However, all complete IoT systems are the same in that they represent the integration of four distinct components: sensors/devices, connectivity, data processing, and a user interface. We'll outline what each one means in the sections below and how they come together to form a complete IoT system.

An Internet of Things (IoT) system is generally comprised of four fundamental layers that work together to create a functional network. The first is Sensors/Devices, which collect raw data from the environment (e.g., temperature, motion, or GPS). The second is Connectivity, the medium through which the data is sent to the cloud, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular (5G), or Satellite. The third component is Data Processing, where the "cloud" software analyzes the incoming data to make sense of it (e.g., checking if a temperature reading is within a safe range). Finally, there is the User Interface, which is the visible application or web dashboard where the end-user views the information and interacts with the system, such as a smartphone app that allows you to adjust your home thermostat remotely based on the processed data.