Understanding the 6 Levels of IoT Architecture

IoT systems are classified into 6 levels. These levels range from simple, single-device systems to complex, cloud-based systems with multiple interconnected nodes.

Here's a breakdown of the 6 IoT levels:

Level 1

In this level, the IoT system has a single node or device that performs sensing and actuation, stores data, performs analysis, and hosts the application.

• The data sensed is stored locally.
• The data analysis is stored locally.
• Monitoring and control are done using a mobile app or a web app.
• The data generated in this level application is not huge.
• All the control actions are performed through the internet.
• Level 1 IoT systems are suitable for modelling low-cost and low complexity solutions where the data involved is not big and the analysis requirements are not computationally intensive.

Example: Room temperature is monitored using a temperature sensor, and data is stored and analysed locally.

Level 2

In this level IoT system has single node that performs sensing / accuration and local analysis. Data is stored in the cloud, and the application is usually cloud-based. These are suitable for where the data involved is big; However, the primary analysis requirement is not computationally intensive and can be done locally.

• This level consists of an air conditioner, temperature sensor, big data (bigger than level 1, data analysis done here) cloud, and control & monitoring app.
• This level 2 is complex compared to level 1. Moreover rate of sensing is faster than level 1.
• This level has a voluminous size of data. Hence, cloud storage is used.
• Data analysis is carried out locally. Cloud is used only for storage purposes.
• Based on data analysis, control action is triggered using a web app or a mobile app.

Example. Culture application, room freshening solution based on smell sensor, etc.

Level 3

In this level, the IoT system has a single node. Data is stored and analysed in the cloud, and the application is cloud-based. These level systems are suitable for solutions where the data involved is big and the analysis requirements are computationally intensive. Data here is voluminous i.e. Big data. Samsung is fast and collects sensed data on the cloud, because of which the amount of data increases rapidly. Data analysis is done on cloud size, and based on the analysis, control action is triggered using a mobile app or a web app.

Example. Tracking package handling, used accelerometer and gyroscope.

Level 4

In this level, the IoT system has multiple nodes that perform local analysis. Data is stored in the cloud, and the application is cloud-based. It contains local and cloud-based observer nodes that can subscribe to and receive information collected in the cloud from IoT devices. These types of iot systems are suitable for solutions where the number of notes is considerably high, the data involved is big, and the analysis requirements are computationally intensive.

Example. Noise monitoring, sound sensors are used.

Level 5

In this level, the IoT system has multiple nodes and one coordinator node. The endnotes perform sensing and actuation. The coordinator node collects data from the end node and sends it to the cloud. Data is stored and analysed in the cloud application, which is cloud-based. Level 5 iot systems are suitable for solutions based on wireless sensor networks, in which the data involved is used and the analysis requirements are computationally intensive.

Level 6

At this level, the IoT system has multiple Independent and note that perform sensing or actuation and send data to the cloud.

• Data is stored in the cloud, and the application is cloud-based.
• The analytics component analyses the data and stores the results in a cloud database.
• The results are visualised with the cloud-based application.
• The centralised controller is aware of the status of all nodes and sends control commands to the nodes.

In this article, we have learned 6 levels of IoT with the help of Flowcharts of each level. Hope you gained some knowledge.

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