Internet of things networking
The IoT network infrastructure topic section offers comprehensive resources on building and managing a network architecture capable of handling the internet of things. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different technologies and get guidance on various frameworks and protocols such as Bluetooth LTE, Wi-Fi and Zigbee.
Top Stories
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Feature
06 Jan 2025
Best IoT conferences and events to attend in 2025
Major IoT conferences in 2025 cover the latest news and developments on IoT platforms, systems design, integration, applications, security, AI and emerging trends. Continue Reading
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Video
06 Nov 2024
An explanation of RFID
RFID -- often an alternative to barcode systems -- uses electromagnetic frequencies to uniquely identify a person, object or animal. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Nov 2018
Time-sensitive networks bolster the promise of industrial IoT
Time-sensitive networks are emerging as the technology to enable and extend the promised benefits of industrial IoT. IrecaMedia's Sravani Bhattacharjee discusses what TSN is and how it fits in an ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Nov 2018
The pros and cons of IoT edge analytics
IoT edge analytics lets organizations process data closer to its source. NYC Data Science Academy's Vivian Zhang outlines the benefits and drawbacks, and explores where IoT edge analytics are ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Nov 2018
TDOA for LPWANs: Challenges, improvements and testing
There are a number of challenges involved in TDOA in LPWANs. Skyhook's Kipp Jones outlines the challenges and offers insight into field testing in real-world scenarios. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Nov 2018
Cities need to get smart about IoT
To truly become a smart city and scale economically, says Pivot3's Bruce Milne, it's critical for IoT devices to have compute resources on board or close by. In other words, they need edge computing. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2018
6 significant issues that edge computing in IoT solves
IoT's latest problem-solver is edge computing. Learn where the edge is at when it comes to latency issues, security concerns, bandwidth costs and more. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2018
IoT edge computing: What's the practical potential?
As IoT devices proliferate, cloud just isn't fast enough. But that's exactly where edge computing comes in, enabling analysis at speeds the future demands. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
01 Nov 2018
What the Miracle on the Han can teach us about the power of infrastructure
OSIsoft's Richard Beeson explains what we can apply from South Korea's Miracle on the Han River to ensure a successful digital transformation in cities, governments and organizations today Continue Reading
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Blog Post
01 Nov 2018
Use coexistence testing to solve the IoT device interference challenge
Interference is a major issue for IoT devices. What can be done about it? Keysight Technologies' Cheryl Ajluni explains why the answer is coexistence testing. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Oct 2018
IoT data management gains an edge
The days of the big data center are coming to an end, says StorMagic's Mark Christie. As more data than ever gets created outside the data center, it's time for the IoT edge to shine. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
26 Oct 2018
IoT connectivity: The ugly duckling of IoT for network operators
Telcos in the IoT space should look beyond just IoT connectivity, says OIES Consulting's Francisco Maroto, to monetizing data and offering unique insights to open new revenue streams and improve ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
23 Oct 2018
Realizing the Holy Grail of digital
An open, cloud-native edge is critical to realizing the Holy Grail of digital. Dell's Jason Shepherd discusses the importance of starting small and scaling big, as well as the importance of open ... Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Oct 2018
Do cellular IoT communications fit your IoT strategy's needs?
