Data Transfer Protocols

An IoT solution comprises distributed sensors connected remotely over a network (local or the Internet) to a central processor which stores, analyses, and displays the data or takes action based on the data received from the sensors. An IoT solution relies on fast and reliable transmission of data and signals across all components, from sensors to gateways to processors to controllers to workers. A break or delay in this transmission could result in incorrect or ineffective outcomes.

The communication and data exchange protocols used in web or mobile apps are not as well suited for IoT solutions. The reason is that HTTP and HTTPS and formats like XML require large volumes of data, which can overwhelm sensors that usually have low processing power and memory and need to use as less energy as possible.

To overcome this, a protocol known as MQTT is widely used in IoT solutions.

IoT solutions also widely use an API architecture, invoking the services of gateways, processors and controllers as required.