0% found this document useful (0 votes)
2 views45 pages

Module 3 - Communication Protocols & Interoperability

The document discusses IoT communication protocols, emphasizing their importance for interoperability, energy management, scalability, and reliability in device communication. It outlines various types of IoT networks, including low-power short-range and wide-area networks, and details specific protocols such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee. Additionally, it covers the application layer protocols like AMQP and CoAP, highlighting their roles in facilitating communication between applications and devices.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
2 views45 pages

Module 3 - Communication Protocols & Interoperability

The document discusses IoT communication protocols, emphasizing their importance for interoperability, energy management, scalability, and reliability in device communication. It outlines various types of IoT networks, including low-power short-range and wide-area networks, and details specific protocols such as Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee. Additionally, it covers the application layer protocols like AMQP and CoAP, highlighting their roles in facilitating communication between applications and devices.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Communication Protocols &

Interoperability

Prepared by – Mr. A. A. Urunkar


Assistant Professor
WCE Sangli
Introduction
• IoT Communication Protocols (Internet of Things) are systems where
objects have software, sensors, and network connectivity, allowing
them to be connected and exchange information. The communication
protocols are also referred to as Erlang protocols since they are
specific to the Erlang telecommunication system. These uniform sets
of protocols and procedures regulate how devices interact, afresh the
uniqueness, and reliability of the information, and prompt data
exchange.
IoT Protocol Stack
The Importance of IoT Communication
Protocols
• Interoperability: A Fundamental Requirement
In the ever-progressive world of IoT, different manufacturers’
devices should be able to work in harmony to realize the full potential
of the Internet of Things. Here, they also become universal interfaces
that define a way of communication between devices from different
vendors and create an environment where all these devices can be
interconnected.
• Energy management and Utilization efficiency
Most of the IoT devices may require energy sources like batteries
or energy scavenging methods. Transmission procedures are vital to the
approach of conserving power, which will allow gadgets to last for a
longer time without often replacing or recharging their batteries.
• Scalability and Reliability
With millions of new devices being connected daily, problems of
scale arise and protocols used for inter-device communication need to
be prepared to scale as well without compromising the fidelity of the
information being exchanged. Reliable procedures guarantee that
information is transmitted consistently and quickly while a weak signal
or interference is present or unavailable.
What are IoT gateways?
• Gateways are part of the technology of IoT that can be used to help
connect IoT devices to the cloud. Though not all IoT devices require a
gateway, they can be used to establish device-to-device communication or
connect devices that are not IP based and can’t connect to the cloud
directly. Data collected from IoT devices moves through a gateway, gets
preprocessed at the edge, and then gets sent to the cloud.

• Using IoT gateways can lower latency and reduce transmission sizes. Having
gateways as part of your IoT protocols also lets you connect devices
without direct internet access and provide an additional layer of security by
protecting data moving in both directions.
Types of IoT networks
• Low-power, short-range • Low-power, wide-area networks
networks (LPWAN)
1. Bluetooth 1. 4G LTE IoT
2. NFC 2. 5G IoT
3. Wi-Fi/802.11 3. Cat-0
4. Z-Wave 4. Cat-1
5. Zigbee 5. LoRaWAN
6. LTE Cat-M1
7. Narrowband or NB-IoT/Cat-M2
8. Sigfox
Low-power, short-range networks
• Low-power, short range networks are well-suited for homes, offices, and other small
environments. They tend to only need small batteries and are usually inexpensive to
operate.
Bluetooth
Good for high-speed data transfer, Bluetooth sends both voice and data signals up
to 10 meters.

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that lets devices like phones, tablets, and headphones
connect to each other and share information without needing cables. Bluetooth simply
follows the principle of transmitting and receiving data using radio waves.
It can be paired with the other device which has also Bluetooth but it should be within the
estimated communication range to connect. When two devices start to share data, they
form a network called piconet which can further accommodate more than five devices.
• Key Features of Bluetooth
1. The transmission capacity of Bluetooth is 720 kbps.
2. Bluetooth is a wireless device.
3. Bluetooth is a Low-cost and short-distance radio communications
standard.
4. Bluetooth is robust and flexible.
5. The basic architecture unit of Bluetooth is a piconet.

