Architecture of IoT
The architecture of IoT is divided into 4 different layers i.e. Sensing Layer,
Network Layer, Data processing Layer, and Application Layer.
Sensing Layer: The sensing layer is the first layer of the Internet of
Things architecture and is responsible for collecting data from different sources.
This layer includes sensors and actuators that are placed in the environment to
gather information about temperature, humidity, light, sound, and other physical
parameters. Wired or wireless communication protocols connect these devices to the
network layer.
Network Layer: The network layer of an IoT architecture is responsible for
providing communication and connectivity between devices in the IoT system. It
includes protocols and technologies that enable devices to connect and communicate
with each other and with the wider internet. Examples of network technologies that
are commonly used in IoT include WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and cellular networks
such as 4G and 5G technology. Additionally, the network layer may
include gateways and routers that act as intermediaries between devices and the
wider internet,
Data processing Layer: The data processing layer of IoT architecture refers to the
software and hardware components that are responsible for collecting, analyzing,
and interpreting data from IoT devices. This layer is responsible for receiving raw
data from the devices, processing it, and making it available for further analysis
or action.The data processing layer includes a variety of technologies and tools,
such as data management systems, analytics platforms, and machine learning
algorithms.
Application Layer: The application layer of IoT architecture is the topmost layer
that interacts directly with the end-user. It is responsible for providing user-
friendly interfaces and functionalities that enable users to access and control IoT
devices.This layer includes various software and applications such as mobile apps,
web portals, and other user interfaces that are designed to interact with the
underlying IoT infrastructure. It also includes middleware services that allow
different IoT devices and systems to communicate and share data seamlessly
Advantages of IoT
Execute multiple tasks at a time like a computer.
Easiest internet connectivity
Works on GUI (Graphical User Interface) mode because of HDMI port.
Best suited for server-based applications i.e., can be connected via SSH–Secure
Shell-to access the Rpi command line remotely and file sharing via FTP–File
Transfer Protocol.
More reliable for software applications.
Disadvantages of IoT
Security concerns and potential for hacking or data breaches.
Privacy issues related to the collection and use of personal data.
Dependence on technology and potential for system failures.
Limited standardization and interoperability among devices.
High initial investment costs.
Limited battery life on some devices.
Concerns about job displacement due to automation.
Modern Applications of IoT
Smart Grids and energy saving
Smart cities
Smart homes/Home automation
Healthcare
Earthquake detection
Radiation detection/hazardous gas detection
Smartphone detection
Water flow monitoring
Traffic monitoring
Smart door lock protection system
Robots and Drones
key components :
privacy
devices
networks
applications
security
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iot reference model
1. Device Layer (Perception Layer)
2.Network Layer (Transmission Layer)
3. Edge Layer
4. Data Processing Layer (Middleware Layer)
5. Application Layer
6. Business Layer
7. Security and Privacy Layer
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1. 6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks)
Purpose: 6LoWPAN is designed to enable IPv6 communication over low-power and lossy
networks, such as those found in IoT environments. It allows constrained devices
(e.g., sensors and actuators) to connect to the internet via IPv6.
Key Features:
Header Compression: Reduces the size of IPv6 headers, making it efficient for low-
bandwidth networks.
Fragmentation and Reassembly: Allows data packets to be broken down into smaller
pieces for transmission and then reassembled at the destination.
Adaptation Layer: Provides a bridge between the IPv6 protocol and low-power
wireless networks, such as those using IEEE 802.15.4.
Use Cases: Home automation, smart cities, and industrial monitoring systems that
need to transmit data over low-power networks.
Example: Connecting IoT sensors to a low-power network and making them accessible
over the internet.
2. RPL (Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks)
Purpose: RPL is a routing protocol designed for low-power and lossy networks
(LLNs), such as those in IoT systems. It is an essential protocol for efficient
data routing and network management.
Key Features:
Distance Vector-Based Protocol: Uses a directed acyclic graph (DAG) to optimize
routes and select the best path for data transmission.
Low Power Operation: Designed to minimize energy consumption and maximize battery
life of IoT devices.
Hierarchical Routing: Supports various network topologies, such as point-to-point,
star, and mesh.
