The application of the internet has moved past the cyber world and is spilling into the physical realm. Internet of things (IoT) is transforming everyday man-made landscape and making it smarter: from health care and home automation to public transportation and factory operations, humans are breaking new ground at a staggering rate.
We can expect the number of connected devices to go through the roof in the near future and reach tens of billions. The pinnacle of this omnipresent network will not be computing, as it will be overshadowed by conventional physical objects. Taking advantage of these rapid developments, however, requires people to grasp the fundamentals of the IoT architecture.
A breath of wireless air
The wireless network is the air that IoT breathes. All the different sensors need to be able to communicate flawlessly, without the need to cope with the entangling cable disarray. Their independence and domain use is of utmost importance, with the nodes preferably displaying optimum power consumption.
Namely, the IoT devices remain dormant for most of the time, becoming active in cases when they need to send data. This is why so many entrepreneurs and business owners invest in intelligent hardware with the sleeping mode capabilities. Micro-controllers are an integral part of this undertaking, with 32-bit devices being the most popular choice, due to their compatibility with most open-source software solutions and app building options.
By the protocol
To enable the devices to operate on less power, IoT networks mount smart communication protocols such as ZigBee. Thank to the advanced solutions like mash networking, the exchange and handling of data run like clockwork and are less burdensome for the architecture. Other low complexity protocols in the league of Bluetooth low energy (BLE) also promise to deliver the same range coverage with energy-efficiency benefits added.
They are utilized in the healthcare industry, for example, where wearable health monitors are integrated with smartphones and medical instruments. Still, evaluating the various protocols can be quite demanding, and many are those who rely on vendor information. Alas, the decision should be based on a present business model, security credentials and resources needed to support the protocol.
Top Gear
It goes without saying that fast and reliable internet connection is a must-have for anyone seeking to embrace the IoT marvels. Wi-Fi is the most prominent communication platform for numerous apps and connected devices, with protocols such as WPS making smooth transmission and bit-per-power efficiency possible.
Now, remote controlling, as well as audio and video sharing, leads to increased data transfer and IP stack compliance. In such a scenario, it is best to first access the actual capacities by conducting a quick internet speed test and see whether an overhaul is necessary. While you are at it, you should do the mobile test as well, since portable devices serve as crucial constituents of the network.
May the workforce be with you
Finally, it is often overlooked that IoT demands a massive workforce and brings forth a big change in the desired skillets of workers. The networks still cannot operate without human intervention, although the products are introduced as components of productivity changes. A building can communicate with smartphone and machines with vehicles, but people tower above the tech landscape, “talking” to all inanimate objects.
New systems will flood the market, and the bar for technical knowledge and innovation skills is rising. Pattern recognition is the cornerstone of the associative thinking which employees and professionals will have to endorse, but this goes for knowledge on coding and analytics platforms too. Managers will have to learn how to coordinate virtual teams and even assemble experimental learning centers.
The digital galaxy
Smart devices of today will be dwarfed by the advent of mundane connected items, steadily establishing IoT as the centerpiece of modern business strategies. Wireless internet, apparatuses, microcontrollers, chipset and integrated capacities will dominate our relationship with modern tech. With the $14 trillion market, the scope of IoT tech is already huge, but that is nothing compared to the greatness still to come.
IoT is the future of big data and transformative tech, taking us to the doorsteps of the interconnected future. Those who make an effort to set up a proper framework for the network may enjoy virtually endless possibilities that this cutting-edge tech offers. Remember that there is still much room for improvement in architecture and that the perquisites for the application are scaling up.
