What you’re already using without knowing it:
IoT explained simply
Connected objects have become second nature in our daily lives: receiving alerts on a smartwatch, remotely activating home heating, or tracking a package delivery. These seemingly simple actions rely on sophisticated technology. Connected devices are no longer just passive tools—they can now exchange information with each other.
The collection, transmission, and analysis of all this data are based on the Internet of Things, or IoT. IoT is gradually spreading across all industries, from manufacturing and healthcare to agriculture. It is transforming the way we work and interact with the world.
But how do these connected objects really work? What networks link them together? And why is IoT increasingly used in sectors such as logistics, energy, infrastructure, and the environment?
The Internet of things: what exactly is it?
Imagine a city where traffic lights automatically adapt to traffic flow, supermarkets know precisely when to restock, and farmers monitor their crops remotely. This isn’t science fiction—it’s IoT in action.
A simple definition of IoT
IoT refers to objects equipped with smart sensors capable of collecting and transmitting information in real time (or at preset intervals). This data is then sent to a platform that analyzes it and can trigger automatic actions.
IoT in everyday life
IoT is everywhere in our daily lives, often without us even realizing it.
For example:
- Your smartwatch measures your heart rate and athletic performance and transmits this data to an application of your choice.
- Smart thermostats adjust your home’s temperature based on your habits to save energy.
- Smart refrigerators monitor food stock and can send alerts when a product is running low or about to expire. Some models even place orders automatically with an online supermarket..
What is the purpose of IoT?
The rapid deployment of IoT is driven by its tangible benefits, including:
- Task automation, eliminating time-consuming, low-value activities.
- Cost reduction and resource optimization, preventing waste and improving inventory management.
- Time savings through fast, precise, and inertia-free decision-making.
- Better decision-making, as collected data helps anticipate breakdowns, optimize routes, and improve production quality.
Behind this technology, a complex ecosystem enables connected objects to function. Let’s now take a closer look at how IoT collects and transmits this valuable data
H2 : How does IoT work?
Behind the apparent simplicity of connected objects lies a well-oiled technological ecosystem. For a device to collect and transmit data, three essential components are required.
How does IoT work?
Behind the apparent simplicity of connected objects lies a well-oiled technological ecosystem. For a device to collect and transmit data, three essential components are required.
Sensors and connected devices
These small embedded components continuously measure various parameters, such as:
- Temperature, humidity, and pressure to monitor the environment.
- Vibration and tilt to detect potential anomalies in infrastructures.
- GPS position to track the movement of a vehicle or a shipping container.
These raw data are then sent to a system capable of processing them.
Communication networks
A sensor, no matter how powerful, is useless if it cannot transmit its information. It must be connected to a network. Here are the networks currently used worldwide:
- Wi-Fi et Bluetooth, suitable for everyday connected objects (smartwatches, smart speakers, home appliances, etc.).
- 4G/5G, sed mainly for connected vehicles or sensors that require fast data transmission.
- LoRa et Sigfox networks designed for low-power sensors, such as those used in agriculture.
- Satellite networks, which provide the widest coverage in the world and take over where terrestrial networks are unavailable.
Data analysis platforms
Once data is collected, it must be analyzed and utilized. This is the role of processing platforms, which:
- Store information securely.
- Trigger alerts in case of anomalies (e.g., excessive temperature, leak detection, or obstacle presence).
- Automate actions, such as optimizing a route or adjusting a ventilation system.
A real-world example: monitoring sensitive goods
- A sensor placed in a refrigerated truck continuously measures the internal temperature.
- If it detects an abnormal variation, it sends an alert.
- The logistics manager immediately receives a notification on their tracking interface and can act before the goods are compromised.
The goal of IoT is to improve reactivity and reliability in operations. However, its effectiveness heavily depends on the network used. Not all areas are covered by terrestrial infrastructures. This is where satellite IoT becomes essential.
Why isn’t terrestrial IoT always enough?
IoT relies on various communication networks to transmit the data collected by sensors. However, these networks have limitations and do not cover the entire Earth..
Dependence on existing networks
Most connected objects use terrestrial infrastructures such as:
- Wi-Fi and fiber, which work well in cities but are useless outdoors or on mobile infrastructures.
- 4G/5G, which is effective but has incomplete coverage and depends on the deployment of relay antennas.
- Long-range networks (LoRa, Sigfox), which are well-suited for low-power sensors but limited to specific zones.
Coverage limited to only 15% of the Earth's surface
Even when combined, all these infrastructures only cover 15% of the Earth's surface. The rest—oceans, mountains, deserts, vast rural areas—remains out of reach of traditional networks.
