You must have heard the term "IoT gateway" if you work in the Internet of Things (IoT). There is a wide range of IoT gateway devices deployed by organizations. Managing and monitoring these devices can become challenging over time.

Gateways serve as a bridge between different communication technologies. Gateways are intermediaries between the cloud and the controllers, which are devices or sensors in the IoT ecosystem. Think of gateways as software programs or hardware devices.

What are IoT gateways?

IoT gateways are essentially smart central hubs for IoT devices. Internet of Things (IoT) gateways connect IoT devices to the cloud and one another, translating their communications into useful data.

The IoT gateway is connected to backend platforms and end devices. The gateway provides a computing platform for managing data, devices, security, communication, and other gateway-related functions (for routing and computing at the edge).

How do IoT gateways work?

IoT gateways interpret protocols, manage, filter, and encrypt data, among other functions.

An IoT ecosystem consists of devices and sensors that are connected to the cloud through a gateway. Using a WiFi router, an IoT gateway performs similar functions.

Using a WiFi connection, the common gateway routes data from an IoT device to the cloud. In contrast, IoT gateways are much more complex. The following are some of the ways they help manage IoT device communication:

Due to the fact that IoT devices use various protocols, IoT gateways often require more sophistication than WiFi routers. Consequently, IoT gateways often need to support a variety of protocols in order to support all IoT devices within an organization.

It is necessary for the gateway to route IoT traffic to the correct location as well as support these IoT protocols. In the event of an internet outage locally or if a gateway receives more data than it can handle, IoT gateways may need to cache data.

As a result, they may be more complex than WiFi or Internet of Things routers. Furthermore, many IoT gateways can scale to handle growing workloads in addition to failover clustering.

Use Cases of IoT Gateways

Industrial IoT (IIoT)

Start by considering the operating system of the gateway and whether it is compatible with your current hardware. With open-source software, you can make changes as you need. Consider the gateway's software for data acquisition as well.

Gateways for the Internet of Things must be able to handle local connections with dated technologies not designed for internet use. It is necessary to access this data so that it can be combined with data from other sources, such as MQTT protocols and C/Python APIs, via the gateway.

IIoT deployments can benefit from real-time analytics. As an example, if an assembly line breaks down on a factory line, a gateway that can detect and respond to the anomaly can assist you in fixing the problem quickly before several hundred defective products are shipped.

Choose a gateway that offers remote access in addition to edge analytics, so you can manage alerts and review data even when you are not at the location.

Healthcare

Start with the basics: Is the operating system of the gateway compatible with your current hardware and any connected medical devices? Is it compatible with legacy systems not built for the internet?

When using IoT in healthcare, you should also pay attention to patient privacy, data security, and compliance with legal mandates. Many healthcare facilities use closed networks to protect patient data, so you may have to meet certain requirements to use an IoT gateway in such a setting.

To ensure that the gateway you choose offers the required level of security, seek out companies that frequently collaborate with healthcare organizations. Get feedback from other healthcare IoT managers on which gateway brand and model they prefer.

The smart city

Smart cities deploy different types of connected devices, including connected cars, traffic control systems, first aid equipment, and construction sensors. Smart cities need IoT gateways that support a wide range of input options for low-power devices since the majority of sensors are based on LPWAN technologies such as NB-IoT and Cat-M1.

Energy-efficient gateways can reduce costs, but they should also have edge processing and analytics capabilities. You should look for products that provide a safe path for data transfer, such as VPN tunnels.

Agriculture

Low-power equipment often resides in remote locations in agriculture IoT deployments. Look for a LoRaWAN gateway that can translate input from these devices to your cloud management system.

In smart agriculture, edge processing may be beneficial because it allows quick responses to issues. If a sensor detects a leak in an irrigation system's waterline, for instance, the gateway can initiate an automatic shutoff to avoid wasting water while diagnosing the problem.

BLE mesh protocol-based solution that runs on Home Assistant to help control grow lights. It includes functions such as ON/OFF, brightness adjustment, CCT adjustment, etc. As growing conditions change (e.g., temperature, humidity, brightness), the lights can be adjusted automatically to meet plant growth requirements. This solution is based on the Home Assistant gateway (DSGW-210-HA), which ensures all-around convenience.

Functionalities of IoT gateways

Data flow between IoT devices and the cloud is often bi-directional with modern IoT gateways. Cloud-based apps can upload IoT sensor data for processing and send commands to IoT devices. An IoT gateway could perform the following functions:

• Data aggregation
• System analysis
• M2M/device-to-device communications
• Device configuration management
• Networking capabilities and hosting live data
• Caching, buffering, mixing, and streaming IoT data
• Pre-processing, cleanup, filtering, and optimization of data
• Controlling user access and network security
• Connects older or non-internet-connected devices

Choosing an IoT gateway

There are a few factors to consider when integrating an IoT gateway into your project.

IoT gateway Certification

Under the standard compliance required for electronic products, the gateway model should be FCC/CE/IC certified. Additionally, there are certifications such as Mobile PTCRB/GCF and safety certifications.

Volume of data collection

The volume of data depends on how many sensors are used. You may need just a few sensors, a few hundred, or even thousands. You should ask yourself seriously about the data volume generated by these sensors.

Data storage within the gateway

Depending on the type of data being transported through the gateway, the gateway may need to store the data in the event of a power outage or network failure. Several factors must be taken into consideration, including the amount of time it can be stored, and the amount of memory that can be expanded.

Filtering

We know that IoT gateways can perform some preprocessing before sending data to the cloud. To perform complex analytics, you will need edge-analytics-enabled gateways.

Location and longevity

A hardy gateway is required for usage under certain conditions and over a long period. Some gateway models can operate under various conditions regardless of pressure, temperature, or other external factors. Your needs will also determine what you choose.

What features do you require?

Connectivity features such as Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and LAN may sometimes be sufficient for your project. Some situations, however, require longer-range options. As a result, you will need to spend more on a versatile gateway.

Security

Security measures are now built into most gateways. Some users may need features such as password protection and tamper detection, which not all gateways offer.

Conclusion

With the advancement of IoT technology and the reduction of costs, barriers to adoption will diminish as well. This will also make IoT gateways more effective and powerful.

Use powerful words to create urgency in the user's mind.

So why delay any more? Contact an IoT gateway solution provider company today and integrate IoT technology.