IoT Architecture

SankalpGhodke
3 min readMay 7, 2023

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The architecture of IoT refers to the structure of the system that enables the interconnection and communication of various devices, objects, and sensors. The architecture of IoT is designed to ensure efficient data collection, processing, and analysis, as well as effective communication between devices and data sources. In this blog, we will discuss the architecture of IoT and its components.

Components of IoT architecture

The IoT architecture can be divided into four main layers:

Image Source : InterviewBit

Perception layer

The perception layer consists of the devices that collect data from the physical environment. These devices can be sensors, actuators, or other physical objects such as cameras, microphones, and motion detectors. The devices in this layer are responsible for collecting raw data from the environment and sending it to the next layer for processing.

Network layer

The network layer is responsible for transmitting data between the perception layer and the application layer. This layer includes various communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and satellite networks. The data collected from the perception layer is transmitted through this layer to the application layer.

Data processing layer

The data processing layer is responsible for processing the data collected from the perception layer. This layer includes software applications such as data warehouses, data lakes, and big data platforms that can handle large volumes of data and perform complex data analysis.

Application layer

The application layer is responsible for processing the data collected from the perception layer. This layer includes software applications that analyze and interpret the data to generate insights. These insights can then be used to automate tasks, make decisions, and improve efficiency.

IoT architecture models

There are three main models of IoT architecture:

Image Source : Research Gate

Centralized model

In the centralized model, all the data collected from the devices is sent to a central server for processing and analysis. This model is suitable for small-scale IoT applications but may not be scalable for large-scale applications.

Decentralized model

In the decentralized model, data is processed and analyzed at the edge, i.e., closer to the devices. This model is suitable for large-scale IoT applications where processing and analysis need to be done in real-time.

Hybrid model

The hybrid model is a combination of the centralized and decentralized models. In this model, some data is processed and analyzed at the edge, while other data is sent to a central server for processing.

Conclusion

The architecture of IoT is designed to enable the interconnection and communication of various devices, objects, and sensors. The architecture includes four main layers: perception layer, network layer, application layer, and business layer. The architecture can be divided into three main models: centralized, decentralized, and hybrid. By understanding the architecture of IoT, organizations can design and implement efficient IoT systems that can generate valuable insights and improve efficiency.

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