Tag: Hardware

Extend the Intel® Retail Sensor Platform with Beacons

Posted on by Mark Scantlebury

The Intel® Retail Sensor Platform offers brick-and-mortar stores a compelling solution for revolutionizing inventory tracking, collecting in-depth intelligence on customer behavior and preferences, and dramatically reducing losses from misplaced items and inventory shrink. All this helps retailers deliver improved customer experiences and increase sales.

However, as an end-to-end Internet of Things (IoT) solution, there is more this platform can do to boost physical store success. As an example, let’s look at how adding a retail beacon solution from MobStac could extend this platform, helping physical stores track and engage customers on the sales floor.

The Intel® Retail Sensor Platform

The Intel Retail Sensor Platform provides a complete Internet of Things (IoT) platform for helping developers, solution providers, and system integrators quickly create and deploy retail solutions informed by analytics (Figure 1). This flexible, secure foundation enables better inventory tracking, faster time to insight from retail data, and new ways to increase customer satisfaction.

Figure 1. The Intel® Retail Sensor Platform provides a complete Internet of Things (IoT) platform for helping developers and system integrators quickly create and deploy retail solutions informed by analytics.

Early implementations focused on using RFID technology to track the movement and location of inventory, and relate it with other data to identify ways to increase sales and profitability. As described in this white paper, the inventory accuracy and management improvements achieved by the Intel Retail Sensor platform deliver the following benefits:

  • Lower inventory carrying costs
  • Fewer missed sales opportunities
  • Reduced inventory shrinkage
  • Optimized product placement
  • Increased sales associate effectiveness
  • Improved order fulfillment
  • Expanded customer services

The platform accomplishes all this by providing the ingredients to securely send RFID and other sensor data to the cloud for analysis by business-class applications. Key components include:

  • Retail IoT sensors to detect everything from inventory movement to customers in the store
  • IoT gateways for collecting sensor data and sending it to the cloud
  • Cloud and big data architecture to ingest and analyze retail data
  • External APIs to enable software developers to easily integrate innovative applications
  • Application software to perform retail functions such as inventory tracking, replenishment notifications, and insights on customer movements and consideration of specific items

Adding Beacons

Beacons are low-cost, low-powered transmitters equipped with wireless technology such as Bluetooth* Low Energy (BLE or also called Bluetooth 4.0 or Bluetooth Smart). In a retail store, a beacon communicates with a customer’s smartphone or tablet app to determine the customer’s location in a particular aisle or department and deliver context-aware messages.

Using beacons enables retailers to better know who is in their stores, where they spend the most time, and how effective in-store sales promotions are in drawing traffic. Beacons also give retailers the ability to entice customers to make immediate purchases through real-time coupons and other promotional techniques.

Consider these two examples:

  • A beacon communicating with a smartphone could identify what store section a customer just entered. If there is anything in that section that is on the customer’s shopping list or recent browser search history, the store could send a notification through the beacon (Figure 2).
  • A beacon could identify the in-store presence of a member of the retailer’s customer loyalty program and send a discount on a certain item based on past purchases or predicted interest.

in-store image.jpg

Figure 2. A beacon communicating with a smartphone could identify what store section a customer just entered and send a notification of something in that section that is on the customer’s shopping list.

Because the Intel Retail Sensor Platform architecture is based on an industry-standard, open-software platform, new functions and sensors, such as beacons, can be added to the platform any time. System integrators and developers can write applications to the external API and analytics engine to access sensor data from the gateway, cloud, or metadata.

The platform runs on private (on-premise) and public cloud infrastructures. It offers an open-source analytics platform-as-a-service (PaaS) for cloud applications (Figure 3). It can be extended and customized by solution providers, enabling solution providers such as MobStac to easily add their solution to the platform and expand it to include retail beacons and their analytics solution.

Figure 3. The Intel® Retail Sensor Platform offers an open-source analytics platform-as-a-service (PaaS) for cloud applications.

Advantages of MobStac

MobStac offers an end-to-end platform for businesses to engage customers in a personalized, context-aware way that leverages indoor location and proximity, using iBeacon and Wi-Fi* technology. MobStac’s proximity marketing and analytics platform, Beaconstac is a proximity marketing and analytics product using Bluetooth* Low Energy (BLE) beacon technology. With iBeacon (Apple technology) and Eddystone (Google technology) hardware, iOS and Android SDKs, and a cloud platform to manage everything in one place, Beaconstac provides a quick and easy way to increase customer engagement and gather useful analytics in physical spaces.

Retailers can use Beaconstac to send relevant offers to in-store customers, as well as gather and visualize data about who the customers are and how they engage with a specific physical store. For really large stores, Beaconstac can also enable indoor wayfinding to guide customers to products they want.

screen image.png

Figure 4. MobStac Beaconstac helps retailers gather and visualize data about who their customers are and how they engage with a specific physical store.

Beaconstac’s beacons are fully secure, enterprise-ready solutions that can operate as long as four years with just AA batteries. Their iBeacon and Eddystone compatibility enables them to work with the vast majority of smartphones and tablets.

Beaconstac software includes campaign management tools for creating and managing proximity marketing campaigns. The iOS and Android SDKs make creating mobile apps offering customized beacon experiences easy. Developer documentation includes tutorials, technical information, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Getting Started

MobStac offers a Beaconstac starter kit that includes three enterprise-grade beacons, the Beaconstac app with SDKs for iOS and Android, and free access to a cloud-based proximity marketing and analytics console for 60 days (Figure 5). Purchasing the starter kit includes assistance from MobStac engineers in setting up a test location-based campaign.

kit.png

Figure 5. The Beaconstac starter kit includes three enterprise-grade beacons, the Beaconstac app with SDKs for iOS and Android, and free access to a cloud-based proximity marketing and analytics console for 60 days.

For help implementing Beaconstac on the Intel Retail Sensor Platform, retailers can turn to a complete list of solution integrators, analytics providers, and technology providers that can provide deployment assistance. See the list on this web page.

Step Up to Proximity Marketing

Adding a solution like MobStac’s Beaconstac to the Intel Retail Sensor Platform is a great way to extend the Intel Retail Sensor Platform and reap even more benefit from its ability to improve physical store operations and better compete with online-only merchants. To learn about other innovative retail solutions, visit the Solutions Directory.

Putting Digital Signage in Motion

Posted on by Mark Scantlebury

There’s nothing like mass transit trains and buses for providing a captive audience for advertising. In fact, many transit systems depend on advertising revenues to supplement their tight budgets and help hold down fare prices. But do transit companies need a dedicated media player on a train or bus to deliver advertising? Or is it possible to give them more for their money by offering multi-function telematics solutions that can perform other important tasks?

Digital signage manufacturers and system integrators looking to offer such a versatile product would need a unit that can deliver powerful compute and graphics capabilities while operating within the power constraints of a bus or train. In addition, this unit would need to meet all the environmental challenges of life on wheels and rails – from temperature extremes to vibration.

Portwell recently introduced such a rugged, multi-function solution for handling mobile digital signage and more (Figure 1). Their PCS-8311P telematics system is a tough embedded computer offering four Power over Ethernet (PoE) M12 ports. These ports enable the system to perform as a digital signage media player and a network video recorder (NVR) by providing data transfer capabilities and power to smart displays and onboard surveillance cameras over a connection that can withstand serious shock and vibration. The ports can also solidly connect and power other LAN peripherals, such as door sensors or ticket printers.

Figure 1. The Portwell PCS-8311P telematics system makes a versatile onboard media player that can handle NVR duties and a variety of other transit tasks.

Overall, the PCS-8311P is a textbook example of versatility. It is designed for use in commercial and municipal vehicles in applications such as in-vehicle infotainment, digital signage, mobile communications, navigation, onboard surveillance, and fleet management.

Let’s take a look how its design, extensive I/O, powerful but low-power-consumption processor, and other features make it so well-suited to on-the-road digital signage applications and more.

Rugged Design

The PCS-8311P meets MIL-STD-810F standards for vibration, shock and crash hazards, as well as EN50121 standards and EN50155 certification for railway applications (Figure 2). The unit’s tough aluminum-alloy enclosure includes cooling fins and wall- and VESA-mounting options, enabling the system to operate in harsh environments. The unit supports a wide operating temperature range (-40°~70°C), allowing use in almost any climate – cold, tropical, and desert. Its M12 ports enable unshakeable connections. And dual hot-swappable SATA storage with options for SSDs and RAID 1 (as well as RAID 0) provides redundancy and fast drive replacement to keep vehicles in service.

Figure 2. The Portwell PCS-8311P meets MIL-STD-810F standards for vibration, shock and crash hazards, as well as EN50121 standards and EN50155 certification for railway applications.

Built for Vehicle Power and Communications Limitations

Buses and trains generally operate on 24/28-volt systems, and their electronic components face input voltage power variances during operation. In addition, embedded computers for transit need to incorporate ignition-sensing power control systems to ensure their digital signage and other applications operate only when the vehicle is running. This prevents battery drainage when vehicles are garaged. Equally important, transit embedded systems must perform sequenced shutdowns so that when a bus or train is shut off, the signage solution’s operating system does not crash and introduce errors in the software.

