Massive Internet of Things for Industrial Applications: Addressing Wireless IIoT Connectivity Challenges and Ecosystem Fragmentation

This article provides an overview of the development and standardizations of connectivity solutions for enabling the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). It also highlights key IIoT connectivity technologies and platforms that have the potential of driving the next industrial revolution. In addition, the article addresses the main challenges standing in the way of realizing the full potential of the IIoT, namely attaining secure connectivity and managing a vastly fragmented ecosystem of connectivity solutions and platforms. Finally, IIoT connectivity challenges are illustrated by the example of future building automation.