Endrich IoT Infrastructure – Endrich Cloud Database Service and Related Hardware DevelopmentA major challenge we face today is digitalization of industrial processes, extending machinery with low power, feature rich microcontroller-based electronics to collect sensor readings and forward data with LPWA communication channels to a Cloud Database in order to build up the “BIG DATA” - the knowledge base of the future. A mass of sensor readings needs to be organized into central databases for future processing so as to meet the expectations of Industry 4.0. The Internet of Things, or IoT provides the ecosystem to deal with this challenge. We review these potentials based on the IoT infrastructure system developed mainly for demonstration purpose by Endrich GmbH, a leading electronic spare part distributor in Europe, by showing an example how to work with a modem using Narrow-Band IoT technology and introducing the cloud based database service which was created by the company engineers to help IoT developers at the customers.
Endrich GmbH has developed an online sensor network infrastructure, based on a special IOT Single Board Computer, where every component of the hardware have been supplied by the manufacturers represented by the company. The beginning of the processing chain – like in a real-world application – consists of sensors detecting and measuring different physical quantities, which are processed all the way to cloud database storage and visual data representation at the end. There is a sophisticated gateway in between (RISC-V MCU), which collects the sensor readings, preprocesses these data and sends it through a communication channel (Narrow Band GSM Communication) to a cloud based database service, where it can be displayed after processing, or used for any purpose appropriate for a given task. The industrial expectations towards the complete infrastructure are high and diverse, including device, installation and maintenance cost minimalization, requiring many years of battery lifetime, high utilization of technological resources by all means, what can only be supported by competent component suppliers, having the professional background and also the willingness to provide development support and services. Endrich offers the concept free for the customers, including the hardware designs of the IOT Board, free use of the software services such as the Endrich Cloud Database and the online visualization services.
06/09/2021 |