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ZigBee Mesh used in industrial IoT applications

Enhancing the Smart Connectivity with the ZigBee Gateway based on the ModBerry 500 CM5

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As smart technologies continue to evolve, the need for efficient and reliable communication protocols has become paramount. ZigBee, a widely adopted wireless technology, offers robust connectivity for various IoT applications. The ModBerry 500 CM5, powered by the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5), provides an ideal platform for implementing a ZigBee gateway, enhancing smart connectivity across different environments.

The Power of ModBerry 500 CM5

The ModBerry 500 CM5 boasts a powerful quad-core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz processor and up to 8GB of LPDDR4x-4267 SDRAM, making it a versatile and robust industrial computer. Its compact design and extensive range of configurable hardware options make it suitable for various IoT applications, from smart homes to industrial automation.

Integrating ZigBee for Seamless Connectivity

ZigBee is known for its low power consumption, high reliability, and efficient data transfer capabilities. By integrating a ZigBee module with the ModBerry 500 CM5, users can create a seamless communication network that connects multiple smart devices, enabling them to interact and share data efficiently.

Applications of the ZigBee Gateway

  1. Smart Home Automation: The ModBerry 500 CM5 with a ZigBee gateway can streamline home automation by connecting devices such as smart lights, thermostats, and security systems, allowing for centralized control and management.
  2. Industrial IoT Solutions: In industrial settings, the ZigBee-enabled ModBerry 500 CM5 can facilitate real-time monitoring and control of machinery, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
  3. Agricultural Monitoring: Farmers can leverage the ModBerry 500 CM5 as a ZigBee gateway to monitor soil conditions, weather data, and crop health, optimizing agricultural practices and boosting yield.
ZigBee Gateway

Advantages of Using ModBerry 500 CM5 as a ZigBee Gateway

  • Scalability and Flexibility: The ModBerry 500 CM5’s modular design allows for easy scalability and customization, ensuring it can meet the specific needs of various applications.
  • Remote Management: With built-in wireless communication modules, including Wi-Fi and optional 4G/LTE, the ModBerry 500 CM5 supports remote monitoring and management, reducing the need for on-site maintenance.
  • Energy Efficiency: The low power consumption of both the ModBerry 500 CM5 and ZigBee technology ensures energy-efficient operation, making it an environmentally friendly solution.

Conclusion

Implementing the ModBerry 500 CM5 as a ZigBee gateway offers numerous benefits, including enhanced connectivity, real-time data processing, and remote management. By leveraging this powerful combination, users can create efficient and reliable IoT networks that drive innovation and improve overall performance in various sectors.

With the update to CM5, the ModBerry 500 series continues to build on these strengths, offering even greater performance and flexibility for industrial IoT applications. The ModBerry 500 CM5 represents a significant upgrade, combining the proven reliability and versatility of the ModBerry platform with the advanced features of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. 



ZigBee Mesh used in industrial IoT applications

ZigBee Mesh used in industrial IoT applications

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ZigBee mesh‘s usefulness for IoT is partly due to the fact that it is an open standard. The same products can be used all over the world, which gives customers a large selection of available option. The high competition between products and producers means that the created solutions are innovative, characterized by high quality and give customers a considerable choice. Many suppliers of cooperating elements of this ecosystem mean that they are not limited to any specific brands or specific semiconductor manufacturers.

Competitiveness of ZigBee based solutions

With a maximum data bandwidth of 250 kbps at 2.4 GHz, ZigBee is slower than other popular wireless standards such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but it doesn’t matter in typical sensor applications. ZigBee Mesh is designed to send small data packets at relatively long intervals, which is usually sufficient to collect data from temperature sensors, safety sensors, air quality monitoring systems and similar subsystems. In the meantime, the low bandwidth affects the low power needed for the system to work, so that ZigBee nodes can usually work for many years on a single AAA battery.

ZigBee Power Consumption. Source: ZigBee Alliance
ZigBee Power Consumption. Source: ZigBee Alliance

With low power consumption, ZigBee supporting products typically have a short transmission range – typically from 10 to 15 meters, and the signal they emit is easily disturbed by obstacles on the route, or changes in the environment. However, the beauty of ZigBee devices lies in their work as part of a lattice topology network, where each of them transmits signals between themselves over a total of longer distances. The grid topology also means that damage to a single device will not stop the entire network, as communication can simply be redirected.

Industrial use of ZigBee Mesh

One of industrial IoT devices, supporting ZigBee Mesh technology is eModGATE from TECHBASE. Economical, ESP32-based solution can serve as an end-point in any installation or works well as a gateway, gathering data from scattered sensor mesh across the installation. For more information check Industrial IoT Shop with all the configuration options for eModGATE, including ZigBee modem.

Check eModGATE options

ModBerry industrial computer expands to new platforms

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Raspberry Pi based industrial computer, ModBerry 500 series expands to new platforms, setting new trends on the industrial automation market. ModBerry family offers now a variety of new processing units, wider range of possible applications due to much higher performance than before.

ModBerry M1000

Intel-based industrial computer

The first unit that entered the ModBerry series is a device called ModBerry M1000, utilizing the capabilities of UpBoard platform. New solution uses Quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor with 4x 1.44GHz frequency (boost up to 4x 1.92GHz), up to 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC on board. The new platform also features USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000Mbps for faster communication and supports new operating systems, e.g.: Windows 10, Yocto, Ubuntu, Ubilinux, Android 6.0.