The PCS-8311P is designed to run on a wide range of DC power – from 9V to 36V. Its intelligent power ignition control provides power management for smart startups and shutdowns. It even includes short-circuit protection through an auto-recovery function. The four IEEE802.3af PoE interfaces deliver up to 15.4W per port – enough to power surveillance cameras, smart displays, and even self-contained (all-in-one) digital signage systems.

As for communications, the PCS-8311P offers an excellent array of choices for connecting on the move. The unit supports up to three wireless modules, including LTE, 3.5G (with SIM card), and WLAN (Wi-Fi). It also offers GSM/GPRS and Bluetooth*, plus GPS Dead Reckoning. Savvy developers can use the GPS Dead Reckoning to offer timely location-based advertising and information. For instance, when the bus or train is approaching a stop with a restaurant, pre-arranged advertising for that restaurant could display a special for transit riders.

Wide Range of Essential I/O

Rich COM I/O interfaces, including support for optional CAN 2.0B, help transit companies maximize their investment in legacy devices and equipment. The unit includes three RS-232 (two with RS-485 and Auto Direction Control), two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, four in and four out DIO ports, one line-out audio, one microphone port, and one SIM card socket (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Of course, there are also the aforementioned M12 Ports for GbE PoE, as well as three display connections (DVI-I, DisplayPort, and VGA).

Figure 3. The Portwell PCS-8311P provides a rich selection of I/O on both sides of the unit.

A Processor Designed for Efficient Compute and Graphics Performance

With a thermal design power (TDP) rating of 15 W, the 5th generation Intel® Core™ i7-5650U processor brings all the performance you expect of an Intel® Core™ i7 processor to applications requiring low power consumption and stunning images and video. Now you can put on wheels and rails the same Ultra HD 4K graphics as advanced indoor systems.

The 5th generation Intel Core i7-5650U processor profits from Intel’s 14nm technology, 2nd generation 3D tri-gate transistors, and latest architectural enhancements. The processor combines a powerful dual-core CPU with a platform controller hub (PCH) to create a single multi-chip solution. The result is a PC-class processor for space- and power-constrained embedded applications that delivers solid compute performance, HD graphics, and high quality sound.

The integrated Intel® HD Graphics 6000 engine uses an improved architecture and an additional VDBOX unit (multi-format video codec). For digital signage applications, this combination delivers smoother visual quality, extremely fast media-transcode performance, and outstanding HD media playback. Intel® Clear Video HD technology and Intel® Quick Sync Video 2 add visual quality and color fidelity enhancements that enable eye-catching video quality. Codec support includes VP8 and HEVC/H.265. The processor supports the latest APIs as well – DirectX 11.2 and OpenGL 4.3.

For cases where the PCS-8311P is used both as a digital signage media player and an NVR, the 5th generation Intel® Core™ processors deliver faster video conversion compared to the previous generation. Video conversion to compressed formats can make a big difference in how many hours of video can be saved onboard the unit’s two drives.

Make a Compelling Case for Your Digital Signage Solution

The Portwell PCS-8311P is an excellent platform to build on for offering a transit digital signage system that can do double duty and even triple duty as an NVR and a mobile communications, management and navigation system. In addition, manufacturers can visit the Solutions Directory to find other rugged digital signage systems.

Speeding an Advanced Medical Image Generator to Market

Posted on by Mark Scantlebury

Healthcare providers are constantly looking for enhancements in image generation to help them improve patient diagnosis and outcomes. Over the last 20 years, applying such enhancements to ultrasound, magnetic resonance, radiography, radiation oncology, mammography, interventional x-ray, fluoroscopy, and molecular imaging systems has transformed modern healthcare, enabling earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Enhancements to medical imaging has transformed modern healthcare, enabling earlier detection and more accurate diagnosis.

Seeking a boost in performance, a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for medical/surgical simulation systems approached EmbedTek, a designer and manufacturer of embedded solutions for OEMs in healthcare and other markets. The OEM shared an ongoing challenge with their current supplier – they frequently changed their configuration, forcing the OEM to make adaptions. These adaptions interrupted production and required costly revalidations.

EmbedTek offered to design a platform that would met their current requirements and allow for upgrades – on the OEM’s schedule.

A Proven Product Realization Process

EmbedTek has their own product realization process designed to provide customers with a scalable set of services and capabilities. This enables customers to leverage EmbedTek in ways that suit their business needs or a particular project. EmbedTek can work as a part of a customer’s team to help meet their goals, determine how to source, manufacture and support the end product long-term, and maintain accountability for all aspects. From concept, R&D and design to prototypes, validation, launch, and production, EmbedTek can help customers with any and all aspects of a product’s lifecyle.

This particular engagement with the medical OEM provides a good example of how the process works. The overall challenge from EmbedTek’s perspective was to simultaneously manage system design to meet the OEM’s demanding performance requirements, while also managing supply chain design to align component availability with the customer’s scheduled program upgrades. In the design stage, EmbedTek determined that the image generator would need a high performance processor, proprietary I/O card, and the capacity to support up to two high-end video cards Since some configurations would require concealing the system within a portable cart, thermal management was also important.

To meet the performance and thermal requirements, EmbedTek selected the 6th generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor product family. Recently introduced at the time of design, the embedded versions of the processor offer a significant performance leap as the previous generation within a standardized thermal envelope. The processors include long lifecycle support to protect the development investment.

To handle the image generating tasks, EmbedTek’s new system, the Burke 1040 Image Generator, provides room for multiple internal drives and the video cards. It also includes multiple onboard I/O slots to accommodate various card types, including native support for up to two legacy PCI boards (avoiding any transition through PCI Express*). The Burke 1040 also provides 10 USB ports, including six USB 3.0 ports.

To house the processor and its motherboard, EmbedTek designed a custom chassis providing the necessary airflow and form factor. The all-aluminum chassis made the finished system significantly lighter than earlier systems and provided a better fit into the final product (Figure 2).

Figure 2. The Burke 1040 Image Generator features a lightweight design with an aluminum chassis.

As for prototypes and validation, by applying custom design tools to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, EmbedTek delivered prototype systems to the customer within four weeks from the project’s start. EmbedTek also aligned program milestones with a main program update including a new discrete graphics card and revised software for launch.

Since the previous system was already end-of-life, making the launch date was critical. EmbedTek’s product realization process ensured the launch date was made. The solution is now in full production, EmbedTek is managing the supply chain for all components, including the customer-specified I/O card. As a result, the OEM needs to track only one SKU instead of several. EmbedTek communicates component availability with the OEM in real time, and proactively lets them know when supply situations call for end-of-life buys. The result is future system upgrades will now be at scheduled program upgrades, not based on surprise component changes.

Advantages of Choosing the Latest Processor

A big plus for the medical image generator’s development was the timely launch of the 6th generation Intel® Core™ processor product family (Figure 3). As a Platinum-level Intel® Technology Provider, EmbedTek enjoyed early access to Intel’s roadmap and design help in implementing the processor in its designs.

Figure 3. Die map of a 6th generation Intel® Core™ processor.

The 6th generation Intel Core processors deliver the power of Intel’s leading 14nm process and the latest 3D transistors. As a result, these processors allow for more transistors at lower power consumption, enabling new capabilities and enhanced performance. For example, compared to previous generation Intel® Core™ i5 processors, the 6th generation Intel® Core™ i5 processors deliver up to 60 percent better compute performance. In addition, with Intel® Speed Shift Technology, system responsiveness sees a 20-45 percent improvement.

For medical image generator applications, this performance boost translates into faster results. Support for DDR4 RAM also contributes to these performance gains, providing capacity for up to 64GB RAM and high transfer speeds than DDR3. The 6th generation Intel® Core™ i7 and i5 processors also include Intel® Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology for an extra burst of performance in tasks that can benefit from a periodic hike in frequency.

The Intel® Core™ i7 processors have the added advantage of Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology, which allows each processor core to work on two tasks at the same time. This improves multitasking and speeds up the workflow to accomplish more in less time. The processor’s integrated graphics capabilities also support graphics programmability features such as OpenCL 2.0. This make it easy for programmers to take advantage of the graphics units for added compute capabilities.

For imaging tasks, Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions 2.02 (Intel® AVX2) add to the performance gains. Intel AVX2’s 256-bit integer instructions and new instructions for FMA (Fused Multiply Add) help deliver better performance on media and floating point computations, including imaging and compression.

Healthcare organizations are naturally concerned about security, particularly when devices are connected to the network and access to electronic health records (EHRs). The 6th generation Intel Core processors provide considerable protection through hardware-level security features. These features include:

  • Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX) which give applications the ability to create hardware enforced trusted execution protection for their applications’s sensitive routines and data
  • Intel® Memory Protection Extensions which help protect application run-time integrity
  • Intel® Device Protection Technology with BIOS Guard 2.0 which helps protect the system during boot

Improve Your Imaging with a New Generation of Processor

If you’re looking to enhance an imaging system, you can find the EmbedTek Burke 1040 Image Generator, as well as a wealth of other systems and boards using 6th generation Intel Core processors, in our Solutions Directory.

Make a Power Play with Three Gaming Boards

Posted on by Mark Scantlebury

As casinos watch their core customer base age and drop in numbers, they’re looking for ways to get millennials into the game. To lure them, casinos are placing bets on a new generation of games that require skill and not just chance. For gaming machine makers, that means building more powerful systems that deliver the performance and graphics these game require.

