MQTT Gateway Selection Guide: How to Choose the Right MQTT Gateway

The mqtt gateway market in Industry 4.0 is highly diverse, offering various types to meet different requirements.

You need to clearly understand the scale of your application to choose the right mqtt gateway. This article introduces three types of mqtt gateway distributed by ATSCADA Lab, each designed for specific application scales. Readers can refer to these options to select the most suitable solution for their Cloud/IoT applications.

Cost-effective mqtt gateway – supports device connection via Modbus RTU RS485 only

The mqtt gateway introduced here is the USR-N510 model from USRIOT. It is a Modbus RTU converter that connects a single RS485 port to MQTT via Ethernet. This mqtt gateway does not support internet connectivity via 4G.

Since this  supports only one Modbus RTU RS485 port, it can connect to a limited number of devices, typically fewer than 32. It does not support any communication protocols other than Modbus RTU.

This mqtt gateway supports MQTTs, where data transmission is secured using TLS/SSL encryption to ensure safe communication.

This mqtt gateway is suitable for applications with existing Ethernet internet connections, such as factories, farms, and buildings. For mobile or remote applications like vehicles, refrigerated trucks, rice fields, or river monitoring, an additional 4G SIM router is required.

Key features of the N510 :

The USR-N510 also functions as a Modbus RTU to Modbus TCP/IP converter in addition to serving as an mqtt gateway.. This is highly convenient for Modbus communication applications that require converting serial connections to Ethernet.

The N510 supports Modbus RTU communication over RS485, RS422, or RS232, providing flexible connectivity options.

Single RS485 mqtt gateway supporting multiple PLC protocols from various vendors and connecting to an MQTT broker via Ethernet or LTE/4G

• The mqtt gateway features one RS485 channel supporting up to 32 serial PLC or smart devices.
• It includes LAN/WAN ports for Ethernet/internet connectivity.
• Supports connection to an MQTT broker via Ethernet or 4G networks, with TLS/SSL encryption for secure data transmission.
• Compared to the entry-level N510, the BL102 mqtt gateway supports multiple PLC protocols from various vendors via RS485 and Ethernet, instead of only Modbus RTU.
• The mqtt gateway stores up to 100,000 data points in its internal buffer during server disconnection and automatically retransmits them once the connection is restored.

Multi-channel RS485 mqtt gateway with internet connectivity via Ethernet and 4G

The mqtt gateway introduced by ATSCADA Lab is the BL110 model from BLIIOT. This features 3 RS485 channels and 1 LAN port, allowing simultaneous connection to multiple PLC devices with high data transmission speed.

Connects to an MQTT broker via a WAN port or a 4G network. When both connections are available, WAN acts as the primary network while 4G serves as a backup. The system automatically activates the backup network if the primary connection fails.

TLS/SSL encryption secures data transmission, ensuring reliable communication.

The BL110 mqtt gateway also supports GPS positioning, making it suitable for applications such as cars, trucks, container vehicles, and distributed systems requiring accurate location tracking.

Conclusion

This article introduces three types to meet diverse application requirements.. These range from entry-level solutions for small numbers of devices with MQTT over Ethernet only (without 4G), to advanced gateways supporting multiple PLC protocols with MQTT connectivity via both Ethernet and 4G, and up to the most powerful option (BL110). This high-end mqtt gateway supports up to three RS485 ports, Ethernet, and 4G connectivity, enabling large-scale device integration to the Cloud with high data throughput, secure data handling, and seamless failover from Ethernet to 4G.

Based on this overview, you can choose the most suitable mqtt gateway for your application. Alternatively, please contact our hotline for detailed consultation from our engineers. Thank you!

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