• Architecture of Bluetooth
The architecture of Bluetooth defines two types of networks:
• Piconet
Piconet is a type of Bluetooth network that contains one primary node
called the master node and seven active secondary nodes called slave
nodes. Thus, we can say that there is a total of 8 active nodes which are
present at a distance of 10 meters. The communication between the
primary and secondary nodes can be one-to-one or one-to-many.
Possible communication is only between the master and slave; Slave-
slave communication is not possible. It also has 255 parked nodes,
these are secondary nodes and cannot take participation in
communication unless it gets converted to the active state.
• Scatternet
It is formed by using various piconets. A slave that is present in one
piconet can act as master or we can say primary in another piconet.
This kind of node can receive a message from a master in one piconet
and deliver the message to its slave in the other piconet where it is
acting as a master. This type of node is referred to as a bridge node. A
station cannot be mastered in two piconets.
• NFC
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that
enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4
centimeters (1.6 inches) or less.

Types of NFC
Passive NFC devices: These near-field communication devices include
tags and other small transmitters that can send information to other NFC
devices without the need for a power source of their own. These
devices don’t really process any information sent from other sources,
and can not connect to other passive components. These often take
the form of interactive signs on walls or advertisements.

Active NFC devices: These near-field communication devices can do


both things i.e. send and receive data. They can communicate with each
other as well as with passive devices. Smartphones are the best
example of active NFC devices. Card readers in public transport and touch
payment terminals are also good examples of the technology.
• How Does NFC Work?
NFC relies on inductive coupling between two electromagnetic coils present on NFC-
enabled devices (such as smartphones). Communication occurs at a frequency of 13.56
MHz within the globally available unlicensed radio frequency ISM band. Data rates range
from 106 to 848 kbit/s. NFC can be used for various purposes, including contactless
transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex communications (e.g.,
Wi-Fi). When one of the connected devices has internet connectivity, data exchange with
online services is also possible. The NFC standard currently has three distinct modes of
operation to determine what sort of information will be exchanged between devices.

• The most commonly used in smartphones is the peer-to-peer mode. The exchange of
various pieces of information is allowed between 2 devices. In this mode both devices
switch between active when sending data and passive when receiving.
• The second mode i.e. read/write mode is a one-way data transmission. The active device,
possibly your smartphone, links up with another device in order to read information
from it. NFC advertisement tags use this mode.
• The third mode of operation is card emulation. The NFC device can function as a smart or
contactless credit card and make payments or tap into public transport systems.
• Wi-Fi/802.11
• The IEEE 802.11 standard, commonly known as Wi-Fi, outlines the
architecture and defines the MAC and physical layer specifications for
wireless LANs (WLANs). Wi-Fi uses high-frequency radio waves
instead of cables for connecting the devices in LAN. Given the
mobility of WLAN nodes, they can move unrestricted within the
network coverage zone. The 802.11 structure is designed to
accommodate mobile stations that participate actively in network
decisions. Furthermore, it can seamlessly integrate with 2G, 3G, and
4G networks.
• The Wi-Fi standard represents a set of wireless LAN standards
developed by the Working Group of IEEE LAN/MAN standards
committee (IEEE 802). The term 802.11x is also used to denote the
set of standards. Various specifications and amendments include
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11n etc.
• Z-Wave
Z-Wave it is a wireless communication protocol used by automatic or
automotive appliances for the purpose of connection and communication.
• Characteristics of Z-Wave :
• Uses RF for signaling and control
• Frequency : 900 MHz (ISM)
• Range : 30 meter
• Data rates : upto 100 kbps
• FSK Modulation
• Applications of Z-Wave :
• Home automation
• Water management using flood sensors
• Fingerprint scanner
• Zigbee
• ZigBee is a Personal Area Network task group with low rate task group
4. It is a technology of home networking. ZigBee is a technological
standard created for controlling and sensing the network. As we know
that ZigBee is the Personal Area Network of task group 4 so it is based
on IEEE 802.15.4 and is created by Zigbee Alliance.
• ZigBee is an open, global, packet-based protocol designed to provide
an easy-to-use architecture for secure, reliable, low power wireless
networks. Flow or process control equipment can be place anywhere
and still communicate with the rest of the system. It can also be
moved, since the network doesn’t care about the physical location of
a sensor, pump or valve.
• Types of ZigBee Devices:
• Zigbee Coordinator Device: It communicates with routers. This device
is used for connecting the devices.
• Zigbee Router: It is used for passing the data between devices.
• Zigbee End Device: It is the device that is going to be controlled.
• Zigbee Network Topologies:
• Star Topology (ZigBee Smart Energy): Consists of a coordinator and several end devices, end
devices communicate only with the coordinator.
• Mesh Topology (Self Healing Process): Mesh topology consists of one coordinator, several routers,
and end devices.
• Tree Topology: In this topology, the network consists of a central node which is a coordinator,
several routers, and end devices. the function of the router is to extend the network coverage.

