The Internet of Things (IoT) is an interdisciplinary mashup of embedded and sensor technologies, cloud and IT applications, all connected by networks. The vast majority of innovation surrounding IoT relates to sensors, embedded devices, and cloud applications. The connectivity between them has been largely overlooked, and worse, there's a misconception that the current state of networks is adequate for IoT environments. This has led to significant obstacles and hindered innovation in end-to-end prototyping and productivity for IoT.
Today, we'll explore security, connectivity, and scalability aspects, and a company focused on solving these connectivity challenges to remove barriers from concept to production.
Connectivity Challenges
Many innovative IoT systems are deployed as prototypes or site-specific systems. These systems tend to use localized connectivity options such as Wi-Fi. However, this can limit the full value of IoT systems, especially for roaming IoT devices.
Unfortunately, geographic reach isn't the only challenge. Registering mobile network services at the scale of the Internet of Things (IoT) and ensuring the coverage required to implement IoT systems is incredibly complex—in fact, much of it involves venturing into new territory because the IoT paradigm is fundamentally different from smartphone services.
Soracom is a company focused on providing a cellular connectivity platform for the Internet of Things (IoT) and M2M using the cloud. This connectivity platform is designed to provide all the features and functionalities needed for a connected environment to remove barriers and enable globally scalable IoT systems.
What is an IoT connectivity platform?
The concept of a connectivity-centric IoT platform had already taken shape when Kenta Yasukawa, co-founder and CTO of Soracom, was working at AWS.
“One evening, we had a beer and started discussing how to build a cloud connectivity platform on top of Amazon Web Services (AWS). We felt we could fill the security, connectivity, and scalability gaps we saw in a large number of IoT systems and decided to create Soracom.”
While providing global connectivity to IoT devices is a fundamental function, the scope of IoT systems extends far beyond this. The Soracom architecture begins with Mobile Network Packet Gateway (PGW) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) elements residing in AWS. SIM cards are used for IoT gateway or device authentication, much like smartphones. Therefore, in terms of strict connectivity, Soracom is similar to a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). The local network operator provides the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Service Gateway (SGW), which connects to the Search and Rescue Communications PGW/GGSN located in AWS. Soracom has concerns regarding roaming protocols, coverage, network security, and scalability.
Soracom Solutions Architect Zakk Alumbaugh explained, “The IoT connectivity platform creates an experience that can be used by everyone from IoT enthusiasts to business developers. We use tailored SIM cards that can roam globally, and we've developed all the roaming protocols to provide global coverage. Once connected, there's a suite of services to address other aspects of connectivity. Some of these aspects involve solving the following problems:”
How can I access my device via SSH or other means for troubleshooting and diagnostics?
How can I manage my IoT environment and collect displayable statistics?
How can appropriate security be achieved through encrypted traffic and authentication?
The connectivity platform provides device access via various familiar methods, such as SSH. The SIM chip provides secure communication between credentials and endpoints. This is a particularly attractive feature because IoT systems require hundreds or thousands of credentials and need to create them securely. The SIM card provides this functionality.
Soracom's Lagoon Services offer a customizable Grafana-based dashboard environment for easy monitoring of network and device operations.
Cellular IoT Challenge and IoT Fund
Soracom has seen many great IoT ideas and is keen to facilitate their deployment. “There are a lot of innovative ideas, and many are already being developed on our platform,” Kenta said. “Some of these include placing sensors on cows and using smartphone apps to monitor the herd’s behavior, health, and location, which eliminates many time-consuming daily tasks. We want to be proactive, so we launched the Cellular IoT Challenge.”
The challenge involves sending a description of your idea for evaluation. If you choose this option, you will receive an IoT beginner's kit to help you solve connectivity issues related to deploying IoT solutions.
Soracom also offers a service called the "IoT Accelerator"—a support program based on technical consulting and credit used to cover their platform fees, allowing those with prototype solutions who want to work on productization to get started quickly. This is typically suitable for seed-stage startups that need to fill some knowledge gaps and refine their solutions in a cost-effective manner.
Finally, the Internet of Things Fund is a strategic investment that enables emerging startups to scale up their operations and services.
The options that come with IoT connectivity platforms have a long way to go in terms of learning curve, device access, and cost-effective development.
Summarize
There is already a lot of information available about sensors and cloud applications in the IoT spectrum. However, the connectivity and related services in between have been largely overlooked until now.
“IoT connectivity solutions are designed to make it easy for embedded devices to connect to the cloud. We believe this will open the door to providing many related services that are important to the IoT,” Kenta said. “Cloud integration and broad connectivity between the two is a big step. Don’t think you have to do it alone. Partnerships are important at this stage, and those integrating IoT systems should expect more. Don’t just settle for connectivity from a platform. Make sure it offers all the services to achieve the appropriate scalability, security, and cost model.”
