Summary:As society continues to evolve and progress, the information industry has also entered an era of prosperity. The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged against this backdrop. With the continuous development of the internet and various advancements in computer technology, the IoT has achieved one breakthrough after another. The Internet of Things, as the name implies, connects various items through a series of information sensing devices, following agreed-upon protocols, to enable information exchange and communication between objects. The information exchange between objects in the IoT is based on the internet, utilizing it to achieve its objectives. As the IoT evolves, it inevitably faces some shortcomings, leading to the emergence of embedded systems. This article describes the IoT and discusses the research and implementation of IoT gateways based on embedded systems.
Keywords:Embedded Systems, IoT Gateways
1. Introduction
The trend of information exchange between objects is a global trend today. With the increasing social信息化, information exchange has become even more crucial. Therefore, the Internet of Things (IoT) emerged on the basis of the Internet, and due to its advantages, its applications have become more widespread. Currently, it is highly regarded and anticipated by many, with a promising future. However, no matter how good or convenient something is, it will have its flaws. Traditional IoT is no exception, and the emergence of embedded systems has somewhat弥补ed the shortcomings of traditional IoT gateways.
2 Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are systems that integrate a variety of technologies, such as electronics, communications, and graphic image processing, on the foundation of computer technology. Primarily, these systems are applied to calculators that have specific requirements for certain products. They consist of both hardware and software components. The hardware includes storage devices, controllers, and various control ports, while the software primarily encompasses operating systems and application systems. Due to the high hardware requirements of embedded systems, it is necessary to ensure that the hardware meets the system's needs and that the software is adequately supported. The most significant characteristic of embedded systems is their high level of technological density, enabling the demonstration of advanced technologies. Compared to standard computer technology, embedded systems have their own advantages: first, in terms of hardware, they offer higher encapsulation, practicality, and specificity; second, in software, they have faster transmission speeds and require less code, significantly saving time and space, and are more conducive to the transmission of information and data.
As the information age evolves, people's demands for information continue to rise. Embedded systems emerged during this stage, partially meeting the high requirements of information technology. They are continually applied across various fields, propelling the continuous development of information technology and driving societal progress.
IoT Gateway and Its Design
Internet of Things (IoT) gateways are a crucial component of the IoT ecosystem, serving as its foundation and playing a significant role. These gateways possess three key capabilities: network sensing, interoperability with various networks, and remote monitoring. Firstly, network sensing involves a network of numerous functional sensors that gather diverse information based on different types of sensors, such as cameras, recorders, and card readers. Since these sensors collect information in various ways, their data varies accordingly. In terms of network applications, IoT gateways primarily operate wirelessly, often via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, with widespread use in smartphones and laptops. Wired applications are more limited, making them challenging to implement in many scenarios. Secondly, interoperability with different networks is a substantial task due to the varying sensors collecting information, leading to data discrepancies that hinder communication. To address this, a protocol network must be designed to facilitate data exchange. Lastly, remote monitoring in the IoT primarily involves managing and monitoring data information. This functionality is user-friendly, flexible in control, and allows for centralized management. It can monitor not only its own network information but also certain external networks.
Internet of Things (IoT) gateways hold a crucial position in the IoT ecosystem, making their control and design essential. Given the conflicting characteristics of most IoT gateways—poor operating environments and high practical requirements—their hardware design must address cost and energy consumption. Therefore, the first step is to reduce costs, decrease energy consumption, and enhance processor speeds. Selecting suitable hardware, such as the AT9LSAM9260, which boasts fast processing speeds, strong compatibility, and ample storage, is key to meeting the diverse requirements of IoT gateway hardware. IoT gateways not only have specific hardware requirements but also software ones. They require data collection and processing from various interfaces, necessitating a layered and comprehensive framework to enhance system flexibility. Additionally, attention must be paid to system control, continuously monitoring its operational direction to meet the software needs of IoT gateways during operation.
The Relationship Between Embedded Systems and the Internet of Things
Embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) are closely linked. With their targeted nature, encapsulation, practicality, and specificity, embedded systems are more conducive to the development of IoT. The IoT involves extensive information exchange, data interchange, and transmission, which traditional IoT gateways struggle to meet. To some extent, embedded systems can avoid and improve the current shortcomings of the IoT.
