Simulation framework for performance analysis in multi-tier IoT Systems

The accelerated development of technologies, especially in the field of telecommunications has enabled the easier integration of embedded devices within various IoT applications. Modern IoT applications involve the integration of multiple embedded devices that collect and process data but also communicate with other tiers of the IoT system architecture. Designing multi-tier IoT system, even in the case of architecture involving a small number of intelligent embedded devices, can be a very demanding process especially when it is necessary to meet the strict requirements of IoT application. In this paper, an open-source simulation framework that allows the performance analysis of an arbitrary multi-tiered IoT system is presented and evaluated. Framework enables insight into the data availability within each tier of IoT system architecture which allows designers to analyze the performance of IoT application. Developed simulation framework enables analyzes of different performance parameters such as real-time performance, energy consumption, architecture scalability, and others. The example of a large-scale IoT application is used to demonstrate the potential of the developed open-source simulator when it is necessary to quantify scalability of the selected architecture of the IoT system.