• Features of Zigbee:
• 1. Stochastic addressing: A device is assigned a random address and announced. Mechanism for
address conflict resolution. Parents node don’t need to maintain assigned address table.
• 2. Link Management: Each node maintains quality of links to neighbors. Link quality is used as link
cost in routing.
• 3. Frequency Agility: Nodes experience interference report to channel manager, which then
selects another channel
• 4. Asymmetric Link: Each node has different transmit power and sensitivity. Paths may be
asymmetric.
• 5. Power Management: Routers and Coordinators use main power. End Devices use batteries.
• Advantages of Zigbee:
1. Designed for low power consumption.
2. Provides network security and application support services operating on
the top of IEEE.
3. Adequate security features.
4. Low cost: Zigbee chips and modules are relatively inexpensive, which
makes it a cost-effective solution for IoT applications.
5. Mesh networking: Zigbee uses a mesh network topology, which allows
for devices to communicate with each other without the need for a
central hub or router. This makes it ideal for use in smart home
applications where devices need to communicate with each other and
with a central control hub.
6. Reliability: Zigbee protocol is designed to be highly reliable, with robust
mechanisms in place to ensure that data is delivered reliably even in
adverse conditions.
Disadvantages of Zigbee :
1. Limited range: Zigbee has a relatively short range compared to other wireless communications protocols,
which can make it less suitable for certain types of applications or for use in large buildings.
2. Limited data rate: Zigbee is designed for low-data-rate applications, which can make it less suitable for
applications that require high-speed data transfer.
3. Interoperability: Zigbee is not as widely adopted as other IoT protocols, which can make it difficult to find
devices that are compatible with each other.
4. Security: Zigbee’s security features are not as robust as other IoT protocols, making it more vulnerable to
hacking and other security threats.
Low-power, wide-area networks (LPWAN)
• LPWANs enable communication across a minimum of 500 meters,
require minimal power, and are used for a majority of IoT devices.
Common examples of LPWANs are:
• 4G LTE IoT
High capacity and low latency, these networks are a great choice for IoT scenarios
that require real-time information or updates.
• 5G IoT
Although not yet available, 5G IoT networks are expected to enable further
innovations in IoT by providing much faster download speeds and connectivity to
many more devices in a given area.
• Cat-0
These LTE-based networks are the lowest cost option. They lay the groundwork for
Cat-M, a technology that will replace 2G.
• Cat-1
This standard for cellular IoT will eventually replace 3G. Cat-1 networks are easy to
set up and offer a great solution for applications requiring a voice or browser
interface.
• LTE Cat-M1
These networks are fully compatible with LTE networks. They optimize cost and
power in a second generation of LTE chips designed specifically for IoT applications.
• Narrowband or NB-IoT/Cat-M2
NB-IoT/Cat-M2 uses direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
modulation to send data directly to the server, eliminating the need for
a gateway. Although NB-IoT networks cost more to set up, not requiring
a gateway makes them less expensive to run.
• Sigfox
This global IoT network provider offers wireless networks to connect
low-power objects that emit continuous data.
• LoRaWAN
Long-range wide-area networks (LoRaWANs) connect mobile, secure,
bi-directional battery-operated devices.
Application layer
• The application layer serves as the interface between the user and
the device within a given IoT protocol.

• Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP)


AMQP (Advanced Message Queuing Protocol) and HTTP (Hypertext
Transfer Protocol) are two communication protocols used in distributed
systems, however, they perform different functions and have different
properties.
• What is AMQP?
AMQP is an acronym used for the Advanced Message Queuing
Protocol. It is a protocol that is used for communication between
applications. It is a lightweight, protocol that supports the applications
for data transfer. This protocol is used for its scalability and modularity
with the technologies.
• Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP)
CoAP or Constrained Application Protocol, as the name suggests, is an
application layer protocol that was introduced by the Internet Engineering
Task Force in the year 2014.
CoAP is designed for the constrained environment. It is a web-based protocol
that resembles HTTP. It is also based on the request-response model. Based
on the REST-style architecture, this protocol considers the various objects in
the network as resources. These resources are uniquely assigned a URI or
Uniform Resource Identifier.
The data from one resource to another resource is transferred in the form of
CoAP message packets.
The Client requests for some resources and in response to that, the server
sends some response over which the client sends an acknowledgement.
Although, some types of CoAP do not involve the receiver sending
acknowledgments for the information received.
• Methods in CoAP
• GET – The get method is used to retrieve resource information identified by
the request URI. In response to GET method success a 200(OK) response is
sent.
• POST – The post method creates a new subordinate resource under the
parent URI requested by it to the server. On successful resource creation on
the server, a 201 (Created) response is sent while on failure a 200 (OK)
response code is sent.
• DELETE – The delete method deletes the resource identified by the
requested URI and a 200 (OK) response code is sent on successful
operation.
• PUT – The PUT method updates or creates the resource identified by the
request URI with the enclosed message body. The message body is
considered as modified version of a resource if it already exists at the
specified URI otherwise a new resource with that URI is created. A 200 (OK)
response is received in former case whereas a 201 (Created) response is
received in later case. If the resource is neither created nor modified then
an error response code is sent.
• Data Distribution Service (DDS)
DDS is a publish-subscribe middleware that allows applications and
devices to communicate with each other without the need for direct
point-to-point connections. Instead, DDS uses a decentralized, data-
centric architecture that enables seamless data exchange between
producers (publishers) and consumers (subscribers) based on a topic-
driven model.
• Some of the key features of DDS include:
• Real-time data distribution
• Scalability and high-performance
• Fault-tolerance and reliability
• Flexible Quality of Service (QoS) policies
• Security and data privacy mechanisms
• Platform and language independence
• Benefits of Adopting DDS
• Increased Productivity
DDS simplifies the development and integration of distributed applications,
allowing teams to focus on their core business logic rather than complex
communication protocols.
• Improved Responsiveness
The real-time data distribution capabilities of DDS enable applications to react
quickly to changes, ensuring timely decision-making and improved overall
system performance.
• Enhanced Scalability
DDS’s decentralized, data-centric architecture allows for seamless scalability,
making it easier to adapt to growing data volumes and increasing numbers of
connected devices.
• Reduced Maintenance Costs
DDS provides built-in fault-tolerance and self-healing mechanisms, reducing the
need for manual intervention and lowering the overall maintenance costs of
your distributed systems.
• Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT)
MQTT is a simple, lightweight messaging protocol used to establish communication
between multiple devices. It is a TCP-based protocol relying on the publish-subscribe
model. This communication protocol is suitable for transmitting data between resource-
constrained devices having low bandwidth and low power requirements. Hence this
messaging protocol is widely used for communication in the IoT Framework.
• Publish-Subscribe Model
This model involves multiple clients interacting with each other, without having any direct
connection established between them. All clients communicate with other clients only via
a third party known as a Broker.
• MQTT Client and Broker
Clients publish messages on different topics to brokers. The broker is the central server
that receives these messages and filters them based on their topics. It then sends these
messages to respective clients that have subscribed to those different topics. The heart of
any publish/subscribe protocol is the MQTT broker. A broker can handle up to thousands of
concurrently connected MQTT customers, depending on how it is implemented. All
communications must be received by the broker, who will then sort them, ascertain who
subscribed to each one, and deliver the messages to the clients who have subscribed. All
persistent customers’ sessions, including missed messages and subscriptions, are likewise
kept by the Broker.
• Characterstics of MQTT
• Lightweight: MQTT is designed to be lightweight, making it suitable for use in aid-restrained
environments inclusive of embedded systems and low-strength devices. The protocol minimizes
bandwidth and processing overhead, enabling green communication even on restricted networks.
