IoT Gateways and Sensor Networks

This section deals with on-asset hardware – which enables local and backend integration – with an emphasis on IoT gateways and related concepts. Because this is such a broad area with few widely accepted standards, we have tried to define a couple of common scenarios first, as shown in the AIA graphic below. Common on-asset integration topologies include:

• IoT appliances: IP-enabled, intelligent, self-contained appliances like security cameras or intelligent power tools (see Part III). These kinds of IoT appliance can be integrated into any IP network directly, and generally don’t rely on specialized external gateways.
• Smartphones & wearables (in this case “deployed” on a person, not an asset): A smartphone that provides backend connectivity via a mobile carrier network, as well as local processing power and wireless connectivity to a network of nearby wearable devices. This is sometimes also referred to as a WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network).
• Industrial & home gateways: These deliver either wireless or fixed-line connectivity to a backend. They also provide local integration logic (such as bindings/adaptors) and wireless or wired connectivity to local devices. Local devices can be household appliances (in the case of a smart home gateway) or sensors (in the case of a sensor network).
• Fog computing (term coined by Cisco): This is an extension of the basic gateway concept, where the gateway adds significant local storage and compute capabilities.