With a growing level of diversity in the IoT ecosystem, how do IoT devices, applications, and users “talk” with varying connectivity requirements and languages? In an industry of expounding technology, the internet gateway facilitates communication. All of your IoT components, including SIM cards and data plans, require a centralized gateway command center.
A gateway is that central hub, or node, in a network that routes information traffic from the device to the network that is serving up web pages. A standard gateway does just this by linking your Local Area Network (LAN) on a device with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This node can come in several forms, from a basic computer to hardware such as a modem or router. Simply put, without a gateway users would not be able to access the Internet.
IoT gateways—Bridging the gap
An IoT gateway is an essential element of the IoT ecosystem that bridges the communication technology gap, between information sources and destinations. The internet gateway acts as a solution to performing essential tasks, both device-to-device and device-to-cloud. It uses short and long-range wireless communication modes to connect IoT devices to the network, including: Bluetooth, Zigbee, LTE, and Wi-Fi. This device and network connector is accompanied by aggregating complete data, translating sensor protocols, screening data before forwarding it, and much more.
Internet gateway key functions
– An internet gateway may perform any of the following functions:
– M2M communication and communication bridging
– Data caching, buffering, and streaming device
– Offline services and live control of devices
– Data pre-processing, cleansing, and filtering before sending
– Some data aggregation
– Basic data analytics and data visualization
– Increased security
– Management of device configuration
– System diagnostics
A gateway’s role in the IoT ecosystem
In order to grasp how an IoT gateway functions, compare it to a network router. This type of gateway enables two-way communication between a device and modem, while facilitating basic functions within an admin interface. On a larger scale, the internet gateway serves these roles of a standard router, while enabling all businesses, governments, and the public to connect to their IoT components.
IoT gateways can also aggregate data. Sensors send this raw data to the internet gateway where it is filtered, translated, and sent to its destination. This simple process improves response times at destination origin, provides first-line security to third-party threats, conserves energy efficiency in energy-intensive IoT devices (eg. traffic and smart home sensors), and translates transmission protocols for successful communication.
With the deployment of IoT systems consuming our industries, the need for a versatile network gateway is great. For example, elements of IoT traffic sensors often power crosswalks, traffic lights, and cameras/queue detectors. These battery operated components rely on the internet gateway within a shorter range to save battery life and maintain sensor communication and success.
IoT gateways and SIMON IoT
A world without the internet gateway would be a digital world of misinformation and system errors. IoT devices wouldn’t be able to communicate with outside networks, including the internet. With an IoT gateway, all technologies in the IoT ecosystem are in sync with one another. Similarly, an IoT solution can’t function without connectivity and data. Learn more about what makes SIMON IoT the ideal IoT connectivity provider.