The limits of terrestrial IoT
When IoT relies solely on terrestrial networks, it faces several challenges:
- High infrastructure costs: Deploying antennas or relays in remote areas is complex and expensive.
- Black points: Entire regions (remote roads, mining sites, seas, and oceans) remain inaccessible to connected objects.
- Weather-related instability: Extreme weather events like storms or earthquakes can damage antennas and disrupt data transmission.
- High energy consumption: Maintaining a constant connection with terrestrial networks can require significant power, which is challenging for sensors placed in hard-to-reach areas.
So, how can we ensure reliable tracking of connected objects without interruption, anywhere on the planet?
Satellite IoT: connecting objects everywhere, without interruption
The key advantage of satellite IoT is that it allows connected devices to transmit data from anywhere on the planet, even in areas without terrestrial network coverage. It can also complement terrestrial networks by taking over in uncovered zones.
How does satellite IoT work?
Unlike terrestrial networks, satellite IoT does not rely on ground-based relay antennas. Instead, it uses satellites in orbit to ensure data transmission worldwide..
The functioning of satellite IoT is based on three simple steps:
Data collection
A sensor measures a specific parameter (temperature, humidity, position, vibrations, etc.).
Data transmission
The sensors send their data directly to a satellite in orbit.
Data downlink to a ground station
The satellite then transmits the data to a ground station, which forwards it to the end user via a visualization platform.
Connected sensors can be hybrid, meaning they primarily use terrestrial networks (Wi-Fi, 4G, LoRa) and automatically switch to satellite in case of signal loss
What are the advantages of satellite IoT?
Satellite IoT eliminates the constraints of terrestrial networks and offers:
- Global coverage : objects remain connected everywhere, even in the middle of the ocean or in desert areas.
- Reliable transmission: no outages in case of bad weather or local infrastructure failure.
- Low-power consumption: some sensors operate for several years without intervention thanks to spaced and optimized transmissions.
With this technology, IoT finally overcomes geographical limits, paving the way for numerous applications in sectors where connectivity is a key issue.
Applications of satellite IoT
Satellite IoT enables the connection and monitoring of equipment anywhere in the world, including the most isolated areas. Here are some concrete examples of applications in various sectors.
Logistic and transportation
- Real-time tracking of containers, trucks, and wagons, even when they travel outside covered areas.
- Monitoring of transport conditions (temperature, humidity, pressure) to prevent the deterioration of sensitive goods (e.g., pharmaceutical products, foodstuffs).
- Reduction of equipment immobilization costs, estimated at $59 million per year in the heavy industry (Siemens, 2024).
Infrastructures monitoring
- Detection of anomalies on bridges, tunnels, and railways thanks to sensors that measure wear, vibrations, or inclination.
- Transition to predictive maintenance, which allows intervention before a breakdown occurs, thus reducing maintenance costs by up to 30% (Deloitte).
Energy et industry
- Monitoring of pipelines, power pylons, and industrial sites located in remote areas.
- Anticipation des pannes et réduction des interventions humaines dangereuses grâce à la détection précoce d’anomalies.
- Reduction of maintenance costs by up to 30% thanks to predictive maintenance.
Environment and natural resource management
- Early detection of forest fires to alert emergency services more quickly and limit damage.
- Surveillance de la disponibilité des ressources en eau et anticipation des sécheresses pour une meilleure gestion des bassins hydriques.
- Satellite detection of water leaks achieves 80% accuracy, compared to only 41% for traditional methods, and reduces detection costs by a factor of 10 (California Energy Commission) (California Energy Commission).
Satellite IoT is becoming an indispensable solution for connecting and optimizing operations in environments where terrestrial networks are inaccessible
IoT: an already essential technology, and this is just the beginning
The Internet of Things has become a powerful lever for optimizing operations, automating tasks, and improving resource management. Thanks to IoT, companies reduce their costs, gain efficiency, and make informed decisions based on reliable data.
Satellite IoT removes the limitations of terrestrial networks and enhances the performance of strategic sectors such as logistics, energy, and the environment. It ensures precise tracking of assets and infrastructure, even in the most remote areas, with increased reliability and energy autonomy.
With the rise of new satellite constellations, the improvement of sensors, and the reduction in the cost of space technologies, satellite IoT is only in its early stages. In the coming years, it will play a key role in the expansion of Industry 4.0, natural resource management, and the energy transition
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Created in 2018, Kinéis is a satellite IoT operator.
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