DEV FieldConnect: enabling Internet of Things applications

• Grant number: 15/50571-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: February 01, 2017 - January 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Industrial Electronics, Electronic Systems and Controls
• Convênio/Acordo: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Camilo Rodegheri Mendes dos Santos
• Grantee: Camilo Rodegheri Mendes dos Santos
• Host Company: DEV Tecnologia, Indústria, Comércio, Manutenção de Equipamentos Ltda. - ME
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

This project aims to carry out technical additions to the DEV FieldConnect product to ensure its functionality, quality, remote management, encapsulation and packaging suitable for marketing. The DEV FieldConnect is a hub device, a storage, controller of data from sensors and a transmitter to the Internet. Specially designed for Internet of things applications, has an ARM processor low power consumption, internal memory for data storage, Internet connectivity via Ethernet, WiFi, USB Modem Module or cell for output to web platform on servers in the cloud, and visualization in graphs, reports and automated alerts. It offers input channels and opto-isolated outputs with industrial grade reliability, as well as input for various externa I sensors and can be customized for many different applications and use cases such as energy consumption monitoring, controlled environmental conditions and assets management. The device can receive commands over the Internet with configuration parameters and actions to be performed on digital outputs, relay or externa I device connected via Modbus and has encryption. Within the DEV FieldConnect line, the goal is to develop a series of sensors compatible with FieldConnect. In addition to the sensors, also is part of the product the DEV FieldConnect Manager, software platform that enables remote management of DEV FieldConnect devices (remote configuration parameters, firmware update over the air, connectivity status checking, energy and functioning of DEV FieldConnects and associated sensors). We already have specified, designed, prototyped and tested an alpha version in proof of concept with two commercial customers where we have succeeded and attracted interest on new purchases. The objective of this research is to ensure product quality and preparing for large-scale production and marketing, which involves device operation simulation in computing environment, certification regulators (Anatel, FCC, CE), mechanical office development and secondary packaging, development firmware and software for remote management platform devices, testing of electronic assembly provider and professional training to ensure continuous improvement and technological upgrading of the product over the years. (AU)