The timing is perfect. With the recent release of the 6th generation of Intel® Core™ processor product family, there is a solid selection of boards available that deliver the fast action and visual excitement of the latest games, as well as the enhanced security features casinos need.

A Processor Built for Action and Games

In development for more than four years, the Skylake microarchitecture used in the 6th generation Intel Core processor family provides the advanced compute and graphics performance needed for high-resolution video playback, seamless game play, and many other enhancements (Figure 1). The extreme scalability of the processors enables boards targeting everything from fanless systems drawing as low as 15 W (Thermal Design Power) to powerful platforms for the most demanding gaming enthusiasts.

Figure 1. The Skylake microarchitecture used in the 6th generation Intel® Core™ processors delivers enhancements in nearly every aspect of processor and graphics performance.

Harnessing the power of Intel’s leading 14nm process and latest 3D transistors, 6th generation Intel Core processors pack more performance into a smaller space. The result is powerful small form factors capable of mainstream gaming capabilities.

Support for the latest DDR4 SDRAM enables higher data rate transfer speeds for low latency and more responsive game play. To further amplify performance, Intel® Core™ i7 and i5 processors include Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. This feature dynamically increases processor frequency as needed, taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give compute or graphics tasks a burst of speed when they need one and increased energy efficiency when they don’t. Intel Turbo Boost is perfect for gaming systems because it can fire up performance to handle fast-paced action such as a rapid transition to a new game environment.

As for graphics, the stunning visuals available from these processors’ integrated graphics eliminate the need and the extra cost of a discrete graphics card. Videos come to life in Ultra HD 4K for vibrant multimedia experiences on Ultra HD and 4K displays (up to 4096—2304 resolutions with up to 60Hz refresh rates). The processors support HEVC (H.265), VP8, and VP9, plus accelerate video functions with Intel® Quick Sync Video technology. Native support for the new Direct X 12 API (as welll as legacy compatibility with Open GL and DirectX 9 and 11 APIs) ensures a better experience on the many games coming out now supporting DirectX 12.

These latest processors also address security. Casinos need to protect systems against malware used to increase winnings or gain access to the casino’s network. The 6th generation Intel Core processors offer advanced hardware-level security features such as:

  • Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX) that help protect the gaming system and its data
  • Intel® Memory Protection Extensions that help protect an application’s run-time integrity
  • Intel® Device Protection Technology with BIOS Guard 2.0 and Boot Guard to help protect the system during boot
  • Intel® OS Guard that protects the operating system (OS) kernel, preventing use of malicious data or attack code from taking over or compromising the kernel

Three Ways to Build Skill-Based Casino Game Platforms

As you might expect, what’s good for PC-based enthusiast gaming platforms is good for machines designed to bring millennials onto the casino floor.

ADLINK equips its AmITX-SL-G Mini-ITX board to suit a variety of gaming platforms through a range of 6th generation Intel® Core™ i7/i5/i3 processors (Figure 2). The board is available with up to 32GB of dual channel DDR4 at 2133MHz and three DisplayPort (DP) outputs for running up to three independent displays at up to 4096 x 2160. For audio, 7.1 channel audio will keep gamers in their seats.

Figure 2. ADLINK AmITX-SL-G Mini-ITX board

Expansion and I/O are extensive. PCI Express (PCIe) slots include one PCIe x16 Gen3, one PCIe x1 Gen2, one Mini PCIe full-size slot, and one Mini PCIe half-size slot. The board offers three SATA 6 Gbps ports, plus four USB 3.0, three USB 2.0, one RS-232/422/485, and three RS-232 serial ports. For networking, an Ethernet controller is included.

AAEON’sA Mini-ITX board, the EMB-H110B, is a low profile unit set up for a range of 6th generation Intel Core processors (Figure 3). The board handles up to 32GB of dual channel DDR4 and can power two independent displays (DP/HDMI). Realtek audio delivers the soundscape.

Figure 3. AAEON EMB-H110B Mini-ITX board

Expansion and I/O includes one PCIe x1, one half-size Mini-Card (PCIe + USB) x 1, one full/half-size Mini-Card x 1 (default: SATA 6.0Gb/s), four USB 3.0 ports, and six USB 2.0 ports (two ports for Mini Card, four ports at mid-board). An Ethernet controller is included.

The Avalue EMX-Q170 Mini-ITX board is a high-end performer with excellent power management for gaming applications (Figure 4). It supports up to 32GB dual channel DDR4 2133MHz system memory and triple independent display (VGA, HDMI, DP). The I/O includes one full/half-size Mini PCIe with mSATA support, one SIM card slot, one full/half-size Mini PCIe for WiFi module, one PCIe x16, four USB 3.0, six USB 2.0, six COM ports, six SATA III (one switch by jumper for mSATA) and 8-bit GPIO. Realtek 5.1 channel audio provides the sound experience. The unit includes two LAN ports.

Figure 4. Avalue EMX-Q170 Mini-ITX board

Game On in the Casino

To find out more about these and other boards that use 6th generation Intel Core processors to offer the muscle to bring skill-based games to the casino floor, check out our regularly updated Solutions Directory.

Find Kiosk Components Fast in the Solutions Directory

Posted on by Mark Scantlebury

To demonstrate the effectiveness of the Intel® Internet of Things Solutions Alliance’s Solutions Directory, this post looks at how using it to search for components can accelerate the assembly of a kiosk solution for digital signage. One objective in this demonstration will be finding solutions for monitoring the advertising effectiveness of the kiosk and increasing sales.

We often direct readers of Embedded Innovator publications to the Solutions Directory. With over 5,000 entries, it is an incredibly powerful resource for finding the latest building-block components and ready-to-go systems. Alliance members are always adding new items, so it continues to grow.

Assembling the hardware and software needed for a kiosk is a good way to demonstrate the Solutions Directory. Free-standing kiosks provide sturdy, tamper-proof portable housings for digital signage. On the sales floor, their physical presence draws attention and is a great way of generating interest in products.

A smart retail strategy is to place a kiosk near a featured product and use it to both advertise the product and provide usage information. For example, consider a high-ticket item like a battery-powered, robotic vacuum cleaner. Many consumers are still unfamiliar with them and need more information and encouragement to make a purchase. Positioning a kiosk nearby the vacuums to display pictures and videos of them in action can help consumers get over this hurdle and boost sales.

Kiosk Components

To make the kiosk, the major components a manufacturer needs are:

  • One or more displays, depending on the kiosk’s design
  • A networked media player to receive, store and deliver the content
  • Content management software to enable advertising creation and management
  • An audience monitoring/analytics solution to track customer interest and advertising effectiveness

Since displays are ubiquitous and available in many sizes and resolutions, we won’t cover them here. Alliance members like Advantech do offer an excellent selection of displays for kiosks, digital signage, and more specialized purposes.

Media Player

Turning to the Solutions Directory to shop for a media player, you can use the “Systems” selection under “Categories” to drill down to “Digital Signage” and then “Media Player.” This brings up a collection of about 130 media players.

These media players come in a wide range of sizes, performance, and other features. Using the “Characteristics” selection, you can narrow down these choices by various criteria. For instance, if you want a unit offering the high quality integrated graphics of the Intel® Core™ processor product family, you can use the processor selection categories to find one. Choosing “Intel® Core™ processor” brings up a number of choices, including the Seneca RCM HDN, a compact, economical media player from Seneca based on an Intel® NUC board. This exclusive design adds an internal power supply, enhanced thermal efficiencies for extreme environments, and a mounting bracket for secure fastening inside a kiosk. There’s also a fanless version for extra quiet operation.

Figure 1. This Intel® NUC-based design is one of many media players available in the Solutions Directory.

The Seneca RCM HDN offers a choice of 5th generation Intel® Core™ i5-5300U and i3-5010U processors, as well as selections from earlier generation Intel® Core™ processors. Designed to deliver stunning graphics and low power consumption (15 W thermal design power), the 5th generation Intel® Core processor product family makes the Seneca RCM HDN an ideal solution for digital signage applications such as interactive kiosks, digital signs, and menu boards. The integrated Intel® HD5500 graphics eliminate the extra cost of a discrete graphics card, providing up to 4K Ultra HD display capabilities and up to 24 percent better graphics performance than the previous generation processor. Equipped with these processors, the Seneca RCM HDN can drive up to three displays and provide integrated 7:1 HD audio.

Content Management

A particular advantage of buying this player is it comes with Intel® Retail Client Manager (Intel® RCM). This advanced content management software enables creation and delivery of individualized digital content to each screen when and where it matters most (see video).

Intel RCM’s enhanced browser-based manageability capabilities allow retailers to remotely control digital touchpoints from anywhere. When a kiosk or digital sign is equipped with a camera, the software can even “look through the lens” to identify gender, approximate age, and interest of a viewer and deliver targeted advertising.

Seneca also offers the Seneca HDN in a version that lets retailers choose their own content management solution. Another good choice in the Solutions Directory is the DYNASIGN Online Service. This software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution allows retailers to immediately deploy digital signage networks without purchasing and managing expensive server hardware and software (Figure 2). Dynasign provides a secure web-based control console for you to schedule and distribute content, as well as monitor and control screens remotely from any computer in office, home or anywhere.

Figure 2. The DYNASIGN Online Service enables retailers to deploy digital signage networks without purchasing and managing expensive server hardware and software.

