17  Simulation Resources

17.1 Learning Objectives

⏱️ ~5 min | ⭐ Foundational | 📋 P01.C03C.U01

This section helps you:

  • Find simulators by chapter: Locate tools relevant to specific topics you’re studying
  • Contribute new simulators: Share your Wokwi, CircuitJS, or custom tools with the community
  • Connect across hubs: Integrate simulation practice with quizzes, videos, and knowledge gap analysis

17.2 Browse by Chapter

⏱️ ~8 min | ⭐ Foundational | 📋 P01.C03C.U02

Find simulators organized by book chapter. This table helps you discover tools related to specific topics you’re studying.

Chapter Simulators Difficulty Type
Networking & Communications MQTT Message Flow Simulator, MQTT QoS Visualizer, MQTT Labs (ESP32+DHT22), CoAP Observe Demo, Wi-Fi Analyzer, Wi-Fi Channel Analyzer, LPWAN Range Calculator, LoRaWAN Range Calculator, LoRa Spreading Factor Demo, LoRa Link Budget Calculator, 802.15.4 Data Rate Tool, Network Topology Explorer, Routing Algorithm Comparison, Protocol Selector Wizard, IoT Bandwidth Calculator, Thread Network Demo, Zigbee Mesh Visualizer, BLE State Machine, 6LoWPAN Header Compression Demo, Packet Fragmentation Demo, CSMA/CA Channel Access Demo, RFID Frequency Comparison, NB-IoT vs LTE-M Selector, RPL DODAG Builder, Multi-Hop Network Simulator, Ad-Hoc Routing Visualizer ⭐-⭐⭐⭐ Protocol + Wireless
Sensing & Actuation DHT22 Temperature/Humidity Reader, Servo Motor Control, PWM Motor Control, PWM LED Dimming, Sensor Comparison Tool, ADC Sampling Demo, ADC Sampling and Aliasing Demo, I2C Bus Scanner ⭐-⭐⭐ Circuit + Design
Data Management & Analytics IoT Storage Requirements Calculator, Time Series Explorer, Edge vs Cloud Latency Explorer, Sensor Fusion Demo, Edge Inference Demo, Anomaly Detection Demo, Stream Processing Demo, Database Selection Tool ⭐⭐-⭐⭐⭐ Performance + Analytics
Architecture Edge-Fog-Cloud Latency Simulator, Sensor Coverage Playground, WSN Target Tracking Demo, LEACH Clustering Demo, M2M vs IoT Comparison, PID Controller Tuner ⭐⭐-⭐⭐⭐ Performance + Design
Business & Monetization IoT ROI & Pricing Calculator, IoT Use Case Builder, IoT Product Comparison Matrix ⭐⭐ Business
Privacy & Security IoT Security Risk Calculator (DREAD methodology), Security Threat Assessment Tool, Encryption Comparison, Attack Surface Visualizer, Network Segmentation Visualizer, Zero-Trust Policy Simulator ⭐⭐-⭐⭐⭐ Security
Design & Prototyping Power Budget Calculator, Context-Aware Energy Optimizer, Sleep Mode Visualizer, Protocol Selection Tool ⭐⭐-⭐⭐⭐ Design

17.3 Submit a Simulator

⏱️ ~5 min | ⭐ Foundational | 📋 P01.C03C.U03

Have a working Wokwi, CircuitJS, or custom simulation to showcase? We welcome community contributions to expand our simulation library.

17.3.1 Contribution Guidelines

To submit a simulator, open a GitHub issue with the following information:

Required Information:

  1. Simulator Name: Descriptive title (e.g., “BLE Beacon Advertising Simulator”)
  2. Platform: Wokwi, CircuitJS, Observable JS, or custom web-based tool
  3. Link: Working URL to the simulator
  4. Learning Objectives: What students will learn (2-4 specific objectives)
  5. Target Chapter: Which chapter should include this simulator
  6. Difficulty Level: ⭐ Easy, ⭐⭐ Medium, or ⭐⭐⭐ Hard
  7. Estimated Time: How long students need to complete the simulation (5-30 min)

Quality Criteria:

  • Functional: Simulator must work reliably in modern browsers
  • Educational: Clear connection to IoT concepts taught in the course
  • Documented: Include brief instructions or parameter descriptions
  • Accessible: Works without requiring paid accounts or special software
  • Interactive: Allows students to experiment with parameters and see results

Example Submission:

Simulator Name: NB-IoT Power Consumption Calculator

Platform: Observable JS (custom)

Link: https://observablehq.com/@username/nb-iot-power

Learning Objectives: - Calculate battery life for NB-IoT devices under different duty cycles - Understand PSM (Power Saving Mode) and eDRX impact on power consumption - Compare energy usage across different transmission intervals

Target Chapter: NB-IoT Comprehensive Review

Difficulty: ⭐⭐ Medium

Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes

We review submissions within 1-2 weeks and will work with you to integrate approved simulators into the course materials.

