IoT Gateway for Industry: Selecting the Appropriate for Your Needs

How sturdy does your Industrial IoT gateway need to be?

When thinking about how tough your IIoT gateway needs to be, it’s important to consider the environment it’ll be placed in. If it’s going to be in harsh conditions with extreme temperatures, humidity, or lots of dust, you’ll need a gateway that’s designed to handle these challenges. From our 20 years of experience, we’ve seen the effects of opting for cheaper options in harsh environments. Many businesses end up replacing their gateways every 6 to 7 months, leading to substantial yearly costs.

What connectivity options, interfaces, and protocols does the gateway offer?

When looking at an Industrial IoT (IIoT) gateway, think about the connectivity options, interfaces, and protocols it provides. Evaluate your project needs to figure out which connectivity technologies are necessary. Look for gateways that offer a range of options, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular, and LoRaWAN, to ensure they’ll work with your current infrastructure and future growth plans.

Make sure the gateway includes interfaces like RS-232, RS-485, and digital I/O, which allow for easy integration with various industrial devices and sensors. Also, check that the gateway supports standard industry protocols like MQTT, Modbus, and SNMP, which help it work with different systems and applications. Choosing an IIoT gateway with versatile connections and communication methods ensures smooth operations and maximizes the benefits of your IoT setup.

What is the ultimate purpose of the gateway (indoor, outdoor, extreme conditions)?

Think about where you’ll use the gateway. Will it be in a protected indoor setting, exposed to the elements outdoors, or facing extreme conditions like heat, cold, or dust? The purpose of your gateway determines its durability and features.

Indoor gateways might prioritize data processing power, while outdoor ones need to be weather-resistant. If you’re dealing with harsh conditions, look for rugged solutions that can handle any environment and operate reliably for many years. Outdoor equipment should also resist electromagnetic interference from lightning strikes and other sources.

Plus, it must meet recognized lightning protection and grounding standards. Proper grounding, antenna protection, and interface protection are key to ensuring your gateway operates smoothly and lasts a long time. Gateways should undergo rigorous testing to meet and exceed the “four corners,” i.e., maximum and minimum temperature and voltage. This kind of reliability testing identifies any hardware, software, or digital design flaws, ensuring long-term operation and excellent radio performance.

How well does it fit with your current system?

When considering how a gateway fits into your existing setup, keep these points in mind:

1. Compatibility: Ensure the gateway can work with your existing devices and software. See if it uses common standards that your systems can recognize.
2. Interoperability: Find a gateway that can connect with a variety of devices and systems with ease. This adaptability allows your setup to evolve and expand.
3. API Support: Verify if the gateway provides strong API support for easy integration with third-party apps and services. This makes it easier to add new features or connect with other tools you use.
4. Data Management: Look at how the gateway manages your data—how it stores, organizes, and interprets it. You’d want it to handle your data in a way that’s structured and useful.
5. Security: Investigate how the gateway secures your data. It should have robust protections to safeguard your information from potential threats. By considering these aspects, you can choose an IIoT gateway that integrates well with your existing setup and aids in the smooth execution of your IoT plans.

Is the Gateway’s instruction manual comprehensive?

While documentation might not be your top priority when selecting a gateway, believe us, it’s vital. Here’s why:

1. Ease of Use: Detailed instructions simplify the setup and configuration process. Clear guidelines help you avoid mistakes and maximize your device’s potential.
2. Troubleshooting: Good documentation includes guides for troubleshooting, saving you time and reducing frustration when problems occur.
3. Training and Support: It indicates the manufacturer’s commitment to support, providing resources to better understand their products.
4. Future Maintenance: Comprehensive instructions assist with future updates or repairs, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
5. User Experience: Clear documentation contributes to a positive user experience, building confidence in the product and the manufacturer. Before making a decision, request the gateway vendor to share the documentation to ensure it meets your needs and expectations.

