Introduction to MQTT

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a lightweight messaging protocol designed for low-bandwidth, high-latency, or unreliable networks. It is based on a publish-subscribe model where devices (publishers) send messages to a central broker, and other devices (subscribers) receive these messages from the broker. This mechanism is especially efficient for scenarios where multiple devices need to communicate over a network with limited resources.

Origins and Derivation

MQTT was originally developed by IBM in 1999 as a solution for connecting sensors on oil pipelines over unreliable satellite networks. The protocol was later standardized by OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards) and has since become a leading protocol for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

MQTT and IoT Devices

MQTT has become widely used in IoT devices due to its efficiency in transmitting small packets of data in environments with constrained resources. It allows devices such as sensors, controllers, and edge devices to communicate with each other through a broker, enabling a scalable and manageable IoT ecosystem.

Image Source: HiveMQ (2024)

Using MQTT with Raspberry Pi and Tinkerforge Components

Raspberry Pi, a versatile single-board computer, is commonly used in IoT projects due to its affordability and flexibility. By setting up a Mosquitto Broker (an MQTT broker implementation), the Raspberry Pi can act as a central communication hub for various IoT devices. For this semesters project we do not need to install an MQTT broker as it has already been installed on our central IoT-Server at Pforzheim University.

Tinkerforge components, which include various sensors and actuators, can communicate with the Raspberry Pi using MQTT. This connection allows for the integration of sensor data and control commands across a network. For example, sensor data from Tinkerforge components connected to a Raspberry Pi can be published via MQTT, enabling real-time monitoring and control in an IoT network.