As part of the EU-funded EdgeAI project, the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) is proud to contribute significant technological advancements in the domain of secure, energy-efficient, and edge-optimized LoRaWAN gateways. These achievements mark an important milestone in enabling intelligent edge computing for low-power IoT applications.
Enhanced Security for Gateway Integrity
Security is at the core of HMU’s gateway architecture. The newly developed system features a secure boot sequence, ensuring that only authenticated software runs on the gateway. To further protect sensitive operations, HMU has integrated a dual execution environment, running both a standard Linux system and a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) in parallel. This architecture isolates access to privileged peripherals and critical operations exclusively within the TEE. In addition, the TEE serves as secure storage for essential credentials and data, strengthening the platform against tampering and unauthorized access.
Major Reduction in Power Consumption
A key improvement in HMU’s gateway design is the integration of a next-generation energy-efficient LoRa concentrator. The new modem drastically reduces power draw, averaging just 17 mA at 25 °C, a dramatic improvement from the 550 mA required by the previous version. This optimization not only supports longer battery life but also expands the feasibility of battery-powered and energy-harvesting deployments in remote or resource-constrained environments.
Porting to the STM32MP2 Platform
To future-proof the platform, HMU has successfully ported the gateway software stack to the powerful STM32MP2 board. This updated hardware brings increased processing capabilities while maintaining the project’s strict requirements for low-power operation. Functionality has been validated in laboratory settings, and field validation is now being planned at Vranken Pommery’s facility, a real-world use case that will further showcase the gateway’s robustness and versatility.
Toward a Leaner, Smarter Bill of Materials
Thanks to the significant drop in energy requirements, HMU is exploring optimizations in the Bill of Materials (BOM). Gateways can now be designed with smaller batteries (if battery powered), more compact enclosures, and passive cooling, simplifying deployment and reducing manufacturing costs. These changes will make edge AI infrastructure more scalable, deployable, and sustainable.
Through its contributions to EdgeAI, HMU is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in secure and efficient edge computing. These LoRaWAN gateway innovations not only support the broader goals of the project but also pave the way for smarter, more sustainable IoT deployments across Europe.
Blog signed by: HMU and STM teams