Just because the technology is there doesn't mean it fits your strategy. Learn the pros and cons of cellular IoT connectivity before deciding it has a place in your enterprise. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Oct 2018
Reliable cellular IoT connectivity demands 'owning' connectivity
To guarantee reliable, mass-market, cellular IoT connectivity, says Nordic Semiconductor's Svein-Egil Nielsen, you have to have control over everything between your application and the base station. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Oct 2018
What 5G means for IoT: Choosing the right data strategy for 5G deployments
5G is coming -- is your organization prepared? VoldDB's Madhup Mishra outlines considerations enterprises should keep in mind when developing their 5G and IoT data strategy. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Oct 2018
Commercial IoT design challenges
Commercial IoT lies between consumer and industrial on the IoT spectrum and has unique design challenges. Rigado's Justin Rigling explains how to best design an edge system for commercial IoT. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Oct 2018
Nanosatellite companies extend IoT connectivity
Space-based IoT connectivity via nanosatellites helps give things that, until now, were either in locations too remote or weren't considered feasible, an opportunity to connect. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Sep 2018
It's time to solve LPWAN's location challenge with TDOA and Wi-Fi
Nearly all IoT use cases require some element of location. However, achieving this on low-power devices can be challenging. Skyhook's Kipp Jones explains how TDOA and Wi-Fi can solve the problem. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Sep 2018
Cloud versus fog computing for IoT: The fog is rolling in
The relationship between the cloud and IoT is evolving. Deloitte Digital's Robert Schmid explains where fog computing fits in and the role it plays in an IoT system. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Sep 2018
The real reason why mobile operators fail to monetize IoT
Despite the touted benefits of IoT for mobile operators, few are reaping them. Openwave Mobility's Aman Brar offers three areas mobile operators should hone in on to successfully monetize IoT. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Sep 2018
Customer experience lives on the edge
Edge computing allows the processing and actioning of data to happen at the collection source, explains Adobe's Anjul Bhambhri, leading to submillisecond responses and actioning that improve the ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 Sep 2018
Making connectivity more resilient is critical for IoT
Without the right connectivity to the cloud, IoT applications can suffer. 128 Technology's Erik Thoen explains the importance of IoT connectivity and how to achieve connectivity resilience in an ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 Sep 2018
What 'X as a service' means for the internet of things
The 'X as a service' trend, says Tata Communications' Tim Sherwood, is helping differentiate MVNOs as they launch and maintain value-added services in the IoT world. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Sep 2018
IoT edge computing: Let's get edgy
The sheer number of 'things' today is forcing an inevitable shift to the edge. Dell's Jason Shepherd discusses the ins and outs of the IoT edge, as well as the many faces of edge computing. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Sep 2018
5G is coming, but private LTE will be here first
While 5G will play a critical role extending mobile connectivity, until it is fully realized there is something that can fill its place: private LTE. ADRF's Greg Najjar explains. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Sep 2018
Hybrid IoT deployments give customers flexibility of choice
Arm's Dipesh Patel discusses five key reasons why organizations may want to deploy IoT systems in either an on-premises or hybrid environment versus solely in the public cloud. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Aug 2018
The edge of disconnected clouds
As computing models continue to shift between centralized and decentralized, the concept of the edge is growing in popularity. AppDynamics' Jonah Kowall offers insights into edge models from ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Aug 2018
Massive and critical IoT: Helping developers choose the right connectivity
There are a number of factors developers must consider when choosing the right connectivity for their massive IoT or critical IoT use case. Twilio's Chetan Chaudhary explains. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Aug 2018
Z-Wave
Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol used primarily in smart home networks, allowing smart devices to connect and exchange control commands and data with each other. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Aug 2018
Eating too much IoT bandwidth? Deploy containers at the edge
Containers make sense within development environments. Understanding why folks use containers at the edge of an IoT network requires a little more thought. Red Hat's James Kirkland discusses. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Aug 2018
Technologists and fashionistas design with IoT in mind
NFC Forum's Paula Hunter outlines four IoT benefits near field communication affords brands in the wearable space, as evidenced at the Wear Conference in NYC. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Aug 2018
LPWA networks: Shaping the future of IoT
Low-power wide area networks are expected to have a significant impact on the growth rate of future IoT innovation. AT&T's Chris Penrose outlines some of the top things you need to know about LPWA. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Aug 2018
The 'Brave New World' of IoT-connected smart cities
Achieving IoT-connected smart city status is ultimately up to the telecom industry, local governments and public sector industries. Hortonworks' Sanjay Kumar discusses. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Aug 2018
IoT and 5G growing together: Partnerships drive innovative IoT of the future
5G is set to take IoT to new heights, but with new tech comes new ways of doing business. Deloitte's Helena Lisachuk explains why partnerships and shared expertise will be critical to 5G and IoT's ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Jul 2018
IPv6 in the age of IoT
With billions of connected devices coming in the next few years, we need an addressing schema that can accommodate it. NS1's Carl Levine offers predictions for how IoT will evolve in an IPv6 ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Jul 2018
What does the future hold for ambient computing?
