The Internet of Things, or IoT gateway, in an IoT ecosystem is changing the landscape of our everyday lives. From fitness trackers to keep track of our physical activity data to smart traffic management, there are many applications of IoT.
According to a recent forecast by Information Handling Services (IHS), the number of connected IoT devices will grow considerably from 30.7 billion in 2020 to 75.4 billion in 2025.
This blog post will explore the IoT gateway device and its importance in the IoT ecosystem. At first, we will explain the IoT Gateway. Let’s begin!
What is an IoT Gateway?
IoT Gateway, sometimes referred to as an edge gateway, is a hardware device that operates as a communication link between the sensor network and the Cloud server. It has a layered architecture and includes a few layers, such as:
Hardware Platform
It is related to the edge gateway device’s memory specifications and processing power. Therefore, selecting a hardware platform depends on the complexity of the IoT applications you want to deploy.
Operating System
Legacy systems define the operating system you should use for an edge gateway in the IoT ecosystem. Therefore, it is ideal to use an operating system that works best with existing systems. Further, it helps with easy integration and saves costs.
Analytics Engine
This is an essential layer in an IoT gateway that ensures raw or unstructured data is converted to actionable information.
Integrated Application Development Platform and Device Drivers
This layer helps develop or add new devices and applications to your IoT ecosystem.
Why is IoT Gateway Important?
Typically, the essential actions performed by edge gateway devices determine their value in the connected IoT ecosystem.
As a result, it performs the following essential tasks:
Compatibility
The gateway ensures compatibility across the connected networks in the IoT ecosystem. Therefore, it uses several communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zwave, LoRa, Glowpan, and Zigbee.
Connectivity
IoT devices have sensors attached to them. The edge gateway handles the connectivity of these IP-based sensors to the Cloud server and makes IoT devices available online via sensors and the Cloud.
Operational Efficiency
The IoT Gateway is not just for making the IoT ecosystem functional. But it also carries out several operational activities, such as managing device setup, supporting edge analytics, and device authentication to ensure secure network access.
How Do IoT Gateways Work?
Do you know how IoT gateways work? They perform several vital tasks, such as interpreting protocols, filtering, and processing. Also, it encrypts information.
Typically, a gateway connected to the Cloud lies between sensors and devices in an IoT ecosystem. In the same way, edge gateways perform the same function with the help of a Wi-Fi router. The former utilizes the Wi-Fi connection from the IoT system and routes the data to the Cloud. However, IoT gateways are more complex since IoT devices use several protocols. Therefore, the edge gateway has to support these protocols.
Let’s see how IoT devices manage communication in several scenarios.
Communication Between Devices
The gateways allows communication between IoT devices from different manufacturers.
Device-to-cloud Communication
The edge gateways help direct communication from IoT devices to the Cloud.
Pre-processing of Data
Edge gateways filter and process data in advance to reduce the data sent to the Cloud.
Smart Edge
IIoT gateways enable essential device management by processing data from IoT devices.
Device Security
The gateway device protects the devices in the IoT ecosystem using integrated security features and prevents any risks.
A gateway should route every traffic to the correct location and support IoT protocols. Also, it must also cache the data during a network failure or if the gateway gets flooded with a vast amount of data beyond its processing capacity. Therefore, it is more complex than IoT or Wi-Fi routers.
Applications of IoT Gateways
With edge gateway devices, creating a scalable and solid IoT ecosystem is relatively easy. Let’s consider a few of the applications of IoT gateways.
Smart Transportation
Connecting vehicles to a cloud-based infrastructure helps streamline traffic in real-time and minimize congestion. Also, it offers parking solutions through sensors showing available spots, and automate ticketing.
Smart Cities
Edge gatways can completely change urban settings. Also, they help collect data from cameras, monitor waste management, and transfer the data to the Cloud. Further, they process the data to help authorities derive insights to improve traffic control, water management, urban planning, air quality, and so on.
Smart Fleet Management
It helps gather real-time data related to location, fuel monitoring, and engine conditions. Therefore, it helps improve route planning and fleet safety.
Smart Energy Management
The gateways collect data from smart meters or other energy devices. As a result, users can monitor energy consumption and prevent unnecessary expenses.
Smart Agriculture and Farming
From gathering real-time information regarding soil moisture and irrigation needs to forecasting crop health and helping to enhance production, edge gateways can completely transform the farming and agriculture sectors. Hence, it helps farmers the opportunity to discover new ways to implement farming while gaining maximum benefits.
Development of Generations of IoT Gateways
The gateways connect the devices in the IoT ecosystem with the Cloud. In fact, their evolution has been noteworthy, thus providing advanced features. Let’s examine how they have evolved over a period of time.
First-generation IoT Gateway
It was developed to ensure compatibility between communication protocols and device management operations. However, it does not provide support for edge data analytics. Also, in the first-generation , analytics is done on the Cloud server.
Second Generation Gateway
Contrary to the first generation, the second generation edge gateways supported edge analytics. Thus, it also reduced the costs associated with data transfer and the advantages brought by data analytics.
Third Generation Gateway
This is the latest generation of of edge gateway. Also, it features enhanced system responsiveness. As a result, it offers support for new models in an IoT ecosystem.
We know IoT devices receive large amounts of data from the sensors.
Such data often impact the central system. But this new generation of edge gateways allows for data analysis from several sensors.
Thus, it prioritizes and sends vital information and alerts to the central systems.
Today, the latest generation and features innovative capabilities to prioritize information from sensor data.
Furthermore, they can provide insights based on the information received. For example, if the edge gateway recognizes that the temperature is very high, it can send instructions on how to turn the air conditioner on. Therefore, it has the ability to take action based on the data it receives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of IoT Gateway?
An IoT gateway that forms part of an IoT ecosystem is a virtual platform connecting sensors, IoT modules, and smart devices to the Cloud. Also, it is a wireless access portal that allows IoT devices to access the Internet.
What are the common types of IoT gateways?
The different types of gateways include edge, security, cloud-based, and universal.
Does IoT gateway offer network security?
IoT gateway protects devices from security vulnerabilities and provides data encryption features. Thus, it ensures network safety.
What are the Best Practices to Follow While working with IoT Gateways?
- Keep track of firmware updates
- Check gateway access
- Use separate networks for gateways to ensure safety
- Get the right gateway
- Consider gateways with edge computing capabilities
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Author Bio
Silpa Sasidharan is a content writer and social media copywriting expert working at ThinkPalm Technologies, who aspires to create marketing texts for topics spanning from technology, automation and digital business solutions.
