Basic principles of IoT smart gateway

Basic principles of IoT smart gateway

The role of the IoT smart gateway is to connect different communication systems to realize data intercommunication. Therefore, the different systems must be physically connected. On the basis of the physical connection, according to the communication protocol of the different systems, the software connection is carried out using the interface allowed by the protocol. , Realize data forwarding through the process of data receiving, extracting, and sending.

 　The basic function of the IoT smart gateway is to translate content between different communication protocols, but how to process the data in this process, or how to use the data, determines the application of the data gateway. According to different data processing methods, data gateways can be divided into two types: ordinary data gateways and dedicated data gateways.

　　 1. Ordinary IoT smart gateway

　　 This type of data gateway is mainly based on data transmission functions, and only performs simple processing on the transmitted data, such as validity filtering, storage, and reorganization. The most typical application is the operating host computer system in the control system. The system is connected to the control system through industrial Ethernet, field bus or other methods, and the collected data is sent to the operation through the Ethernet (usually TCP/IP protocol) The upper computer of the operator displays the corresponding status on the control screen, and at the same time, it sends the operation instructions issued by the upper computer to the on-site PLC and other controllers, which realizes the data connection between the on-site device communication system and the manual operation communication system. The data gateway is used as the main Information bridge and transfer station.

　　2, dedicated IoT smart gateway 

Compared with the ordinary type, this type not only has the basic functions of data gateway such as data storage and forwarding, but the biggest feature is that it integrates other advanced functions to form a special device based on data gateway technology. At present, there are mainly the following kind:

 (1) Information release data gateway This type of data gateway integrates the web release function, and directly connects to the Internet through a wired or wireless interface, which is convenient for users to obtain real-time production information through the Internet at any place.

 (2) Process control data gateway. In addition to the basic functions of the data gateway, the main function of this type is data calculation, which is mainly realized by software. It performs advanced control of the production system, especially a single complex device, and compensates for the data processing and historical data of PLC and other field controllers. The insufficiency of functions such as difficulty in calling, complex algorithm implementation, etc., so as to improve the automation level of production.

  (3) Information storage data gateway The main function of this type is data storage. It establishes a database locally, stores the received data for a long time, and has a variety of organization and query interfaces to facilitate production process optimization and quality traceability.

　　 The emergence of the latest information technologies such as cloud technology and Internet of Things technology are mostly based on the development of Internet technology, and the characteristics of data gateways to connect different communication networks precisely provide support for the application of these new technologies to traditional industries.

　　 The Internet of Things is the integration of intelligent perception, radio frequency identification technology, ubiquitous computing, and ubiquitous networks. It is known as the third wave of the development of the world's information industry after computers and the Internet. The main purpose of the Internet of Things is to enable new-type sensing devices with radio frequency technology, infrared sensing technology or other sensing capabilities to seamlessly integrate into the Internet, realize mutual information exchange, and further intelligent identification, monitoring and management.

Internet of Things gateway, as a new term, will play a very important role in the future Internet of Things era. It will become a link between wireless sensor networks and traditional communication networks, completing wireless sensor networks, traditional communication networks, and others. Protocol conversion between different types of networks to realize data interconnection between local and wide areas. In addition, the IoT gateway also needs to have device management functions. Operators can manage the underlying sensing nodes through the IoT gateway device, understand the relevant information of each node, and realize remote control.

 　　 From a functional point of view, the gateway or smart gateway of the Internet of Things mainly implements the following three functions: the ability to perceive network access, the ability to interoperate with heterogeneous networks, and the standardization of communication and data formats.

　　 Simply put, the IoT gateway mainly completes three tasks: first, it collects data from sensor nodes; secondly, it performs data protocol conversion; and finally, it sends the data after protocol conversion to the public network quickly and efficiently. In addition, the IoT gateway also has corresponding management and control capabilities.