Considering how far technology has come in a short time, one might consider when computing will become ambient and span virtual siloes. Aricent's Ben Pietrabella explains. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Jul 2018
Edge computing will be vital for even simple IoT devices
Which is better for IoT, the cloud or the edge? Nordic Semiconductor's Svein-Egil Nielsen explains why a combination of both will open up great opportunities for an IoT-enabled world. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Jul 2018
Offloading smart car data: 5G can only stem the tide
By 2025, automated cars will create a $25 billion industry. However, to be successful, says ADRF's Greg Najjar, carriers must maintain a diverse network and work closely with auto manufacturers. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Jul 2018
Living on the edge: Why IoT demands a new approach to data
Many IoT scenarios require ways to analyze and act on collected data at the source. StreamSets' Kirit Basu explains why edge computing is gaining traction in an IoT world. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Jul 2018
5G and the future of the auto industry
In today's technology-driven world, data is the new oil. However, to make technology successful in the auto industry, says Gemalto's Kate Migon, connectivity and security are key. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Jun 2018
Exploring an AI foundation for networking in the IoT age
AI is a must-have for businesses that need to keep up with soaring numbers of new devices, things and apps in today's IoT world. Mist's Sudheer Matta outlines the four key components for building ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 Jun 2018
BAW filters: Problem-solvers for key Wi-Fi and IoT challenges
Qorvo's Cees Links explains how bulk acoustic wave filters can solve two key Wi-Fi and IoT issues: thermal challenges and interference challenges. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 Jun 2018
The importance of the edge layer in an IoT ecosystem
While the cloud offers many benefits, not every application or use case is best served by it, especially in IoT. Deloitte Digital's Robert Schmid explains where the edge layer fits into the ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Jun 2018
Echoes of Facebook: Edge computing to protect privacy
Edge processing is here to turn the cloud model on its head, says Clearblade's Aaron Allsbrook. Learn how edge computing can help keep data local -- and safe. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 May 2018
What will drive the 5G revolution?
We are at the beginning of a new era of global connectivity. Tata Communications' Tim Sherwood explains why telcos are investing in 5G to transport larger amounts of data at higher speeds with ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 May 2018
IoT inflection points you aren't thinking about and what they mean for developers
As businesses move from IoT experimentation to real-world IoT applications, there are a number of inflection points emerging. Twilio's Chetan Chaudhary discusses what these mean for developers. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 May 2018
The case for camera networks as the basis of sensor networks
The benefits of using camera networks for IoT go far beyond security. Axis Communications' Fredrik Nilsson outlines why using camera networks for sensor networks makes sense in the connected world. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 May 2018
What the T-Mobile-Sprint merger means for IoT
How will the T-Mobile-Sprint merger affect enterprise mobility and IoT connectivity? MOBI's Josh Garrett takes a look. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
15 May 2018
The next cloud battle is here and it is at the edge
Current cloud offerings are not adequate to address the IoT and edge market. MapR's Anoop Dawar explains the cloud battle and offers principles to help organizations reinvent their IoT edge systems. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 May 2018
The future of AI, IoT and 5G is in the fog
OpenFog Consortium's Lynne Canavan explains why fog computing is critical to the future of AI, IoT and 5G, offering examples and use cases, as well as the SCALE model for fog deployment. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 May 2018
Mobile network operator strategies for IoT
Where are the real IoT business opportunities for MNOs to strategize and achieve volume, scale and growth? Huawei's Medhat Mahmoud discusses. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 May 2018
Why smart operators are turning to AI to prepare for 5G
The success of a 5G network rollout, says Aricent's Ben Pietrabella, will depend in large part on the operator's ability to harness AI across the network value chain. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
08 May 2018
CBRS, LAA and haven't we been here before?
Unlicensed spectrum bands, such as CBRS and LAA, aim to increase blanket connectivity, but what about white space initiatives? Can they help improve IoT connectivity? ADRF's Greg Najjar discusses. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Apr 2018
How to improve IoT security and resilience with SD-WAN and SDP
For IoT to move from consumer curiosity to industry workhorse, organizations need confidence in the availability and performance of IoT architectures. Cato Networks' Gur Shatz explains how SD-WAN ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
25 Apr 2018
Battle of the IoT networks: Cellular versus Wi-Fi
Cellular or Wi-Fi. Given each technology's bandwidth, cost, coverage and security characteristics, which should IoT application developers choose? Sierra Wireless' Philippe Guillemette discusses. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
17 Apr 2018
Boost built-in IIoT security with VPNs
Though there are several recommended properties for built-in security, says NCP engineering's Julian Weinberger, encrypting communications with VPNs is essential. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Apr 2018
Challenges and changes: A look at today's healthcare IoT
Why has healthcare struggled to make IoT safe? MOBI's Josh Garrett discusses two primary healthcare IoT challenges: device manufacturer priorities and network access security. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Mar 2018
The future of IoT connectivity: Plug in your business, not your technology
The secret to choosing IoT connectivity technology, says Deloitte Consulting's Helena Lisachuk, is about focusing on your business not on the technology. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2018
