extremely low power. At the network level, MicroPnP integrates with Linear Technology’s SmartMesh IP embedded wireless mesh networking. SmartMesh IP is a commercial implementation of the Timeslotted Channel Hopping (TSCH) mode of IEEE 802.15.4e, and combines its performance with meshing capabilities and the ease of use of IPv6. To ensure high data reliability in the face of RF interference, multi-path fading, and other environmental factors, TSCH combines a reservation-based Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) scheme with channel hopping. By continuously monitoring the state of the network, and optimising the TSCH schedule for every device, a MicroPnP network can run autonomously for a decade on a single pair of AA-batteries. 4) Avoiding vendor lock-in through open
standards and protocols. The MicroPnP protocol stack on every device is fully compliant to IEEE, IETF and IPSO standards, and therefore easily integrates with third-party solutions. At the link layer, SmartMesh IP uses IEEE 802.15.4e TSCH, while the traditional IPv6-ready IoT ‘upper stack’ is composed of IETF-6LoWPAN, UDP, and CoAP. In addition, every MicroPnP peripheral adopts the IPSO data model that tackles the interoperability problem between heterogeneous devices and third-party applications. The IPSO data model defines a common Object Model, consisting of a URL template and standardised set of data types that enables application software to meaningfully interact with devices, including software in other devices. 5) Effortless application development and integration. Finally, a suite of software libraries (available in JavaScript, Java, and NodeJS) provide programmatic access MicroPnP-enabled networks, while allowing for the establishment of NAT-proof
Figure 3: Energy management for data centre optimisation
connections between end-user applications and MicroPnP devices. As these libraries integrate directly with the MicroPnP software stack on every device, network gateway, and cloud element, they empower everyone to build complete IoT systems in minutes.
The MicroPnP model in practice The typical model of installing and operating a network of MicroPnP devices is as follows (Figure 2):
1) Integration of sensing and actuation peripherals: Once a sensing or actuation peripheral has been plugged in, the MicroPnP application board automatically detects and derives its type. Afterwards, it requests a suitable driver to the managing entity running in the cloud.
2) Peripheral driver installation and network integration: Whenever the managing entity receives a driver installation request, it automatically downloads and installs the device driver on the requesting device. Upon completion, the peripheral is made available for use within the network. 3) Programmatic access and management:
Finally, the set of reusable software libraries drastically eliminates development costs. These libraries provide global bidirectional access between remote clients and individual MicroPnP devices. Using these libraries, IoT end-users are offered an easy, but powerful way to rapidly build applications.
Figure 4a: Facility monitoring
Awards and commercial applications MicroPnP was awarded third place in the IPSO Challenge 2015, which evaluated IoT applications and prototypes on their innovation, breadth of applicability, marketability, and ease of use. The ten semi-finalists presented their prototype for an industrial jury at the Designers of Things conference in Silicon Valley in December 2015. Beyond the IPSO Challenge, MicroPnP is being deployed in various sensing scenarios worldwide that range from home energy profiling to data centre optimisation (Figure 3), industrial facilities (Figure 4), or even farms (Figure 5). For example, in a data centre context, Plug-and-Play sensors, such as temperature, humidity, and AC power monitoring sensors, provide a detailed understanding of energy flows in the environment along with monitoring of appliance power consumption, while Plug-and-Play actuators allow for automatic control of appliances.
Next to energy management scenarios, Figure 4b: Facility monitoring
MicroPnP devices are used to monitor machinery and associated factory infrastructure (Figure 4), providing detection and real-time alerts for leaks
www.linear.com Linear Technology (UK) Ltd Tel: 01628 477066
CIE electronica 2016 13
or irregular machine behavior. In this situation, the MicroPnP mesh network provides an extremely reliable and extensible communications medium that can extend to cover huge industrial facilities, while operating for up to a decade on a single pair of batteries. Finally, MicroPnP provides intelligence for
precision livestock farming (Figure 5). Farm efficiency is enhanced through Plug-and-Play sensors and actuators that install in minutes to provide live, high-resolution data on animal conditions including: feed consumption, water use, temperature, humidity, air quality and pollution.
Summary
Applications for the Industrial Internet of Things are expected to be deployed in dynamic scenarios and operate reliably for long periods over time. However, most users struggle with the inherent complexities and costs of existing IoT sensing solutions. The MicroPnP platform based on Linear Technology’s SmartMesh IP embedded wireless mesh networking presented in this article adopts a radically different approach to existing solutions and combines a decade of academic research with leading industry wireless networking technology to realise zero-configuration.
Figure 5: MicroPnP for precision livestock farming
To drastically reduce the total cost of ownership for industrial sensing and control systems, MicroPnP offers zero-configuration plug- and-play sensing and actuation peripherals that can be managed from the cloud and that easily integrate with traditional systems. In addition, provides managers with a real-time overview of network operation and device status. Our best-in- class energy management and networking results in a 10-year battery life while retaining over 99.999 per cent network reliability and strong end-to-end security as demanded by the industry.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117