Reliability

Sensors are key to the success of an IoT solution since they capture the data, which is the input for all subsequent processing and action. Without the data, there would be nothing to process and analyze, and no action could be determined. Sensors in industrial or mission-critical applications, such as sensors on airplanes, are built to be very accurate and reliable and can work under a wide range of environmental conditions. However, such highly reliable sensors are very expensive.

In less mission-critical solutions such as in Smart Homes or Smart Cities, sensors are likely to be less sophisticated. In such cases, the sensors may miss reading some data or read it incorrectly. Even if sensors are of good quality, they could miss out on data due to other reasons such as positioning.

Sensors may be connected on a local wired network in smaller solutions such as a Smart Home. But in the case of a Smart City or a Smart Factory, they are more likely to be positioned in locations where they have to rely on WiFi or cellular data networks. Both WiFi and cellular signals are not consistently reliable in all areas. If sensors do not have a reliable communication network, they may capture all the data reliably, but the data may be lost in transmission to processors, giving an incomplete or incorrect picture of the situation to the processors, which may then take the wrong decision and execute the wrong action.

If you look at the output side of the system, the processors may need to send a control signal to the machines via a controller. If the machines are remote and need to receive the control signal over a wireless network, there is a chance that they may not receive the signal and miss executing an action.

Thus, there are two main points of failure in an IoT system, the point of data capture and the point of data transmission. The chances of failure of gateways, processors, controllers, and machines themselves are less likely.

Impact of Failure

Reliability of data capture and transmission is very important, but failures can lead to harmful outcomes. Failure to detect or transmit a smoke or gas leakage signal in a Smart Home can result in a fire and damage to property. In Smart Factories, for example, a control valve for a boiler operating in a chemical production process may be controlled based on sensor data. A failure in the data acquisition in such an application can lead to dangerous adjustments to the boiler valve. In Smart Hospitals, IoT solutions monitor patient vital signs. Incorrect readings in these scenarios can lead to life-threatening situations.

In Smart Cities, connected cameras and sound sensors in public spaces can detect events, such as vehicle accidents and criminal activity. Data about the incident with the exact location must be relayed quickly and reliably to law enforcement agencies and emergency services, generally over a wireless network. Failure to correctly detect and transmit data related to such events may delay emergency responses and lead to life-threatening situations.

Reliability is a very important consideration for a dependable IoT solution. The appropriate quality of sensors and the right data connectivity must be implemented based on the nature of the application and the impact of outcomes.