The IoT is more than simply the data from a sensor. We must first understand and architect the transport of moving sensor data from the remotest places on Earth to the cloud. There are a significant number of technologies and data paths to move data, and a bulk of the material in this book will investigate the aspects, constraints, and comparisons of communication choices for the architect.
We begin the WAN discussion with a review of wireless RF signals and the contributing factors that impact signal quality, limitations, interference, models, bandwidth, and range. There are many WAN communication protocols to choose from in different bands, and the architect must understand the pros and cons of choosing one radio spectrum over the other.
The following graphic helps delineate the various range and data rates for wireless protocols we...
