In the IoT field, you often hear the word “DTU”. Today, let’s walk into the DTU together, and unravel its mystery.DTU is a data transmission unit, which is specially used to collect data from various instruments or sensors and send them to the cloud server through the network. DTU is small but powerful and can be classified according to different standards. For example, according to the communication protocol, it can be divided into GPRS DTU, 3G/4G/5G DTU, NB-IoT DTU, etc; According to the interface type, it can be divided into serial DTU, Ethernet DTU, wireless DTU, etc. According to the way of installation can be divided into stationary DTU, portable DTU, and so on. In this paper, we will take 4G DTU as an example to discuss the communication modes of DTU, as well as their respective characteristics and uses.
The 6 communication transmission modes of 4G DTU
The communication transmission modes of 4G DTU are mainly divided into 6 modes, let’s have a look.
1. Real-time data transmission mode.
This transmission mode is that the DTU sends the collected data to the server in real-time. It is especially suitable for scenes with high real-time data requirements, such as intelligent driving, medical monitoring, and other scenarios.
2. Event-triggered mode.
When the 4G DTU monitors the occurrence of a warning event, it will send the data to the server. This mode is suitable for those occasions where an emergency response to the event is required, such as alarm monitoring, security monitoring, and so on.
3. Timed Reporting Mode.
Users set a timer for it, and when the time comes, 4G DTU will start to report the data. This not only meets the user’s demand for data monitoring and recording but also saves a lot of network resources and reduces unnecessary communication costs.
4. Transparent data transmission mode.
Transparent data transmission mode, like a faithful messenger, will be placed in a transparent box, from one end directly to the other end, without any obstacles or changes in the middle. This mode maintains the originality and integrity of the data. Whether it is text, images, or any other format, the DTU will reflect the data as it really is, without losing any details due to the transmission process.
5. Query response mode.
In this mode, the 4G DTU remains on standby at all times until it waits for a query request from a remote server. Once it receives the request, it will immediately send the collected data to the server. This mode is ideal for applications that require real-time querying of specific information. For example, remote measurement and control, smart grid, and smart home. In these scenarios, there may be no need for a continuous stream of data, but rather querying the current state or historical data of a device only when needed.
6. Data store-and-forward mode.
In this mode, 4G DTU knows very well how to ensure data transmission in poorer environments. If the network signal is unstable or the server cannot be connected temporarily, the collected data will be stored in the internal memory. Once it detects that the network or server is restored, the DTU will automatically forward the stored data to the server. The integrity and reliability of data transmission can be guaranteed even in an unstable network environment.
It is hard to imagine that there is so much to learn about the small DTU. I hope that through this article, the reader can have an overall impression of the DTU communication transmission mode. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us.
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