How Machine-to-Machine Communication Works

A car's microchip tells the engine how to operate under
various conditions so that the car can achieve the best fuel
economy. Computers link production plants together to monitor
and maximize production.

For years, the machines used to make our life easier have
been getting smarter as their internal computer processors
and software tell them what to do based on the parameters we
provide.

When machines "talk" they do so in a language known as
"telemetry." The concept of telemetry -- remote machines and
sensors collecting and sending data to a central point for
analysis, either by humans or computers -- certainly isn't
new. But an emerging concept is taking that idea to a whole
new level by applying modern-networking technology.

Three very common technologies -- wireless sensors, the
Internet and personal computers -- are coming together to
create machine-to-machine communications, or M2M. The concept
holds great promise in promoting telemetry's use by business,
government and private individuals.

M2M communications, for instance, can be used to more
efficiently monitor the condition of critical public
infrastructure, such as water treatment facilities or
bridges, with less human intervention. It can help businesses
maintain inventory or make it easier for scientists to
conduct research. Because it relies on common technology, it
also could help a homeowner maintain the perfect lawn or
create a shopping list at a button's touch.

M2M communications expands telemetry's role beyond its common
use in science and engineering and places it in an everyday
setting. People already are using M2M, but there are many
more potential applications as wireless sensors, networks and
computers improve, and the concept is mated with other
technology.

How has M2M communications developed? How is it different
from traditional telemetry? And what are the various
applications for M2M communications? Read on to find out more
about M2M.

Making a machine-to-machine communications system work is
a step-by-step process. The main elements involved are
sensors (usually the kind that can send telemetry
wirelessly), a wireless network and a computer connected to
the Internet.

Let's take the case of a water treatment facility. City
engineers are charged with supplying the community with fresh
drinking water. They need to monitor the raw water supply,
the treatment process and the end product, which is drinkable
water.

First, the engineers would place sensors in strategic
locations. This includes placing sensors that can detect
contaminants near or around the raw water supply, such as
a lake or river, as well as near the water plants main
intakes. They also would place sensors at various stages of
the treatment process and more sensors on the plant's outflow
pipes, which supply the treated water to the community.

These sensors will send real-time data to a wireless network,
which connects to the Internet. Engineers then monitor this
incoming streaming data using computers loaded with
specialized software.

The data from the lake sensors might tell them, for instance,
that a plume of oil has appeared in the lake, perhaps from
a spill. The engineers might then switch to a different
intake location to avoid pulling the contaminated water into
the treatment plant.

Data from the treatment plant will give information about the
water's condition as it enters the process. For instance,
some communities experience high levels of chemical runoff
during certain times of the year, causing engineers to use
special processes to purify the water at those times. If the
sensors detect that, it can alert engineers to treat the
water for that issue. By only using that treatment process
when needed, however, it saves the city money.

Finally, engineers can monitor the outflow water to ensure
their treatment process is indeed resulting in high quality
drinking water for the community.