In the IoT platform integration solution, the IoT platform provides open APIs for applications to connect devices using various protocols. To provide richer device management capabilities, the IoT platform needs to understand the device capabilities and the formats of data reported by devices. Therefore, you need to develop product models and codecs to the IoT platform.

• A product model is a JSON file that describes device capabilities. It defines basic device properties and message formats for data reporting and command delivery. Defining a product model is to construct an abstract model of a device in the platform to enable the platform to understand the device properties.
• A codec is developed based on the format of reported data. If Data Type of data reported is Binary, a codec must be developed for the product. If Data Type is JSON, codec development is not required. The IoT platform uses codecs to convert data between the binary and JSON formats. The binary data reported by a device is decoded into the JSON format for the NA to read, and the commands delivered by the NA are encoded into the binary format for the device to understand and execute.

  

• Product creation: A product is a collection of devices with the same capabilities or features. In addition to physical devices, a product includes product information, product models (profiles), and codecs generated during IoT capability building.
• Model definition: Product model development is the most important part of product development. A product model is used to describe the capabilities and features of a device. You can construct an abstract model for a device type by defining a product model on the platform, allowing the platform to understand the services, properties, and commands supported by the device.
• Codec development: If a device reports data in binary code stream format, you must develop a codec so that the platform can convert the binary format to the JSON format. If the device reports data in JSON format, you do not need to develop a codec.
• Online commissioning: The IoTDA console provides application and device simulators for you to commission data reporting and command delivery before developing real applications and physical devices. You can also use the application simulator to verify the service flow after the physical device is developed.