12.1 IoT architecture and protocols

The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing how we connect and communicate with devices. IoT architecture provides a framework for building these systems, with layers handling different tasks from data collection to user applications. Understanding these layers is key to grasping how IoT works.

IoT protocols are the languages devices use to talk to each other and the internet. From lightweight options like MQTT to more robust choices like AMQP, these protocols enable efficient data exchange. Network protocols like IPv6 and 6LoWPAN help IoT devices integrate seamlessly with existing networks.

IoT Architectural Layers

IoT Reference Model and Perception Layer

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• IoT reference model provides a standardized framework for designing and implementing IoT systems
• Consists of multiple layers, each responsible for specific functions and services
• Perception layer is the lowest layer in the IoT reference model
• Responsible for collecting data from the physical world using sensors and actuators
• Sensors gather environmental data (temperature, humidity, pressure)
• Actuators perform actions based on the data received or instructions from higher layers (switching lights on/off, adjusting thermostats)

Network and Application Layers

• Network layer is responsible for transmitting data collected by the perception layer to the higher layers
• Utilizes various communication technologies and protocols (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, cellular networks)
• Ensures reliable and secure data transmission between devices and to the cloud
• Application layer is the highest layer in the IoT reference model
• Responsible for providing services and applications to end-users
• Processes and analyzes data received from the lower layers
• Presents information to users through user-friendly interfaces (mobile apps, web dashboards)
• Enables integration with existing enterprise systems and third-party services

IoT Communication Protocols

Lightweight Protocols: MQTT and CoAP

• MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a lightweight, publish-subscribe messaging protocol
• Designed for resource-constrained devices and low-bandwidth networks
• Uses a broker to manage message distribution between publishers and subscribers
• Supports three levels of Quality of Service (QoS) for message delivery reliability
• CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) is a specialized web transfer protocol for use with constrained nodes and networks
• Based on the REST architecture and designed to work with HTTP
• Provides a request/response interaction model between application endpoints
• Supports built-in discovery of services and resources

HTTP-based Protocols: REST and WebSocket

• HTTP/REST (Representational State Transfer) is a widely used architectural style for designing networked applications
• Relies on standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) for communication between clients and servers
• Stateless protocol, meaning each request from the client contains all necessary information for the server to process it
• WebSocket is a full-duplex communication protocol that enables real-time, bidirectional communication between clients and servers
• Operates over a single TCP connection, reducing overhead and latency compared to traditional HTTP polling
• Useful for applications requiring real-time updates (live monitoring, instant messaging)

Advanced Messaging Protocol: AMQP

• AMQP (Advanced Message Queuing Protocol) is an open standard application layer protocol for message-oriented middleware
• Provides reliable, secure, and interoperable communication between systems
• Supports both point-to-point and publish-subscribe messaging patterns
• Offers features like message queuing, routing, and transaction management
• Designed for scalability and high-performance messaging in enterprise environments

IoT Network Protocols

IPv6 and 6LoWPAN for IoT Networking

• IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol, designed to address the limitations of IPv4
• Provides a vast address space, allowing for the unique identification of billions of IoT devices
• Supports features like stateless address autoconfiguration and improved security with IPsec
• 6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks) is an adaptation layer that enables the use of IPv6 over resource-constrained networks
• Compresses IPv6 headers to reduce overhead and accommodate the limited packet sizes in low-power wireless networks (IEEE 802.15.4)
• Allows IoT devices to communicate directly with other IP-enabled devices and systems, facilitating seamless integration with existing networks and the Internet