Distributed IoT Edge Processing in Co-location Facilities
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices with centralized computing architectures poses challenges such as scalability, performance, interoperability, security, and privacy, particularly due to the exponential increase in connected IoT devices and the lack of consensus on security standards.
Innovation Solution
Deploying distributed IoT edge systems within globally-distributed co-location facilities managed by a co-location facility provider, which perform edge processing and provide protocol translation, registration, and authentication, thereby filtering unnecessary data and enhancing connectivity with cloud/IT infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centralized computing architecture is used for IoT devices, then data processing can be performed, but scalability and performance deteriorate due to exponential increase in connected IoT devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized computing architecture into distributed edge computing nodes deployed across multiple co-location facilities. Each edge node independently processes IoT device data locally, segmenting the monolithic centralized system into modular distributed units that can scale independently across different geographic locations and customer premises.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to data processing by deploying edge computing capabilities across multiple geographic locations and network layers. Instead of a single centralized processing point, the system distributes processing across edge facilities positioned at different network perimeters, adding geographic and architectural dimensions to the processing topology.
2Productivity
If centralized computing architecture is used for IoT devices, then data processing can be performed, but performance deteriorates due to data backhaul requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs data processing, filtering, and aggregation at the edge before data is transmitted to the core network. By preliminarily processing data at co-location facilities and removing unnecessary information upfront, the system reduces the volume of data that requires backhaul transmission, improving overall transmission speed and efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distributed edge systems are deployed, then scalability and performance improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal edge computing platform that can be deployed across multiple co-location facilities with standardized hardware and software configurations. This universal architecture allows the same system design to be replicated and scaled across different locations, managing complexity through standardization while maintaining scalability.
4Reliability
If distributed edge systems are deployed, then connectivity and performance improve, but interoperability challenges arise due to lack of consensus on security standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces standardized API gateways and protocol translation layers as intermediaries between diverse IoT devices and the edge computing platform. These intermediary components handle protocol conversion, authentication, and data normalization, enabling seamless interoperability between devices using different communication standards while maintaining secure connectivity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Techniques are described for distributed processing of Internet of Things (IoT) device data by edge systems co-located within a globally-distributed set of co-location facilities deployed and managed by a co-location facility provider. For example, a method includes selecting, by at least one of a plurality of edge computing systems co-located within respective co-location facilities each deployed and managed by a single co-location facility provider, a selected edge computing system of the plurality of edge computing systems to process data associated with events generated by an IoT device. The method also includes provisioning, at the selected edge computing system, an application programming interface (API) endpoint for communication with the IoT device, receiving, by the selected edge computing system at the endpoint, the data associated with the events generated by the IoT device, and processing, by the selected edge computing system, the data associated with the events generated by the IoT device.