In this post, IoT will again surprise you with its innovative features. This post is all about the technology stack of IoT. Therefore, to go deeper into this topic you should have a clear knowledge of technology stack and how it is linked with the IoT. So, what is a technology stack? It is nothing but a package of services that are needed to be run an application. Finally, coming to the subparts of this post.
Contents
So, let’s get started.
Introduction
Firstly, human being is by nature curious. So, every time human try to think the next big thing to innovate. As we all trying to make the changes in our near future rather trying to make life simpler and easier we are involving technologies. And, the Internet of Things is the platform of the current developing world which is enhancing day by day.
In addition, it is moderating by combining with the latest industry-related technologies. Likewise, IoT is combining with machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, python programming language and many more. Basically, IoT is gathering its think stack and it is on a hike. Now, its time to differentiate its think stack which we will discuss here.
What is technology stack?
A technology stack is also called a data stack. It is nothing but a list of technology services that are used to run a single application. Likewise, Facebook is the combined application of languages like JavaScript, CSS, HTML, PHP, and ReactJS. Similarly, every application needs a technology stack of different layers.
Basically, the technology stack is a package of coding languages, development tools, and frameworks which interfaces with the application. So, the technology stack is solely dependant on the developers on how they want to connect their application.
What is IoT technology stack
Firstly, there are so many components that are required to build the complete “thing” package and drive to make solutions in IoT. Hence, IoT is a network of connected “things” which enables data exchange. Moreover, it creates an opportunity that enhances more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems. Therefore, efficiency, improvement, economical benefits, and reduced human exertions come parallelly.
Layers of IoT Technology Stack
Most importantly, IoT stack consists of four layers and these are discuss in below:
Sensors
Firstly, this comes under the first layer of the IoT technology stack. So, sensors are the devices which enable to take the information or data from the physical environment to send it other electronic devices. In addition, the output of the sensors is an electrical signal. Here’s the list of sensors:
- Temperature sensor: Firstly, this sensor computes the changes in the temperature. Besides, they(LM35, Thermistors, Thermocouple, RTD) are used in computers, mobile phones, air conditioner systems, etc.
- Humidity sensor: So, as the name suggests humidity sensors are used to measure the humidity, relative humidity (and also some sensors like DHT11 can also able to measure the temperature).
- IR sensor: Firstly, IR sensors or Infrared Sensors are the proximity and object detection sensors. In addition, this is consists of an IR detector and IR transmitter.
- Ultrasonic sensor: Basically, It can measure the distance of the object by using the Doppler shift property of sound wave which is used to find the velocity of the object.
- Proximity sensor: Similarly, the proximity sensor also detects objects.
- Smoke/gas detector sensor: So, as this name suggests this sensor detects the existence of smoke or gas in the environment.
- Pressure sensor: Basically it can measure the pressure of the air in a particular area.
- Light sensor: This is the sensor that can detect the presence of light.
- Touch sensor: So, this sensor can sense the touch of the human hand.
- Rain sensor: This is the switch to inform whether it’s going to rain or not.
- Water flow sensor: This sensor detects the rate of flow of water.
- Soil moisture sensor: Basically, this informs whether the soil contains water or not.
- Chemical sensor: Firstly, this can detect the chemical quality in a substance. In addition, it converts the sensed chemical data to the electrical signal.
Actuators
Now, coming to the part of actuators. Basically, actuators are the part of the machine that enables the movement and the control. In addition, this is connected to the output port of the device. Here are some actuators:
- Linear actuators: Basically, it enables the movement of the object in a linear form.
- Relays: Firstly, this actuator works on electromagnetic principle and is used to operate the power switches in smart vehicles.
- Motors: It gives the rotational movement to specified parts of the device or the whole object.
- Solenoids: These are having the uses in locking or triggering types devices.
- Thermal actuators: Basically, it produces heat sources to generate motion.
- Electric actuators: Similarly, the batteries it produces the electric supply.
- Hydraulic actuators: Using this actuator motion generates from liquid.
Gateway
Firstly, it is the second layer of the technology stack of IoT. Basically it is the connectivity between IoT devices and the cloud. In addition, it can provide offline services and real-time control over the devices in the fields. Whenever a gateway software is installed into the device, it is responsible to collect data from the sensors, pre-processing the data and sends the results to the data sensor. Moreover, a large number of manufacturers are involved in gateway design and production. Some of them are :
Besides those gateways, data need to be stored in a local storage. Maybe, a few thousands of data are collected from the sensors. Therefore, those are needed to be stored locally before sending it to the database. So, the local storage analyzes, extracts and summarizes the data. So, the volume of data reduces and the cost of transfer and storage on the database also reduces. This kind of local storages are microcontroller and microprocessor.
Basically, the microcontroller is a computer embedded device with integrated chips which helps to pre-process the data. In addition, it consists of a processor, RAM to hold data, EPROM or flash memory to hold embedded software and cache data. Hence, IoT devices need some programmable microcontrollers to take actions on switching on or off devices. Though these decisions can also be taken by the cloud but the use of microcontroller is the safest for the health of the devices.
Above all, an open-source gateway available for IoT is Thingsboard which allows to integrate connections. In addition, it enables rapid development, management and scaling of IoT applications. Click on this to know more.
Communications
Basically, internet protocols are the main connectivity protocols in IoT for communications. Across the network boundaries internet protocols suite for relaying diagrams. In addition, it functions in internetworking. Firstly, IoT gateway protocols are of two types which doesn’t require any CPU resources.
- Bus-Based: DDS, XMPP, REST
- Broker-based: AMPQ, CoAP, MQTT, JMI
Above all, there are some major protocols in IoT which can also be divided into four kinds based on their different OSI layers they are belong to
- Physical/Infrastructure
- Transport/Communication
- Data Transfer
- Device Management
Here are some commonly used IoT protocols :
- MQTT: It stands for MQ Telemetry Transport. Besides, being a simple, lightweight messaging protocol it is also for low-bandwidth, high-latency, unreliable network.
- CoAP: Constrained application protocol is a web transfer protocol designed for machine to machine applications.
- Zigbee: Basically, it is a low-cost, wireless, two-way language used for everyday devices.
- Bluetooth:
- AMQP: It stands for Advanced Message Queuing Protocol designed for business purpose.
- Z-Wave
- IPv/IPv4
- GSM
Cloud & Analytics
Now, we are coming to the last layer of the technology stack of IoT. Basically this layer is responsible for the product profits of an IoT project. This layer delivers value to the customer by using strong data analysis. Basically, the cloud application combines the data collected from a lot of IoT sensors with the business data for an insight view that generates business value.
In addition, the need for a feedback loop must be there in the service platform between the manager and the customers in order to upgrade, monitor and maintain the firmware on each device. Data management, storage, tagging and analysis are increasing. So, to scale infinity the IoT service platform should be built on robust cloud infrastructure. Therefore, the growth of new product will be beneficial. The following are some IoT cloud platforms:
- Microsoft Azure
- Thingworx
- Google Cloud IoT
- IBM Watson IoT Platform
- AWS IoT Platform
- CISCO IoT cloud connect
- Thingspeak IoT platform
- Oracle IoT Platform
- Kaa IoT platform
- Predix IoT Platform
- Salesforce IoT Platform
In conclusion, the IoT technology stack is not a fixed thing. As the “things” are increasing and being smart the stack is also becoming more powerful. So, if we choose the right way to select the stack for our business it will be profitable even from a small, innovative project also.
