EDGE COMPUTING: ENHANCING REAL-TIME DATA PROCESSING IN IOT SYSTEMS

Abstract

The exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has created immense demands for low-latency, high-throughput data processing. Traditional cloud computing architectures often fail to meet the real-time requirements of modern IoT applications due to network latency and bandwidth limitations. Edge computing addresses this challenge by enabling computation closer to the data source. This article explores the architecture, implementation, and benefits of edge computing in IoT systems, particularly in latency-sensitive environments like healthcare monitoring, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation. With a focus on Pakistan’s emerging IoT infrastructure, we analyze real-world deployments, identify performance bottlenecks, and propose optimization frameworks based on edge intelligence. The paper includes empirical data, economic projections, and a readiness assessment of edge technologies in local industries.