How the parts fit together.
WHAT THE LAYERS ARE
- Perception: sensors and actuators
- Device: processing and local logic
- Connectivity: the network carrying data
- Platform: ingestion, storage, device management
- Application: analysis, presentation and control
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE DEVICE
Reading sensors Filtering and summarising Deciding what to transmit Acting locally where required Buffering when disconnected
WHY FILTERING AT THE DEVICE MATTERS
Transmitting every raw reading is expensive and usually pointless.
WHAT A GATEWAY DOES
Aggregates several devices, translates protocols, and provides a connection they lack.
WHEN ONE IS NEEDED
Devices using short-range or low-power protocols that cannot reach the internet alone.
WHAT THE PLATFORM PROVIDES
Device identity and authentication Message ingestion at volume Device state and configuration Command delivery Storage and forwarding to applications
WHAT APPLICATIONS DO
Turn data into information someone acts on.
WHAT TO DESIGN FIRST
The data flow: what is measured, what is transmitted, what is stored, what is shown.
WHY
It determines every other decision.
