IoT Products, technology, and Services

There are many technologies to connect THINGs to the INTERNET.  Raveon has many wireless WIoT products and complete wireless solutions, and all of them can also be used on your private network or your Local Area Network (LAN).

There are many technologies that need to be incorporated together to make a complete end-to-end IoT solution.  Raveon utilizes all of these technologies.

IoT Gateways

An Internet of Things (IoT) Gateway is a smart router, or PC with software program that serves as the connection point between the Cloud Servers, Controller Computers, and the remote sensors and intelligent devices. All data goes through the gateway, which can be either a dedicated hardware device or software program.
An IoT Gateway is also be referred to as an Intelligent Gateway or a Control Tier or Smart Router. A Gateway provides a place to pre-process the data locally, and route it to the proper servers, base stations, and end devices.

Raveon’s Cigorn Gateway is a Smart Router running on a miniature Linux PC.

Wireless IoT Links

Data Radio Modems and Wireless Ethernet are common ways to connect WIoT devices to the Cloud.

Short range solutions use WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbie.

For long-range and large systems, wireless Radio Modems can cover states and countries. Good long range radio modems can reliably communicate 10 to 50 miles, depending upon the technology and RF power. For large areas of communications, wireless IoT (WIoT) is the most popular way to connect things to the Cloud.

Wireless saves cost and time because large wires are not needed and when a system is installed ,moved, or re-worked, wireless is so easy to move compared to wired links. In large areas like football stadiums, campuses, golf courses, and cities, wireless smart devices are the way to go. Wireless radios are more secure than wired connections because awire can easily break.

Hardware Connections

To connect certain devices to your network or the IoT Cloud, most devices have interfaces on them to connect to networks or data communication devices.

The most common wired IoT Comm interfaces are:  Serial UART, USB , and Ethernet, digital UART .
The most common wired IoT IO interfaces are:  Digital inputs and outputs, (4-20 mA) loop, voltage meters with ADC, serial to stream data, I2C, SPI, GPIO, FIO, .

Raveon has a myriad of interface options for long range wireless connectivity. We support all of these connections listed here. For Wireless RTUs, our SCADA modems have GPIO interface options that are efficient, easy to use, and secure.

IoT Communication Protocols

Network and Cloud:  TCPIP network data communications
Device Identification: IPv4/IPv6,  RF IDs

Routers and Gateways:  Wifi, Bluetooth, LPWAN, Cigorn
Router Communication Protocols for data routing:
WMX, MQTT, CoAP, AMQP, Websocket, Node ID

Device Management:   TR-069, OMA-DM, MODBUS, Raveon commands,
MODBUS, DF1, DH, for industry standard SCADA and Telemetry devices.

Raveon’s Ethernet radio modems have TCP/IP Ethernet connections so Wireless IoT  WIoT data passes through as needed with any protocol such as MODBUS, DNP3, MQTT, or all others.

Wireless communications is excellent for the Internet of Things (IoT). Communicating with things using your network, via the Internet, can be done is many different ways.

Sort Range, private, no service fees:

WiFi modems to wireless network connect a thing to a network.

Bluetooth modem to send data to/from something that is close to another device that is connected to a network.

Nation wide, public, with service fees:

Cellular modem to connect a device to a public cellular network, and then route the data to a network or the Internet.

Long Range, private, Free:

Narrow Band Data Radios connect to something, and communicate to a private network or Internet using terminal servers or gateways.

Private Radio Networks can be connected to the Cloud, as long as the system is designed to be secure and reliable. Raveon can work with you to utilize long range Narrow Band private radio modems onto your system, and work with your IT personnel to connect the wireless data to your network, or to Cloud servers. Raveon’s CIGORN gateway is a wireless router designed to deliver secure wired and wireless connectivity for virtually any device.

IoT Gateway

Raveon’s CIGORN Gateway is for the WIoT, and is used for connecting things to:

• Private radio networks
• Wireless systems to public networks.
• Things to the Cloud for Wireless IoT devices.

