuration
• Software engineering principles for embedded electronics
• Hands on knowledge in the latest Industrial Internet of Things equipment and hardware

Programe Content

1-3 months

• IoT-IIoT skills training and skills transfer
• Device provisioning, device security and device registration
• Firmware updating and device configuration
• Understanding networks and IoT-IIoT protocols

1-6 months

• Industrial Internet of Things (IoT-IIoT) engineering practical training experience
• Industrial grade engineering hardware and software firm programming(MicroPython)
• Context electronic board design and engineering
• Software engineering principles in IoT-IIoT
• IoT-IIoT data visualization, analysis and external systems and platforms
• Power of APIs and integration into other systems

Some of the training equipment

Item	Description
Pygate:An 8-channel LoRaWAN gateway	Dual SX1257 transceivers for a total of 8 channels support Frequencies: 863-870 MHz or 902-928 MHz Baseband processor: SX1308 Compatible with WiPy3.0, GPy and LoP4 Ultra-low power standby mode Ethernet with PoE via the optional daughter board Powered via USB, LiPo Battery and Ethernet via the optional daughter board LiPo battery charging via the USB port USB to serial connection for the Pycom module with auto-programming features Dimensions: 65 (W) x 50 (L) x 8 (H) mm (Same small form factor as the Expansion Board v3.0/v3.1)
	Ambient light sensor Barometric pressure sensor Humidity sensor 3 axis 12-bit accelerometer Temperature sensor USB port with serial access LiPo battery charger MicroSD card compatibility Ultra low power operation (~1uA in deep sleep)
	Five networks: WiFi, BLE, cellular LTE-CAT M1/NB1, LoRa and Sigfox 1KM WiFi range MicroPython enabled Espressif ESP32 SoC Dual processor and WiFi radio system on chip Networking processor handles the WiFi connectivity and the IPv6 stack Main processor is entirely free to run the user application An extra ULP-coprocessor that can monitor GPIOs ADC channels and control most of the internal peripherals during deep-sleep mode while only consuming 25uA
	1.5GHz 64-bit quad-core CPUx Available with 2GB, 4GB or 8GB RAM (select above) 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE Gigabit Ethernet 2x USB 3.0 ports; 2x USB 2.0 ports. Raspberry Pi standard 40 pin GPIO header 2 × micro-HDMI ports (up to 4kp60 supported) 2-lane MIPI DSI display port Micro-SD card slot for loading operating system and data storage 5V DC via USB-C connector (minimum 3A*) 5V DC via GPIO header (minimum 3A*)

Support

• Training support is meant for students,lab technicians and lecturers
• The support is both remote and physical
• Support and training services are charged on an hourly basis

This program is aimed for SMEs,innovators,entrepreneurs,system integrators and engineering corporates. The programme focus is train participants to provide services and products that of value to the economy The program is higly flexible inorder to fit in irregular schedules. The programme offers the opportunity for professional people working to develop their career, be able to respond to changes in their environment.

Programe Mision

• To create an understanding of how IoT technologies and solutions will be able to solve challenges experienced by citizens, businesses and the public sector, including the creation of direct and indirect jobs, infrastructure, etc.
• To energize and drive the growth of the domestic IoT-IIoT ecosystem
• To provide infrastructure to support skills development initiatives and provide a testbed environment for start-ups and entrepreneurs
• To enable citizen engagement in urban and rural IoT projects that drive sustainable economic development
• To facilitate a thriving business ecosystem comprised of startups, SMEs and large enterprises that share common goals that are in line with national digital economy strategies that are linked to the broader Smart Africa vision for a single African digital market

Key Objectives

• Work together to build a curriculum that is needed to solve the problems currently being faced by the SMEs and innovators as context would apply.
• Train members of SMEs in building of valued based SMEs using IoT-IIoT technology building blocks
• Work with participants and stakeholders to find creative ways to generate demand for products and services
• Find innovative ways how technology can be used as an infrastructure for growth while supporting old and opening up of new market
• Focus on IoT –IIoT applications in agriculture and other sectors and industries
• Focus on building synergies and areas of collaboration with domestics, continental and foreign agencies with mutual benefits
• Focus on training that fastens the development process and getting to market of solutions and products

Outcomes/benefits obtained by participants

• Building value based IoT-IIoT projects
• Systems integration in IoT-IIoT
• IoT-IIoT agile project management
• Build and operate a viable IoT-IIoT business
• Software engineering principles in IoT-IIoT
• Hardware and embedded systems engineering principles in IoT-IIoT

Programe Content

1-3 months-Basics

• IoT-IIoT skills training and skills transfer
• Systems integration in IoT-IIoT
• IoT-IIoT agile project management
• Device provisioning, device security and device registration
• Firmware updating and device configuration
• Understanding networks and IoT-IIoT protocols

1-6 months

• Building value based IoT-IIoT projects
• Industrial Internet of Things (IoT-IIoT) engineering practical training experience
• Industrial grade engineering hardware and software firm programming
• Developing of IoT prototypes
• API and webhooks in IoT
• IoT-IIoT data visualization, analysis and external systems and platforms
• Team work and collaboration during IoT projects

Industrial equipment used for training

• Agricultural sensors
• Lora Gateways and Networking Equipment
• Weather & atmospheric sensors
• Air quality monitoring sensors
• Health sensors

Support

• Training support can be given to students and lab technicians
• The support is both remote and physical
• Support and training services are charged on an hourly basis