MiniLink IIoT Node
In the past, in the industrial plant agricultural industry, smart agricultural greenhouses or various smart projects use PLC as a Controller node to control the operation of the machine. For example, monitor the status of sensors and systems using SCADA systems, real-time data analysis, and control. Many systems have an OPC Server to help communicate data between SCADA and PLC. This system works very well. It is stable and acceptable. However, remote surveillance is still a high investment and complex, requiring specialists to develop the system.
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The advent of IoT and the Cloud is a trend that has quickly gained attention because users can access the system remotely via the Internet by smartphones or via web applications. Moreover, data can also be exported to analyze behavioral trends (Data Analytics), set notifications via social media channels, and more (Notification). It has a display board (Dashboard) that is beautiful, easy to use, user-friendly, and very low development cost. Therefore, there is a mention about the application of IoT in industrial plants, agricultural industry, smart agricultural greenhouses, or more smart projects
But the application of IoT in industrial plants, agricultural industry, smart agricultural greenhouses, or smart projects initially had many obstacles because IoT devices were not designed for specific purposes. There is no communication port such as RS485 to communicate with devices. Communication with external devices has few options. Not compatible with 24VDC power supply systems. From such problems, SaiJai-Tech Co., Ltd. has developed a controller with a built-in communication unit called “MiniLink IIoT Node” for industrial plants, agricultural industry, smart agricultural greenhouses, or smart projects.
What is a MiniLink IIoT node?
MiniLink is an affordable IIoT node. Able to write a program to control the operation and has a built-in communication module. There are two main models to choose from: the first model uses an ESP32 processor, or the second model, Arm Cortex M0+. The ESP32-based model supports a program development by Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, MocroPython, JavaScript, and Lua. The Arm Cortex M0+ model will support Arduino IDE, MPLAB X IDE, Atmel Studio 7 IDE, and CircuitPython.
The MiniLink IIoT Nod has an ACER LoRaWAN module and an RS485 port on board. The case is a DIN RAIL plastic case with an LED indicator. A plastic antenna is included in the box. A connector that can be removed and removed makes it convenient to connect to sensors and power supplies. small and compact.
General features of MiniLink IIoT Node
- The box measures 36.3 x 90.2 x 58.0 mm.
- Working temperature and humidity range temperature: -30°C~+80°C, Humidity <95%
- Support 5-24VDC power supply
- RS485 or UART port available (jumper mode selection)
- There is an NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) port connected to the temperature sensor.
- LED indicator lamp
- DIN RAIL plastic box
What are the key features of MiniLink IIoT Node?
MiniLink IIoT – LoRa PtP
Demonstrate how to deploy a MiniLink IIoT node – LoRa PtP remote control lamp. Send and receive data between Cloud and LoRa PtP Gateway via 3G/4G network by MQTT protocol.
The LoRa PtP Gateway can send commands to the MiniLink PtP Node by the LoRa protocol designed to turn the lamps on and off simultaneously or separated by a node.
Expansion board (Shield)
ACER AS923 LoRa PtP Communication Module
Standard: IEEE 802.15.4g
Frequency 920-925MHz, AS923
Power: 19dBm
Port RS485
SIMCOM NB-IoT Communication Module, Model SIM7020E
Support frequencies in Thailand
Frequency band: FDD-LTE B1/B3/B5/B8/B20/B28
Data rate: Uplink≤62.5Kbps, Downlink≤26.15Kbps
Port RS485
QUECTEL BC95-G NB-IoT Communication Module
Support frequencies in Thailand
Frequency bands: B1/B3/B8/B5/B20/B28
Max. 125Kbps downlink / 150Kbps uplink
eSIM support
SIMCOM 3G/LTE/GNSS communication module, SIM7600E
Support frequencies in Thailand
Multi-Band LTE-TDD/LTE-FDD/HSPA+
LTE CAT4
– Uplink up to 50Mbps
– Downlink up to 150Mbps
GPS/BeiDou/Glonass/LBS
An example of implementing the MiniLink IIoT Node board
MiniLink IIoT Node Main Board
PIN OUT details.
Antenna for MiniLink IIoT Node
Antenna sticker type.
Size 70.5 × 20.5 mm, cable length 115 mm.
Connector head type IPEX RG113,
Working temperature range -40C to ~80C.
Working humidity range from 10% to ~95%.
Frequency range 820~960 MHz,
Amplification threshold 2d
MiniLink box size.
Schematic Board MiniLink IIoT Node
Examples of writing a program on Arduino IDE
1) Sending uplink payloads by LoRaWAN
The MiniLink Library makes programming LoRaWAN module controllers a breeze. It doesn’t take much time to learn, but it can be put into practice.
2) Sending uplink payload by LoRa PtP
The MiniLink Library makes programming a LoRa PtP module control a breeze. Module communication can be set to comply with the requirements in Thailand. It doesn’t take much time to learn, but it can be put into practice.
3) Sensor reading via RS 485 port by Modbus RTU protocol.
MiniLink can communicate between nodes, PLCs, or sensors via RS485 ports as ports are available on the board. It is convenient; no need to find more ports, it can be used immediately
Example of Minilink Application Diagram.
1) Use the MiniLink IIoT node to read the weather station and send the data uplink via LoRaWAN.
2) Use a MiniLink IIoT node to control multiple pumps remotely via 3 G/LTE.
3) Use the MiniLink IIoT node to read the smart meter and send the data uplink via NB-IoT.
4) Using a MiniLink IIoT node, read multiple smart flow meters by LoRa PtP and send data uplinks via NB-IoT.
5) Using a MiniLink IIoT node, read multiple soil moisture sensor values by LoRa PtP and uplink the data via LoRaWAN.
6) Use MiniLink IIoT node to control multiple street lamps by LoRa PtP remote command over 3G/LTE.
7) Use the MiniLink IIoT node to read the weather sensor values by WiFi or Bluetooth and send the data uplink over WiFi.
