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Internet of Things (IoT) – this password was once unknown, but now often appearing in public spaces. Increasingly widespread use of electronics and Internet connection in everyday objects causes that we demand hardware solutions that meet this dynamically developing trend.
IoT – the definition
The Internet of Things can be defined depending on the adopted perspective, but the widest and the most often used is the one using a technological perspective, according to which:
IoT is a network that connects devices (both wired and wireless) characterized by autonomous operation in the area of acquiring, sharing, processing data or interacting with the environment under the influence of these data.
The constant development of Things
Over the last years, the IoT was in constant development. It can be noticed that there are two main directions of this progress:
- Consumer applications, i.e. smart home, in which we deal with several internally connected devices, which can be controlled using a mobile application.
- IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), i.e. industrial solutions for product management and optimization of production processes.
According to the report “IoT in the Polish economy” (prepared by the Ministry of Digitalization), the next two years are crucial for the preparation for changes brought by the dissemination of Internet of Things. These changes concern not only social and legal but also commercial issues. The forecasted increase in demand for products and services of the electronics industry or industrial automation solutions is a great opportunity for companies operating in these sectors. In the coming years, analysts expect a 13% increase (year to year) of the IoT technology and solutions market.
Responding to changes
According to forecasts by 2025, there will be more than 22 billion devices connected to the Internet in the world. That is why Unisystem has already expanded the portfolio and include solutions designed specifically for IoT applications.
The offer includes three versions of the modules created by Riverdi: a 5-inch TFT LCD with capacitive (RiTFT-50-IOT-CAP PN: RVT50AQEFWC00) or resistive (RiTFT-50-IOT-RES PN: RVT50AQEFWR00) touch panel and a version equipped with UxTouch (white version – RiTFT-50-IOT-UXW PN: RVT50UQENWC04 and black version – RiTFT-50-IOT-UXB PN: RVT50UQENWC01)*. Thanks to the technology partnership with Zerynth the modules can be easily programmed using Python. This language is very easy to learn and fits perfectly into a fast pace of implementing the IoT projects. Zerynth offers a lot of useful libraries and examples adapted to both novice and more advanced users. Each module has a Zerynth Studio license, so you can start the evaluation right after unboxing.
* the above-mentioned models are no longer available in Unisystem’s offer – please contact us for information on alternative solutions.
Equipped with the ESP32 controller, the module provides wireless communication via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is worth noting that ESP32 was designed for IoT applications and small consumer electronics, which is why it can act as an autonomous system without overcharging the processor.
Even more possibilities
A resolution of 800×480 pixels and a brightness level of 510 cd/m2 makes this module an ideal solution for applications such as smart home or 4.0 Industry. The display has been equipped with a BT815 controller, which is a part of the family of advanced graphic controllers designed for embedded applications and a friendly HMI. Graphical user interface created with the EVE3 technology (Embedded Video Engine) is based on easy-to-use and configurable objects, thanks to which it successfully combines the ability to process images, sound, and information from the touch panel. It also makes the module implementation process significantly shorter.
One of the most important advantages of EVE3 (when compared to the older versions) is the support of the Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC) algorithm. This means that image quality can be much better because the compression algorithm allows for smaller compressed files, which saves a lot of space needed for larger fonts or images with huge amounts of data.
The ability to directly attach external flash memory to the BT81x controller through a dedicated QSPI port increases the convenience of creating more complex and graphically rich user interfaces. The RiTFT-50-IOT modules also have two built-in MikroBUS sockets, thanks to which they can be easily expanded with the use of MikroElektronika Click Boards. Each board has certain functionality that can be added to the display, such as temperature and humidity sensor, UV sensor, text-to-speech converter, etc. By adding the Click Board to the Riverdi display you can easily adapt it to your needs.
Forecasts for the sector
It is estimated that more than 50% of companies from the G20 countries will modernize their industrial production control systems and open to IoT. By 2024 the same percentage of manufacturing companies will combine the appropriate digital twins of their products and assets in a comprehensive digital ecosystem, which means that they will gain full insight into the system processes and will be able to reduce the costs of maintaining quality by up to 5%. These forecasts confirm the unusually fast development of the Internet of Things and the digital transformation that is happening in front of our eyes. Unisystem as a distributor, integrator and designer of information visualization solutions can help you prepare for the upcoming changes.
