Also called "next generation modems," Service gateways are a new generation of hardware and software that will enable the management and connectivity of a new generation of "smart" devices and appliances, but which will also work with existing digital and analog devices such as set-top boxes, cable modems, alarm systems, consumer electronics, energy management systems, PCs and much more.

A service gateway typically acts as a bridge between an external network — usually the Internet — and a local or home network.  These local networks might consist, for example, of a combination of Ethernet, some kind of radio LAN, and/or a series of Bluetooth-enabled devices.  A secure, local administration device that can effectively route data from a broadband pipe to the "smart" appliances, computers, and communications devices used in the home or office, a service gateway effectively separates the topology into external and internal networks.

The ultimate goal is for service gateways to provide full communication between all devices residing on the local network and any device that can access the Internet, such as PCs or Web-enabled cell phones.  The gateway will also host features and services itself, thus allowing it to act as both a translator and an application server.  The service gateway will enable, consolidate and manage voice, data, Internet and multimedia communications to and from the home, office and other locations.

Some of the more valuable applications a gateway could deliver include energy measurement and control programs, safety and security services, health-care monitoring services, device control and maintenance apps, electronic commerce services and more.  To make this happen, however, service gateways will need to support a broad range of home networking technologies.  For example, the distributed service platform we have developed at Gatespace can support UPnP, Jini, LONWorks, X-10, CeBus, ShareWave, HAVi, HomeRF, HomePNA, HomePlug, and Bluetooth through the Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi) device access model.

Homes and small offices are currently the most compelling market for service gateways.  The technology is especially well suited for delivery of command, control and telemetric services, including many "smart home" services such as those listed above, along with remote device control and diagnostics.  These services will allow individuals to use the Internet to monitor their homes or offices while they're away, including checking on such things as burglar alarms and security systems, or home health care systems for someone receiving critical care.  They would also give users the ability to do things such as turn lights off and on or set the stove to have dinner cooked when they arrive home.

Service gateways can also manage broadband Internet and communications services, including e-mail management, Internet telephony (voice-over-IP), shared Internet access and secure home firewalls.  And the array of client devices that service gateways can connect is limited only by technology and the imagination; they will include televisions and set-top boxes, computer game consoles, electronic kitchen appliances, Web pads and other Internet appliances, personal computers, mobile phones and PDAs.

A new class of dedicated service gateways is also being developed for the automotive market.  These will allow automobile manufacturers to perform services such as remote diagnostics of breakdowns or the remote updating of software installed in the car's control system.  A service gateway could also be used to facilitate wireless delivery of music to a car stereo or database services such as electronic maps.  Additionally, some type of radio-based network (Bluetooth, for example) could be developed that will allow mobile telephones, laptop PCs or PDAs to talk to the car's control system and transfer data back and forth between the car and the peripheral.

Standardization