#edge gateway

Case Details

Scenario

The ballast water system is critical for maintaining the stability and balance of ocean-going cargo vessels. This solution employs an ARM Edge Controller to automate ballast cabin control, ensuring optimal vessel trim and stability under varying load conditions.

System Configuration

The proposed solution utilizes the following components:

ARMxy Main Controller (Marine-Grade): A robust, marine-certified ARM Edge Controller designed to withstand harsh maritime environments.

Y-AI Board: Analog input board for monitoring draft depth and cabin liquid levels.

X-DO Board: Digital output board for controlling ballast pumps and valves.

Implementation Method

Data Acquisition via Y-AI Board

Draft Sensor: Measures vessel draft depth with a 0-20mA signal corresponding to 0-15 meters. The Y-AI board converts this analog signal to digital data for processing.

Cabin Liquid Level Sensor: Utilizes ultrasonic sensors with a 4-20mA output to monitor ballast cabin liquid levels, ensuring precise volume measurements.

Automatic Trim Calculation

The ARMxy Edge Controller processes real-time data from the Y-AI board, including vessel load and draft measurements.

Based on the cargo load, the system calculates an optimal trim scheme to maintain vessel stability, adhering to maritime safety standards.

Control Logic with OpenPLC

The control logic is implemented using OpenPLC, an open-source programmable logic controller software tailored for industrial automation.

OpenPLC processes inputs from the Y-AI board and executes control algorithms to adjust ballast pump and valve operations via the X-DO board.

The logic ensures dynamic adjustment of ballast water distribution to achieve the desired trim and stability.

Satellite Communication for Reporting

The ARMxy Edge Controller interfaces with a satellite communication module to transmit operational reports to the shipping company’s headquarters.

Reports include real-time data on draft depth, cabin liquid levels, pump/valve status, and trim calculations.

Data is securely transmitted in a standardized format (e.g., JSON or XML) for compatibility with fleet management systems.

Advantages

Remote Monitoring: The ship company’s headquarters can remotely monitor the real-time status of the global fleet, enabling proactive decision-making and maintenance scheduling.

Automation and Precision: Automated trim calculations reduce human error and ensure optimal vessel stability, improving fuel efficiency and safety.

Scalability: The modular design of the ARMxy Edge Controller, Y-AI, and X-DO boards allows easy integration with additional sensors or systems as needed.

Robustness: Marine-grade components ensure reliable operation in harsh environmental conditions, including high humidity, temperature variations, and vibrations.

Conclusion

The ARM Edge Controller for the ballast water treatment system provides a reliable, automated and scalable solution for ballast tank management for ocean-going cargo ships. By leveraging real-time data acquisition, OpenPLC control logic and satellite communications, the system improves ship stability, operational efficiency and remote fleet management capabilities.

Case Details

Amid the wave of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation, edge computing has emerged as a pivotal technology driving advancements in smart manufacturing, smart cities, and beyond. As a hub connecting physical devices to cloud intelligence, the performance, flexibility, and openness of edge gateways directly determine the digital maturity of industrial scenarios. Within this domain, ARM-based edge gateways—with their high performance, low power consumption, multi-interface support, and secondary development capabilities—are becoming the ideal choice for equipment manufacturers, software developers, and system integrators.

ARM Edge Gateway: A Golden Fusion of Hardware and Protocols

The core strength of ARM edge gateways lies in the deep integration of hardware and software ecosystems. Take mainstream products as an example:

Hardware: Multi-core ARM processors (e.g., Cortex-A72/A53), 2GB–8GB RAM, 8GB–128GB storage, and wide-temperature operation support (-40°C to 85°C), meeting industrial demands for stability and durability.

Interfaces:

2× Ethernet ports

4× RS485 serial ports

Wi-Fi

4G cellular module The 4× RS485 ports connect sensors, PLCs, and inverters via Modbus RTU/TCP; dual Ethernet ports enable redundant networking or network segmentation; Wi-Fi/4G ensures flexible remote access.

Value for Equipment Manufacturers: Pre-installed Ubuntu OS supports industrial protocols (OPC UA, MQTT, HTTP/HTTPS), slashing development costs for cloud/local server integration.

Open Ecosystem: Secondary Development Drives Innovation

Ubuntu OS is a key differentiator, offering a full Linux environment compatible with Python, C/C++, Java, and Docker. This enables:

Rapid Expansion: Access 60,000+ software packages (e.g., MySQL, InfluxDB, TensorFlow Lite) for quick integration.

Multi-Role Deployment:

Industrial Controller: CODESYS Runtime for IEC 61131-3 PLC programming.

Soft PLC: Node-RED/OpenPLC for logic control.

AI Edge Box: TensorFlow Lite/PyTorch Mobile for real-time inference.