Analytics

Now let’s talk analytics. With both Intel RCM and Dynasign Online Service, retailers can use Intel® Audience Impression Metric Suite (Intel® AIM Suite) to measure advertising effectiveness. When a kiosk is equipped with anonymous sensors (integrated cameras), Intel AIM Suite’s highly sophisticated computer algorithms accurately count potential and actual audiences for visual messages and merchandising. The camera can be as simple as the ones built into a monitor or a USB camera like one might use with a desktop for video conferencing. Intel AIM Suite profiles viewers with variables as broad as gender and age range or as specific as viewing times and durations.

An interesting alternative to Intel AIM Suite – and also listed in the Solutions Directory – comes from Scanalytics, a manufacturer of intelligent floor sensor systems. Their SoleSensor platform translates consumer foot traffic into actionable data through a dashboard interface to provide real-time and historical data on trends and activity (Figure 3). Using the floor sensor technology, retailers can capture and analyze traffic patterns and engagement times around kiosks and digital signage to improve advertising effectiveness, increase sales, and even notify nearby sales associates of a customer’s interest in a particular ad. SoleSensors have been deployed in locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Figure 3. Scanalytics SoleSensor technology captures and translates consumer foot traffic into actionable data.

What Will You Bring to Market Using the Solutions Directory?

In this post, I’ve given an example of a few of the many products available through the Alliance’s Solution Directory for assembling an advanced kiosk solution. Whether it’s a comprehensive kiosk solution or Smart Factory solution using intelligent gateways, the Solution Directory is the place to go to jump start embedded design efforts.

Putting Electronic Health Records on Wheels

Posted on by Mark Scantlebury

Manufacturers of wireless computer-equipped medical carts face a complicated task. To be competitive, they need to design medical carts that fit within facility and caregiver workflows; provide a comfortable, productive work environment; deliver responsive, reliable computing performance; and contribute to better patient outcomes (Figure 1). Let’s look at how a medical cart computer series using an all-in-one form factor can help manufacturers meet many of these objectives.

medical-cart

Figure 1. Medical cart computers like this one from DT Research help cart manufacturers develop solutions that contribute to better workflows and patient outcomes.

Spanning the Last 100 Feet

While telecommunications companies cite the last mile as the most challenging in connecting users, for healthcare facilities, it’s the last 100 feet. Without medical cart computers or handhelds, the computing age gets left in the hall, increasing the risk of error. Nurses and physicians end up transferring data from the point of care to some other point of record-keeping. That’s why today, besides transporting medications and supplies, carts are increasingly becoming the point-of-care gateway to electronic medical records (EMRs) and electronic medication administration records (e-MARs).

The latest cart designs use smaller footprints, lighter weight, and greater maneuverability to enable clinicians to roll carts up to a bed and enter information without breaking their engagement with the patient. Accessories ranging from wireless barcode scanners to printers increase cart versatility.

Medical Cart Design Challenges

Major challenges in implementing point-of-care computing systems on carts include:

  • Appropriate certifications: As a medical device, medical cart computers must include design and safety features for regulatory compliance in targeted countries. Certifications left to cart manufacturers result in extra development time and costs.
  • Power management: To ensure 24/7 operation on wheels, medical carts need power efficient computers that can run reliably for hours on batteries. Use of external battery packs must take into account the extra weight, heat, and expense.
  • High resolution touch screens. Fast access to EHRs, e-MARs, and other patient and diagnostic information is essential. High contrast, capacitive touch TFT LCD screens enable wide viewing angles and intuitive interfaces.
  • Hardware requirements: The wide range of PC platforms, processors, and displays can make for a lengthy selection process. The increasing number of applications used by medical professions increases the need to ensure adequate performance for present and future needs.
  • Advanced security capabilities: Healthcare organizations must protect patient records at all times to avoid security breaches that can mar an organization’s reputation and bottom line. Any solution connecting to a healthcare facility’s network needs to offer security for both data in storage and motion.

Speeding Medical Cart Solutions to Market

For manufacturers looking for design shortcuts, companies like DT Research that specialize in medical-grade mobile computers are an excellent resource. Their three latest medical cart computers, the DT590BU, DT592BU and DT594BU, provide good examples. These all-in-one, cart-mountable computers allow cart manufacturers to combine their expertise in healthcare design with the latest in wireless mobile computing (Figure 2.)

Figure 2. This figure shows the all-in-one design and hot-swappable batteries available with the DT Research DT590BU, DT592BU and DT594BU systems.

The three units differ in screen size. The DT590BU features a 19? screen, the DT592BU a 22″ screen, and the DT594BU a 24″ screen. All three all-in-ones include anti-microbial enclosures, sealed front panels that make them ideal for clean-sensitive environments. These enclosures make the units easy to clean to prevent bacteria formation. The units’ extensive safety and EMI certifications help manufacturers earn quick approvals for their carts’ in many healthcare environments. Certifications include: CB (IEC60601-1), CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.601.1, EN55011, EN60601-1, UL60601-1, FCC CFR47 Part.18, and RoHS.

For 24/7 mobile operation, the battery-powered DT590BU, DT592BU and DT594BU offer a hot-swappable battery pack option. These battery packs eliminate the need for inconvenient charging cords or high-cost medical cart batteries.

These computers feature a slim, space-saving all-in-one unit that reduces components and cords. Their TFT LCD screens provide 1280 x 1024 and 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution for an optimal viewing experience. Optional highly responsive capacitive touch and four assignable, built-in function buttons enable convenient operation. A VESA-compliant design allows secure mounting on carts.

The built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable network access real-time data access and transmission on the move. An optional smart card reader enables solutions for user authentication identification and convenient data capture and chart updates.

For management, DT Research offers its WebDT Device Manager. This software is a comprehensive management tool for remotely managing networked systems. Using a web browser interface, this database management system supports a network of DT Research embedded appliances over LAN, WAN, and wireless networks (Figure 3). WebDT Device Manager utilizes “push and pull” technology to interact with remote appliances, allowing system administrators to:

  • Inventory hardware
  • Update operating system, BIOS, Client Agent, applications and registry entries
  • Shut down, eboot, and wake up devices
  • Access advanced logging and scheduling capabilities

Figure 3. WebDT Device Manager is a comprehensive management tool for remotely managing networked systems with a web browser interface.

A Processor Prescribed for Mobile Performance

For these medical cart computers, DT Research selected a 5th generation Intel® Core™ i7-5500U processor that runs at a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and an energy-saving 15 W thermal design power (TDP). This processor utilizes Intel’s new 14nm process technology to improve upon the previous generation Intel® Core™ processor’s success, delivering more transistors. The new process, combined with architectural enhancements, enables 5th generation Intel® Core™ processors to deliver up to 24 percent better graphics performance, up to 50 percent faster video conversion, and up to 1.5 hours longer battery life.

The integrated Intel® HD5500 graphics eliminates the need for a power-consuming discrete graphics card and provides up to 4K Ultra HD display capabilities. Healthcare professionals will profit from sharp, clear visual display of EHR data, diagnostic information, and videos.

The processor’s built-in security features offer reassuring protection to healthcare organizations worried about malware and other security breaches. Its Intel® Platform Protection Technology enhances security by verifying the boot portion of the boot sequence. The included Intel® Trusted Execution Technology offers measured launch execution protection, enabling an environment where applications can run within their own space, protected from all other software on the system. Intel® OS Guard, also part of the package, helps prevent compromise of the operating system kernel by attack code or malicious data. Intel® Data Protection Technology, another security feature, provides Intel® Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI). This fast, secure AES engine works with encryption applications to help protect data at rest and in transit.

What the Doctor Ordered

Medical cart computers like the DT590BU, DT592BU and DT594BU help healthcare facilities improve workflows, provide responsive computing performance, and keep more accurate records for better patient outcomes. To see more all-in-one computer designs for the healthcare market, visit our Solutions Directory.

New Generation Processor, New Generation Digital Signage

Posted on by Mark Scantlebury

Once again a new generation of Intel® Core™ processor raises the bar for digital signage systems. Retailers and other digital signage users looking to add Ultra HD 4K images and video to their signage systems will find the 6th generation Intel® Core™ processor product family (formerly codenamed “Skylake”) their best option. The processors offer a full line of scalable choices for making immersive Ultra HD 4K experiences the standard in the industry.

In this post, we look at the advantages of these new processors. We also look at two media players already available with them, as well as a selection of boards for developers to use in refreshing their product line.

A Giant Step Up in Graphics and Performance

Early documentation compares the performance of the mobile versions of this processor family to older generation processors in 5-year-old notebook PCs. This comparison works well for the digital signage market as many digital signage players use low-power versions of embedded processors that are 5 years or older. According to a recent Intel Factsheet, the 6th generation Intel Core processors are “setting a new standard of computing with 2.5x better productivity performance, 3x longer battery life, and 30x better 3D graphics performance when compared to a 5-year-old notebook PC.”

For signage applications, the processors’ new Intel® 500 Series graphics – Intel Gen9 Graphics – deliver up to 40% better graphics performance and 20% faster Ultra HD 4K transcode. Their dedicated hardware supports Ultra HD 4K playback for an Ultra HD 4K experience at a fraction of the power of previous generation systems. The dedicated hardware also frees up processor resources, ensuring faster, smoother response on interactive signage systems.