Route your data in any way you would like to private networks, or Cloud servers using a Cigorn Gateway.

It is a very flexible router/gateway to make sure your devices can communicate with all other devices on the system. It is open source, and has a protocol translator module in it, it you need to translate IoT data to/from other devices.

Wireless IoT  (WIoT) Connections

For Short Range WIoT systems: Use wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee.

Wide Area WIoT systems rely on low-power technologies operating on licensed radio bands and license free bands.
In the  unlicensed bands, popular technologies are: LoRaWAN and Sigfox.
For use on private licensed bands, long-range radio modems cover hundreds of square miles.

For Global Coverage: IoT systems utilize cellular technologies, such as the 4G based LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies and 5G in the future.
Cellular networks work well, but may not have coverage in all areas you need, and they do charge monthly fees

For Long Range Wireless IoT connectivity and machine to machine (M2M) communications, Raveon’s data radio modems can connect y0ur devices to your network or the Cloud if you want:

Data Radio Modems can communicate reliably from 1 to 50 miles.
VHF, 220MHz, and UHF Radio modems are on licensed narrow-band RF channels.
The myriad of IOs features for Wireless Technology in Industrial Automation.
ISM band LoRa modems, are on License Free radio channels with reliable 1-10 mile range.
Raveon makes many custom OEM wireless data communication products to meet customer’s needs.

For tracking the location of devices, utilize GPS tracking radios to send the location, status, speed, heading, and altitude.

Save money by using Remote Terminal Units (RTU) and remote control devices that have wireless connectivity in them.

Radios with General Purpose Inputs and Outputs (GPIOs) can do complete solutions in remote areas. They can do many remote terminal functions without having to buy a remote terminal unit:

Read digital inputs (Switches, sensors, …)
Read analog signals ( Voltage, temperature, current, …)
Read pulsation  (Count pulses, and report vibration rates, pulse rate, pulse counts)
Output Voltage  (Turn a light, pump, valve, device,..  on or off).
Switch a Relay  (Switch the relay to turn AC on/off or any other electrical device).

 

A Wireless RTU simplifies the SCADA  system, and eliminates risks of broken wires.

OEM Radio Modem Modules.

For use insidee your device, Raveon provides a many long-range OEM radio modules.

1-20 miles with 2W UHF,VHF, 220MHz, narrow band modems.

1-10 miles with license free ISM band 915Mhz OEM modems.

All Raveon OEM radio modem modules have all the same features as our Radio Modems.  These miniature OEM modules are design with a AN224(UWORC)so you can connect any model into your device. Build these into your sensor/meter/valve/controller/ or whatever, and you can easily communicate over many miles. Use our data radio modems as your base station, and connect the base to your network our connect it to an IoT Gateway to route the data to and from the remote device.

Ethernet Interface Wireless Data Radios

Terminal Server.  This wireless modem is a Terminal server.  Enclosure can be wireless but many communication connectors are normal, not waterproof.

The RV-M55-E  has a TCP/IP Ethernet interface as a Terminal Server.

This M55-E radio sends and received data using the data radio inside this enclosure. The M6, M8, M50 radio module can be used inside this.

Reliability and Compatibility.  Other-the-air compatible with all Raveon data radio modems, GPS trackers, SCADA devices,  and OEM modules.

Secure Connections.  AES128 encryption can be enabled to encrypt over-the-air data.  Command mode available to configure or monitor the system.

Use as a Remote Device with Ethernet TCP/IP connection. Use as your IoT Base Station to connect your network to a private wireless radio network.

Wireless Data Radio Technology

Raveon’s M24 product has an Antenna Connector on back of it, and a Myriad of IOs on waterproof connectors if front.

The RV-M24 has: a Myriad if IO features to use in wet areas because it has a IP67 waterproof enclosure.

The M24 has waterproof IO interface connectors on the front of the enclosure shown here.
This Waterproof Two-Way Radio can communicate to all Raveon data radios.

RV-M25 Waterproof SCADA Radio for Outside to Get General IO Information (OGGI).

