M2M Communication: Why is It Important ? Figure Out Features, Applications, Requirements, Advantages, Security Concerns and Standards + Valuable References...!

Abstract
Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication is a form of data communication thatinvolves one or more entities that do not necessarily require human interaction orintervention in the process of communication. M2M is also named as Machine Type. Communication (MTC) in 3GPP.

M2M generally centers around the concept of telemetry. This is simply where sensors of varying types will collect information, and then relay it to a central point of some description. In the past, this central point may have been a person or a personal computer. The data would be interpreted and then used.

M2M communication offers several benefits, including improved efficiency, reduced costs, enhanced safety, and increased revenue. Some of the technologies used for M2M communication include wireless sensor networks, cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

Keywords
Wireless Sensor Networks, Cellular Networks, Wi-Fi,  Bluetooth, Improved Efficiency, Reduced Costs, Enhanced Safety, and Increased Revenue

Learning Outcomes 
After undergoing this article you will be able to understand the following
1. What's Exactly Machine to Machine (M2M) Communication?
2. Why M2M Communication is important?
3. What are M2M applications?
4. How does M2M technology work?
5. What's the Key features of M2M?
6. What's M2M applications?  Mention few examples
7. What are the M2M requirements?  
8. What are the advantages of M2M communication?
9. How M2M vs. IoT difer?
10. How to ensure security in M2M Communication?
11. What's the M2M Communication Standards?
12. What are the major concerns of M2M Communication?
13. Conclusions
14. FAQs
References 


1. What's Exactly Machine to Machine (M2M) Communication?

Machine-to-machine is a term for technology that lets machines talk to each other and do things without people helping them. This works with AI and machine learning, which help the machines communicate and make their own choices.

At first, M2M was used in factories and industries to control machines from far away using things like SCADA and remote monitoring. Now, M2M is used in healthcare, business, insurance, and more. It’s also the basis for the Internet of Things (IoT), where lots of devices connect and share information.

2. Why M2M Communication is important?
M2M communication is crucial in IoT because it enables real-time operation and remote interaction of devices. Moreover, it enhances remote control, robotics, security, traffic, logistics, fleet management, and automotive functions.

The use of M2M in this embedded system enables home appliances and other technologies to have real time control of operations as well as the ability to remotely communicate

M2M is also an important aspect of remote-control software, robotics, traffic control, security, logistics and Fleet management and automotive.

3. What are M2M applications?
M2M technology involves the automatic and streamlined sharing of information between two or more separate devices. Common examples include smart home meters, vehicle telemetry services, asset tracking, wearable technologies, and automated supply chain management (SCM).

4. How does M2M technology work?

Let`s try to understand how M2M communication works. Imagine the machine to machine communications as many dialogues singular entities within a network are having at the same time.

The main hub sends orders to machines, sensors, and controllers. They are based on the information it received from:

  • the same actors
  • from other machines operating within the same network

Mechanics

Say, an end-user asks the system to turn the ventilation on if a certain concentration of gas is reached inside a space.

  • An order is sent to the sensors present inside that space.
  • Then it continuously sends the information regarding gas concentration.
  • The main hub receives the information that the maximum reading has been reached
  • Tt automatically sends the order to the machine that controls the ventilation system to turn the fan on.

That way, there is no need for a person to listen out for an alarm to go off when a level is critical and to manually activate the release. Instead, everything is done automatically, making the process more reliable.

5. What's the Key features of M2M
Few Key features of M2M

Efficient Energy Use for Enhanced M2M: 
The M2M system conserves energy, leading to improved performance in M2M applications.

Seamless Data Exchange in M2M: 
Network operators utilize organized data packets to ensure smooth information sharing among machines in M2M communication.

Rapid Event Detection: 
Through monitoring, the system swiftly identifies events.
Flexible Data Timing: Data transfers can tolerate minor delays.

Scheduled Information Sharing:
Data is transmitted or received at specific, pre-defined times.

