6 Internet Of Things Building Blocks
Need an embedded system to whip up an IoT prototype? These six platforms make it easier than ever to get started with embedded programming.
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The "Internet of Things" is, in reality, the rise of embedded systems. Taking a small computer and embedding it in a formerly un-computerized object allows us to control the object, gather data from the object, and ultimately tie the object to other things through a network or the Internet.
Fortunately for engineers and product designers everywhere, it has become rather easy to find very capable small computers that can be rolled into an object to bring it into the Internet of Things. More to the point, it's become easy to find embedded systems that make use of the same operating systems and programming languages used in business servers and workstations.
It's difficult to overstate the importance of being able to use common operating systems and programming languages to develop prototypes and production systems for the Internet of Things. Embedded systems have been around for decades, but for most of their existence programmers have needed special software development environments to write code in unique languages (often, but not always, a variation on assembler for the processor sitting at the heart of the computer).
Now, there are various platforms on which people can develop prototypes for IoT applications. Some of these are the same platforms that will ultimately be used in a final product, while others will simply be the initial springboards from which to launch a product. Either way, the systems here will help a product development team get a project off the ground.
There's one more thing that really must be mentioned here: Any of these systems can also be a great way to teach people programming. Whether you're thinking about a system for teaching a young person how to code, or just looking for a way to sharpen some of your skills, you won't really go wrong tinkering with any of these embedded systems.
The real challenge to you is this: What do you want to build today? The embedded platform is no longer a good excuse for avoiding the dream project you've had locked in your head.
In many ways, the current generation of "makers" in the embedded system arena can trace their history back to the Italian educators who came up with the idea for a simple, inexpensive embedded controller. There is now an entire Arduino family, but the Arduino Uno is the foundation for the group. A low-power board in every sense, the Arduino Uno is based on the ATmega328 processor and features 32 KB (that's right, kilobytes) of memory for software. Using it requires tight, efficient code with no unnecessary frills. But if you're looking for a simple controller that can easily fit into an Altoids tin, the Arduino Uno fits the bill. Most developers find, though, that they want to move their project onto a more streamlined system, such as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), for high-volume production.
While the Arduino Uno brought the idea of an inexpensive, easy to program, single-board computer to the masses, the Raspberry Pi upped the game considerably. With a Raspberry Pi, it became possible to build a complete Web server that fits in the palm of your hand. Based on an ARM processor and Linux, the latest version of the RasPi has enough processing power, memory, and marketing weight to be able to run an embedded version of Windows 10 (and, if you look in the comments to a recent InformationWeek article on the Raspberry Pi 2, much more than that). The Raspberry Pi can easily serve as the controller for a network of simpler devices (we're looking at you, Arduino) or the brains of a network appliance. So, how do you like your Pi?
If you think of a BeagleBoard (or BeagleBone) as being a lot like a Raspberry Pi, plus a bit more, then you're on the right track. A Linux-based, single-board computer using an ARM processor, the BeagleBoard family of computers has been developed by a foundation with significant support from TI and Digi-Key. In general, BeagleBoards are more powerful and more expansion-ready than Raspberry Pis. They're also considerably more expensive, from a low end of around $50 to a high end over $150. The good news is that there is support from TI and a very active user and developer community. If you're looking at a project that requires a bit more oomph than a RasPi can provide and don't mind the additional expense, something in the BeagleBoard family could be just what you need. The fact that a beagle just took best in show at Westminster is just a coincidence. Of course.
Intel is hitting the Internet of Things hard. There's no real surprise, there. What might be surprising to many people is just how hard they're hitting the "maker" market. For example, if you're comfortable using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) but feel like your project needs a bit more power, then an Intel Galileo is designed for you. This board, based on the Intel Quark processor (which itself uses the Pentium instruction set) is Arduino certified, meaning that code written for the Arduino can run with minimal changes on this system. It's hardware compatible with many Arduino shields, runs Linux, RTOS, and Windows 10 Embedded, and has an available developer kit that makes programming sensors and controllers much easier. In many ways, the Galileo can be seen as a bridge between Arduino and Raspberry Pi worlds. And it's a clear sign that Intel is serious about this market.
If you're ready to move a project from prototype to production, or if you want to prototype with a clear eye on production, then consider Intel's Edison a solid contender. This single-board system is based on a dual-core Intel Atom processor and is compatible with a number of other single-board embedded systems. It can take code from many of them, including Arduino, and let it operate with minimal changes. In addition, there's hardware compatibility with a number of different shields and systems as well as several Intel development kits for applications like robotics. Edison boards are available for as little as $50, though there are wide variations in price depending on precisely which version of the board and accessories you need.
Before there was Arduino, there was PicAxe. The PicAxe controller is, at its core, a microcontroller chip that comes in several varieties. Available with different capabilities and in combination with many types of boards and development systems, the PicAxe is the answer to all those who say that embedded systems are becoming too complex. As most of the industry rushes to add features and functions to bring the capabilities of embedded systems closer to those of business-class workstations and servers, the PicAxe has remained rooted in the minimalist camp, providing just enough intelligence for the immediate task at hand with no additional complexity or cost. While developing a project with PicAxe means developing the supporting board (with I/O and control capabilities) along with the software, there's a strong tradeoff in cost: A PicAxe can be had for just a few dollars -- and you need to work on your soldering skills, anyway.
Before there was Arduino, there was PicAxe. The PicAxe controller is, at its core, a microcontroller chip that comes in several varieties. Available with different capabilities and in combination with many types of boards and development systems, the PicAxe is the answer to all those who say that embedded systems are becoming too complex. As most of the industry rushes to add features and functions to bring the capabilities of embedded systems closer to those of business-class workstations and servers, the PicAxe has remained rooted in the minimalist camp, providing just enough intelligence for the immediate task at hand with no additional complexity or cost. While developing a project with PicAxe means developing the supporting board (with I/O and control capabilities) along with the software, there's a strong tradeoff in cost: A PicAxe can be had for just a few dollars -- and you need to work on your soldering skills, anyway.
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