The DigiGate^® system is an ideal solution for agencies, companies or individuals who either prefer to own and operate a private network or have applications which do not benefit from traditional high cost networking systems.  Some of the applications that have been created but not limited to are automatic meter reading (AMR), utility load shedding and vehicle tracking for small to large utility companies and school districts.  Gateway also created an application that allows security companies that operating monitoring stations to provide a wireless backup solution for alarm panels that simulates a standard POTS line or Ethernet port.

The DigiGate^® is extremely low maintenance and operations, combined with low installation and hardware cost.  A few benefits of owning your own network allows for faster recovery during major emergencies and catastrophes, which can take months to get back online with other networks since your application is not a priority to them.  And as the manufacture of the DigiGate® system, Gateway can build on the basic software and hardware to best fit the client's requirements so clients don't have to work around an existing network's limitations.

Please step through the next few pages for a virtual tour of Gateway DigiGate® products.

The following are links to Gateway's brochures (PDF) on some of the applications that are currently available with the DigiGate® system.

Click Here » AMR Product 
Click Here » Load Shedding Product 
Click Here » VHF/GPS Vehicle Tracking 
Click Here » Security Radio 
Click Here » Security Intruder Alerting 

We invite you to step though our virtual tour of Gateway's DigiGate® solution. This tour will quickly walk you over the major components of the network, helping you get familiar with them and the ways in which they interact.

Tour Index:

DigiGate® System
DigiGate® Network
DigiGate® Solutions

DigiGate® HUB

Network gateway manages
CTSs that route data
between RTUs and users

DigiGate® CTS

The micro Cell Transceiver Station

DigiGate® RTU

The end-user Remote Transceiver Unit

The three major elements:

• DigiGate® System
• DigiGate® Network
• DigiGate® Solutions

DigiGate® System
A DigiGate® system has within it three (3) working components; the HUB, the CTSs, and the RTUs.

The HUB is a server that is equipped with communication hardware and is running Gateway Communications' HubServer service. Multiple HUBs are located at a primary operating center at Gateway's facility in Tucson, Arizona. In addition, the HUBs connect the system to the DigiGate® Network as well as being the gateway between the application's remote devices and back office software.

The HUB monitors the system, manages user accounts and routes the activity between DigiGate® networks and of the individual CTSs.

The Cell Transceiver Stations (CTS) are linked directly to a HUB and are responsible for both fixed and mobile RTUs within its service area.

The Remote Transceiver Units (RTUs) are the two-way RF modems attached to an application provider's equipment, i.e. electric meter, vending machine, security system, etc. The RTU communicates with a particular piece of equipment and transports the information back to the CTS, which in turn routes it to the HUB.

Once the data packet reaches the HUB, it immediately forwards the data to its final destination via a secured VPN connection. If a VPN is not available, the system can be configured to send the data without being acknowledged. Since the system and network are based on the TCP/IP format, the application's backend software can send packets to the RTUs.

DigiGate® Network
The second element of the DigiGate® concept is the DigiGate® Network. This network links all the DigiGate® HUB and CTSs together via public and private wired and/or satellite networks. This means that accesses to the licensee's markets are accessible from anywhere in the world. A manager of Vending Machine Company can be in his office in Boston and directly monitor the status of a specific machine at an airport in Los Angeles.

Again, since a system is bi-direction the same manager can send new instructions back to the specific machine through the DigiGate® Network.

The DigiGate® Network allows for seamless roaming between the various DigiGate® Systems or markets. The same manager can leave his office in Boston, get on an airplane to Los Angeles, arrive and log on to the Los Angeles system and receive his messages or communicate with the Boston office.

DigiGate® Solutions
DigiGate® Solutions are designed to support the licensee's market and the various application vendors. Its essential function is to work with both to develop applications and implement services. DigiGate® will work with the licensee to integrate applications into his system, and assist the application providers with hardware and software interfacing.

DigiGate® HUB - Network Operating Center located in Tucson, Arizona

The DigiGate® HUB manages the CTS connections along with managing client's VPN connections, user accounts and the activation/deactivate of the individual RTUs on a particular system. The HUB routes TCP/IP data between client (customer) servers and the appropriate CTS, which in turn forwards the data to the appropriate RTU.

Since the system is two-way, the individual RTUs pass their data to their respective CTS, which in turn pass it on to the HUB then to the appropriate client application server.

The entire system is completely programmable from the HUB, which monitors the system, provides offsite diagnostics, administration, and program controls. For example; the HUB can direct the CTS's to change frequency (channel), increase/decrease power and change other predetermined parameters dynamically as network requirements and applications change.

The HUB is also responsible for providing real-time clock information to the CTSs, which the CTSs broadcasts on pre-determine interval for remote application equipment that offer time stamping.

DigiGate® CTS - Central Transceiver Station

The DigiGate® CTS is a micro-cell transceiver station which is the RF linked to the fixed and/or mobile RTU units in it's service area. The DigiGate® system contains one or more CTSs to meet the required coverage area and bandwidth demand.

The CTS instructs the RTUs assigned to it, passing information to the RTUs and receiving data from the RTUs. The CTS in turn communicates instructions from the hub.

In a mobile application; when a RTU "roams" into an area and detects the presents of a CTS, the RTU will automatically log onto the system to regain its connection. If multiple CTS' are present, the RTU uses information provided by each CTS and signal quality to determine which CTS to ask for service.

DigiGate® RTU - Remote Transceiver Unit

The DigiGate® standard RTUs are small 2-way RF modems that are the key to making the DigiGate® system a powerful communications network. It weights less than 10 ounces (including the enclosure) and has a size of 5 by 4 by 1 inches, the DigiGate® RTU gives you the power of remote monitoring, sensoring and controlling without the bulk often associated with such devices. It provides different physical interfaces: serial port and digital I/O that allow a variety of connections to remote devices.

To OEM applications, the RTU provides an on-board public processor that allows third-party vendors to write and upload their own application firmware eliminating redundant hardware or for more demanding applications where space is at a premium. Also, Gateway Communication can quote on customizing a new foot print design of its radio/modem to meet the vendor's requirements.