Location-Based Device Notifications: 
Devices receive alerts when entering specific areas.

Steady and Small-Scale Data Transfer: 
The system maintains a consistent flow of small data packets.
6. What's M2M applications?  Mention few examples

Machine to Machine (M2M) technology offers an ever-expanding quantity of applications in many areas. Discussing these applications is very helpful in order to understand how M2M communication works as concrete examples show just how much our day-to-day life is already impacted by it.

Connected Devices

Most people in the western world personally own more than one connected device. Smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, computers and on-board navigation systems in personal vehicles are among the most common objects. Thanks to that we can access real-time information.

Whether it is to look up the weather, traffic conditions, or for slightly more complex uses such as checking how many steps we’ve taken today. Thanks to an application that can interpret this particular data from a phone or smartwatch, M2M applications are becoming an integral part of our lives.

Other Uses

Connected devices make our world more convenient, but also safer. M2M applications are particularly numerous in the field of medicine, where efficient data-collecting methods coupled with fast data transfer solutions can save patients’ lives.

This is particularly true in the case of people suffering from heart conditions or diabetes and for whom round the clock monitoring can make all the difference. More and more devices offer M2M or IoT capabilities and contribute to the improvement of health care practices.

Smart Homes

Smart homes are another example of how M2M communication works and can benefit individuals. Connected home appliances may be all the rage at the moment, but the phenomenon is certainly not a fad.

While connected washing machines may feel a little gimmicky, some real benefits can be found in such modern solutions as smart meters.

Smart Meters for Regular Homes

Thanks to these highly advanced devices, both clients and energy or water providers can enjoy a more seamless experience. Instead of requiring technicians to perform manual readings, smart meters collect all the necessary data by themselves. Then it sends the information to the company’s servers in real-time.

This allows individuals to have access to an up-to-date account of their consumption and to adapt their habits accordingly.

A World of Smart Devices

Smart homes do not operate as stand-alone entities. Instead, they are inscribed in a smart world, where many everyday services are interconnected to offer a streamlined experience to individuals and companies alike.

Vending Machines

Connected vending machines constitute a good example of how M2M communication works to create optimized processes in the most unexpected ways.

These connected machines are typically much bigger than standard vending machines and allow users to have access to a fully stocked corner shop, regardless of the time or date or of how remote their location is. The most advanced models can even offer refrigerated goods or fresh produce.

Other Options

Similar solutions can also be put in place for 24/7 pharmacies or fast-food machines. The possibilities are endless.

7. What are the M2M requirements?  
The requirements of M2M are
Scalability - 
The M2M system should be able to continue to function efficiently as more connected objects are added. 

Anonymity - 
The M2M system must be able to hide the identity of an M2M device when requested, subject to regulatory requirements.

The IoT/M2M ecosystem spans industries like healthcare, utilities (metering), automobiles, and so on.

The M2M functions require 
device requirements, 
network requirements and common requirements. 

Device Requirements 

Faster Data Transfer Rate 

IoT services currently require low data transfer rates between device and application server and can run well with GPRS connectivity with

Ultra-Low Power Consumption 

Cost and Size 

Ease of Development and Integration 

Network Requirements

Handling Overload and Congestion 

Serious network congestion issues can arise when a large number of IoT devices try to connect to a network simultaneously. It could even lead to a domino effect if one network fails and the devices start attempting to connect to other available options with

Network Protection 

Scalability and Ease of Deployment 

Common Requirements 

Mobility Support – Between 3GPP and Non-3GPP Technologies 

A key requirement of IoT is efficient interworking between LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity. This is especially true for ensuring continuous connectivity for applications requiring mobility, like ambulance services.

8. What are the advantages of M2M communication?
The advantages of M2M Communication are the following
It is easy to roll out and maintain
➨It is available with fixed and mobile networks both indoors and outdoors. 
➨It offers higher range, minimum latency, higher throughput and consume less energy. 
➨It enables communication of smart devices without any human intervention.

