What is IoT Architecture?

Currently, the IT market is full of new concepts such as data science, analytics, artificial
intelligence, and the internet of things (IoT), but the question is what do these actually
mean? The Internet of Things refers to the widespread interconnection of various devices,
such as wearables, watches, tablets, remote controls, sensors, home appliances, and
more, with people who utilize them. Specifically, the solution gathers data from a large
number of devices, which is then sent to data centers and servers for further analysis
which drives automation and actions. However, between your command and the
achievement of your tasks, there remains an extensive and largely invisible architectural
framework that relies on multiple elements and interactions.

IoT architecture refers to the tangle of components such as sensors, actuators, cloud
services, Protocols, and layers that make up IoT networking systems. In general, it is
divided into layers that allow administrators to evaluate, monitor, and maintain the integrity
of the system. The architecture of IoT is a four-step process through which data flows from
devices connected to sensors, through a network, and then through the cloud for
processing, analysis, and storage. With further development, the Internet of Things is
poised to grow even further, providing users with new and improved experiences.

Different Layers of IoT Architecture

In recent years, IoT technology has grown in popularity and it has a large variety of
applications. IoT applications operate according to how they have been
designed/developed based on the different application areas. However, there is no
standard defined architecture of work that is strictly adhered to across the board. The
complexity and number of architectural layers vary according to the specific business task
at hand. A four-layer architecture is the standard and most widely accepted format.

As you can see from the above image, there are four layers present i.e., the Perception
Layer, Network Layer, Processing Layer, and Application Layer.

Perception/Sensing Layer

The first layer of any IoT system involves “things” or endpoint devices that serve as a
conduit between the physical and the digital worlds. Perception refers to the physical layer,
which includes sensors and actuators that are capable of collecting, accepting, and
processing data over the network. Sensors and actuators can be connected either
wirelessly or via wired connections. The architecture does not limit the scope of its
components nor their location.
Network Layer

Network layers provide an overview of how data is moved throughout the application. This
layer contains Data Acquiring Systems (DAS) and Internet/Network gateways. A DAS
performs data aggregation and conversion functions (collecting and aggregating data from
sensors, then converting analog data to digital data, etc.). It is necessary to transmit and
process the data collected by the sensor devices. That’s what the network layer does. It
allows these devices to connect and communicate with other servers, smart devices, and
network devices. As well, it handles all data transmissions for the devices.

Processing Layer

The processing layer is the brain of the IoT ecosystem. Typically, data is analyzed, pre-
processed, and stored here before being sent to the data center, where it is accessed by
software applications that both monitor and manage the data as well as prepare further
actions. This is where Edge IT or edge analytics enters the picture.

Application Layer

User interaction takes place at the application layer, which delivers application-specific
services to the user. An example might be a smart home application where users can turn
on a coffee maker by tapping a button in an app or a dashboard that shows the status of
the devices in a system. There are many ways in which the Internet of Things can be
deployed such as smart cities, smart homes, and smart health.