Home >Product dynamics>Product dynamics
Four Layers of IoT Communications: How Wireless Technology Works at Different Layers

The four stages of IoT communication are the perception layer, transport layer, network layer, and application layer. In each stage, different wireless technologies can be used to transfer information.


Article  Outline:

Foreword introduction

4 stages of IoT communication

  1. Perception layer

  2. Transport layer

  3. Network layer

  4. Application layer

The importance of the data transport layer


Foreword introduction

The four stages of IoT communication are the perception layer, transport layer, network layer, and application layer. The generation of these stages involves the construction of the IoT system and the realization of the components.

new arrival.jpg

4 stages of IoT communication

Perception layer: The perception layer is the lowest layer in the Internet of Things, responsible for sensing and collecting data in the environment. The perception layer is the bottom layer of the Internet of Things, responsible for sensing and collecting data in the environment. It includes various sensors, devices, and IoT nodes that can sense and acquire various data in the environment, such as temperature, humidity, light, motion, etc. The generation of the perception layer involves the development, manufacture, and deployment of sensors and devices and their connection to IoT systems. Commonly used wireless technologies at this stage include:

Wi-Fi (Wireless Local Area Network): Suitable for indoor environments, providing high-speed data transmission and wide coverage.

Bluetooth: Suitable for short-range communication, often used to connect smartphones, sensors, and low-power devices.

ZigBee: suitable for sensor networks with low power consumption and low data rate, often used in scenarios such as home automation and industrial control.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Used to track and identify tags or objects in real-time, often used in logistics and supply chain management.

Refer article : Application of RFID Technology in Intelligent Logistics


Transport layer: The transport layer is responsible for transmitting the data collected by the perception layer to the network layer for processing. The transport layer is responsible for transmitting the data collected by the perception layer to the network layer for processing. This stage, it involves the selection and implementation of wireless communication technology and network protocol. According to the specific application requirements of the Internet of Things, select the appropriate wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular network, etc. At the same time, it is also necessary to determine the communication protocol and data format of the transport layer to ensure reliable transmission and correct analysis of data. Commonly used wireless technologies at this stage include:

Wi-Fi: Provides high-speed data transmission and wide coverage, suitable for transmitting data within a local area network.

Cellular networks (e.g. 4G, 5G): Provide wide area network coverage, suitable for long-distance communication and Internet connectivity.


Related article :

The IOT Connectivity Puzzle: Cellular vs. Non-Cellular

Cellular and Industrial IoT: Simple, Scalable and Secure Connectivity

Cellular Industrial IoT.png



LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network): such as LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, etc., suitable for long-distance communication of low-power devices.

Network layer: The network layer is responsible for establishing connections and routing data in IoT. At this stage, the network infrastructure of the Internet of Things needs to be established, including network architecture, routers, gateways, and servers. The generation of the network layer involves the configuration and deployment of network equipment, as well as the implementation and management of network protocols. At the same time, it is also necessary to consider the requirements of network security and data privacy protection. Commonly used wireless technologies at this stage include:

IP (Internet Protocol): IoT devices can use IP for communication and internet connection.

6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks): Adapts the IPv6 protocol to a low-power wireless network to realize the interconnection of IoT devices.

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport): A lightweight messaging protocol used to deliver messages on the Internet of Things.

Related Article

Introduction to MQTT.jpg

Application layer: The application layer is the uppermost stage in IoT and is responsible for processing and applying data. IoT applications and services need to be developed and deployed. According to specific application requirements, develop corresponding application software and algorithms to realize data processing, analysis, and application. The generation of the application layer involves software development, data analysis, and customization of application scenarios to meet the needs of different fields and industries. Commonly used wireless technologies at this stage include:

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): Used to transfer data between web applications and cloud services.

HTTP Basics.png

CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol): a lightweight application layer protocol

The importance of the data transport layer

The data transmission layer is of great significance in the entire communication stage of the Internet of Things. It is responsible for transmitting the data collected by the perception layer to the network layer for processing. The following are the significance of the data transport layer:

Data transfer: Data transfer is one of the core functions of IoT. After the data is collected from the perception layer, it needs to be transmitted to the network layer through the data transmission layer for processing and analysis. The data transmission layer ensures the reliable transmission of data for subsequent data processing and application.

Data Connections: The data transport layer establishes and maintains connections between IoT devices. It provides communication channels that enable sensors and devices in the perception layer to communicate with servers and cloud platforms in the network layer. Through the data transmission layer, IoT devices can exchange data and communicate with each other.

protocol.jpgCommunication : The data transmission layer implements the communication protocol, which defines the rules and methods of data transmission. Communication protocols include data format, transmission protocol, data compression, encryption, etc., to ensure the integrity, security, and validity of data during transmission. A suitable communication protocol can improve the efficiency and reliability of data transmission.

Data security: The data transmission layer plays a key security role in IoT communication. By using techniques such as encryption and authentication, the data transport layer protects the transmitted data from unauthorized access and tampering. It ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data during transmission, preventing data leakage and attacks.

Data quality and real-time: The data transmission layer plays an important role in the transmission speed and quality of data. It ensures that data can be transmitted in real-time or near real-time, meeting the timeliness requirements of IoT applications for data. The data transmission layer is also responsible for monitoring errors and losses during data transmission and correcting and retransmitting to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data.



FREE TRIAL AT CDEBYTE :

Explore Our Free trial and Evaluate More Discounts


new arrival.jpg

modem&dtu sale.jpg