What Exactly Is IoT And How Do IoT Devices Communicate?

Experts predict that by 2025, over 64 billions of devices will be connected to the internet. IoT can potentially generate $4T to $11T in economic value by that time. That's why all business owners should get interested in the opportunities IoT brings for increasing operational efficiency.

So what exactly is IoT? In a nutshell, it's a system of interrelated devices and objects that are embedded with technology that enables them to transfer data over a network. The essence of IoT is that it brings in everyday objects such as smart fridges or wearables equipped with sensors connected to a network. These devices can be controlled and monitored remotely.

You're probably wondering how IoT devices communicate. Keep on reading to find that out.

How do IoT devices communicate?

IoT devices transfer data with the help of different systems and protocols that offer seamless connectivity.

A standard model of communication involves several different protocols like LwM2M every time a device communicates with another one through the internet. The data travels from the physical device through the network to be transported into a session. Eventually, it ends in the application protocol that allows using, manipulating, and re-transmitting data. The larger the IoT network gets, the more complex are the protocols required to ensure smooth communication.

Smartphones do play a significant role in IoT systems because many IoT devices can be controlled through mobile apps, especially in consumer implementations of IoT. For example, we can use our smartphones to communicate with our smart thermostat so that it delivers the perfect temperature when we get home from work.

IoT devices contain sensors and mini-computer processors that can act on the data collected by the sensors using different techniques. Note that these devices are growing smaller and smarter. Eventually, all of our everyday items – from toasters to toothbrushes – may be connected to the internet, communicating with one another and working to serve customers better.

IoT is a robust technology trend of the future, and networks of connected objects will soon become commonplace in our homes, workplaces, and factories.