Raveon’s RAZN Autonomous IoT device works reliably by itself and with your Master controller and IoT Cloud server if you want it to.  Click here to see the list of terminal IO pin options

IoT Wireless Technology Working Nodes

The Remote Autonomous Zone Node (RAZN) has a Myriad of IO options and is ultra-reliable:

Extended Range Options.  Use Wires or RF data radio modems. It has a myriad of RF options and IO features.

Cost & Maintenance.  It is low cost, and can operate Autonomously with its own Real Time Clock. Rugged for low maintenance.

Reliability and Compatibility.  Highly integrated electronics with reliable modern technology. Compatible with SCADA systems and MODBUS communications.

Autonomous Operation.  Being able to autonomously operate, gives it unparalleled reliability. Most RTUs and IoT devices need connections or they fail. Not the RAZN.

Raveon’s RAZN Autonomous IoT device works reliably by itself and with your Master controller and IoT Cloud server if you want it to.  Click here to see the list of terminal IO pin options

IoT Hardware Interfaces

The end result always needs to be network interfaces to the Internet, which utilized TCP IP protocols.

In remote areas, network connections can be difficult to maintain, so wireless connections and reliable wired connections are good to have.

IoT Connectivity vie consumer electronics such as WiFi and Bluetooth, is concerning because of security and unreliability. Downtime and internet outages are common.
Data-over-sound is safe. And while it does have the shortcoming of being slower than other connection standards in terms of download/upload speeds,
it is intended largely as a complement to existing connection protocols rather than a replacement, a means of filling in the connection gaps in cases where other protocols aren’t usable.

Raveon’s Autonomous IoT technology is secure and reliable, so if IoT connections go down, the device using Raveon’s IoT technology keeps working as you want it to.

IoT Communication Protocols

Routers and Gateways:

Wi-Fi:  Routers lead the pack when it comes to deploying the latest WiFi standards inside of home and small buildings.

Bluetooth: Is for exchanging data between devices. It communicates over short distances using short-wavelength frequencies. Most use 2.400 to 2.485 GHz frequencies.

The biggest difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth seems to be speed and bandwidth.  Bluetooth is slower, and has shorter range. Wi-Fi is faster, and is typically used to connect to wireless access points. Bluetooth connects devices together over a few feet. For IoT use, Bluetooth master passes the data onto a network via Wi-Fi connection or a TCP/IP Ethernet connection.

Cigorn: Raveon’s open source wireless gateway is a flexible router for connecting wieless devices and base stations to networks and servers or the Cloud.

LPWAN (Low-Power Wide Area Network)  Used in unlicensed spectrum (868 MHz in Europe and 915 MHz in US for example)

Router Communication Protocols for data routing:

WMX Wireless Message Exchange

 WMX:  Raveon’s serial data protocol to specify RF IDs to route to, or where message came from. An also includes RSSI and ability to execute acceptable commands.

ICP/IP    Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

 TCP/IP:  Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), is a communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on computer networks, including the Cloud servers on the Internet. TCP/IP can be used as a communications protocol in a private networks with private servers and computers. It is the primary data communication protocol for network connections, the Internet, Cloud servers, and IoT gateways.

MQTT Message Queuing Telemetry Transport.

 MQTT: is a lightweight publish and subscribe message protocol designed for M2M (machine to machine) telemetry in narrow-band environments. Because it is designed for use in low-band systems, it is super efficient, and great to utilize on wireless IoT networks.

MQTT stands for MQ Telemetry Transport also known as Message Queuing Telemetry Transport.  MQTT is becoming one of the main protocols for IOT (internet of things) deployments. MQTT clients do not have addresses, so you don’t assign addresses to clients like you do with most messaging systems.

CoAP: Constrained Application Protocol

Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) is a specialized web transfer protocol for IoT. Is is used with constrained nodes and constrained networks. Like HTTP, CoAP is based on successful REST model: Servers make resources available under a URL.  Clients access resources using methods such as GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE.