Use Cases: Industrial automation, smart grids, and sensor networks where efficient,
low-energy data transmission is necessary.
Example: Deploying an RPL-based network in a smart city to efficiently route data
from multiple sensors to a central processing unit.
3. CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol)
Purpose: CoAP is a web transfer protocol specifically designed for constrained
devices and networks. It is similar to HTTP but optimized for low-bandwidth and
low-power IoT environments.
Key Features:
Lightweight Protocol: Reduced header size and simple message format to minimize
overhead.
Request-Response Model: Supports methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE for
communication.
UDP-Based: Typically runs over UDP, which is more efficient than TCP for many IoT
applications.
Built-In Reliability: Provides features like retransmissions, block-wise transfers,
and support for observing resources (publish/subscribe model).
Use Cases: Smart home devices, environmental monitoring, and any application that
requires simple data transfer between constrained devices.
Example: A smart thermostat using CoAP to communicate with a central IoT hub.
4. MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)
Purpose: MQTT is a lightweight, publish/subscribe messaging protocol designed for
remote devices that need to send data over networks with low bandwidth and high
latency.
Key Features:
Publish/Subscribe Model: Decouples message senders (publishers) from receivers
(subscribers), which allows for flexible, scalable communication.
Broker-Based: Uses a central broker to route messages between devices. This allows
devices to communicate without knowing the address of other devices.
Quality of Service (QoS): Offers three levels of service quality for message
delivery:
QoS 0 (At most once)
QoS 1 (At least once)
QoS 2 (Exactly once)
Low Overhead: Minimal data header to save bandwidth and power.
Last Will and Testament (LWT): Allows a device to notify others of its
disconnection unexpectedly.
Use Cases: Real-time messaging in smart homes, industrial IoT, telemetry, and
connected car systems.
Example: A home security system that uses MQTT to send alerts from sensors to the
homeowner’s mobile app or central alarm system.
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ThingSpeak is an IoT platform or framework that provides a suite of tools for
collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data from IoT devices. It's a cloud-based
solution that is designed to help developers and engineers build IoT applications
quickly and easily. ThingSpeak is popular for its ease of use and integration with
various IoT devices and platforms.
Key Features of ThingSpeak:
Data Collection and Storage:
ThingSpeak offers data channels to collect and store data from various IoT devices.
Each channel can hold up to 8 fields of data, and data is stored in real-time.
Data can be sent to ThingSpeak via HTTP, MQTT, and other protocols, allowing
flexible device communication.
Data Visualization:
ThingSpeak provides built-in tools for data visualization through customizable
charts, graphs, and maps. This helps users understand their IoT data at a glance
and monitor trends over time.
Visualizations include line plots, bar charts, and scatter plots, among others.
Data Analysis:
ThingSpeak integrates with MATLAB for advanced data analysis and modeling. Users
can leverage MATLAB's powerful functions to analyze collected data, build
predictive models, and create algorithms for more complex analysis.
This integration enables users to run MATLAB scripts to process and analyze data
directly within the ThingSpeak platform.
How ThingSpeak Works:
Data Input: IoT devices send data to ThingSpeak using HTTP POST requests or via the
MQTT protocol. This data is captured in channels created on ThingSpeak.
Processing: Data is processed in real-time and can be analyzed using built-in
MATLAB support for more complex operations.
Visualization: The platform provides a user-friendly dashboard where users can
create custom visualizations of their data.
Automation: Through integration with MATLAB and custom code, users can implement
automated processes that trigger notifications, control connected devices, or
trigger other actions based on data conditions.
Common Use Cases for ThingSpeak:
Smart Home: Collecting temperature, humidity, and energy usage data from IoT
sensors and visualizing or analyzing it to optimize energy consumption and comfort.
Industrial IoT: Monitoring machine health, temperature, and vibration data from
equipment to predict failures and schedule preventive maintenance.
Agriculture: Monitoring soil moisture, temperature, and crop conditions in real-
time to optimize irrigation and improve crop yields.
Weather Station: Collecting real-time weather data such as temperature, humidity,
and wind speed for analysis and prediction.
