M2M Machine to Machine

Machine to Machine

Machine to Machine refers to networking of machines for the purpose of remote monitoring and
control and data exchange. Figure 3.1 shows the end to end architecture for M2M systems
comprising of M2M area networks, communication networks and application domain. An M2M
area network comprises of machines which have embedded hardware modules for sensing ,
actuation and communication, 6LoWPAN, IEEE 802.15.4 etc. These communication protocols
provide connectivity to remove M2M area networks. The communication network can use either
wired or wireless networks. While the M2M area network use either proprietary or non IP based
communication protocols, the communication networks use IP based networks. Since non IP
based protocol are used within M2M area network, the M2M nodes within one network cannot
communicate with nodes in an external network to enable the communication between remote
M2M are networks, M2M gateways are used .
Figure 3.2 shows a block diagram of an M2M gateway. The communication between the M2M
nodes and the M2M gateway is based on the communication protocols which are native to the
M2M area network. The M2M gateway performs protocol translation to enable IP connectivity
for M2M area network. M2M gateway acts as a proxy performing translations from /to native
protocols to/ from internet protocol(IP). With an M2M gateway, each node in an M2M area
network appears as a virtualized node for external M2M area network.
The M2M data is gathered into point solutions such as enterprise applications, service
management applications, or remote monitoring applications. M2M has various applications
domains such as smart metering, home automation, industrial automation, smart grids, etc. M2M
solutions designs or specific to the M2M application domain .