Multi-layer Analysis of IoT-based Systems

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for analyzing IoT-based systems as complex cyber-physical systems, emphasizing layered structures and agent interactions to understand system dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel multi-layer analytical approach for IoT systems using Lefebvre's notation to understand awareness and agent interactions.

Findings

Systemic differences emerge based on agent information usage.

Analytical methods reveal how agent actions influence system dynamics.

Example demonstrates stabilizing grid frequency with smart appliances.

Abstract

This document provides a theoretical-methodological ground to sustain the idea that the IoT builds the structure of awareness of large-scale infrastructures viewed as techno-social cyber-physical systems, which are special cases of self-developing reflexive-active systems. As the last phrase already indicates, we need to go through a series of explanations before reaching the point of being capable of analyzing the dynamics of IoT-based systems, constituted by physical, information and regulatory layers. We expect through this text to clarify what is the structure of awareness by revisiting the little known Lefebvre's notation. From this standpoint, we can analytically show systemic differences that appears when agents using information about the physical system and/or about the other agents (re)act within the system itself, determining then the actually realized system dynamics. We provide an example of how to carry out this kind of research using the example of smart appliances as a form of stabilizing the grid frequency.