HEVC/H.265 encoding and decoding capabilities, as well as a better, lower-power H.264 encoder, allow Ultra HD 4K videos to take less bandwidth and storage space. The processors can transcode an Ultra HD 4K video up to 20 percent faster than the prior generation. What’s more, these new processors can drive up to three Ultra HD 4K monitors at once.

The higher performance members of the processor family include Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, an HD version of Intel® Clear Video Technology. The new version improves HD video playback with a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics. You get cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, more realistic skin tones, and a clear and stable video picture.

The new processor family also supports the latest multimedia and graphcs APIs. This includes Microsoft DirectX 12 and Open GL 4.4.

Look, No Wires – and Faster Wakeup, too

The new processor family also delivers an advanced “no wires” experience based on Intel® Wireless Display (WiDi) and Intel Pro WiDi. For retailers, this means easier setup and fewer wires to try to hide. An integrated image signal processor (ISP) also enables designs incorporating a built-in camera, eliminating the need for adding a camera (and wires) to implement solutions like Intel® RealSense™ technology and Intel® Retail Client Manager.

Based on Intel’s leading 14nm process, the 6th generation Intel Core processors enable thinner form factors with wake-up times as short as 0.5 seconds when running Microsoft Windows 10 with Modern Standby implemented. That translates into smaller media players that can fit unobtrusively in more places and start up immediately when the doors open and customers come filing in.

Security and Scalability

Security is improved as well. New features include Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX) that add an additional level of hardware-based protection by putting data into a secure container on the platform. Intel® Memory Protection Extensions (Intel® MPX), another security measure, can help prevent buffer flow attacks. (Note: to be fully utilized, Intel SGX and Intel MPX require additional software capabilities which will begin to be delivered by the ecosystem later this year.)

The 6th generation Intel Core processor family is Intel’s most scalable processor family ever, enabling a diverse range of form factors to meet every media player need. Intel plans to deliver more than 48 processors in the 6th Gen Intel Core processor family, including more than 25 products for the Internet of Things (IoT) with up to 7-year long-life supply and error correcting code (ECC) at multiple TDP levels.

Two Players Already Available

Fast out of the gate with two systems is NEXCOM. Their fanless NDiS B535 media player features a choice of the Intel Core i7-6700TE, i5-6500TE and i3-6100TE processors with support for up to 32GB of DDR4 2133 MHz dual-socket memory. For in-store promotions, the NDiS B535 supports creative, video game-like, 4K2K contents with the unified display output of three HDMI 2.0 ports, accelerated media codecs including HEVC, and the latest API support such as Microsoft® DirectX® 12 on Windows® 10. The digital signage player has a range of interfaces to connect to IP cameras, product tags, and ambient detectors.

For those looking for OPS-compliant systems, NEXCOM offers the NDiS M535 OPS player. Powered by 6th generation Intel® Core™ processor i5-6440EQ, the quiet NDiS M535 delivers triple independent outputs supporting 4K display. Dual DDR4 memory sockets with up to 32GB at 2133MHz enable high-speed responsiveness while fast USB 3.0 ports facilitate interactive peripherals including touchscreen displays and cameras. Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT) 11.0 allows the OPS player to be remotely accessed and diagnosed. Software issues can be repaired wirelessly, while failing hardware components can be identified early for preventive maintenance, lowering maintenance costs and on-site visits.

Boards, Boards, and More Boards

The following table provides a sampling of available boards and those soon to be released. I’ve selected one example from a number of Intel® Internet of Things Solutions Alliance members, but many of these members offer other choices. In coming months, many more boards based on these processors will be available.

Product 6th GEN Intel® Core™ Processors Form Factor Features
AAEON COM-SKHB6 i7/i5/i3 series COM Express Type 6
  • 1x GbE
  • High Definition audio interface
  • 8x USB 2.0, 4x USB 3.0, 1 PCI-Express x8, 1 PCI-Express x16
  • GPIO x 8, SMbus, I2C, LPC
ADLINK Express-SL i7-6822EQi7-6820EQ i5-6442EQ i5-6440EQi3-6102E
i3-6100E		 COM Express Type 6
  • 3 DDI channels, one LVDS (or 4 lanes eDP), supports up to 3 independent displays
  • 1x GbE, 4x SATA 6 Gb/s, 4x USB 3.0 and 4x USB 2.0
  • Extreme Rugged* operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C (optional)
Avalue BCM MX110H i7/i5/i3 series Mini-ITX
  • Intel H110 PCH Chipset
  • 4x USB 3.0 and 4x USB 2.0
  • 1x mini PCIe and 1x mini PCIe with mSATA support
  • Optional eDP
Axiomtek CEM501 i7/i5/i3 series COM Express Type 6
  • 4 x USB 3.0
  • 1 x 10/100/1000Mbps (Intel® i219LM)
  • 1 x VGA (optional)
  • 1 x eDP (optional)
  • HD link interface to baseboard for Codec
  • 6 x PCIe x1 devices
  • 1 x SPI interface
  • 2 x Serial TX/RX
Fujitsu D3402-B i7-6700i7-6700TEi5-6500i5-6500TEi3-6100
i3-6100E
i3-6100TE
i3-6102		 Micro-ATX
  • Intel® vPro (iAMT11.0)
  • PCIe Gen3
  • USB 3.0/2.0 onboard
  • Trusted Platform Module V2.0 (Infineon) onboard
  • Customizing Tools (BIOS Logo, Temperature Monitoring)
  • Professional Revision Management
iBASE MB990 i7-6822EQ

i7-6820EQ

i7-6700TE

i7-6700

i5-6500TE

i5-6500

i3-6100TE

i3-6100

 ATX
  • 4x USB 2.0, 10x USB 3.0, 6x COM, 6x SATA III ports
  • PCIe x16, PCIe x8, PCIe x4, PCIe x1, Mini PCIe and 3x PCI slots
  • RAID
  • Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT) 11.0
  • EuP/ErP and iSMART
IEI Nano-ULT3 i7-6600U i5-6300U i3-6100U EPIC
  • Triple independent display support
  • Full size PCIe Mini slot
  • IEI one key recovery solution for rapid OS backup and recovery
MSC C6C-SLU i7-6600U i5-6300U i3-6100U COM Express Type 6
  • 3x SATA 6Gb/s mass storage interfaces
  • DisplayPort/HDMI/DVI interface
  • 3x independent display support
  • Up to 8x PCI Express x1 lanes
  • Trusted Platform Module
Protech BU2509 i7/i5/i3 series Micro-ATX
  • DVI and Display Port
  • Dual GbE LAN
  • 1 PCIe 16x
  • 6 series ports
RICOH Mini-ITX i7/i5/i3 series Mini-ITX
  • 1 PCIe x16 (Gen 3) slot and 1x mSATA slot
  • Supports triple display of LVDS, Analog RGB, DVI-D
Supermicro X11SSQ i7/i5/i3 series Mini-ITX
  • 1 PCI-E 3.0 x16, 2 PCI-E 3.0 x4, 1 PCI-E 3.0 x1, M.2 PCIex2 M Key 2242/2280, PCIex4 w/ open slots
  • 6x SATA3 (6Gbps) via Q170; RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 Intel RST
  • 1x SATA DOM, 4x COM ports, TPM header, ALC 888S HD Audio 7.1
  • 4x USB 3.0 (2 rear + 2 via header), 8x USB 2.0 (4 rear + 4 via headers)

Sign of the Times

To add systems and boards based on 6th generation Intel Core processors to your digital signage solutions, see the full collection of available solutions in our regularly updated Solutions Directory.

Mesh Sensor Networks Bridge IoT’s Last Mile

Posted on by Paul Richards & Bill Goretkin

The adage, “You can’t control what you don’t measure,” has great relevance for energy and industrial-process optimization. The need for data in these industries is driving rapid adoption of wireless sensors and the gateways needed to connect them to the Internet of Things (IoT). By allowing low-cost sensor deployment, these gateways enable visibility into previously opaque operational details. The benefits become even more profound with the application of advanced analytics.

There is a major challenge though in achieving these benefits. Companies need to determine the best way to connect legacy systems isolated by non-IP-friendly communication protocols such as Modbus RTU.

This article explores a solution from Wireless Sensors that connects sensors in self-configuring and self-healing wireless mesh networks that communicate to the cloud through Intel® NUC-based IoT gateways (Figure 1). We describe how this solution combines the flexibility and resilience of mesh networking with the low latency of a star topology. We discuss how the IoT gateways support RESTful web services and integration with the Microsoft Azure* platform to provide a seamless data path to the cloud and advanced analytics. And we consider the advantages of using an Intel® NUC as an IoT gateway platform.

The Wireless Sensor solution is a self-configuring and self-healing wireless mesh network employing Intel® processor-based IoT gateways to communicate with legacy networks.
Figure 1. The Wireless Sensor solution is a self-configuring and self-healing wireless mesh network employing Intel® processor-based IoT gateways to communicate with legacy networks.

The Hardest Mile

The most difficult part of connecting to the IoT is often the “last mile” from the local Internet connection to the points where equipment or systems reside in a facility. Connecting these “things” means both bringing existing sensors online and procuring, configuring, and connecting new sensors.

Surprisingly, the best path may not be enabling Internet connectivity throughout. Less expensive methods can often accomplish the same thing without the complexity of adding hundreds or thousands of new IP addresses.

