The arkorIoT Open Platforms

The goal of the akorIoT team was to create a series of open platforms similar to the idea of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that could support a complete range of IoT projects.

As with a PLC the programmability, storage of the program in memory and the execution of the program are provided. Unlike a PLC the program code is not executed with an interpreter, programming is done in C with free-of-charge C compilers. The block diagrams are disclosed as it is for a PLC.  The addresses of the sensors on the main board, I2C bus, UART, counter, AD converter and much more can be reached by the programmer with their own code.

NB-IoT, LTE-M, GSM and optionally BLE and Wi-Fi are available for wireless communications. Location services are achieved either via GNSS, Wi-Fi, BLE or cell locating via GSM, NB-IoT or LTE-M. Further radio modules and sensors can be attached using the expansion connectors via I2C and UART.

The platforms may be used in many applications without hardware modification. This reduces the development costs in an IoT project to zero. If sensors are not required, these can be left out at the customer’s request. The Bill of Materials for an embedded antenna is zero because a multi-band PCB antenna is integrated onto the motherboard’s ground plane.

In addition to the hardware and firmeware, the akorCLOUD service is available to the SensPRO customer free of charge for 3 months. The akorCLOUD is not only used to collect and manage the remotely measured data, but also manages the program code of the SensPRO in the field. With SensPROs the program code can be exchanged remotely. You have full control over a SensPRO anywhere in the world.

The akorIoT team is available for a full range of consulting services on hardware design, firmware, back end and client application software.

You can read about some customer applications here.  The Quantec tracking device is a good example for an IoT development. Quantec first acquired the IoT/M2M Cookbook and quickly gained a good basic knowledge by reading it. After that Quantec bought one of the akorIoT boards and did a Proof of Concept (PoC). The Quectel radio module and the MCU STM32L4xx were tested and then transferred to a new customer specific board. Quantel itself programmed the MCU and the server for the sensors in the construction industry.