To read more about ModBerry M1000 solution, download PDF datasheet: http://a2s.pl/products/ModBerry/ModBerry_M1000_EN.pdf

ModBerry M700

Advanced automation controller

New and more economic addition to ModBerry series is a new ModBerry M700 using the NanoPi platform as a computing module. M700 is powered with Quad-core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB eMMC on board with microSD slot for storage extension. The new device also features GbLAN, wide range of inputs/outputs and built-in communication protocols (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) with external antenna for many industrial applications. Every ModBerry series computer is equipped with industrial terminal block and sturdy casing with DIN rail mounting.

To read more about ModBerry M700 solution, download PDF datasheet: http://a2s.pl/products/ModBerry/ModBerry_M700_EN.pdf

ModBerry 400

Compact and affordable industrial solution

Last but not least, due to high demand for cheap and capable industrial devices, is the youngest member of ModBerry family, called ModBerry 400. The device is powered by Quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1.2GHz processor, as its predecessor – ModBerry 500 M3, but offering limited inputs/outputs for economical applications, such as temperature or energy meter monitoring, protocol converting or data logging. Its features can be extended with additional modules or modems for specific use-cases, requiring particular protocol or wireless data transfer technology, e.g.: ZigBee, LTE/3G/GPRS, LoRa, NarrowBand IoT and many more.

To read more about ModBerry 400 solution, download PDF datasheet: http://a2s.pl/products/ModBerry/ModBerry_400_EN.pdf

More information

The iMod Ecosystem guarantees a quick start and full use of the ModBerry computer, without the need to write complicated software. One of the main advantages of the iMod Ecosystem is its ease of use and variety of available functionalities. It is a combination of cloud services with web-based user interface and industrial devices, fully manageable remotely.

TECHBASE provides solutions for industrial automation, telemetry, remote access and integration with IT systems. The company has been actively developing its competences in the market. Due to an innovative approach – based on the use of cutting-edge technologies, open standards and easy to maintain products – the company has earned the trust of Customers all over the world.

TECHBASE’s mission is to provide our Customers with tools, which will shorten and simplify the process of system implementation. With open architecture and high level of configurability, maintenance of a system is not expensive anymore.

Read more about all ModBerry Industrial Solutions at: https://modberry.techbase.eu/

TECHBASE upgrades the ModBerry 500 industrial computer with CM3

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ModBerry 500/9500 M3 is an upgraded ModBerry 500/9500 Linux-based industrial computer series, using latest Compute Module 3 from Raspberry Pi. ModBerry is a series of industrial computers which you can easily adapt to your needs by choosing from the available options.

ModBerry 500 / ModBerry 9500

Upgraded ModBerry industrial computer series use latest Compute Module 3, powered by Quad-core Cortex-A53 1.2GHz processor, 1024MB LPDDR2 RAM and 4GB Flash eMMC. The module increase the device’s performance up to ten times, maintaining low power consumption and optimal price of the solution. ModBerry features industrial protocol support, e.g. Modbus, M-Bus, SNMP, MQTT and the possibility to add new protocols with ease.

ModBerry protocol modularity

ModBerry 500 hardware modularity

The main features of ModBerry Industrial Computers series are the extension capabilities to increase input/output number, add up to 4 internal wireless communication modems and modules, support additional features such as accelerometer or opto-isolation options.

ModBerry 500 series offers wide range of industrial interfaces e.g.: digital inputs/outputs, analog inputs/outputs, relay outputs, serial RS-232/485 ports, Ethernet, 1-Wire, CAN, USB 2.0, HDMI, LTE/3G/GPRS, NarrowBand IoT/LTE, GPS, ZigBee, WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRa and many more via extension modules.

ModBerry hardware modularity

Raspberry Pi based industrial computer ModBerry expands to new platforms, setting new trends on the industrial automation market. ModBerry series offers now a variety of new processing units, wider range of possible applications due to much higher performance than before. We introduced ModBerry M700 based on NanoPi platform, Intel-based ModBerry M1000 with UpBoard computing module and latest ModBerry 400 to complete Raspberry Pi platform with economical device for further upgrades with extension modules.

ModBerry remote management

The iMod platform guarantees a quick start and full use of the ModBerry computer, without the need to write complicated software. One of the main advantages of the iMod platform is its ease of use and variety of available functionalities. Due to the available SDK, the platform can be extended with new, dedicated functionalities.

iMod can be installed directly onto ModBerry device or using external PC outside the installation (iModBOX). The third option is using dedicated hosting server to host the iMod software (iModHOST).

iModCloud Ecosystem

Another product is iModCloud software-service, which enables full control of ModBerry/iMod devices. Together they form a stand-alone solution – iModCloud Ecosystem, a combination of cloud services with web-based user interface and industrial devices, fully manageable remotely.

iModCloud can be hosted externally, using stable DELL servers to host the cloud service.(iModCloudHOST). For higher data security or depending on project features, iModCloud can be hosted internally, inside the installation (iModCloudBOX) hosted by the dedicated Mini-PC or from portable memory stick (iModCloudSTARTER).

More information

TECHBASE provides solutions for industrial automation, telemetry, remote access and integration with IT systems. Since 2012 the company has been actively developing its competences in the market. Due to an innovative approach – based on the use of cutting-edge technologies, open standards and easy to maintain products – the company has earned the trust of Customers all over the world.

TECHBASE’s mission is to provide our Customers with tools, which will shorten and simplify the process of system implementation. With open architecture and high level of configurability, maintenance of a system is not expensive anymore.

To read more about ModBerry 500 M3 solution, download PDF datasheet: http://a2s.pl/products/ModBerry/ModBerry_500M3_EN.pdf
Read more about all ModBerry Industrial Solutions at: https://modberry.techbase.eu/