Radio frequency (RF)-based mesh networks combined with powerful IoT gateways offer an inexpensive alternative. For both new and existing operations, wireless mesh sensor networks provide the proper scalability, redundancy, and ease of deployment. Without wires to install, these networks can be operational in just hours. Connected to the cloud with an IoT gateway, the network supplies all the technology necessary for data collection and cloud communications.

When to Use Mesh

To better understand wireless mesh network advantages, consider the alternative. Most wireless IP networks use a star topology in which all nodes communicate directly with the network through devices like IoT gateways. If end-to-end transmission times are critical, these direct communication paths provide it. However, star topologies often lack fault tolerance, so this advantage comes at a cost. Network expansion across large buildings or outdoor areas is also more difficult.

For applications that can tolerate some latency, mesh topologies provide a convenient solution. In this topology, data is forwarded from node to node until the intended final destination is reached. If individual transmission segments are temporarily unavailable, data is automatically re-routed on an alternate path. This ability to self-recover from single points of failure considerably increases overall reliability.

A Hybrid Solution

For situations requiring the best of both worlds – star and mesh – Wireless Sensors offers a hybrid solution based on SensiNet* technology. Proven effective for environmental monitoring in data centers, Wireless Sensors’ implementation of SensiNet capitalizes on the low latency of a star topology while maintaining the flexibility and resilience of the mesh approach (Figure 2).

Wireless Sensors's implementation of SensiNet* delivers the low latency of the star topology while maintaining the flexibility and resilience of mesh networking.
Figure 2. Wireless Sensors’s implementation of SensiNet* delivers the low latency of the star topology while maintaining the flexibility and resilience of mesh networking.

The technology is a hybrid because:

  • As in a star topology, bridges (and their corresponding routers) provide a direct link to the IP network.
  • As in a mesh network, sensors connect to routers and bridges as if they were ordinary nodes and automatically re-route to a different router or bridge if a transmission segment becomes unavailable.

The constant availability to network traffic provided by the solution’s RF mesh routers and bridges is an important advantage. In traditional mesh networking, the network only handles messages when scheduled to wake up. With its mesh routers and interrupt-based messaging, SensiNet remains continuously available to deliver traffic immediately.

SensiNet’s hybrid approach also enables individual selection of reporting intervals. Because the entire network isn’t governed by the most time-sensitive measurement, each node can be set for the optimum combination of reporting interval and battery life.

Greater Resiliency

Traditional mesh networks often collapse if a critical node loses power when heavy traffic drains its battery. The SensiNet architecture avoids this issue through redundant communication paths that ensure reliable communication. Self-organization and self-healing capabilities allow SensiNet to adapt to changes in the physical environment and contribute to its resiliency. The network can also dynamically reorganize when encountering interference to enable coexistence with other networks.

New and Legacy Sensors

To help organizations rapidly span that last mile and connect legacy equipment, Wireless Sensors offers its own line of Smart Sensors and accessories for fast setup (Figure 3). The sensors address applications ranging from smart buildings and data centers to specialized industrial applications, such as cryogenic storage. Sensors are available for: ambient and contained environments, humidity, pressure, differential pressure, airflow, contact status, and AC current. The sensors can be easily reconfigured and relocated as monitoring needs change.

Wireless Sensors offers a range of Smart Sensors in attractive designs for a variety of purposes and environments.
Figure 3. Wireless Sensors offers a range of Smart Sensors in attractive designs for a variety of purposes and environments.

For sensors that measure ambient conditions, Wireless Sensors constructs its units to allow increased airflow. The high-performance embedded MEMS sensors react quickly to change. A wall-mounting bracket makes installation easy, and a C battery provides dramatically extended operational life.

To integrate legacy analog third-party sensors, Wireless Sensors feeds their signals into the system through 4-20 mA and 0-10VDC inputs on the Smart Sensors. The Smart Sensors then communicate through bridges with a wireless IoT gateway.

From Radio Frequency to IP

In the SensiNet mesh network, sensors exchange RF data packets. To enable IoT communications, the bridges in the network convert these RF packets into TCP/IP packets. A single bridge can support the integration of hundreds of sensor nodes, minimizing costs. Remote bridges can support hardwired sensors if an application requires only a few measurement points. By distributing bridges across an Ethernet network, the network can easily handle thousands of sensors, leveraging Ethernet’s scalability and modalities (wired, Wi-Fi, cellular).

Two Wireless Gateway Choices

To collect the data from the bridges and connect it to the cloud, Wireless Sensors offers two wireless gateways: the GWAY-2100 and GWAY-2105. Both are application-ready and based on Intel NUCs powered by the Intel® Atom™ processor E3815.

The gateways include network management, user interface, data logging, trending, alarming, and communications capabilities. To access and configure the system, only a standard browser and network connection are required. No additional software is necessary.

Both gateways offer the same wide range of protocol and network support. Wireless Sensors recommends the GWAY-2100 for smaller applications, and as a standalone data logger with real-time views, trending, and e-mail alerts. Up to 8 million records can be stored onboard, and the system will automatically send sensor data across commonly used protocols.

The GWAY-2105 can connect larger existing network architectures by supporting up to five remotely mounted SensiNet bridges (Figure 4). It enables a single integration point for sensors around a building, across a campus, or throughout the world. The GWAY-2105 offers the same protocol and network support as the GWAY-2100.

The GWAY-2105 supports larger existing network architectures by connecting up to five remotely mounted SensiNet bridges.
Figure 4. The GWAY-2105 supports larger existing network architectures by connecting up to five remotely mounted SensiNet bridges.

Middleware on the gateway abstracts the individual sensor from the complexity of IP, allowing easy integration of sensors with the IoT through modern communications protocols. The gateway also provides a platform for data buffering, edge analytics, and localized alarming to reduce cloud processing and storage costs.

The gateways’ onboard web servers enable edge-to-cloud communication. Broad protocol support that includes Modbus, SNMP, ODBC, OPC, HTTP POST, SOAP, and FTP makes integration simple (Figure 5). When everything is connected, users can remotely view alerts and monitor trends. Alternatively, the system can direct collected sensor data through the gateway into control and enterprise networks.

The gateways' onboard web server provides broad protocol support to make integration simple.
Figure 5. The gateways’ onboard web server provides broad protocol support to make integration simple.

Based on the Intel® NUC

The Intel® NUC Kit used to create these gateways is a compact powerhouse for value-conscious businesses and organizations. This low-cost solution provides:

  • Fanless design for silence and reliability
  • Intel® Atom™ processor E3815 with 5 W thermal design power (TDP)
  • 4 GB onboard embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) storage
  • Internal flat panel display connectivity for built-in screens
  • Video graphics array (VGA) port for monitor compatibility in legacy installations
  • Inter-integrated circuit (IC) and pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals for interfacing with sensors and other IoT-enabled embedded devices

With its industrial design and support for Linux* and Windows* embedded operating systems, Intel NUCs equipped with Intel® Atom™ processors deliver performance, low-power consumption, affordability, and software compatibility for gateway applications. High-availability resilience is possible via the built-in watchdog timer, providing protection against costly downtimes. In addition, the Intel NUC includes a discrete trusted platform module (TPM) for hardware-based data encryption to protect confidential information.

Intel NUCs with more powerful Intel® processors enable solutions for more complex data analytics or data conditioning. These processors include higher performance Intel Atom processors, as well as the latest Intel® Celeron®, Intel® Pentium®, and Intel® Core™ processors. The latter includes SKUs that offer the security and manageability features of Intel® vPro™ technology.

A Gateway to Analytics

The Intel NUC IoT gateways configured by Wireless Sensors come pre-integrated with connectivity to the Microsoft Azure platform for a seamless data path to advanced analytics tools in the cloud. Azure IoT Services, a set of cloud services from Microsoft, enables widespread asset monitoring and data analytics for efficiency and operational performance improvements. These services also enable new business models and improved revenue streams. Azure IoT Services include Azure Event Hubs, Azure Machine Learning, Azure HDInsight, and Microsoft Power BI.

Make the Last Mile Easy

For applications in smart buildings, data centers, and specialized industrial usages where IP solutions are in minimal use, hybrid wireless mesh networks offer a highly reliable, resilient IoT solution for monitoring critical data locally and in the cloud. Easy to set up, configure, and scale, their use of Intel NUCs as IoT gateways offers a scalable, low-cost solution for local analytics and connection to the advanced analytics tools in Microsoft Azure.

Integrating Imaging and EHR Data in the Surgical Suite

Posted on by John Chuang

Hospitals strive to equip surgical suites with the latest advancements in technology to improve patient outcomes. But a critical disconnect in many hospitals hinders surgeons from accessing all patient data on a single system at the point of treatment. Though surgeons can access electronic health records (EHRs) on office systems, in the surgical suite they have only picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). This dichotomy creates a knowledge gap; surgeons don’t have complete clinical information when and where they might need it.

This article explores an all-in-one surgical workstation that enables real-time clinical decisions and insight by giving surgeons simultaneous access to high-precision medical images and EHRs (Figure 1). We consider how medical device manufacturers can use this workstation to expand their product line and provide hospitals with the latest technological advancements in PACS and EHRs. We examine how this workstation’s use of 6th generation Intel® Core™ processors delivers Ultra HD 4K resolution and HD video recording during surgical procedures. And we describe how the processors’ advanced security technologies help protect patient and hospital data.

