IoT Edge Gateway Hardware for Smart, Real-Time Buildings
Your smart building systems collect mountains of data all day and transmit it to an app you can access on your phone. This process isn’t magic. It’s made possible by IoT gateway hardware. Your gateway acts as a receptionist, receiving information from multiple channels, filtering it, and routing it to your software.
These devices bridge the gap between your sensors and the cloud. Instead of sending data directly through a cloud-based connection, sensors and other hardware send it to a local gateway that processes data and translates protocols onsite. Learn how these systems improve your IoT devices and protect your data.
What Is an IoT Edge Gateway?
In your commercial building, the IoT edge gateway is a hub that collects data from multiple sensors and processes it onsite before sending important information to the cloud. Think of the gateway as a receptionist at a busy office. They keep the solicitors and other spam out of the office and pass on calls and guests to the right people.
Local data processing is faster and more efficient. You’re freeing up bandwidth by not doing big data dumps to the cloud. It’s also more secure because you can build in authentication and encryption protocols.
If you’ve been working with IoT for a while, you may be familiar with controllers and cloud-only platforms. Controllers manage specific systems, such as a smart home. IoT edge gateways process data using multiple communication protocols. They also use AI and machine learning to analyze data onsite before sending it to the platform.
Sensors and hardware on cloud-only IoT systems transmit the data directly to the cloud.
Why Edge Computing Matters in Modern Smart Buildings
Smart building trends are making your buildings better, but some, such as AI, use more bandwidth to do so. IoT edge hardware makes your smart building systems work better. Sensors on cloud-only platforms are slower. It takes the system longer to access and process sensor data, which can delay real-time automations.
You may not think that the extra seconds it takes to activate the lights doesn’t matter, but it jacks up your energy usage. Over time, those seconds add up. Lags also impact tenant experience. If it takes forever for a system to unlock the door, your tenants can get frustrated.
Processing at the edge eliminates these lags. Your indoor air quality (IAQ), energy, and equipment sensors send alerts in real time for faster decision-making. Since an edge gateway processes data before sending it to the cloud, you don’t use as much bandwidth. Your raw sensor data is also safely stored onsite.
Core Components of IoT Edge Gateway Hardware
This is what your IoT edge hardware is made of:
Central Processing Units (CPUs) and Memory Protection Units (MPUs): The CPU is a processor that’s part of the whole system, while the MPU is a single chip that operates the edge gateway.
Communication Modules: These components are embedded into the hardware and help your sensors and devices talk to the gateway using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other protocols.
I/O Interfaces: These are the physical ports and connectors that let your gateway talk to your sensors and devices.
Local Data Storage: Each edge gateway has local drives to store relevant data.
Power Management and Enclosures: These features keep your edge gateway powered at all times without sucking energy.
Key Benefits of Using IoT Edge Gateway Hardware
You benefit from smart building technology, including edge gateway hardware, in multiple ways. Not all benefits are tangible, but they can make your building more appealing to tenants and investors. Consider:
Reduced Bandwidth Consumption: Edge gateways only send essential or aggregated data to the cloud. This makes your network faster and frees up bandwidth for other uses, such as video conferencing.
Faster Decision-Making: Act instantly with real-time alerts and triggers. If your IAQ monitoring system is connected to the HVAC, any fluctuations in air quality will instantly trigger ventilation.
Enhanced Security: Keep sensitive data secure by keeping it behind a firewall. Environmental data may not seem sensitive, but it can help hackers track occupant patterns. Not protecting your data also makes it possible for third parties to use your data against you. Picture your insurance provider using IAQ data to charge you more for being “high risk.”
High Reliability: IoT edge gateways process data even during internet outages. You get continuous monitoring. Say you work for a pharmaceutical manufacturer and you need to keep your cleanroom sterile. If this system is automated, internet outages can impact operations.
Choosing the Right Gateway for Your Facility
There’s no standard for what to look for in IoT hardware. Your needs will be different than someone operating a different commercial property.
Building Type
Schools, multi-family units, commercial real estate, and construction sites need an edge gateway for their environment. In a school, you might consider an IoT edge gateway that can also control access, attendance, and security systems. On a construction site, you need one that can withstand extreme temperatures and other hazards.
Budget and Deployment Constraints
Analyze your budget and implementation requirements to pick the best IoT edge gateway. Some are more expensive based on their capabilities. Others may not work with your existing IT infrastructure. Set a realistic budget and make a list of your technical and time resources.
Integration With Existing BAS and IT Infrastructure
An IoT edge gateway is useless if it won’t work with your existing building automation system (BAS) and IT infrastructure. Before selecting a gateway, identify which communication protocols you’re currently using (such as BACnet or LON). Note all your hardware and software models in case you need adapters. Then map your IT network.
Taking these steps before selecting an IoT edge gateway will save you from having to return the system or reconfigure your entire building.
Work With Attune
Attune offers best-in-class sensor technology, including nodes and bridges and other IoT hardware, to monitor air and water quality and energy usage. Our hardware works with your existing infrastructure. It is easy to install and deploy, and it gives you actionable data instantly. Schedule a demo today to learn more.
