IoT Hardware Selection: A Comprehensive Guide for Pelion Solutions

Choosing the right IoT hardware is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make in your IoT journey. Whether you're integrating IoT connectivity into existing products or launching a brand-new device, the success of your solution hinges on selecting hardware that aligns with your use case, environmental demands, power and connectivity needs, and long-term manageability.

Pelion offers a versatile and scalable IoT platform, the Pelion Portal,  designed to support diverse deployments, from rugged remote monitoring to consumer-facing applications. But to fully leverage Pelion’s capabilities, selecting the right hardware is key.

Understanding the Diversity of IoT Deployments

There is no one-size-fits-all IoT hardware. Different use cases call for vastly different device specifications. Considerations such as location, environment, user interaction, mobility, and the right security solution all influence hardware choices.

Here are three common IoT deployment scenarios, each with its own unique hardware needs:

1. Consumer-facing use cases

These involve devices like tablets, smartphones, or repurposed consumer tech, often used in:

• Access control systems

• Room occupancy sensors

• Smart lighting

Hardware priorities:

• User-friendly design

• Affordability

• Durability

• Portability

These deployments prioritize seamless interaction and versatility, often repurposing off-the-shelf consumer devices.

2. Rugged remote monitoring

Used in industries where environmental factors pose challenges, think:

• EV charging stations

• Fuel dispensers

• Remote metering

• Vending machines

Hardware priorities:

• High ingress and heat protection (IP ratings)

• Fire and electrical safety compliance

• Reliable remote access

• Long lifespan and rugged build

Here, custom or made-for-purpose devices are recommended to ensure regulatory compliance and reliable field performance.

3. Connected transport

Vehicles and transit environments increasingly rely on connected devices for:

• CCTV and passenger safety

• Ticketing and payment systems

• On-board Wi-Fi

Hardware priorities:

• Multi-SIM connectivity for resilience

• Continuous uptime

• Integration with vehicle systems

Pelion recommends working with experienced connected product manufacturers for transport-related deployments.

Core Considerations in IoT Hardware Selection

Regardless of your deployment scenario, the following five factors are universally important when evaluating IoT hardware:

1. Security first

If it can be hacked, it will be. Security must be baked into your hardware from the start.

What to look for:

• Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) or Secure Elements for secure storage and encryption

• Secure Boot to ensure firmware authenticity

• Encrypted Communication protocols to prevent data interception

2. Cellular IoT connectivity and power efficiency

Most IoT deployments benefit from cellular IoT connectivity, but not all cellular solutions are created equal.

Consider:

• Efficient cellular modems supporting NB-IoT, LTE-M (CAT-M1), 4G LTE or 5G

• Low-power modes for battery-powered devices

• Intelligent network registration for reduced reconnection power drain

LTE-M vs NB-IoT: Choosing the right cellular tech

Both LTE-M (CAT-M1) and NB-IoT are LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) technologies optimized for IoT, but with different strengths.

Decision Tip:

• Use LTE-M if your application needs higher data throughput or real-time interaction.

• Opt for NB-IoT if battery life and deep coverage are your top priorities.

3. Scalability and Manageability

As your fleet grows, managing thousands of devices remotely becomes critical.

Key features to seek:

• OTA (Over-the-Air) updates for remote firmware upgrades

• Remote configuration management to simplify deployments

• Network retention to ensure seamless reconnections after dropouts

4. Data Processing Capabilities at the Edge

Not all data needs to go to the cloud. Devices that can process information locally reduce latency and bandwidth use.

Tip: Choose hardware with sufficient compute and memory capacity if your solution involves edge computing, such as local analytics or decision-making.

5. High-Speed Connectivity: 4G vs 5G Routers

Some applications, such as smart cities or autonomous systems, require robust, high-bandwidth routers.

4G routers:

• Well-established, widely available

• Suitable for high-speed data, video, and remote site connectivity

• More affordable than 5G

5G routers:

• Ultra-fast, low-latency

• Ideal for dense device environments, real-time control, and future-facing applications

• Higher cost and less global availability

Hybrid option: Consider routers that support both 4G and 5G to balance performance and availability.

How to Source the Right Hardware

IoT hardware sourcing depends on your organization’s expertise and scale. Here’s a snapshot of key players in the ecosystem:

 Align Hardware with Your Vision

Your IoT hardware strategy can make or break your deployment. Whether you're just getting started or scaling a global IoT deployment, the path to successful IoT begins with smart hardware selection, tailored to your use case, powered by the right connectivity, and built for long-term reliability.

By taking a methodical approach – asking the right questions, understanding the ecosystem, and leveraging the strengths of LPWAN technologies - you’ll be well-positioned to build secure, scalable, and successful IoT solutions.