SUPPLEMENT THE INTERNET OF THINGS Maximising IOT projects
Matt Cook and Gordon Serpis, from Solid State Supplies, discuss the basic technical requirements to consider when carrying out an IoT project, and the type of hardware that can assist development
T
hrough Internet of Things (IoT) technology a whole new era of
connectivity is becoming possible. But what are the basic technical requirements to consider when carrying out an IoT project and what attributes should be sought from the supporting hardware? 1. Connectivity: Once data has been captured it needs to be transferred to a place where it can be analysed. In some cases IoT hardware will make use of wireline communication, but a far larger proportion of units are expected to rely on wireless technology (as this offers greater ease of installation). In some cases, the IoT hardware will need to be commissioned from the installer’s smartphone, with dual functionality being required accordingly (e.g. Bluetooth for connecting to the smartphone for commissioning, then Zigbee to connect to the mesh network). 2. Security: Data being transferred may
be of a sensitive nature. If so, steps should be taken to adequately protect it. For example, in process monitoring applications, adequate security mechanisms must be put in place for safeguarding against industrial espionage. 3. Sensors: This will be a consideration for monitoring-based IoT design. The hardware will need to capture data from the location in which it is situated. To do this some form of sensing technology is going to be required, or possibly multiple sensor devices in combination. 4. Convenience: Often those looking to add an IoT dimension to their designs have limited experience of areas like connectivity or embedded systems. Their expertise will predominantly lie in the specific application they are dealing with. This is an obstacle that must be overcome if IoT is to experience the widespread uptake currently being envisioned. Engineers ideally want straightforward out-of-the-box solutions that mean they can avoid major technical challenges and keep development cycles short, quickly going from the concept, prototyping and testing stages through to project completion. 5. Power budget: A large percentage of
S8 JUNE 2017 | ELECTRONICS
IoT deployments will be in remote locations, such as those used for industrial/ environmental/ agricultural monitoring tasks. Certain
characteristics are thus essential, with low power consumption being amongst these. As a consequence battery lifespans can be extended and the expense of sending technicians out in the field avoided. 6. Cost effectiveness: This is also an
important factor. If a large number of units need to be deployed, the investment associated with each one has to be kept at an acceptable level to make the system economically viable. 7. Compact form factor: In a multitude
of IoT applications, space constraints prove to be a concern. Therefore it is important that hardware being specified has a compact form factor that can be easily accommodated. Though engineers want to exploit the benefits that IoT functionality offers, many lack the necessary expertise. By partnering with manufacturers in the embedded space, Solid State Supplies has developed a good understanding of what is needed to maximize the effectiveness of IoT designs; the guidelines to follow, technical limitations to be aware of and where trade-offs can be made. Furthermore, it has access to solutions that facilitate the development process. Sierra Wireless’ mangOH Green
development platform enables engineers to construct 3G-enabled IoT designs, furnishing them with a flexible open source reference design that is 90% of a prototype IoT gateway. Its ARM Cortex -
A5 processing resource supports high- performance operation, while still adhering to the energy
restrictions that remote, battery-powered
Sierra Wireless’ mangOH Green and Robustel’s GoRugged R2000 are among the wealth of IoT solutions on the market
applications mandate. The platform’s AirPrime WP cellular modem delivers reliable device-to-cloud connectivity. Each unit incorporates an accelerometer and gyroscope, with provision for attaching further sensors via Arduino shields. Digi’s ConnectCore for
i.MX6UL presents engineers with an integrated, flexible system-on-module (SoM) for pre-certified wireless connectivity. Featuring a 32-bit NXP
i.MX6UL application processor, it offers a wealth of connectivity options, and is markedly smaller than competing SOMs, making it suited to confined spaces. The proprietary SMTplus surface mount arrangement enables versatile interconnection, so additional hardware can be added in the configuration that best fits the available space. With 3G, LTE and Wi-Fi interfaces, Robustel’s GoRugged R2000 router provides secure wireless connectivity in a seamless manner. This unit has a failback mechanism, ensuring ongoing reliability if problems arise with the connected cellular network.
In addition to sensors, more
A whole new era of connectivity is becoming possible, with the capability for data to be transferred between different items of electronic equipment
sophisticated IoT implementations may require imaging functionality. In home/building automation, this could be to check room occupancy for lighting/heating control purposes. Microsemi’s SmartFusion2 FPGA/SoC technology is optimised for IoT imaging. Firstly it has the low power element covered. Secondly it has the versatility of programmable logic, so different parameters can be prioritised to suit application demands. Finally it delivers 166MHz performance for rapidly processing acquired data.
Solid State Supplies
www.sssltd.com T: 01527 830800
/ ELECTRONICS
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