• Publish-Subscribe Model: In the publish-subscribe version, clients (publishers) send messages to
subjects, and different clients (subscribers) acquire messages from subjects of interest. This
decoupling of producers and purchasers permits for flexible and dynamic conversation styles.
• Quality of Service (QoS) Levels: MQTT supports exclusive stages of message delivery warranty,
referred to as Quality of Service (QoS). QoS levels range from 0 to 2, providing various stages of
reliability and message transport guarantees, relying at the utility necessities.
• Retained Messages: MQTT lets in agents to store retained messages on topics, making sure that
new subscribers acquire the maximum latest message posted on a subject right now after
subscribing. This characteristic is beneficial for fame updates and configuration settings.
• Last Will and Testament (LWT): MQTT clients can specify a Last Will and Testament message to be
posted by way of the broker in the occasion of an sudden consumer disconnect. This function
affords a mechanism for detecting patron failures and dealing with them gracefully.
• Security: MQTT helps various protection mechanisms, consisting of Transport Layer Security
(TLS) encryption and authentication mechanisms which include username/password and
consumer certificates. These capabilities make certain the confidentiality, integrity, and
authenticity of messages exchanged over MQTT connections.
• Advantages of MQTT
• This model is not restricted to one-to-one communication between clients. Although the
publisher client sends a single message on specific topic, broker sends multiple messages
to all different clients subscribed to that topic. Similarly, messages sent by multiple such
publisher clients on multiple different topics will be sent to all multiple clients subscribed
to those topics. Hence one-to-many, many-to-one, as well as many-to-many
communication is possible using this model. Also, clients can publish data and at the
same time receive data due to this two-way communication protocol. Hence MQTT is
considered to be bi-directional protocol. The default unencrypted MQTT port used for
data transmission is 1883. The encrypted port for secure transmission is 8883.
• Lightweight protocol that is quick to create and allows for efficient data transport
• Minimal data packet usage, resulting in low network usage
• Effective data dispersion
• The effective use of remote sensing and control
• Prompt and effective message delivery
• Minimises power consumption, which is beneficial for the linked devices, and maximises
network capacity.
• Data transmission is quick, efficient, and lightweight because MQTT messages have small
code footprint. These control messages have a fixed header of size 2 bytes and payload
message up to size 256 megabytes.
• Disadvantages of MQTT
• When compared to Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP), MQTT
has slower send cycles.
• Resource discovery in MQTT is based on flexible topic subscription,
while resource discovery in CoAP is based on a reliable system.
• MQTT lacks encryption. Rather, security encryption is accomplished
by TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer).
• Building an internationally scalable MQTT network is challenging.
Transport layer
• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
The dominant protocol for a majority of internet connectivity. It offers
host-to-host communication, breaking large sets of data into individual
packets and resending and reassembling packets as needed.
• User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
A communications protocol that enables process-to-process
communication and runs on top of IP. UDP improves data transfer rates
over TCP and best suits applications that require lossless data
transmissions.
Network layer
The network layer of an IoT protocol helps individual devices
communicate with the router.
• IP
Many IoT protocols utilize IPv4, while more recent executions use IPv6.
This recent update to IP routes traffic across the internet and identifies
and locates devices on the network.
• 6LoWPAN
This IoT protocol works best with low-power devices that have limited
processing capabilities.
• 6LoWPAN
• 6LoWPAN is an IPv6 protocol, and It’s extended from IPv6 over Low Power
Personal Area Network. As the name itself explains the meaning of this
protocol is that this protocol works on Wireless Personal Area Network.
WPAN is a Personal Area Network (PAN) where the interconnected devices
are centered around a person’s workspace and connected through a
wireless medium. You can read more about WPAN at WPAN. 6LoWPAN
allows communication using the IPv6 protocol. IPv6 is Internet Protocol
Version 6 is a network layer protocol that allows communication to take
place over the network. It is faster and more reliable and provides a large
number of addresses.
• 6LoWPAN initially came into existence to overcome the conventional
methodologies that were adapted to transmit information. But still, it is not
so efficient as it only allows for the smaller devices with minimal processing
ability to establish communication using one of the Internet Protocols, i.e.,
IPv6. It has very low cost, short-range, low memory usage, and low bit rate.
It comprises an Edge Router and Sensor Nodes. Even the smallest of the IoT
devices can now be part of the network, and the information can be
transmitted to the outside world as well. For example, LED Streetlights.
Basic Requirements of 6LoWPAN
•The device should be having sleep mode in order to support the battery saving.
•Minimal memory requirement.
•Routing overhead should be lowered.
Features of 6LoWPAN
•It is used with IEEE 802.15,.4 in the 2.4 GHz band.
•Outdoor range: ~200 m (maximum)
•Data rate: 200kbps (maximum)
•Maximum number of nodes: ~100