To help improve patient outcomes, hospitals need an all-in-one surgical workstation that display content from both PACS and EHR.
Figure 1. To help improve patient outcomes, hospitals need an all-in-one surgical workstation that display content from both PACS and EHR.

The Data Disconnect in the Surgical Suite

While both PACS and EHR systems are designed to improve productivity, the rapid implementation of EHRs as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) resulted in the isolation of EHRs from PACS (Figure 2). This separation imposes an unnecessary barrier to full knowledge of a patient and their condition.

In hospitals, electronic health records (EHRs) are often accessed today on rolling carts or medical notebook computers.
Figure 2. In hospitals, electronic health records (EHRs) are often accessed today on rolling carts or medical notebook computers.

In seeking to become Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and meet requirements to reduce readmission rates, many healthcare organizations are searching for ways to improve surgical collaboration and coordination of patient care. For many, a first step towards improving this collaboration and coordination, as well as overall patient care, is the integration of disparate EHRs and clinical data systems to enhance their interoperability.

The challenge they face is the lack of graphically advanced surgical workstations, patient terminals, and mobile nursing workstations that can access both PACS and EHRs at the point of care. Consider situations where several physicians consult on a case. They have access to systems that run either EHRs or PACS, but no system alone enables single-point simultaneous information sharing for fully informed joint counsel.

There is another issue. Because most IT computing platforms are designed for commercial use, they don’t address medical-environment concerns such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Medical-grade computing platforms must ensure a device is compatible with the electromagnetic environment (EME) and do not emit electromagnetic energy levels that cause interference in nearby medical devices. Such interference can create technical issues in vulnerable medical devices, posing real threats to patients and the potential for lawsuits. This interference potential makes combining EHR and PACS systems in non-medically safe IT computing platforms unacceptable.

Medical equipment suppliers should see a real opportunity here. A market need exists for a centralized medical-grade workstation that can process PACS images at the point of treatment while providing access to EHR and other clinical data systems.

The All-in-One Multi-Touch Surgical Workstation

To meet the need for such a medical-grade workstation, ONYX Healthcare designed the ZEUS-228 22″ all-in-one multi-touch surgical workstation (Figure 3). As a company focused entirely on the design and manufacture of EMC-compliant (UL/EN 60601) embedded boards and fanless medical all-in-one system platforms, ONYX Healthcare knows exactly which features and capabilities are required for a wide range of medical environments.

The ONYX Healthcare ZEUS-228 22" all-in-one multi-touch surgical workstation enables access to PACS images and EHRs.
Figure 3. The ONYX Healthcare ZEUS-228 22″ all-in-one multi-touch surgical workstation enables access to PACS images and EHRs.

From vital-sign monitoring in ICUs to 3D skull-printing analysis for neurosurgery, the ONYX ZEUS-228 workstation provides simultaneous access to high-precision DICOM medical images and EHRs so surgeons can make better real-time clinical decisions (Figure 4). Rather than taking the time to sit at a desk or move to another room, they can make informed clinical decisions at the point of care.

The ONYX Healthcare ZEUS-228 surgical workstation puts simultaneous access to PACS images and EHRs at a surgeon’s fingertips.
Figure 4. The ONYX Healthcare ZEUS-228 surgical workstation puts simultaneous access to PACS images and EHRs at a surgeon’s fingertips.

Using the latest Intel® Core™ processors in a fanless system design, this advanced workstation enables:

  • Virtually silent display of PACS images and real-time patient monitoring readings
  • Rapid decryption and encryption of patient data from multiple EHR systems for fast, secure access to information and all-points protection of patient privacy
  • Easy cleaning and infection control through a medical-grade design

An Application-Ready Solution

The ONYX ZEUS-228 offers many advantages to medical device manufacturers. Typical medical device development cycles take up to three years. Rather than spending valuable engineering resources to develop all the components of a long-life surgical workstation platform, manufacturers can start with the ONYX ZEUS-228, a pre-certified medical-grade (CE/FCC Class B and UL/EN 60601) all-in-one platform that satisfies electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection and electrical shock isolation requirements.

Starting with a platform that’s pre-certified for surgical intensive-care use allows medical device manufacturers to focus engineering resources on advancing the proprietary knowledge of their own areas of expertise. Examples include MRI scanning, ultrasound, or surgical procedure automation. The time they save on hardware development reduces design costs and helps them achieve faster time to market.

In addition, ONYX Healthcare products help medical device manufacturers maintain long-term lifecycles. ONYX products provide a seven-year (or more) product longevity – a prerequisite for most medical device designs. This long life minimizes the need to renew medical certifications enforced by the FDA and other certification bodies to meet different regional regulatory requirements.

A Closer Look

For fast application and imaging performance, the ONYX ZEUS-228 uses dual-channel DDR>4 SODIMM up to 32 GB. Its 22″ full HD, high-contrast multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA) LCD with LED backlight provides sharp, clear graphics and fast response. The MVA panel provides wide viewing angles so staff can maintain their positions in the surgical suite. With the graphic support from integrated Intel® HD Graphics 520 and a built-in DICOM module, the workstation enables viewing of clinical-level (DICOM-compliant) medical images. Using picture-in-picture mode, staff can display multiple independent sources simultaneously on one screen.

For easy cleaning with commonly used infection-control agents, the latex glove-friendly projected capacitive (PCAP) multi-touch touchscreen technology uses an IP65 splash-proof front panel design and IPX4 fanless back panel. The 10-point multi-touch screen enables close collaboration, while programmable function keys in the front panel allow users to set up shortcuts that enhance workflow.

For I/O, the workstation features 4 kV medically isolated USB, COM, and LAN ports that prevent electrical shock from damaging the unit and keep current leakage from harming patients connected to the device. For fast data transfers with peripherals and scalable medical feature expansions, the workstation supports six USB 3.0 ports, two Mini Card slots for an integrated wireless/Bluetooth* module and an HD decoding module, and two PCI Express 3.0 (x16) expansion slots. These slots enable additions such as a data acquisition card, frame grabber, backup-power charging board, or specialty I/O board.

The Graphics Performance Benefits of a New Processor Generation

The 6th generation Intel® Core™ i7-6600U processor – part of Intel’s newest wave of 14 nm processors – allows the ONYX ZEUS-228 to deliver a new level of performance. These processors unlock new possibilities for 3D medical imaging to empower surgeons with advanced clinical diagnostic capabilities during a procedure. The processor’s integrated Intel® HD Graphics 520 provides up to 30 percent better graphics performance than previous-generation graphics for rapid, sharp 4K display of 2D/3D images and video.

The 6th generation Intel® Core™ i7-6600U processor’s integrated Intel® HD Graphics 520 provides up to 30 percent better graphics performance than the previous generation.
Figure 5. The 6th generation Intel® Core™ i7-6600U processor’s integrated Intel® HD Graphics 520 provides up to 30 percent better graphics performance than the previous generation.

For faster, hardware-accelerated rendering, the 6th generation Intel Core processors support next-generation graphics application programming interfaces (APIs) such as Microsoft* DirectX* 12, OpenGL* 4.4, and OpenCL* 2.0. For medical applications involving video such as teleproctoring and education, the processors’ high-quality HD video recording supports up to 20 percent faster 4K transcode. Dedicated hardware support for 4K playback (as high as 4096 x 2304 @ 24 Hz and 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz) ensures high detail.

Data Security

In most healthcare settings, surgical workstations use the Internet to access EHRs and exchange data with other devices for consultation, collaboration, and records storage. To protect patient data, platforms need to defend against security threats, maintain regulatory compliance, and support privacy policies.

The 6th generation Intel® Core™ processor family offers Intel’s most advanced security yet. The built-in Intel® Data Protection Technology (Intel® DPT) includes a new feature: Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX). This feature adds a level of hardware-based protection over Intel’s existing solutions by putting data into a secure container on the platform. Intel SGX lets applications create hardware-enforced trusted execution protection for their sensitive routines and data. Run-time execution is protected from observation or tampering by any other software (including privileged software) in a system.

Intel DPT also includes hardware-assisted encryption capabilities. Intel® Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) enables faster data encryption and decryption. With Intel AES-NI, cryptography solutions protect surgical records and patient data with little effect on system response times so that performance remains uncompromised at critical moments of a procedure.

The 6th generation Intel Core processor family also includes Intel® Platform Protection Technology (Intel® PPT). One of its features, Intel® Trusted Execution Technology (Intel® TXT), provides a measured launch for operating systems (OSs) and hypervisors, ensuring that the system always boots into a trusted state. On top of this, Intel PPT includes Intel® OS Guard, which helps protect an OS from the escalation-of-privilege attacks used by malware. This built-in security technology works constantly to deliver extensive, automatic “blanket” protection that helps defend against these sophisticated attacks and prevents viruses from taking hold deep in a system.

Putting PACS and EHRs at the Surgeon’s Fingertips

Giving surgeons access to all clinical information simultaneously at the point of treatment, the ONYX ZEUS-228 all-in-one surgical workstation provides better insight at critical moments of treatment to help improve patient outcomes and workflow efficiency. The use of 6th generation Intel Core processors ensures the performance, graphics capabilities, and security protections required for today’s healthcare systems. Medical device manufacturers starting with this medical-grade platform will save development time and costs that they can use instead to perfect their applications.

