Survey of IoT multi-protocol gateways: Architectures, protocols and cybersecurity

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding rapidly, and IoT gateways are essential for connecting various devices and networks. Multi-protocol IoT gateways support multiple communication technologies, enabling interoperability across diverse IoT ecosystems. This survey paper investigates the hardware design, software components, and key functions of multi-protocol gateways. It provides an overview of their communication protocols, focusing on wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRa, and 4G. Additionally, the paper discusses cybersecurity measures, including encryption, authentication, and protection against cyber threats. Both academic research and commercial IoT gateways are reviewed to present a comprehensive picture. This study identifies gaps in current research, highlighting the need for stronger cybersecurity implementation, improved energy management, and the integration of smarter systems using artificial intelligence (AI). The paper discusses challenges such as scalability, standardization, evaluation, and compatibility among various technologies. It highlights important areas for enhancing IoT gateway design by summarizing recent developments. The findings will assist researchers, developers, and industry professionals in creating more secure, efficient, and adaptable IoT gateways for the future.