The Importance of Testing IoT Applications

Have you ever experienced unreliable or inconsistent internet connection when using IoT devices, or had your IoT applications not working consistently? The possible causes of these problems could have likely been solved at the design and manufacturing process, before the commercial release, by confirming the wireless connection performance under the actual use condition.

IoT devices connect to the network by communicating via other devices (node, access points such as routers, and then to base stations). Various factors in the field can make wireless communications unstable, which causes IoT devices to retransmit data frequently to try to maintain connection. If re-transmission frequency exceeds a certain level, the connection may be difficult to establish or maintain, and the expected communication speed may not be achieved. Consequently, the IoT device power consumption may increase and reduce battery life. In other words, even when a wireless connection is confirmed at the access point (AP), there is still a real possibility of hidden communications problems following product design and manufacture. If these hidden problems are allowed to continue, communications issues may continue to occur more frequently, depending on how the product is used by the end user under the actual environment.

What Is the “Wireless Communications Quality” of IoT Devices?

Implementing wireless communications functionality in IoT devices requires developers to have wireless technology knowledge and experience. However, since that requires a lot of time, one of the easiest ways to solve this challenge is to use the wireless modules already in the marketplace to integrate into IoT products. Wireless modules in the marketplace are designed to support wireless features and the module suppliers guarantee their products’ conformance to wireless standards and regulations. However, the communications quality of the wireless modules and the actual finished IoT devices in which these modules are installed is not always equal. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as RF attenuation in actual environment, presence of other wireless devices, RF reflections and interference inside the device.

In other words, the “wireless communications quality” of IoT devices means the quality in the actual usage environment.

Assuring IoT Device Communications Quality

Which Is Suitable Standards?

It is important to select the appropriate telecommunication standards that are suitable for actual usage,
by understanding and evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each standard. This will help avoid unexpected and costly challenges related to equipment and services.

It is also necessary for engineers to take the necessary measures to comply with the legal requirements.
Investigate the RF related legislation for the equipment usage location and the communications standard you selected, and be sure to obtain the necessary permissions and licenses.

Details: Regulations and standards to be followed by IoT devices >