IoT System: Solution for Smart City

NGÀY ĐĂNG 18/09/2025

Admin

In the digital age, IoT systems play a pivotal role in the creation and development of smart cities. With the capability to connect and collect data from millions of devices, IoT establishes a comprehensive technological ecosystem that optimizes urban services and enhances citizens' quality of life. By integrating sensors, smart devices, and data analytics systems, IoT gradually turns the vision of modern, safe, and sustainable cities into reality.

What is IoT?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices connected via the internet, enabling them to collect and exchange data. These devices can range from refrigerators and lights to home security systems and more.

How Does IoT Work?

IoT operates through a chain of interconnected components, including sensors, data transmitters, and intelligent processing systems. The process follows these main steps:

Data CollDection

IoT devices are equipped with sensors that collect various types of data from the environment. Some common types of sensors include:

• Temperature sensors: Measure air or surface temperature.
• Light sensors: Often used in automated lighting systems to measure the level of ambient light.
• Humidity sensors: Measure moisture levels in the air or soil.
• Motion sensors: Detect movement.

An IoT system may also incorporate data from other sources, such as weather data or external systems, to make predictions or provide alerts.

Data Transmission

Data collected from sensors is transmitted over the internet to processors or intermediate devices through various network protocols.

This transmission can occur over wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRaWAN, or mobile networks (3G, 4G, 5G).

Data Processing

Data Gathering

Data is collected from various sources, including sensors, management systems, databases, and external sources. The collected data can be structured, semi-structured (e.g., JSON, XML data), or unstructured (images, audio, video).

Data Cleaning

Errors, missing information, or outlier values are removed to ensure reliable and consistent data. This step includes removing duplicates, filling missing values, standardizing formats, and eliminating unnecessary data.

Data Transformation

Data is standardized to a common unit, encrypted, and converted into easily processable formats. Data from different sources may also be consolidated for a more comprehensive view.

Data Storage

Once cleaned and transformed, data is stored in data management systems, such as SQL databases for structured data or NoSQL systems for unstructured data. Data storage requires ensuring security, scalability, and accessibility.

Data Analysis

Popular data analysis methods include:

• Descriptive analysis: Examines common characteristics and trends in data.
• Diagnostic analysis: Identifies causes of specific trends or events.
• Predictive analysis: Forecasts future events based on current data.
• Prescriptive analysis: Recommends specific actions based on data and analysis results.

Data Visualization

Data is presented in visual formats, such as charts, graphs, and tables, for easier interpretation and analysis. Common visualization tools like Tableau, Power BI, and Python libraries effectively convey information and provide a comprehensive view of the data.

Continuous Monitoring and Optimization

After decisions are implemented, their effectiveness must be monitored and evaluated to make timely adjustments. The data processing cycle is iterative, with new data continuously collected and analyzed to improve strategies.

IoT System Architecture

The Internet of Things (IoT) has a complex structure with various layers to perform data collection, transmission, storage, and processing. An IoT system typically includes the following basic components:

Device Layer

The device layer is the initial and critical layer in an IoT system, where data is collected from the real environment. It determines the quality and accuracy of the data used for analysis and decision-making. Key components in this layer typically include:

Sensors

Sensors measure environmental factors and convert them into signals or digital data that the system can process. Common types of sensors include:

• Temperature sensors: Measure air, water, or environmental temperature.
• Humidity sensors: Monitor moisture levels.
• Light sensors: Measure the level of ambient light.
• Motion sensors: Detect object movement.
• Location sensors (GPS): Track the device's geographic location, commonly used in transportation and logistics.
• Sound sensors: Capture sound or detect noise.

Controllers

Controllers process data collected from sensors, make decisions, and control actuators. Examples include:

• Microcontroller (MCU)
• Microprocessor (MPU)
• System on a Chip (SoC)

Actuators

These devices perform physical or mechanical actions based on instructions from the controller, converting control signals from the system into real-world actions. Common types include:

• Electric motors
• Control valves
• Heating or cooling units
• Linear actuators
• Audio and lighting devices
• Relays