What security features or settings does the gateway come with?

Industrial-grade LoRaWAN gateways are equipped with robust security features to protect LoRaWAN networks. Communication between gateways and devices is encrypted using AES-128 algorithms, ensuring that only authorized devices can join the network. Regular firmware updates, which are signed for authenticity, help maintain the gateways’ security. Secure management interfaces allow authorized personnel to safely configure and monitor operations.

Where should the gateways be placed?

Picking the right spot for your gateway is key to making sure it works well and lasts long. A bad location could lead to problems like signal interference, connectivity issues, exposure to harsh weather, physical damage, or limited access for maintenance. To avoid these issues, consider these tips:

1. Do a site survey to find potential sources of signal interference, like electronic devices or structures that could block the signal.
2. Pick a spot that has reliable connectivity to your network, ensuring smooth communication between devices.
3. Protect the gateway from harsh weather by placing it in a weatherproof enclosure or a sheltered location.
4. Put the gateway in a secure area to prevent damage or tampering, like theft or vandalism.
5. Choose a location that’s easily accessible for maintenance and troubleshooting. Talk to your vendor about where to deploy the gateway and ask for their help in finding the best spot.

Does the gateway have enough range for your needs?

Making sure the gateway’s signal range is enough for your project area is important for smooth communication. You don’t want areas with no signal! Consider the size of your area, the number of devices you’ll have, and any obstacles that could block signals. To check if the range is enough, think about the size of the area, the number of devices, and any potential signal blockers. Doing a thorough site survey can help identify connectivity issues and ensure the chosen gateway provides reliable coverage throughout the area.

Can the gateway handle Edge computing?

It’s important that your Industrial IoT gateway can do edge computing, which allows for quick data analysis and decision-making right where the data is generated. To see if a gateway supports edge computing, look at its processing power, storage space, and if it works with industrial-grade edge computing systems.

You want a gateway that can handle tasks at the edge, like running apps and algorithms right where the data is collected. Also, check if the gateway works with specific industrial edge computing platforms. These platforms are designed for industrial IoT and can help integrate the gateway into your existing systems. Here are the main benefits:

1. More bandwidth: Only relevant data is sent, reducing the physical and cost limitations of sending large amounts of data.
2. Less latency: Important for time-sensitive applications like occupancy sensing and cameras, edge computing provides near real-time responses, reducing delays.
3. Cost-efficiency: Processing data locally reduces the amount of data stored in the cloud, saving costs.
4. Reliability: By reducing interruptions from network congestion, edge computing improves the reliability of data transmission and processing.

What options do you have to customize the gateway?

When choosing a LoRaWAN gateway, you have several customization options to fit your specific needs and use cases. These include support for different frequency bands to meet regional regulations, various antenna options to optimize coverage and range based on the environment, and a variety of enclosure and mounting options for specific deployments.

Gateways can also offer flexible power supply options, including AC, DC, or PoE, depending on your deployment scenarios. You can customize backhaul connectivity interfaces such as Ethernet, LTE, Wi-Fi, or even Satellite to integrate with your existing infrastructure. Integration with IoT platforms, enhanced security features, and remote management tools further increase customization possibilities.

What information does the gateway need from the sensors?

A LoRaWAN gateway needs certain key details from a LoRaWAN device. Firstly, it needs a unique ID (DevEUI) for the device, which helps it identify and track each device on the network. Then, there’s an ID for the network itself (AppEUI), ensuring messages are directed correctly. They also share a secret key (AppKey) for encrypting messages, keeping communication secure.

Each device gets its own address within the network (Dev Address), like a home address for messages. Plus, there are special keys they both use to verify if messages are authentic (AppSKey and NwkSkey). These keys help prevent any unauthorized access or unwanted messages.