• Advantages of 6LoWPAN
• 6LoWPAN is a mesh network that is robust, scalable, and can heal on its
own.
• It delivers low-cost and secure communication in IoT devices.
• It uses IPv6 protocol and so it can be directly routed to cloud platforms.
• It offers one-to-many and many-to-one routing.
• In the network, leaf nodes can be in sleep mode for a longer duration of
time.
• Disadvantages of 6LoWPAN
• It is comparatively less secure than Zigbee.
• It has lesser immunity to interference than that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Without the mesh topology, it supports a short range.
Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)
• Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), is an infrastructure-less wireless
network that is deployed in a large number of wireless sensors in an
ad-hoc manner that is used to monitor the system, physical, or
environmental conditions.
• Sensor nodes are used in WSN with the onboard processor that
manages and monitors the environment in a particular area. They are
connected to the Base Station which acts as a processing unit in the
WSN System. The base Station in a WSN System is connected through
the Internet to share data. WSN can be used for processing, analysis,
storage, and mining of the data.
• Wireless Sensor Network Architecture
• A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) architecture is structured into three
main layers:
• Physical Layer: This layer connects sensor nodes to the base station using
technologies like radio waves, infrared, or Bluetooth. It ensures the
physical communication between nodes and the base station.
• Data Link Layer: Responsible for establishing a reliable connection between
sensor nodes and the base station. It uses protocols such as IEEE 802.15.4
to manage data transmission and ensure efficient communication within
the network.
• Application Layer: Enables sensor nodes to communicate specific data to
the base station. It uses protocols like ZigBee to define how data is
formatted, transmitted, and received, supporting various applications such
as environmental monitoring or industrial control.
• These layers work together to facilitate the seamless operation and data
flow within a Wireless Sensor Network, enabling efficient monitoring and
data collection across diverse applications.
• WSN Network Topologies
• Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) can be organized into different network topologies
based on their application and network type. Here are the most common types:
• Bus Topology: In a Bus Topology, multiple nodes are connected to a single line or bus.
Data travels along this bus from one node to the next. It’s a simple layout often used in
smaller networks.
• StarTopology: Star Topology have a central node, called the master node, which connects
directly to multiple other nodes. Data flows from the master node to the connected
nodes. This topology is efficient for centralized control.
• Tree Topology: Tree Topology arrange nodes in a hierarchical structure resembling a tree.
Data is transmitted from one node to another along the branches of the tree structure.
It’s useful for expanding coverage in hierarchical deployments.
• Mesh Topology: Mesh Topology feature nodes interconnected with one another, forming
a mesh-like structure. Data can travel through multiple paths from one node to another
until it reaches its destination. This topology offers robust coverage and redundancy.
• Each topology has its advantages and is chosen based on factors such as coverage area,
scalability, and reliability requirements for the specific WSN application.
MACHINE-TO-MACHINE (M2M)
• WHAT IS M2M?
M2M, short for machine-to-machine, refers to the ability of networked devices to
exchange information and perform actions without human intervention. It encompasses
any technology that enables seamless communication between machines, allowing them
to make autonomous decisions. M2M is facilitated by artificial intelligence (AI) and
machine learning (ML) techniques, which enable systems to interpret data and make
informed choices.
• HOW DOES M2M WORK?
M2M technology taps into sensor data collected by devices and transmits it over a
network. Unlike traditional remote monitoring tools, M2M systems commonly employ
public networks such as cellular or Ethernet connections, which makes the technology
more cost-effective.
Key components of an M2M system include sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID),
a Wi-Fi or cellular communications link, and autonomic computing software that interprets
data and triggers preprogrammed automated actions.
• M2M requirements?
To ensure the proper functioning of M2M systems, several demands need to be met.
According to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), these
requirements include:
• Scalability: The ability to handle an increasing number of connected devices while
maintaining system efficiency.
• Anonymity: The system’s capability to protect the identity of devices when required
while adhering to regulatory requirements.
• Logging: Support for recording important events and system logs, which can be
accessible upon request.
• Communication principles: Enabling communication between M2M applications and
devices using techniques such as SMS and IP, including peer-to-peer communication.
• Delivery methods: Supporting various communication modes, such as unicast, anycast,
multicast, or broadcast, while minimizing network load.
• Message transmission scheduling: Controlling network access and messaging schedules
in line with the tolerance for scheduling delays.
• Message communication path selection: Optimizing message paths based on factors like
transmission failures, delays, and network costs.
Basis of IoT M2M

