Are you an Internet of Things (IoT) enthusiast? Do you want to learn more about the various aspects involved in IoT services and systems, their building blocks, the rise and impact of connected devices, the collection and processing of data, and many more?

In this article, we will discuss each of them. Also, we will go through how the rise of connected devices impacts the IoT ecosystem.

Building Blocks of IoT

Are you eager to know the building blocks of IoT? The five fundamental building blocks of an IoT system include the following:

• Sensors
• Processors
• Gateways
• Applications
• Database

Sensors and Actuators

Sensors represent the front end of IoT devices. The ‘Things’ in the Internet of Things refer to the sensors. Further, it helps collect real-time data, which can be autonomous or user-controlled.

Actuators, as well as sensors, are used for converting signals. They both work alongside to monitor the physical processes while actuators perform actions and systems. They are the endpoints that connect physically. A control layer which analyses the actions is known as an IoT gateway.

Processors

Do you know that processors comprise the brain of an IoT system? They represent real-time devices and handle data manipulation. Also, they take care of data security. But, the primary function of processors is to process the data collected from sensors. The embedded hardware devices and microcontrollers process the data.

Gateways

A gateway is a device that performs the fundamental analysis of data received from the sensors. It sends control commands to actuators, and they perform the necessary actions. Any IoT system communicates through network connectivity, and gateways provide it with data. 

Some of the common examples are Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and Personal Area Network (PAN). We can use microcomputers and microprocessors as gateways for IoT applications.

Applications

Applications are vital for the ideal utilization of data collection. They are cloud-based and controlled by users. Common examples include security systems, home automation apps and so on. IoT applications rely on machine learning algorithms to analyze large amounts of data in the Cloud collected from the sensors.

Database

The sensor data is stored in a computer database locally, on the Cloud platform, or both. It helps IoT services companies to integrate data across several databases in the IoT system in real-time. IoT databases can process in real-time large amounts of data.

Impact of Connected Devices

IoT services companies build connected devices that generate lots of data, from home automation to smart cars, smart farming and so forth. When you use IoT devices and systems and the data generated, you have to consider the following important things.

• The type of data devices generated
• The ways by which the data travels from the device to the aggregation point.
• The security of data

Edge Computing

Edge computing helps carry out processing close to the devices. It reduces the data to be transferred across long distances and, therefore, minimizes latency. In IoT, edge computing refers to gathering and processing data near user devices. Instead of sending data to a core network, the data gets processed at the data centers near the users.

Enterprises which operate from multiple geographies rely on edge computing. For example, large industries such as cargo transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing have data-processing needs. They also require high-speed connectivity and security.

Also, consider planning the best ways to collect and process the data from IoT devices. For this purpose, the collaboration between data center providers and Cloud and networks becomes extremely important.

Read more: IoT Services and LPWAN: Everything You Need To Know

How Does Data Collection from IoT Devices Work?

Several layers help ease the IoT data collection process. We shall look at each layer that makes the data collection smooth and flawless. An IoT services company makes use of these several layers. 

Device Layer

The primary layer in the IoT system is the devices that consist of sensors that track specific data. It collects data and processes at the edge. It forms the fundamental layer of an IoT architecture.

Communication Layer

This second layer transports data from the device layer to the Internet through the Gateway. At this point, it undergoes further processing. Further, it aggregates communication with several edge devices. Also, the Communication layer checks security.

Processing Layer

This layer processes and stores data collected from the IoT devices. It also cleans data, adds metadata and arranges the insights from the processed data.

Application Layer

The application layer is located in the Cloud. It generates reports and analysis. Once the data gets processed, it is used for IoT applications, for example, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, smart farming, smart homes and many more.

What’s next after collecting the data?

Have you ever wondered how you would use these data? Do you think businesses invest money in IoT services and systems for only extracting the data? Indeed, the data collected from IoT sensors serves several purposes. Analysis of data gathered from IoT sensors offers data-driven insights.

It has several use cases, such as keeping track of the status of connected devices, transforming the data into structured ones, and identifying trends, patterns and anomalies. Further, it allows enterprises to take necessary actions, forecast and predict results, and facilitate decision-making.

Future of IoT

IoT is growing, and therefore, IoT services are also expanding as they serve to satisfy the increasing demands of everyday life. Here are some predictions about the trends for IoT.

5G Connectivity

The 5G network is not just a modern-day wireless technology, but it is fundamental to take advantage of the full potential of IoT. It is much needed in this technological era where networking has to be more dynamic. The introduction of 5G networks enables IoT services companies to combine both 5G and edge computing solutions. Also, it helps IoT services companies to fine-tune applications to meet the requirements of customers. The high-speed connectivity ensures the high performance of IoT devices, lower latency, real-time processing of data and extensive coverage.

Proliferation of Autonomous Cars

Smart cars with self-driving capabilities will rule the road soon. Driverless cars and connected vehicles make use of high-speed connectivity. Smart cars can analyze the data collected from the sensors and connect with other IoT devices in the network. Furthermore, it helps prevent mishaps by detecting the risks of collisions and so on.

Improved Security

Most consumer IoT devices do not feature security software and can be vulnerable to hacker attacks. However, you can ensure the security of data through your router. As you know, the router is the Internet’s entry point to your home. Indeed, most IoT devices are hardly protected, but the router safeguards your data at the entry point. Further, you can set it up to only specific devices on your network.

Enhanced Data Protection

With the rise in IoT devices, data protection needs also started increasing. Around the world, regulations for data protection are in place in the wake of more and more devices getting connected to the IoT network. So, what does it imply? IoT services companies can bring in more control over your data.

Read more: How Do IoT Services Transform Through Data Analytics

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of connecting devices to the Internet of Things?

With the help of connected devices, enterprises can enhance productivity by optimizing workflows and helping with better decision-making.

What are the examples of IoT-connected devices?

IoT-connected devices include smartwatches, smart mobiles, smart vehicles, smart security systems and many more.

What are connected things in IoT?

A connected object can communicate information to another object or the Internet. Additionally, it captures, transmits and processes data to help decision-making and take necessary actions.

IoT Services at ThinkPalm

One of the leading IoT services and solutions providers, ThinkPalm, offers smart IoT devices to enterprises. Our IoT services offer edge computing, digital twin solutions, live remote monitoring and troubleshooting, real-time monitoring, data analytics, pluggable cloud services, third-party integration and many more. So, if you want to lift your business to the top and beat the odds, then don’t hesitate to make the best decision! Reach out to us without delay to explore our wide range of IoT services and solutions to empower your enterprise!

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