Quality of Service (QoS) Mechanisms for Bandwidth and Latency Optimization in Smart Homes

Abstract

The proliferation of smart homes has introduced an array of Internet of Things (IoT) devices that demand efficient bandwidth and latency management to support real-time applications such as video streaming, voice commands, and smart security systems. These real-time applications are highly sensitive to network delays and bandwidth fluctuations, requiring robust Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms to ensure optimal performance. In conventional networks, QoS protocols prioritize traffic based on predefined rules, but IoT-driven smart home environments introduce new circumstances due to the diversity of devices and applications. This paper analyzes the challenges in smart home environments, where devices with varying bandwidth and latency requirements coexist. We examine existing QoS mechanisms and how they can be improved or changed to prioritize critical IoT devices. A special emphasis is placed on identifying network-level enhancements that can support low-latency communication for smart security systems and bandwidth-intensive applications like high-definition video streaming. The integration of modern technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and edge computing, in enhancing QoS for smart homes is analyzed. The paper concludes by proposing a layered QoS architecture that dynamically adapts to the needs of various smart home applications for optimizing resource allocation while ensuring high bandwidth and low latency for mission-critical devices.

bandwidth management, edge computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Quality of Service (QoS), smart homes, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), real-time applications