Indoor IoT gateway for buildings

The EG71 is equipped with 64-bit, quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 1,5 GHz processor, intended for local data processing and edge functions.

The device has 2 GB DDR4 RAM and 32 GB eMMC memory, while additional data can be stored on a Micro SD card.

According to the manufacturer, the platform can support up to approximately 2000 devices and 20 000 data points, allowing it to be used in extensive installations as well.

The EG71 has an integrated 8-channel LoRaWAN® concentrator operating in half-duplex modefunction.

Variant 868M is suitable, among other applications, for the European EU868frequency plan. The official Milesight documentation shows the exact EG71-L08GL-868M version operating in the EU868 configuration.

Receiver sensitivity reaches −140 dBm at 292 bps, while the maximum transmitter power is 27 dBm.

The EG71 has built-in LoRaWAN® Network Server, allowing it to manage devices locally without the need for a separate network server.

The manufacturer specifies support for approximately 2000 LoRaWAN® devices with a 10-minute uplink interval.

Available functions include, among others, Gateway Fleet, Multicast, FUOTA and Noise Analyzerfunction.

The exact EG71-L08GL-868M variant is equipped with the L08GLfunction.

cellular modem. The L08GL module supports LTE Cat.1 and GSM and, according to the manufacturer, is intended for global applications excluding North America.

One Nano SIM 4FF socket and an external SMB Female 50 Ω cellular antenna connector are available.

The EG71 has 2 RS485 interfaces, which can be used to connect controllers, meters, inverters, HVAC equipment and other automation devices.

Supported data acquisition protocols include Modbus RTU and BACnet MS/TPfunction.

Each RS485 interface can support up to 128 devices, for a maximum of 256 devices in total.

The EG71 has 1 KNX/TP1 interface enabling integration of building automation devices operating in the KNX standard.

The bus operates at 9600 bps and supports up to 63 devicesfunction.

The EG71 hardware platform includes 1 M-Bus interface intended for communication, among others, with compatible utility meters.

In the current Milesight specification, the M-Bus function is marked as Under Development, therefore its availability should be verified for the current firmware version before deployment.

The EG71 has 8 universal inputs, whose operating mode can be selected in software.

Supported signals are 0–10 V, 4–20 mA, 0–24 V DC digital input, PT1000, Ni1000, NTC 10k/20k and resistive inputfunction.

This enables direct connection of many standard building automation sensors without additional input modules.

In addition to universal inputs, the EG71 has 4 dry-contact digital inputs, which can operate as binary inputs or pulse counters.

Available are 3 relay outputs rated up to 3 A at 30 V DC or 110 V AC and 4 analogue outputs software-selectable between 4–20 mA and 0–10 V.

This enables not only data acquisition but also direct control of actuators at field level.

The EG71 can collect data via Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP, KNX/TP, BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU over TCPfunction.

Data can then be forwarded to the higher-level system via MQTT(S), HTTP(S), BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP or Modbus RTU over TCPfunction.

This allows the device to act as a protocol converter and integration layer between different generations of building automation.

The EG71 has 2 RJ45 10/100/1000Base-T ports, with WAN/LAN function selectable in software.

The ETH1 port supports IEEE 802.3af PoE PDfunction.

power. The interfaces support Auto MDI/MDIX, automatic speed detection and Full/Half Duplex mode.

The EG71 has an interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2,4 GHz with the ability to operate as an Access Point or Client.

WPA/WPA2 Enterprise mechanisms are also supported in client mode, allowing existing wireless infrastructure to be used as one of the backhaul communication channels.

The EG71 supports Python SDK, Node-RED and Docker, enabling additional functions to be implemented directly on the gateway.

This makes it possible to create custom control logic, process and filter data locally, perform conversions and run individual integration applications.

Local automation reduces dependence on the cloud and allows basic control functions to remain operational during temporary loss of connection to the higher-level system.

The EG71 supports several VPN technologies: OpenVPN, IPsec, PPTP, L2TP and WireGuardfunction.

The built-in firewall offers, among others, access control, DMZ, Port Mapping/DNAT, MAC Binding and IP address and domain filtering.

Multiple levels of user permissions and Link Failover mechanism configuration are also possible.

On the front of the EG71 there is an 1,3-inch OLED display 128 × 64 px and 7 control buttons.

The display allows basic information about device and connection status to be checked quickly without starting a computer.

Integrated NFC 13,56 MHz enables compatible Milesight LoRaWAN® end devices to be added quickly.

Local EG71 configuration can be performed via Web GUI, CLI via SSH/Telnet and SNMPfunction.

For centralised deployment, remote configuration, firmware updates and fleet management, the manufacturer provides Milesight Development Platformfunction.

Zero-Touch Provisioning functions can further reduce configuration time during larger deployments.

Primary power for the EG71 can be supplied via 24 V DC or AC on a 2-pin terminal connectorfunction.

Alternatively, the device can be powered via IEEE 802.3af PoE on the ETH1 port or via USB Type-C 5 V / 3 A.

The manufacturer notes that when powered exclusively from USB-C, M-Bus and Universal Inputs may not operate correctly, therefore the appropriate power method should be used in the final installation.

The EG71 enclosure is made from a combination of PC and aluminium alloy and has an IP30 degree of protection.

Dimensions are 123 × 90 × 36 mm, and the weight is approximately 375,6 gfunction.

The device can be mounted on a DIN rail or directly on a wall. It is intended for indoor installation.