What are the Types of 5g and 4g Gateways that Distinguish IoT Cellular Gateways

PublishTime： 2023-11-04 Article Source：usr News

Cellular IoT is a method of linking physical objects to the Internet by using the same mobile network as smartphones. It supports huge data flows between sensors, actuators, and other devices while saving money by avoiding building additional network infrastructure. This article explains the many technology categories and areas of applicability for the Cellular Internet of Things and helps you choose the best product Cellular Gateway for your project.

What is the Cellular IoT?

IoT devices can connect to each other and communicate with each other using cellular network technology, known as the cellular Internet of Things. It leverages existing cellular infrastructure to provide connectivity for a variety of IoT applications and devices. The cellular Internet of Things does not rely on Wi-Fi or wired connections and is able to connect to the Internet and share data between devices.

Because network administrators divide areas into "small areas," the network is called a cellular network. Each small area has a cell tower, which uses a different frequency than nearby cell towers. For example, if you arrange cells in a hexagonal pattern, you only need 7 different frequencies to prevent adjacent small areas from using the same frequency.

Types of Cellular IoT

Cellular Internet of Things technology is LTE Cat-M1 or NB-IoT, which can be divided into several types:

2G 3G 4G

Standard cellular network technologies (2G, 3G, and 4G) were originally used only for mobile phones, but are now available for a variety of devices. While 5G has recently been introduced and 4G is the current generation, IoT is still supported in many markets using 2G or 3G connectivity.

LTE Advanced

LTE Advanced is an improved form of 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology, sometimes referred to as 4.5G or 4G +. LTE Advanced builds on LTE to deliver better performance, faster data speeds, and greater network capacity.

NB-IoT

The Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology, known as NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things), was created specifically for IoT applications. It is a cellular-based network technology that uses licensed spectrum to allow a variety of IoT devices to communicate reliably over long distances.

You may also be interested in learning about NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies

LTE Cat 1

The subset of LTE technology known as Cat 1 offers data rates of up to 10 Mbps, minimal latency, strong coverage, and moderate power consumption. It is widely utilized and adopted in IoT applications, asset tracking, industrial monitoring, and other low and medium data rate use cases.

LTE Cat 4

LTE Cat 4 is a subset of LTE technology that supports up to 150 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink data speeds with minimal latency and strong coverage. Applications that require higher data throughput, such as streaming video, online gaming, and fast web browsing, often use it.

LTE Cat M1

One low-power, wide-area (LPWA) IoT technology is LTE Cat M1. Low data rates up to 1 Mbps, excellent power efficiency for extended battery life, wide range, and compatibility with a wide range of connected devices. Due to its reasonable price, LTE Cat M1 is widely used in asset tracking, smart meters, industrial monitoring, and agriculture.

NB-IoT and LTE Cat M1 are two technologies that are well-suited for IoT projects. Designed for IoT applications, NB-IOT provides long-distance connectivity and deep indoor penetration with excellent coverage. The technology is suitable for deployment in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

It is optimized for power efficiency, enabling devices to run on battery power for extended periods of time and support high-density connected devices. It is used in areas such as remote monitoring, utilities and metering, and smart cities.

The LTE Cat M1 is designed for low-power, wide-area IoT applications. It offers relatively low data speeds compared to NB-IoT but is optimized for energy efficiency. Demonstrate excellent coverage and support for high-density connected devices. It is a cost-effective solution for IoT deployments, providing reliable and efficient connectivity for a variety of IoT applications, including asset tracking, smart meters, industrial monitoring, agriculture, and more.

While NB-IoT is well suited for IoT smart sensor nodes and end devices, it may not be suitable for use in gateways. NB-IoT has limited bandwidth, and gateways typically require higher data transfer rates to aggregate and process data from multiple devices and send it to the cloud or other network endpoints. NB-IoT is optimized for power efficiency and long battery life, which can result in higher latency compared to other cellular technologies.

Gateways, especially those that handle real-time data or require near-instantaneous responses, often benefit from lower-latency connections. In terms of device density, NB-IoT is designed to support a high density of connected devices within a given area, while the gateway is a central device that manages connections from numerous end devices. Therefore, in terms of demand, LTE Cat M1 and related technologies are well-suited for deployment in IoT gateways.

How does the cellular IoT work?

The work of the cellular IoT network can be divided into three main parts: the IoT SIM card, the chipset/module, and the frequency band:

IoT SIM card

IoT SIM cards play an important role in allowing devices to take advantage of cellular IoT networks. M2M or IoT SIM cards can usually connect to multiple networks, unlike traditional SIM cards, which can only connect to one network. That's because roaming is a more important factor in the Internet of Things than your personal or business phone connection.

Fig.1

Chipset/IoT gateway

Depending on the implementation of the solution, you need the right hardware design. For example, if you design hardware, you might use a Cellular chipset or an off-the-shelf Cellular Gateway.

Frequency band

As we explained above, cellular networks use radio bands from 800MHz to 5GHz for different technologies. The last to hit the market is 5G, which works on higher frequency bands. For the Internet of Things, which requires a longer range or deeper indoor coverage, lower frequency bands are often preferred. NB-IoT and LTE Cat M1 support hardware that operates primarily in the low-frequency band.

All three aspects together make up a successful cellular IoT solution, as IoT devices must comply with national compliance, SIM carrier coverage, and the right frequency band, and choose a chip or IoT gateway accordingly.

Cellular Internet of Things applications

Here are some common applications for Cellular Gateway:

Environmental monitoring

Environmental monitoring applications using Cellular Gateway include weather stations, water quality monitoring, and air quality monitoring. They make it possible to collect sensor data and transmit it to a central platform for analysis, thereby facilitating prudent decision-making and environmental management.

Security and Monitoring

Cellular Gateway allows remote monitoring and control in security and surveillance systems. They provide real-time video streaming, alarms, and access management by connecting IP cameras, access control systems, and other security devices to a central monitoring station.

Agriculture and farming

Cellular Gateway is used in agricultural and farming applications for remote monitoring and control of weather stations, soil sensors, animal monitors, and irrigation systems. They contribute to precision agriculture, allowing farmers to increase crop yields, monitor animal health, and make the best use of available resources.

Healthcare and Telemedicine

Medical device connectivity, remote medical consultation, and remote patient monitoring can all be achieved through the use of Cellular Gateway in healthcare applications. They provide secure and reliable transmission of patient data, facilitate timely medical treatment, and improve the effectiveness of healthcare services.

Asset tracking and logistics

In asset monitoring and logistics applications, Cellular Gateway is used to monitor and track the movement of goods, vehicles, and equipment. They provide route optimization, supply chain insights, and real-time location updates to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Smart Home and Building Automation

Cellular Gateway connects and operates various devices in smart homes and building automation systems, including smart thermostats, lighting systems, security systems, and energy management systems. They provide remote access and management of home or building automation functions, improving security, comfort, and energy efficiency.

+1 Like
Add to Favorites

Recommend

Technical Resources

More>

New Products & Solutions

More>

This document is provided by Sekorm Platform for VIP exclusive service. The copyright is owned by Sekorm. Without authorization, any medias, websites or individual are not allowed to reprint. When authorizing the reprint, the link of www.sekorm.com must be indicated.

Integrated Circuits