MikroTik KNOT IoT – Access Gate RB924i-2nD-BT5&BG77 for SOHO & SMB

The MikroTik KNOT is a universal IoT gateway combining NB-IoT / CAT-M cellular connectivity, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and Modbus protocol conversion in a compact 122 × 87 × 26 mm enclosure running RouterOS v7. It is purpose-built for deployments where LTE connectivity is technically and economically excessive — NB/CAT-M plans supported by operators worldwide deliver always-on connectivity at a fraction of LTE cost, consuming just a few megabytes per day for telemetry, sensor monitoring, and remote management. It is commonly deployed as an industrial IoT gateway with Modbus TCP bridging, a Bluetooth asset tracking concentrator, and a low-cost cellular management channel for remote infrastructure.

The hardware platform centers on a QCA9531 processor at 650 MHz with 64MB RAM and 128MB NAND storage, two 10/100 Ethernet ports with 802.3af/at PoE-in and passive PoE-out on Ether2, RS485 for Modbus, Bluetooth 5.2 with uUFL connector, and a Nano SIM slot for the BG77 cellular module. SMA connectors for both GPS and CAT-M interfaces allow external antenna attachment — practical for metal enclosures and outdoor cabinet installations. Idle power draw is 5W, and the tested operating range of -40°C to +70°C supports permanent deployment in demanding environments.

KNOT bridges wired Modbus sensors — electricity meters, relays, industrial measurement devices — to a Modbus TCP server over the cellular network, eliminating the need for fixed connectivity at the installation site. The Bluetooth 5.2 interface receives advertisement packets from any BLE tag — iBeacon, Eddystone, or proprietary formats — and forwards them via HTTPS or MQTT with configurable packet filters to transmit only relevant data. DIN rail mounting simplifies integration into automation cabinets and electrical panels. Power inputs cover 802.3af/at PoE, DC jack 12–57V, and MicroUSB 5V.

The KNOT is the right choice for vending machine operators monitoring temperature and liquid levels over a low-cost cellular plan, for cold chain logistics using BLE tags across refrigerated distribution networks, for remote utility meter reading via Modbus TCP without fixed infrastructure, for warehouse and industrial asset tracking with BLE, and for any IoT application where LTE is economically unjustifiable but permanent low-bandwidth connectivity is non-negotiable.