Programmable Ethernet Modules: The Future of IIoT
Guys, have you ever dreamed of your iron sending you messages on Telegram or your refrigerator buying groceries on its own? Sounds like science fiction? Although it sounds a bit crazy, it is actually already a reality thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT). But today we will talk not about home appliances, but about real bees-workers of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Today I will tell you about programmable Ethernet modules developed by the company TibboLet's figure out what this “beast” is and how it can change your business.
Programmable Ethernet Modules – these are small devices that can be programmed using Tibbo BASIC or Tibbo C for any needs. They are ideal for creating reliable and functional IIoT solutions. These modules allow you to connect various devices to the Ethernet network, ensuring stable and fast interaction.
Where can they be used?
– In industrial automation: to control machines and equipment.
– In security systems: for access control and video surveillance.
– In energy: monitoring and management of energy consumption.
– In smart buildings: lighting control, climate control and other amenities.
What's so good about them?
Flexibility: programming capabilities allow modules to be adapted to specific tasks.
Reliability: stable connection via Ethernet, ability to work with backup power supply.
Scalability: easily integrated into existing infrastructure.
What types are there?
I will tell you about three popular models:
1. EM2001 Programmable IoT Board
2. WM2000 Programmable Wireless IIoT Module
3. EM510 MiniMo® Programmable IoT Module
Programmable IoT Main Board EM2001
Our flagship programmable board EM2001 offers great versatility for industrial applications. It has increased memory and performance compared to its predecessor, the EM1001. Connectivity via Ethernet, as well as optional Wi-Fi and 4G/LTE cellular, makes this board an ideal solution for use as a basis for any IIoT projects. With 56 I/O lines and built-in RJ45 connectors, this module is ready for the most demanding tasks.
Fully functional programmable board IoT Tibbo BASIC/C with Ethernetwith WiFi and GPRS connectivity (Requires GA1000 WiFi which can be connected externally or inserted on top of EM2001, for gprs/4g/NB iot requires a standard modem (ie SIM900 Simcom) to be connected to UART#4 of EM2001)
The EM2001 has 4 UARTs and provides significant performance and functionality improvements over its predecessor, the original EM1001.
The board is self-contained – it does not require connection to a host PCB. The RJ45 connector is mounted directly on the board. The EM2001 also contains a DC regulator through which the board can be connected and has an additional power reserve for connecting external equipment.
The device's capabilities are enhanced by built-in flash memory for additional file system fault tolerance, as well as EEPROM and RTC (real-time clock) with battery backup.
The board can be loaded with a fully functional Serial over IP (SoI) application that turns the EM2001 into a powerful SoI (SoI) device, aka an Ethernet converter.
You can find a detailed technical description of the module on the official page https://tibbo.com/store/boards/em2001.html
Programmable Wireless IIoT Module WM2000
WM2000 — is a breakthrough in IIoT wireless technologies. This module supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), providing automatic connection and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Working with any cloud services, WM2000 offers maximum flexibility and vendor independence. It is the ideal solution for projects where a wired connection is impossible or inconvenient.
This cloud-ready device includes Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n at 2.4GHz/5GHz) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interfaces, which provide several new features such as automatic Wi-Fi connection, wireless debugging, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and TLS support. As a vendor-neutral product, it can interoperate with Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, and virtually any other cloud service provider.
The WM2000 is Tibbo's first programmable wireless Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) module. The device includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interfaces, which introduce several new features such as over-the-air (OTA) updates and TLS support.
The WM2000 hardware includes two high-speed serial ports. There are also I²C/SPI software ports, on-chip flash memory and EEPROM, a real-time clock, and ten GPIO lines, two of which function as external interrupts. Nine lines can be configured for pulse-width modulation (PWM) output.
The WM2000 is the first Tibbo device that can store up to two compiled Tibbo BASIC/C binaries (only one of which can be running at any one time).
The WM2000 also features a significantly updated Wi-Fi API that makes it easier to automatically connect to a given wireless network. This makes the module's Wi-Fi interface as easy to use as the Ethernet port on wired Tibbo devices, and also allows wireless debugging of your Tibbo BASIC/C code.
