A Bluetooth gateway is a device that connects Bluetooth based products to other devices or hardware. For instance, an audio or stereo Bluetooth gateway connects a Bluetooth device to external or portable speakers. Millions of people around the world rely on their mobile phones. Sometimes, we hear our cell phone ringing at home and are unable to reach it before the caller hangs up. Sometimes we don’t even hear the phone ringing because it was in another room altogether. Almost all of us have missed out on important matters due to these issues. Well, we don’t have to worry anymore because a Bluetooth Gateway solves all of these problems. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about Bluetooth gateways and how you can use them on your mobile devices.
How does a Bluetooth Gateway Work?
You need to pair your Bluetooth device to the Bluetooth gateway device so that the gateway can send data from the Bluetooth device to the cloud. The gateway device automatically registers the Bluetooth device by sending the endpoint information of the Bluetooth device to the cloud server.
The Bluetooth gateway works by scanning for Bluetooth devices. Once it manages to find a device, it caches the data structures of characteristics and services of the device. When the Bluetooth gateway processes an HTTP request for the data structure then it uses the cached data for responding to most of these requests. However, if there is a request for real data from the Bluetooth device then the gateway will initiate a connection with the Bluetooth device and fetch the data instantly.
How to Configure and Use a Bluetooth Gateway?
It mainly resembles an external wireless modem in terms of shape and size. However, its functionality is similar to a network router. Most gateways come with a power adapter that we can plug into a standard power outlet on the walls. The gateway devices often have features ports on their backsides. We can use these for plugging cordless bases or landline telephones. These devices also support an antenna for receiving and transmitting Bluetooth signals.
You have to power it up and it is pretty straightforward from there. So, all you need to do then is to just connect one or multiple standard phones to the gateway or pair the gateway with your cell phone. This way you can receive calls from any one of the telephones in the house whenever anyone of them rings. You can also use this for outgoing calls because all of the phones are operating off the cell phone account.
Usage Scenarios
Now we will take a look at some of the usage scenarios of Bluetooth gateways,
1. If you have more than one cell phone in the family
You can pair your Bluetooth gateway with up to three cell phones so having multiple cell phones in the family isn’t a problem. You can also assign a different ringtone or ring pattern to each account. This way you will know whose phone is ringing. If you need to run out and are in the middle of a call, then you can transfer the call to your mobile phone from the standard telephone. All you have to do is to press a button and you can transfer the call to any mobile phone. While you perform this, caller ID, call waiting and other operations continue to function normally.
2. If you have landline service
For this purpose, you can choose a gateway that has a line-in port. Therefore, your standard telephones will perform double-duty. So they will ring as usual for landline calls and they will also ring for the cell phone calls. You can distinguish between them by setting up separate ringtones and ring patterns.
3. If you notice spotty cell service inside your home
In this case, you can place the Bluetooth in the sweet spot where the cell service is nonstop or consistent. So, it will allow you to enjoy the best possible signal strength and use a cordless telephone. Therefore, you can harness a good signal and save your time from call delays.
Features and benefits of Bluetooth Gateway
In this section, we will look at the features and benefits of Bluetooth gateways.
1. Communicates without wires
It allows devices to communicate with each other without relying on USB converters, wires or Wi-Fi. They allow us to make local communication networks for highly-specific communication. Of course, the best part is that we can integrate landlines and telephones in the network to allow them to communicate with cell phones as well. Hence, we will not have to rely on the length or reach of a single communication point (cell phone or telephone).
2. Security and Locking
Bluetooth gateways offer numerous security features that you can deploy as per your preference. For example, you can implement a locking feature. So, the user of a Bluetooth communication device will have to enter a password to access it. This will protect your communication from unrestricted access.
3. Low cost
Bluetooth is one of the most ubiquitous and cost-effective technologies of all the IoT offerings. This is because of its global standardization and suitability for long-term use.
4. Reliability
One of the major characteristics of Bluetooth technology is that it offers adaptive frequency hopping for broadcasting. So, this means that the Bluetooth signals adapt according to the surrounding environment. Therefore, it reduces interference and noise in comparison to other technologies. The best feature of frequency hopping is that it allows devices to operate even in noisy environments. Therefore, Bluetooth gateways can avoid channels that other Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices are using.
MKGW1 BLE Gateway
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It is an offering by MOKO Smart. You can deploy MKGW1 BLE Gateway for a variety of applications because of its versatility.
Benefits of MKGW1 Bluetooth Gateway
• It is very efficient at detecting signals from Bluetooth devices.
• There is a mounted LED that will display the status and working states of the gateway.
• It is capable of scanning 300 Bluetooth devices per second.
• This gateway supports HTTP/HTTPS and MQTT (TCP/SSL)
• It offers ab internet transmission protocol.
• This gateway allows for upgrading the firmware through a USB or OTA.
• It is easier for users to get the respective data from iBeacons.
• This gateway supports BLE sensors like accelerometer and temperature & humidity sensors. It also supports connectivity with other Bluetooth devices. Additionally, it is very efficient at receiving data from these sensors and devices and uploading it on the IoT cloud server.
Features of MKGW1 Bluetooth Gateway
These are some of the important features
1. Bluetooth Standard
It works on BLE 5.0 (nRF52832）
2. Power supply
This gateway works on a power supply of DC(9V), PoE(48V), and Micro USB(5V)
3. Protocol
It supports HTTP/HTTPS and MQTT (TCP/SSL）
4. Network
It offers connectivity through WIFI and Ethernet
5. Customizability
You can use the web UI for modifying the various gateway parameters.
6. Data Rate
It features the max Wi-Fi data rate of 150Mbps.
Working of MKGW1 Bluetooth Gateway
Here’s how this gateway works
1. You have to first deploy the iBeacons and Bluetooth devices in the target area.
2. Then you have to place the MKGW1 BLE Gateway at an optimum location.
3. The gateway will scan the iBeacons and Bluetooth devices.
4. It will then fetch the desired data.
5. Once it receives the data, it will use Ethernet or Wi-Fi for sending it.
6. This data will then reach the cloud server through the HTTP/HTTPS and MQTT(TCP/SSL) protocols.
7. You can then access this data over the cloud platform and use it as per your needs after analyzing it.
The following illustration depicts the working of MKGW1 BLE Gateway
User Dashboard
MKGW1 BLE Gateway comes with a dedicated user dashboard. You can use this dashboard for controlling the various functions of the gateway and how it interacts with sensors and Bluetooth devices. This dashboard will also allow you to monitor incoming and outgoing data. Additionally, you can also set up relevant data filters. You can also use this dashboard to set up protocols and response mechanisms.
Applications of MKGW1 BLE Gateway
In this section, we will take a look at some of the prospective applications of MKGW1 BLE Gateway
1. Environmental monitoring
We can use this gateway to monitor environmental parameters like humidity, temperature, etc. The sensors will send this data to the gateway and you can access it through the cloud.
2. Asset & personnel management
Large warehouses and stores often struggle with personnel and asset management. This gateway is an effective solution for this. You can place tiny iBeacons in the form of stickers on the merchandise and give them to the employees in the form of passes. The iBeacons will transmit their location to the gateway at all times. You can use this information to effectively monitor and manage your personnel and assets.
3. Proximity Marketing
The buying experience is very important for the customers and if you want your business to show success then you must tend towards proximity marketing. You can deploy iBeacons all over your store. Whenever a customer is within the range of an iBeacon, the iBeacon will alert the gateway and it will then send a dedicated notification to the smart device of the consumer. This way you can ensure a premium and unique shopping experience.