Embedded systems significantly propel the development of the Internet of Things (IoT). As they are predominantly applied in a range of intelligent technologies and sensor technologies, IoT relies on these intelligent technologies to gather information and data, which are then exchanged to achieve specific goals. This embedded intelligence technology is gradually being applied in real-world scenarios and is becoming more widespread. For instance, modern smart homes can obtain messages and commands through this intelligent sensing, facilitating homeowners' daily lives and achieving convenience. Additionally, human body sensors, using the same intelligent sensing, provide feedback on physical changes, enabling data exchange and acquisition.
AnkoRui's Application of Internet of Things Gateway
Ankore has developed an IoT gateway based on an embedded Linux platform designed with ARM architecture, featuring high cost-performance and integration. The solution utilizes ARM processors and incorporates advanced technologies.Power ManagementOur architecture now achieves lower power consumption. The gateway collects and processes real-time data from terminal devices such as electricity meters, water meters, and gas meters via RS485 serial ports, connects to the server via Ethernet/4G, and transmits data to the cloud server through the Internet of Things. Debugging personnel can use the ANetCM dedicated debugging software to locally configure and manage the IoT gateway, as well as perform remote maintenance, and view the real-time operation status and data of the power station.
The hardware specifications include a variety of interface options:
Our storage solutions support USB and TF card interfaces, allowing for expandable storage space. They ensure continuous data storage for extended periods. In case of network interruptions between IoT gateways and systems, data ready for upload can be stored within the IoT gateway. The data is then transmitted upon network restoration. Additionally, they support the complete storage of alarm records and log entries.
Data Collection: The RS485 serial port supports various channel configurations and serial communication parameter settings. Additionally, it offers LoRa wireless collection to address the inconvenience of wiring from field terminal devices to IoT gateways.
Data transmission supports RJ45 Ethernet ports and 4G interfaces, enabling upload to multiple systems via various protocols.
The complete unit has passed rigorousEMCNo Chinese content provided.TestEnsures stable operation in harsh field conditions.
In terms of communication protocols, after continuous development and expansion, the data acquisition protocol currently supports Modbus RTU/TCP, DL/T645-1997/2007, DL/T698.45-2017, CJT188-2004, IEC 103/104, OPC UA, BACNET,
Siemens S7 protocol, etc. Forwarding protocols support ModbusTCP (master, slave), 104 (master, slave), Shanghai Building Energy Consumption DGJ08-2068-2012, Jiangsu Building Energy Consumption DGJ32/TJ111-2010, regional energy consumption in Hangzhou, Ningxia Power Demand Side, Huayun 104 protocol, SNMP, MQTT protocol, OPC UA, IEC 61850, Q/GDW 376.1, etc.
Ensure the capability of IoT gateways to collect data from various terminal devices and transmit it to the system.
6 Typical Cases
7 Conclusion
Through the practical application of an IoT gateway based on an embedded Linux operating system in the project, its advantages have been fully demonstrated. The overall stable operation of the IoT gateway can meet all the requirements of the system's functional design, providing a solid technical guarantee for system operation. Ankoer, with years of in-depth experience in the power industry, utilizes new IoT communication technology and edge computing technology, combining wired and wireless communication methods. The provided IoT gateway solution effectively reduces system costs, enhances system integration, and enables power monitoring, environmental monitoring, and联动 control functions in scenarios such as distribution rooms, transformer substations, and distributed new energy generation (photovoltaic, wind power). This ultimately achieves intelligence and unattended operation.
Product Certificate 8
Reference
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Wang Xuhai, Yao Xiaofeng. Design of an Internet of Things Gateway Based on Embedded Systems[J]. Information and Communication, 2016(1): 64-66.
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Liu Yulan, Wang Yanqing, et al. "Key Technology Research on Internet of Things Gateway Based on Embedded Platforms" [J]. Computer and Telecommunications, 2017(8): 16-18.
Ankorree Enterprise Microgrid Design and Application Handbook, 2023.1 Edition