17.4 Cross-Hub Connections

⏱️ ~5 min | ⭐ Foundational | 📋 P01.C03C.U04

TipCross-Hub Connections

Simulations work best when combined with other learning resources:

After Simulating, Test Your Understanding:

  • Quizzes Hub: Test your knowledge of LoRaWAN range calculations, MQTT QoS levels, and network topology trade-offs with targeted quizzes
  • Use simulators to answer quiz questions: If unsure about “Which topology has the lowest latency?”, open the Network Topology Explorer and compare
  • Track mastery: Quiz results reveal which concepts need more simulation practice

Watch Videos for Context:

  • Videos Hub: See real-world deployments that demonstrate concepts you’ve simulated
  • Before simulating: Watch “LoRaWAN Gateway Installation” to understand what parameters mean
  • After simulating: Watch “MQTT in Industrial IoT” to see pub/sub in production at scale

Review Foundational Concepts:

  • Knowledge Gaps Hub: If simulation results don’t make sense, check for missing prerequisites
  • Common gaps: “Why does SF12 have longer range than SF7?” -> Review spreading factor fundamentals
  • Fill gaps first: Read theory chapters before attempting advanced simulations (e.g., Sensor Fusion requires understanding Kalman filters)

Integrated Learning Loop:

  1. Read theory in chapter (e.g., LoRaWAN Overview)
  2. Simulate with LoRaWAN Range Calculator
  3. Watch deployment video from Videos Hub to see real implementation
  4. Test understanding with quiz from Quizzes Hub
  5. Identify gaps and revisit chapters via Knowledge Gaps Hub

Pro Tip: Bookmark all four hubs and cycle through them regularly - this multi-modal approach (reading + doing + watching + testing) maximizes retention and understanding.

17.6 Knowledge Check

  1. The most effective way to use a simulator in this hub is to:

Simulations work best when you first understand the model, then run controlled experiments and relate outcomes back to the concepts in the chapter.

  1. In the simulation learning workflow, if your understanding is still unclear after analyzing results, the recommended next step is to:

The workflow is iterative: when results are confusing, revisit the chapter concepts, then rerun experiments until the intuition becomes clear.

  1. Which tool category is most appropriate for estimating wireless coverage and feasibility before building hardware?

Wireless calculators help you evaluate range, link budget, and data-rate feasibility so you can sanity-check design choices early.

  1. After experimenting with a simulation, the best way to validate that you truly understand the concept is to:

Use quizzes to check understanding and the Knowledge Gaps Tracker to capture topics that need review, then iterate.

17.7 Summary

This simulation playground provides hands-on learning without hardware investment:

  • 50+ Interactive Tools: Wireless calculators, protocol visualizers, WSN simulations, hardware demos, data analytics, security tools, and architecture explorers
  • Eight Tool Categories: Organized by learning domain (Wireless, Business, Performance, Design, Security, Circuits, Protocols, Analytics)
  • Difficulty Progression: Tools rated ⭐ Easy, ⭐⭐ Medium, or ⭐⭐⭐ Hard to support scaffolded learning
  • Structured Pathway: 12-step learning journey from foundations to integration projects
  • Chapter Integration: Every simulation links to relevant theory content for seamless learning
  • Multiple Platforms: Wokwi (ESP32/Arduino), CircuitJS (analog circuits), Observable JS (custom calculators), and chapter-embedded tools

Learning Impact: Students gain practical experience with IoT protocols, hardware, networks, and system design without needing physical equipment, enabling experimentation, iteration, and understanding of complex concepts through interactive exploration.

17.8 What’s Next

Begin Your Simulation Journey:

Expand Your Learning:

  • After mastering simulations, transition to real hardware with Prototyping Hardware
  • Test your understanding with Quizzes covering simulation concepts
  • Watch related Videos demonstrating simulation workflows and best practices
  • Identify and fill Knowledge Gaps discovered during simulation exercises