Concept:
The Internet of Things (IoT) architecture is typically divided into multiple layers, each with a specific role:
• Perception Layer: Responsible for sensing and collecting data from the physical environment using sensors.
• Transport Layer: Transfers the sensed data to other layers through networks.
• Processing Layer: Processes, stores, and analyzes the data (often using cloud or edge computing).
• Application Layer: Provides services to users based on processed data.
Step 1: Analyze the role of each layer
• Application Layer:
This layer delivers services to end users such as smart homes, smart healthcare, etc. It does not collect raw data.
• Processing Layer:
This layer processes and analyzes data. It works after data has already been collected.
• Perception Layer:
This is the lowest layer of IoT architecture. It includes sensors and actuators. Its main function is to sense physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, motion, etc., and convert them into digital data.
• Transport Layer:
This layer transmits data between perception and processing layers via communication technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
Step 2: Identify correct layer
Since the question specifically asks about data acquisition using sensors, this task is performed by the perception layer.
\[
\therefore \text{Correct answer is (C) Perception layer}
\]