The Rise of the IoT Analytics Gateway

Posted on by Andy Rhodes

Gateway devices at the edge are driving the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) by connecting sensors and other data-producing objects to the cloud. Through Big Data analytics, this data enables new insights into operations and markets that can lead to dramatic gains in efficiency and productivity, as well as new revenue-generating products and services. Yet despite the IoT’s tremendous potential for delivering these gains and improvements, the enormous amount of edge data is creating challenges.

This article explores the importance of application-ready gateway solutions in providing the necessary input/output (I/O) options, operating systems, security, and reliability for connecting end points to a cloud or data center. We examine the ramifications of collecting so much edge data and discuss the potential role of edge analysis for reducing latency and data movement, storage, and analysis costs. We look at the analytics gateway, a new product that meets enterprise needs and enables near-real-time, data-driven decisions at the edge for improved system automation (Figure 1). We then present two use cases that demonstrate the utility and value of these new gateways.

This diagram shows where analytics gateways function in Dell's distributed IoT architecture.
Figure 1. This diagram shows where analytics gateways function in Dell’s distributed IoT architecture.

Data Challenges Facing the IoT

The tremendous amounts of structured and unstructured data available at the edge are exposing a critical gap in the IoT: Businesses face staggering costs to store and process all this data.

In its 2015 “Smart Systems Forecast Model,” Harbor Research estimates that by 2020 smart systems will create over 194 petabytes (PB) of data. That’s 194,000 terabytes (TB). Other research suggests even more data is coming. A 2015 IDC report, “Internet of Things Mid-Year Review,” predicts that the number of IoT end points added with gateways or other solutions per minute will increase to more than 7,900 in 2020 from 4,500 in 2015. That adds up to 4 billion end points in a year, each potentially streaming data constantly to a data center or cloud.

The IoT Analytics Gateway

To make collecting all this data tenable, we need solutions that filter data at the gateway so that only the fraction that needs more advanced processing goes to the cloud. A new generation of devices – analytics gateways – provides the necessary intelligence to perform edge filtering, analytics, and data compression in near-real time. These gateways are small devices offering wired and wireless connections to collect, secure, and process sensor data at the edge.

Serving as a digital bridge and translator between the physical world of operations technology (OT) and cloud infrastructure, analytics gateways enable organizations to achieve several key objectives:

  • Better utilization of network bandwidth resources
  • Decreased data center (or cloud) processing and storage costs
  • Lower latency at the edge
  • Faster reaction times for automated edge functions

The distributed IoT architecture that results from using these analytics gateways enables the placement of more real-time, data-driven functions close to the data source. This improves operational efficiency.

Anatomy of an Analytics Gateway

To help simplify the intricacies involved in collecting and processing edge data, Dell has developed the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series for IoT. Designed for building and factory automation sectors, the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series allows organizations to locally analyze and act on edge data from disparate devices and sensors – even in extreme environments (Figure 2). This local analysis ensures only meaningful data is sent to a data center or cloud, saving the cost and bandwidth of transmitting and centrally storing every unprocessed data set. With expanded I/O and support for diverse communications protocols through certified independent software vendor (ISV) middleware, the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series helps connect, extract, and analyze data from both legacy and modern systems.

The Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series performs local IoT analytics and filtering applications in extreme environments.
Figure 2. The Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series performs local IoT analytics and filtering applications in extreme environments.

The rugged device employs a fanless, small form factor, solid-state design with no moving parts for 24/7 operation. Operating system choices include Wind River* Linux*, Ubuntu Snappy Core*, and Microsoft Windows* 10 IoT Enterprise. Mounted on a wall or DIN rail at the network edge, the gateway delivers a long life in the extended temperatures, high humidity, and dust typical of industrial environments.

To cover the entire product lifecycle, Dell offers a complete service package for the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series – including Basic Hardware Support and ProSupport. Through Dell’s Configuration Service, customers can order application-ready gateways configured to their specifications, including custom BIOS settings and factory installation of the software image.

An expanded range of I/O and communications protocols enable connection to industry-standard systems, modern sensors, and new devices entering the market (Figure 3). Combined with middleware solutions from Dell-certified ISV partners, virtually any data source can be aggregated and normalized. Sources can range from BACnet*, Modbus, and CAN bus to modern wireless mesh networks like ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, and Z-Wave.

The Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series provides expanded I/O.
Figure 3. The Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series provides expanded I/O.

Security is addressed through a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip that enables a hardware root of trust, secure boot, and BIOS-level lockdown of unused I/O ports. Additional security best practices are available from Dell that help minimize the attack surface and protect data in motion and at rest.

The Processing Power Inside

Essential to the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series’ local analytics and filtering capabilities is its choice of Intel® processors. The gateways offer a choice of the Intel® Atom™ processor E3825 running at 1.46 GHz or the Intel® Atom™ processor E3827 running at 1.75 GHz. Each includes two powerful cores for processing data.

Intel’s first system-on-chip (SoC) design, the Intel® Atom™ processor E3800 product family makes an excellent choice for small form factor designs with low power consumption. These processors deliver up to three-times-higher performance and consume as little as one-fifth the power of the previous generation. With extended temperature support and BGA packaging, these processors are ready for duty in rugged applications and harsh environments.

The SoCs’ integration of I/O interfaces is extensive. The processors support industry-standard embedded I/O, multiple storage types, and expansion capabilities through industry-standard high-bandwidth interfaces such as PCI Express Gen 2.0, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, and USB 3.0. In addition, their integrated graphics and support of common display interfaces make them ideal for gateway applications requiring human-machine interfaces (HMIs).

For applications requiring secure, always-on connectivity for critical infrastructure and operations requiring near real-time performance, the Intel Atom processor E3800 product family works well with virtualization solutions. The processors include Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT), which makes virtualization practical in small devices by providing a hardware assist that reduces performance overhead.

Further optimization comes from the Intel® Advanced Encryption Standard New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) available in these processors. Enabling hardware-assisted data encryption and decryption, Intel AES-NI reduces the overhead of encryption solutions that secure moving data and data at rest.

Proven in the Field

Before Dell launched the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 series, they tested analytics gateways in a proof of concept (PoC) program. One PoC involved ELM Energy, a company that monitors and manages power transmission to critical work sites ranging from mines to data centers. The company wanted their Fieldsight* Microgrid Monitoring and Control solution to react more rapidly to changes in power requirements. This is particularly important when optimizing and balancing power generation to make maximum use of renewables. Fieldsight performs this balancing and improves power reliability by helping reduce grid instability, managing demand against supply, and enabling demand-response program participation.

The ELM Energy PoC involved multiple power sources such as solar, battery, and generator. An early Dell analytics gateway design provided a local automation solution for transferring the flow from one energy source to another as output from the different systems changed (Figure 4). Solar power, for example, fluctuates based on available sunlight. As solar output decreases, the system needs to sense this decrease and either pull energy from battery storage or increase generator output.

In the PoC, Dell's analytics gateway (black box) provided ELM Energy with a local automation solution for balancing the output of different energy sources.
Figure 4. In the PoC, Dell’s analytics gateway (black box) provided ELM Energy with a local automation solution for balancing the output of different energy sources.

Sending the raw energy data to a centralized system such as a cloud affected the speed and reliability of the solution, making it difficult to meet customer requirements. Dell’s analytics gateway automated these energy decisions locally in near-real time to prevent customer power disruptions. The gateways also transferred filtered data to cloud-hosted software so that customers could generate reports, view historical and current data, and perform further analytics using a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application.

Another Dell PoC involved Intel and KMC Controls, a leader in building automation systems. In this case, Dell and Intel helped KMC Controls launch the KMC Commander Internet of Things Platform for Building Automation. The solution earned the Best Intelligent Building Technology Innovation Award at the 2015 Realcomm IBcon conference.

KMC Commander uses a Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series to enable an end-to-end solution from sensors and controllers (edge devices) to cloud-based remote management applications. The solution allows tenants to access a cloud-hosted, secure, mobile application to adjust building operations to optimize comfort, utilization, and efficiency (Figure 5).

The KMC Commander uses the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series as part of an end-to-end solution putting building operation controls into tenants' hands.
Figure 5. The KMC Commander uses the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series as part of an end-to-end solution putting building operation controls into tenants’ hands.

The Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series cost-effectively moves data from the building to the cloud, while also enabling local analysis. Sending only pertinent, long-term data to the cloud reduces the cost and complexity of handling edge data. By extracting meaningful information from legacy systems, the gateways help building owners extend the life of those investments and project the potential savings of new equipment purchases.

For this solution, the Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series used Wind River Linux, Intel® Security software (with engineering and design support from Dell OEM), and a data tagging and visualization framework from J2 Innovations. Multiple protocol drivers (such as BACnet and Modbus) provided access to existing building networks to acquire data on building system performance. Open APIs to the cloud and to KMC Commander BX* hardware provided opportunities for advanced customization, third-party development, and the addition of enhanced equipment and control routines.

A Smarter Gateway to IoT Opportunities

The Dell Edge Gateway 5000 Series is an excellent example of an IoT analytics gateway designed to provide intelligence and security at the edge for near-real-time, data-driven decisions. Enterprises can use these gateways to decrease latency, reduce network traffic, lower cloud storage and processing costs, and achieve a higher degree of system automation.