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Gateway, Meter, and Cloud Monitoring: How the Data Layer Fits Together

A three-phase smart meter, current transformers and an energy-management gateway

The three-layer monitoring architecture

A complete monitoring stack has three layers: measurement (meters, CTs), communication (gateways, DTUs), and cloud platform. Each layer serves a distinct purpose.

Layer 1: Measurement

Smart meters and current transformers measure energy flows at the grid connection point, PV input, battery charge/discharge, and load consumption. Without accurate metering, the inverter cannot make correct charging decisions.

Layer 2: Communication

Data transfer units collect data from inverters and meters over RS485 or CAN bus, then relay it to the cloud via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or 4G. The DTU also handles firmware updates and remote commands.

Layer 3: Cloud platform

The cloud platform aggregates data from multiple sites, provides dashboards for installers and end users, stores historical data, and generates reports.

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Published: May 29, 2026
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