Lastly, the gateway needs to know the capabilities of the device and its data transmission speed, so it can adjust accordingly for smooth communication. In addition to this, there’s the actual telemetry data sent by the device into the network. Telemetry data includes various sensor readings or device status updates, depending on the specific application and use case. This data can include temperature, humidity, pressure, location information, or any other parameters the device is designed to monitor.

The gateway forwards this telemetry data to the network server, where it can be processed, analyzed, and acted upon as needed. This telemetry data is crucial for IoT applications, allowing users to remotely monitor and manage devices, gather insights, and make informed decisions based on real-time data.

Do you need to filter the data from the sensors?

Filtering the data that sensors collect is key to ensuring an Industrial IoT gateway operates efficiently. This involves keeping only the most crucial information and discarding the rest. Doing this allows the gateway to use less internet bandwidth and operate faster. It also ensures that only the most valuable information is stored, saving costs and improving the accuracy of analysis.

Filtering data helps maintain smooth operations and makes it easier to understand what’s happening with your IoT devices. In summary, while it might not always be necessary, filtering data is a wise strategy for maximizing the effectiveness of your Industrial IoT gateway.

How much data can the gateway hold?

The storage capacity of an Industrial IoT gateway is crucial for storing sensor data before it’s sent to other systems. Here’s what to consider:

1. Onboard Storage: Check the gateway’s built-in storage capacity. Make sure it matches your data volume needs.
2. Expandable Storage: Look for gateways that support extra storage options, like memory cards or USB drives. This flexibility allows for scalability as data needs increase.
3. Data Retention Policies: Find out how long the gateway can keep data before it’s deleted. This feature is important for compliance and historical analysis purposes.
4. Remote Accessibility: Make sure you can easily access stored data, even remotely. This feature enables efficient data retrieval and analysis from any location.

Does the gateway meet the highest standards?

This is a very important point to discuss with your vendor. Ensuring that the Industrial IoT gateway you choose meets the highest standards is crucial for reliability and safety. Look for certifications like UL, CE, or FCC, which show that the gateway has passed strict testing and meets industry regulations.

These certifications assure that the gateway is safe to use and won’t interfere with other devices. Also, check if the gateway complies with industry-specific standards like IEC 62443 for cybersecurity. Choosing a gateway with these approvals gives you peace of mind and ensures that your industrial operations stay secure and comply with regulations.

Is the cost within your budget?

Did you know that the cost of gateways is just a small part of the total expenses for LPWAN networks? Most of the money goes into installation, maintenance, and running the network. So, when you’re thinking about buying an Industrial IoT gateway, it’s not just about the price tag. You need to consider all the hidden costs too, like setting it up and keeping it running. It might seem tempting to go for the cheapest option, but investing in a more expensive gateway can save you money in the long run.

Want to know how? For example, a slightly more expensive gateway might have better performance and require less maintenance, leading to savings over time. Additionally, high-quality gateways ensure efficient data processing and seamless connectivity. Investing in such gateways reduces the risk of failures, downtime, and costly repairs or replacements, ultimately lowering the total cost of ownership over time. By prioritizing reliability and durability, you ensure the longevity and efficiency of your LPWAN network, leading to improved ROI and operational effectiveness.

What kind of return on investment (ROI) are you aiming for?

Setting up a LoRaWAN network can give you a significant return on investment (ROI) by enabling effective IoT solutions across a range of industries and use cases. The long-range, low-power features of LoRaWAN optimize operational processes, leading to cost savings through better asset tracking, predictive maintenance, and more efficient use of resources.

LoRaWAN networks enable data-driven decision-making, boosting productivity and driving revenue growth through innovative services and business models. Also, using a carrier-grade LoRaWAN gateway can further increase ROI. These gateways offer better reliability, performance, and scalability compared to consumer-grade options, ensuring consistent connectivity, data integrity, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

With advanced remote monitoring features and professional support, carrier-grade gateways reduce downtime, lower operational risks, and make it easier to integrate with existing infrastructure, maximizing the ROI of LoRaWAN deployments.