The 21st century or the era of the Internet of things builts industrial infrastructure incorporating with IoT Architecture. As with unbelievable acquisitions of the internet of things almost all the business industries has adopt IoT for their administration. However, as in reality the idea of IoT is too complicated to implement in business processes.
Different companies offer many IoT solutions and IoT Platforms for industries, and the user can rent or buy as per the need of their organization. The Internet of things provides a platform for every business process to administer smoothly. IoT involves data transfer through connected devices and information processing providing the user with the required IoT Solution and IoT project to accomplish.
IoT Architecture built with different stages also called IoT lifecycle architecture. Different layers are involved in IoT Architecture. However, there are three main layers in IoT Architecture.
IoT Architecture: Layers
- Device Layer
Before discussing these layers, the user should understand, layers that we work on and feel them are not visible to the naked eyes other than the interface. The Device layer of IoT Architecture incorporates with the transfer protocol and communicates the data with connected devices.
The device layer involves millions of connected IoT Devices and maintains the connection with all of them. Data collection occurs here and passes through the gateway layer for further processing. The device layer comprises of connected devices, sensors, controllers, and actuators. The connected devices enable the IoT environment, which also are the endpoint for the Internet of things.
- Gateway Layer
Gateway is an integral part of the Internet of Things ecosystem. However, it also handles communication with local sensors and remote users with different functions. One of the most important functions of the gateway is to benefit the user using IoT applications. The gateway allows the user to collect data efficiently and transport securely form the connected devices.
- Platform Layer
The Platform layer of IoT architecture generally is a pathway for connecting clients and operators. The clients and operators communicate in-order to make the connection stable and maintain the communication channel.
IoT architecture comprises of a layer as well as stages for the completion of the cycle. There are four main stages of IoT architecture.
Sensors and Actuators
The basis of all IoT systems depends upon the connected devices and sensors. Sensors and Actuators being an important component for the physical parameters, allows convergence of data and information. Different sensors come with different functions. For example, motion sensors track the motion around its coverage area; likewise, agricultural sensors have the task of checking soil, humidity or pH level.
IoT architecture is very sensitive also requires effective device management. For that, a robust architecture using fit-for-purpose, secure, and lightweight communication protocols is effective. Lightweight M2M protocol is one of the leading standard protocol for the management of low power lightweight devices.
IoT Architecture: Data Acquisition System
Consisting of Gateways and data acquisition methods and protocols, this stage of IoT architecture is similar to the Sensors and Actuators. It is a separate IoT architecture stage as the gateway is a crucial part of data collection, filtering, and transfer.
With millions of devices connected, a huge amount of data transfer occurs, so maintaining consistency, the gateway is important. Gateways act as an intermediate connection point that ties different layers together. Most importantly, the gateways function between Connected Devices, Cloud, and Analytics. Gateways also responsible for managing the information flow in both directions and with some encryption protocol maintains security.
Edge IT
Edge IT, or simply Edge Analytics focuses on the edge devices which brings a huge difference in large scale IoT projects. Integrated with the IoT Cloud Platform, edge systems provide fast response resulting in less waiting time by the users.
With different platforms such as azure stream analytics, azure edge analytics, and clear edge It solution, the user can analyze the necessary information. The edge IT pro solution incorporates all the data and generates euphoric results.
Datacenter/ Cloud
The main stage, as well as a layer of IoT Architecture, is Datacenter and Cloud. All the collected data and processed information need storage. A Datacenter or a Cloud-Based System developed to store, process and analyze huge amounts of data. The analysis helps in generating deep insights on Machine Learning, Data Mining, Big Data, and Edge Computing.
With increased Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Commercial infrastructures, the demand for Cloud Platform and Datacenter practice is also high. Cloud Computing increases the production rate of the necessary information to the user.
With proper technology and infrastructure in the Cloud platform, IoT can provide great advancement in different sectors. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the finest achievements of information technology. However, the base is the Internet of Things (IoT).
IoT Architecture in practice
Health Care:
On of the furnished industrial sector in the present era is Health Care. IoT Architecture fully implemented in this field performs higher accuracy tasks. Health is the most important factor for human growth, which didn’t care a lot in the past. However, the present era fully equipped with modern technology and health appliances is due to the Internet of things.
For example,
The Healthcare Monitoring System is one of the products of IoT. This Healthcare Monitoring System has provided the industry with advanced monitoring and higher accuracy.