Iridium Next satellites to bring broadband IoT to every corner of the globe
The Iridium Next satellites have helped the company embrace the IoT explosion, changing its business model objective from cell phone connectivity to satellite IoT. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Feb 2018
Network densification is the key to IoT growth
To accommodate the estimated 35 billion connected devices coming on the scene by 2020, says ADRF's Greg Najjar, mobile network density and availability will both need to increase at incredible rates. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Feb 2018
Clouds can't save our oceans, we need an edge
Edge computing is rapidly being recognized as a necessity for implementing several industrial IoT use cases, explains MapR Technologies' Will Ochandarena. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Feb 2018
IoT network integrators: Key to meeting the needs of enterprise customers
There is a lack of neutral network integrators able to deliver IoT network solutions using multiple technologies. Wireless 20/20's Berge Ayvazian explains. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
08 Feb 2018
Dawning of the digital security border: A new standard for wide area perimeter and border security
Technology-based perimeter security may have a potential use case in the U.S. again thanks to low-power sensors and the new 802.16s industrial wireless standard. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
07 Feb 2018
Building real-world IoT systems: Using SMS to connect sensors in the wild
Connecting and powering IIoT sensors in the wild is challenging. Bryan Hughes of SpaceTime Insight explains how an old standby, SMS, may just save the day. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Feb 2018
IoT is revolutionizing natural disaster prediction
While natural disasters are outside the control of humans, IoT is being used to minimize the adversity resulting from natural occurrences and save lives. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 Jan 2018
Rise of the decentralized and distributed mesh computer
We're moving into an era of decentralized and distributed computing where everything computes together as if peer-to-peer nodes on a global mesh computer. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Jan 2018
A careful look at RF for your IoT PCBs
When it comes to IoT PCBs, radio frequency is a whole new ballgame. NexLogic's Zulki Khan explains the RF considerations to keep in mind. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Jan 2018
IoT to grow out of awkward adolescence in 2018 and other trends for the new year
It will be 2018 in which IoT grows up and offers true innovation. Infiswift's Arup Barat discusses this and more IoT trends for the coming year. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
08 Jan 2018
Evolution of wireless: Marching toward interoperability and simplicity
Bluetooth SIG's Jim Katsandres explains where the wireless revolution started and how it is evolving to handle the IoT landscape of the present and future. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Jan 2018
Wired to wireless: The next big change in advanced metering infrastructure and connected societies
802.11s will allow us to rethink how wireless networks are designed in individual homes and businesses and, eventually, communities and smart grids. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Sep 2017
LPWAN (low-power wide area network)
Low-power WAN (LPWAN) is a wireless wide area network technology that interconnects low-bandwidth, battery-powered devices with low bit rates over long ranges. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Jun 2017
Understanding which flavor of LPWAN is right for you
It is becoming more important than ever for businesses to ensure they have the right IoT strategy and LPWAN technologies in place to suit their needs. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
20 Apr 2017
The three tiers of a successful enterprise IoT system
The three tiers of the IoT technology stack -- sensors, gateways and the data center/cloud tier -- need to integrate and communicate with each other. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jun 2016
Constrained Application Protocol: CoAP is IoT's 'modern' protocol
CoAP is taking the place of older, 'heavy' protocols and helping bring the promise of the internet of things to constrained, low-power devices. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 Jun 2016
Why 2.4 GHz still makes sense for most IoT applications
While many have been quick to jump to the 5 GHz "band"-wagon, the classic 2.4 GHz wireless band still has a place in an IoT world. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jan 2016
Using mesh networking to interconnect IoT devices
Need a relatively simple, inexpensive way to interconnect your IoT devices? Mesh networking is emerging as an attractive option for a wide range of low-power, low-data-rate IoT applications. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Nov 2015
Internet of Everything (IoE)
The Internet of Everything (IoE) is a concept that extends the Internet of Things (IoT) emphasis on machine-to-machine (M2M) communications to describe a more complex system that also encompasses people and processes. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2015
NFV use cases emerge as IoT evolves
NFV use cases in an Internet of Things environment are taking shape, as CSPs turn to virtualization to support the growing number of smart devices. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Apr 2015
active RFID (active radio frequency identification)
Active RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are continuously operating, battery-powered sensors that gather and transmit data to a reading device. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2015
SDN for IoT supports networking devices
SDN and IoT are two terms flourishing in the IT industry, so organizations must prepare to combine them while the technology keeps developing. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Nov 2014
Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE)
Also marketed as Bluetooth Smart, Bluetooth LE was introduced in the Bluetooth 4.0 specification as an alternative to Bluetooth Classic. Like its predecessor, Bluetooth LE uses frequency hopping wireless technology in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed radio band to interconnect nearby devices. Continue Reading