More and more manufacturers are getting ready to ride the IIoT wave. Although progress is slow, the first benefits of digitalization can already be reaped. So-called smart manufacturing and digital transformation coupled with edge intelligence, i.e. intelligent devices at the edge of the network, enable manufacturers to increase productivity, reduce downtime and improve product quality. A key success factor in the transformation is the use of intelligent edge computing solutions that bridge the gap between operation technology (OT) and information technology (IT) - with the corresponding benefits. Edge computing also makes sense for another reason. In addition, time-critical applications require the immediate processing of device data so that corrective measures and decision-making can take place in good time. Edge intelligence means that the intelligence for data processing is available directly on site in the field instead of sending all device data from the network edge to the cloud for processing. This enables fast decision-making.

Independent, decentralized operation

An edge computing platform enables decentralized locations to reduce downtime and work independently when the central system is not accessible. For example, decentralized field sites can use local computing power to process and store data if there is a network outage and the connection to the cloud fails. Once the connection is restored, the processed data can be sent to the cloud for long-term storage. Another point: there are certain risks involved in sending all mission-critical data from the edge to the cloud. Various levels of security are required to ensure that the data finds its way securely to the cloud. Processing data directly at the network edge prevents data security breaches and increases responsiveness.

Similarly, the cost of transferring large amounts of data from the network edge to a cloud server can be prohibitively high. In addition, daily data transfer can lead to prohibitive communication costs in the long term.

Therefore, users are looking for optimized computing solutions for their industrial automation applications to intelligently process large amounts of sensor and field monitoring data and send only critical data or a summary of the data to the cloud. Compact, ARM-based computers with low power requirements are predestined for this and make computing in the edge area more reliable and more cost-effective.

Advantages of an ARM solution

ARM-based Linux IIoT gateway solutions provide industry-grade security, manageability, performance and reliability while maintaining the expandability of a network. Such platforms combine the following hardware, operating system and software functions as an optimized edge computing solution:

A variety of IIoT gateways ensure reliable and secure edge-to-cloud communication in a wide range of applications.

© Moxa

Longevity: Industrial products are typically used for 10 to 15 years. ARM-based CPUs typically offer a minimum lifespan of 15 years, and ARM's commitment to long-term support and access to subsequent product enhancements make the solutions the optimal choice for industrial applications.

Low power requirements: Low power computing is a requirement in many industries to ensure that devices do not overheat and become a potential source of danger. Fanless devices are also preferred due to the effects of dust in industrial environments. In this regard, ARM Cortex-A processors are optimized for performance and energy efficiency.

Scalability: Linux is extremely scalable and runs on a variety of platforms. Its basic functions such as command line tools, configuration and code are compatible with all Linux-based devices. This flexibility allows for easier upgrades and compatibility between different systems.

By dispensing with a graphical user interface or reducing it to the necessary components, such as the kernel and a minimal operating system, Linux can be made extraordinarily lean. This type of Linux is then ideal for operation on resource-constrained environments such as ARM or embedded computing in general.

Improved security: The benefits of digitalization also bring with them the risks of data security and software integrity. A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) can be installed to guarantee the physical security of edge devices, and ARM's TrustZone can be used to create an isolated, secure world, increasing security and maintaining the integrity of edge computing solutions.

With industrial Linux OS

Moxa's UC Series IIoT Edge Gateways are industrial, wireless, ARM-based computing platforms designed to operate in temperatures from -40 to +85 °C. The gateways are based on the ARM Cortex-A processor, which offers industrial-grade edge intelligence with a power requirement of less than 10 W, and feature Moxa Industrial Linux (MIL).

MIL is a very powerful industrial Linux distribution developed by Moxa to accelerate industrial projects. The 10-year Linux support includes security patches and bug fixes and addresses the need for long lifecycle computing systems for secure and sustainable automation projects. In collaboration with industry leaders such as Codethink, Hitachi, Plat'Home, Renesas, Siemens and Toshiba, Moxa is working with the Linux Foundation-led Civil Infrastructure Platform (CIP) project to create an open source platform to manage and monitor IoT-enabled civil infrastructure in a secure, reliably scalable and sustainable way.

Secure platform

The UC Series gateways are the only ARM-based computers that support TPM v2.0. Bringing TPM and ARM-based computers together gives system integrators and industrial engineers a powerful new tool in their security arsenal. By creating a specific cryptographic key for each individual device, which is also hardcoded within the platform itself, the data stored on the computing system is secured and protected from unauthorized access. Furthermore, the operating system can be protected from being overwritten. This secures edge devices and data in distributed areas. The security utility can be used to build the protection mechanism on the Moxa Industrial Linux platform to fulfill cybersecurity requirements. This security utility is designed according to Moxa's cybersecurity development guidelines, which ensures compliance with the IEC 62443-4-2 standard and the latest ICS-CERT alerts. This allows users to customize the security protection for their systems and applications as desired.

Simple connectivity up to the cloud

The UC series gateways also support a variety of protocols, such as serial CAN, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and NB-IoT. They are 4G LTE-ready and have Verizon/AT&T certification as well as CE/FCC/UL industry certifications. The edge-side 'ThingsPro' software speeds up configuration, data acquisition (DAQ) and device management. In addition, the software enables Modbus connectivity for data acquisition and processing as well as MQTT support for easy edge-to-core data transfer. RESTful and Modbus APIs are available to implement all 'ThingsPro' gateway software functions in IIoT applications.

Most IIoT gateway solutions have edge-side pre-processing tools that have built-in interfaces to cloud services. This accelerates the development of IIoT applications.

Moxa's UC series gateways also offer easy connectivity to the cloud. They are the first Azure IoT Edge certified ARM-based computers. In particular, users working with Linux platforms benefit in many ways from the integration of Azure IoT Edge into the IIoT gateways. Benefits include secure remote connections to enable installation at remote sites, connectivity to enable existing industries to share data with the cloud, and device management and product longevity to enable customers to install, scale and maintain their IIoT applications.

Next generation gateways

The wireless IIoT gateway 'UC-8200' can be used for various complex communication solutions.

© Moxa

Moxa is presenting its new wireless IIoT gateway 'UC-8200' at Embedded World. With dual RS232/422/485 serial ports, dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports, a CAN port and dual mini PCIe interface for Wi-Fi/mobile modules, it can be used for a variety of complex communication solutions.

The gateway is based on the ARM Cortex A7 dual-core processor. Flexible interface options make it a reliable and secure gateway for data acquisition and processing in the field and a useful communication platform in large-scale installations. Extensively tested in test chambers, the LTE models are available with extended operating temperatures.

Author: Matthew Lee is Product Manager at Moxa.