The WM2000 is Tibbo’s first programmable wireless Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) module. This cloud-based device includes Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n at 2.4 GHz/5 GHz) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interfaces, which introduce several new features such as automatic Wi-Fi connection, wireless debugging, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and TLS support. As a vendor-neutral product, it can interoperate with Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, and virtually any other cloud service.
The WM2000 hardware includes two high-speed serial ports. There are also I²C/SPI software ports, on-chip flash memory and EEPROM, a real-time clock, and ten GPIO lines, two of which function as external interrupts. Nine lines can be configured for pulse-width modulation (PWM) output.
The WM2000 is fully supported by Tibbo IDE (TIDE) and has a dedicated platform that covers all the hardware capabilities of the module. The module runs Tibbo OS (TiOS), our highly reliable operating system that achieves exceptional stability through radical simplification of the OS structure, static memory allocation, full ownership and careful curation of the code base, and complete isolation of the user application.
The WM2000 is ideal for creating IIoT solutions free from the constraints of traditional wired networks. The simplicity of Tibbo BASIC/C—powered by Cody, our project template generator, and TIDE—enables timely and cost-effective development of stable, reliable applications.
You can find a detailed technical description of the module on the official page https://tibbo.com/store/modules/wm2000.html
EM510 MiniMo® Programmable IIoT Module
EM510 — is tiny, but very powerful. Despite its size, it is lightning fast and connects via Ethernet. It can be used both in individual projects and as part of more complex systems. The perfect choice if you want to make something ultra-light and smart.
Various applications of the module are possible. EM510 MiniMo®:
In the first variant, we have a fast general-purpose microcontroller programmable on Tibbo BASIC. For debugging and firmware – no hardware programmers (like JTAG or ICE machine) are needed, everything is launched directly via the ethernet network.
In the second option, the Device Server (SOI) application is loaded into the EM510, then the module is soldered onto the existing board in such a way that several input/output lines are used to communicate with the central microcontroller. Thus, the device becomes Ethernet compatible. Various sensors, recorders, actuators – almost any automation and dispatching elements can be modified to “Ethernet compatible” using the EM510 module.
It is a member of the MiniMo family. The peculiarity of this product line is – reduction of mechanical dimensions to the minimum, and at the same time increase of the speed of operation of modules.
As the smallest of our BASIC/C-programmable modules, the EM510's 'vertical slice' fits behind a standard RJ45 connector, taking up just 18.5 x 6.5 mm (0.73 x 0.25″) of board space.
It has Ethernet and optional Wi-Fi/BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) connectivity. One serial port supporting full/half duplex RS232, Wiegand and clock/data modes. 10 I/O lines.
You can find a detailed technical description of the module on the official page https://tibbo.com/store/modules/em510.html
What's the special thing about programmable Ethernet modules?
The main advantage of these modules is that they give you complete freedom for creativity. With the help of Tibbo IDE and ready-made open source projects, you can create unique solutions for your tasks. Regardless of whether you are developing a new production control system or upgrading old equipment, programmable Ethernet modules will help you cope with any challenges.
In addition to programmable modules, we also have non-programmable modules.
Fixed Function Serial-to-Ethernet Modules
These non-programmable devices are specifically designed for serial-to-Ethernet conversion.
When you need to connect a serial device to a computer, a Serial to Ethernet converter comes to the rescue. It allows serial devices to connect to a computer via a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, either wired or wirelessly.
Serial to Ethernet converters work on the same principle: install the driver software (virtual COM) on the computer, after which IP/TCP data will be converted to serial data and back, transmitted as IP/TCP packets.
The main function of these devices is to connect devices with serial ports (RS232, RS485, RS422), such as barcode scanners, GPS, and serial printers. This allows remote control and interaction with such devices via a computer.
All modules are compatible with the Tibbo Device Server Toolkit (TDST) for Windows, which includes a virtual serial port driver (VSPD). A Linux version of the VSPD is also available.
One example of a non-programmable module is the EM203 Serial-to-Ethernet Module.
You can find a detailed technical description of the module on the official page https://tibbo.com/store/modules/em203.html
Conclusion
The future is here, and programmable and non-programmable Ethernet modules are an integral part of it. If you want to keep up with the times and take advantage of all the IIoT opportunities, you should pay attention to these tiny but powerful devices. As the ancient Greeks said, “less is more.” Join the IIoT revolution and make your projects smarter and more efficient with Ethernet modules from Tibbo.
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