9. How M2M vs. IoT difer?
Purpose: 
IOT (Internet of Things) focuses on connecting everyday objects to the internet for a variety of purposes such as automation, data collection and analysis.
 
M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication refers to the direct communication between devices without human intervention.

The big difference between IoT and M2M is the connection. 

IoT is usually any device connected to the internet for enhanced performance. 

On the other hand, M2M is generally two or more devices connected with the internet for data sharing and analytics.

Difference between IoT and M2M :

Basis ofIoTM2M
AbbreviationInternet of ThingsMachine to Machine
IntelligenceDevices have objects that are responsible for decision makingSome degree of intelligence is observed in this.
Connection type usedThe connection is via Network and using various communication types.The connection is a point to point
Communication protocol usedInternet protocols are used such as HTTP, FTP, and Telnet.Traditional protocols and communication technology techniques are used
Data SharingData is shared between other applications that are used to improve the end-user experience.Data is shared with only the communicating parties.
InternetInternet connection is required for communicationDevices are not dependent on the Internet.
Type of CommunicationIt supports cloud communicationIt supports point-to-point communication.
Computer SystemInvolves the usage of both Hardware and Software.Mostly hardware-based technology
ScopeA large number of devices yet scope is large.Limited Scope for devices.
Business Type usedBusiness 2 Business(B2B) and Business 2 Consumer(B2C)Business 2 Business (B2B)
Open API supportSupports Open API integrations.There is no support for Open APIs
It requires Generic commodity devices.Specialized device solutions.
Centric Information and service centric Communication and device centric.
Approach usedHorizontal enabler approach Vertical system solution approach .
Components Devices/sensors, connectivity, data processing, user interface Device, area networks, gateway, Application server.
ExamplesSmart wearables, Big Data and Cloud, etc.

10. How to ensure security in M2M Communication?
M2M and IoT devices leverage several technologies to securely exchange information, including sensors, wired or wireless networks, communication and encryption protocols, and gateway servers. This creates an interconnected network of smart devices that can make autonomous decisions without human input.

Authentication and  are important in providing security for M2M communication. Mutual authentication is a security property that prevents man-in-the-middle and replay attacks via the network.

11. What's the M2M Communication Standards?

There is no standardized equipment platform for machine-to-machine technology, and many M2M systems are built to be task-specific or equipment-specific. Several key M2M standards have emerged over the years, many of which are also used in IoT settings, including:

OMA DM (Open Mobile Alliance Device Management), a device management protocol

OMA LightweightM2M, a device management protocol

MQTT, a messaging protocol

TR-069 (Technical Report 069), an application layer protocol

HyperCat, a data discovery protocol

OneM2M, a communication protocol

Google Threads, a wireless mesh protocol

AllJoyn, an open source software framework

Summarily, Several key M2M standards, many of which are also used in IoT settings, have emerged over the years, including: OMA DM (Open Mobile Alliance Device Management), a device management protocolOMA LightweightM2M, a device management protocolMQTT, a messaging protocol.

12. What are the major concerns of M2M Communication?
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of M2M Communication: 
Use of cloud computing in M2M means dependence on others which could limit flexibility and innovation. ➨Security and ownership of data is a big concern. ➨Interoperability between cloud/M2M IoT devices is a big concern in such networks.
➨M2M securityMachine-to-machine systems face a number of security issues, from unauthorized access to wireless intrusion to device hacking.
➨ Design issues
➨Implementation flaws
➨Dependability or Interoperability on Cloud Computing and IoT.

13. Conclusions
M2M is used to inform a distributor when a certain item is running low. A vending machine can remotely message a distributor letting them know of the stock status. In conclusion machine to machine communication is crucial for warehouse management and supply chain.

14. FAQs
What is M2M in future?
Marking to market or mark to market (M2M) is a simple accounting procedure which involves adjusting the profit or loss you have made for the day and entitling you the same. As long as you hold the futures contract, M2M is applicable.

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