It is an open standard for passing business messages between applications or organizations.  It connects systems and businesses with information they need to reliably transmit with the instructions that achieve their goals.It can connect applications on different platforms. It is used to connect business partners using an open standard.

AMQP: Is a secure, reliable, and low overhead protocol making it perfect for IoT applications. AMQP has features like flexible routing, and durable and persistent queues, clustering, federation and high availability queues. It is a verbose protocol on wired networks. Any AMQP client can communicate with any other AMQP server, regardless of programming language.  It may not be suitable for sensor devices with limited memory or limited network bandwidth.  It supports both TCP and UDP messaging and its required header fields are rather long.

Websocket:  It Enables a server and client to send messages to each other at any time, without an explicit request by one or the other.  WebSocket enables a full-duplex connection between a client and a server

Node ID

Device Management:

TR-069,

OMA-DM,

MODBUS,

Raveon commands,

SCADA and Telemetry devices

SCADA and Telemetry protocols are used to connect a Master Controller to remote Slave devices.

Slave devices are used for many different reasons such as: turning light on and off, turning valves on and off, measuring temperature, measuring voltage, measuring power, monitoring buttons. monitoring weather, and thousands of other uses.

Traditionally, the slaves are wired to the Master controller, or a Remote terminal unit.  Raveon’s data radio modems are used to wirelesly connect Master Controllers to Slave Devices.  Data Radio Modems have a myriad of IO options to connect wireless links to any type of Slave Device. Wireless SCADA uses serial communications and and Wireless RTUs have a variety of interfaces built into them.

MODBUS:  A typical Modbus network is shown below. Network communicates using a Master Controller communicating with the Slave Devices. A single master device initiates all transactions on the network. Slave devices respond to the master’s queries, by returning data or performing an requested action. Slaves are often connected using RS485 or RS422 serial connections.

Use  Raveon’s Data Radios to monitor Sensors to Monitor remotely. Raveon’s data radios with GPIO interfaces cam utilize Sensors to Monitor.  Query them via a SCADA computer, or have them mimic the sensor a long ways away.

IoT Messaging

Machine to Machine M2M.

A machine often needs to communicate with another machine. Sensors and switched send messages to other devices that need to be turned on/off or controlled.

SCADA Auto-Report Safe Zones.

Smart devices can be configured to automatically report their status. Raveon’s Wireless RTU devices can be configure to automatically report their status. Auto-Reporting can be setup to report based upon:

• Digital input status, 1 or 0.
• Digital input pulse rate, number of changes per second, minute or hour.
• Digital input duration, number of milliseconds the sate of the input is 1 or 0 (on or off).
• Voltage input above or below a specific voltage.
• Voltage input threshold timing, the input voltage above of below a threshold for a number of milliseconds, seconds, or minutes.
• Temperature input above or below a specific voltage.
• Temperature input threshold timing, the input voltage above of below a threshold for a number of milliseconds, seconds, or minutes.
• Vibration of the device above a specific G force.
• Vibration rate above a preset threshold rate of pulses per second.
• Auto report Status every XX number of seconds, minutes, or hours.  So if a device fails and can’t communicate, the master control will notice the status is missing.

Auto-Reporting save power and communication bandwidth, because fast status updating may require polling devices many times a second.  If you have 1000 button, and need to know within 250mS which one is pressed, then they need to be polled 4000 time per second. This makes the system very busy.  If the button sensors can Auto-Report, then the status can be passed on in less than 50mS and very little communication bandwidth is needed. This is why Raveon’s Wireless RTUs have Auto Report features. Very efficient and easy to use.

IO MIMIC

The MIMIC mode in the Radio Modems is setup so one device’s OI pins MIMIC the other device’s IO pins.  Two radio modems setup in MIMIC mode will MIMIC each other, and automatically go to default states upon power-up or RF communications failure.

Polled Sensors

Using industry standard protocols, such as MODBUS, remote sensors can be periodically polled.  If you have 1000 buttons, and need to detect a button press within 250mS which one is pressed, then they need to be polled 4000 time per second. Polling is very reliable, and the status return quickly after the device is polled.