I. The Four Stages of IoT Architecture
Phase 1: Sensors and Actuators
On the other hand, actuators can influence or intervene in the environment, which will change the physical conditions that generate the data. Some functions of actuators include shutting off the engine, regulating the room temperature, or dimming the lights.
Phase 2: Internet Gateway Layer
The data received from sensors is in analog form and must be aggregated and converted into digital form. This occurs in the second phase of the IoT architecture, called the Internet Gateway layer. It collects the data for later processing.
The data acquisition system is responsible for aggregating and transforming data. It connects to the sensor network, aggregates the output, and converts analog data into digital data.
Internet gateways route data via wireless LANs and other networks for further processing.
Phase 3: Edge IT
The third phase of the IoT architecture, known as the edge IT system, is where enhanced analytics and preprocessing are performed. Edge IT systems are located near sensors and actuators, such as in wiring closets. They can also be located in remote offices.
Due to the massive data and high bandwidth requirements of the Internet of Things (IoT), edge IT systems perform analytics to alleviate the load on core IT infrastructure. Essentially, it produces useful results and only passes those results to the next stage.
Phase 4: Data Centers and Cloud
As described in Phase 1, all data requiring deeper analysis but not immediate feedback will flow to cloud-based data centers. These data centers are capable of analyzing, processing, and storing massive amounts of data. Storing it here is also more secure.
II. Differences between Consumer and Industrial Internet of Things
1. Precision and accuracy
We know that all operations in the industrial sector require a higher degree of precision and accuracy. For example, high-volume, high-speed manufacturing processes in automation need to be synchronized to the millisecond level. Simultaneously, when quality assurance systems detect minute changes, they must take timely corrective actions based on these metrics.
In this environment, simply striving for precision is far from sufficient; even the slightest error can lead to drastic consequences, including a rapid decline in efficiency, extended downtime, and substantial revenue losses. Therefore, Industrial IoT solutions must support high precision and accuracy to ensure all business operations function smoothly.
2. Programmability
For industrial and OT systems, to support entirely new manufacturing processes, everything from programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to machining equipment is frequently reprogrammed and reconfigured. This programming may be done in the field or remotely, but it must be programmable. In short, Industrial IoT solutions supporting industrial and manufacturing applications must provide the same flexibility and adaptability.
3. Low latency
In a high-speed, continuous production system, sensors constantly monitor every operation, and every second in this process is crucial. Every minute anomaly must be detected and corrective measures taken near real-time.
Because any brief delay in detection, evaluation, decision-making, and execution will incur high costs in terms of worker safety, product quality, production costs, and revenue loss. This also places a demand on Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions, requiring the establishment of corresponding measures to support the low-latency requirements of certain industrial applications.