Abbreviation Internet of Things Machine to Machine

Devices have objects that are responsible for


Intelligence Some degree of intelligence is observed in this.
decision making

The connection is via Network and using various


Connection type used The connection is a point to point
communication types.

Internet protocols are used such as HTTP, FTP, and Traditional protocols and communication
Communication protocol used
Telnet. technology techniques are used

Data is shared between other applications that are


Data Sharing Data is shared with only the communicating parties.
used to improve the end-user experience.

Internet Internet connection is required for communication Devices are not dependent on the Internet.

Type of Communication It supports cloud communication It supports point-to-point communication.

Computer System Involves the usage of both Hardware and Software. Mostly hardware-based technology

Scope A large number of devices yet scope is large. Limited Scope for devices.

Business 2 Business(B2B) and Business 2


Business Type used Business 2 Business (B2B)
Consumer(B2C)

Open API support Supports Open API integrations. There is no support for Open APIs

It requires Generic commodity devices. Specialized device solutions.

Centric Information and service centric Communication and device centric.

Approach used Horizontal enabler approach Vertical system solution approach .

Devices/sensors, connectivity, data processing, user


Components Device, area networks, gateway, Application server.
interface

Examples Smart wearables, Big Data and Cloud, etc. Sensors, Data and Information, etc.

You might also like