Cross-Platform Integration: Python/C++ SDKs and RESTful APIs enable seamless SCADA/MES/cloud (AWS/Azure IoT) connectivity. Azure IoT Edge deployment takes <1 hour.

Value for Software Developers: Open environment boosts algorithm migration efficiency by 70%. Example: An auto parts supplier deployed vision QC algorithms in 3 weeks, cutting response time from 2s to 200ms.

Scenario-Based Solutions: From Point Intelligence to System Empowerment

ARM gateways are transforming three key scenarios:

Smart Production Line Control: Connects 12 CNC machines via RS485, runs predictive maintenance, and triggers PLC shutdowns during tool wear. Result: 43% fewer unplanned downtimes.

Smart Campus Energy Management: Manages 32 building subsystems (HVAC/lighting/security) with dual-network isolation (<20ms latency). Result: 18.6% lower annual energy consumption.

Agricultural IoT: Soil sensors + 4G upload + Python-based irrigation control. Result: 60% lower deployment costs per farm.

Value for System Integrators: Replaces "serial server + industrial PC + router" combos, saving space/cabling costs. Example: A water utility tripled device integration density and shortened project cycles by 40%.

Future Outlook

ABI Research forecasts the AI-capable edge gateway market to exceed $24 billion by 2026. With 5G RedCap and TSN adoption, ARM gateways will evolve toward:

Deterministic latency (<1ms)

Containerized app management

Edge-cloud collaborative intelligence

Conclusion

ARM edge gateways transcend being mere bridges—they are core engines for smart algorithms and business innovation. For equipment makers, they offer plug-and-play cloud connectivity; for developers, they unlock algorithmic value; for integrators, they reduce risks and boost margins. Choosing a gateway that balances performance, openness, and adaptability is critical for winning in the smart technology race.

Case Details

Core Necessity: Why ARM Edge Gateways Must Feature Independent Hardware Watchdog

System-Level Reliability Guarantee:

Independent Operation: Functions independently of the main processor (ARM CPU).

Ultimate Protection: Can reliably trigger a system reset even if the main CPU completely locks up, the OS crashes, or applications fail.

Software Independence: Its functionality is unaffected by the status of upper-layer software (OS/Applications).

Capability to Handle Harsh Industrial Environments:

Limitations of Software Watchdogs: Common industrial site issues like voltage fluctuations and strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) can cause software-dependent watchdogs to fail.

Advantage of Hardware: Independent hardware circuitry offers greater immunity to such disturbances, ensuring watchdog functionality remains effective under demanding conditions.

Unique Hardware Watchdog Advantages of BLIIoT ARMxy Edge Gateway

BLIIoT ARMxy Edge Gateway provides superior, multi-layered protection through its dedicated hardware watchdog design:

Dual-Layer Protection Mechanism:

Utilizes an independent hardware watchdog chip + MCU's built-in watchdog.

These work complementarily to form a more comprehensive and reliable fault protection system.

Millisecond-Level Fast Response:

Responds 10-100 times faster than software watchdogs.

Allows flexible configuration of timeout thresholds ranging from hundreds of milliseconds to several minutes.

Stringent Industrial-Grade Protection Standards:

Passes IEC 61000-4-2 Level 4 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) immunity test (Contact Discharge: 8kV).

Complies with IEC 61000-4-3 Radiated Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Immunity requirements.

Zero Resource Consumption:

The independent hardware watchdog consumes no main CPU computational resources.

Ensures the real-time performance of edge computing tasks remains unaffected.

Industry Application Value

The hardware watchdog design of the BLIIoT ARMxy Gateway is particularly well-suited for scenarios demanding extremely high system reliability:

Unattended Remote Industrial Sites (e.g., oil/gas fields, substations, environmental monitoring stations)

Smart Manufacturing in Harsh Environments (e.g., production lines with high EMI, significant temperature/humidity fluctuations)

Mission-Critical Infrastructure (e.g., traffic control, energy supply, public safety systems)

Conclusion: The design philosophy of incorporating an independent hardware watchdog is a core reliability differentiator for the Bliiot ARMxy Edge Gateway compared to similar products. It provides a robust foundation at the hardware level, ensuring 7x24 uninterrupted stable operation of Industrial IoT (IIoT) systems, meeting the stringent demands for high reliability and robustness in industrial settings.

Case Details

Overview of ARM Architecture SBC BL410

The BL410 Industrial SBC featuring ARM architecture, which is particularly suitable for applications in industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios. The BL410 not only provides robust hardware design but also delivers low power consumption and high performance, making it ideal for operation in complex and harsh industrial environments.

Key features of the BL410 ARM SBC include:

ARM-based Processor: The BL410 is equipped with an ARM Cortex-A55 processor, providing excellent computational power with low power consumption, making it suitable for long-term stable operation.

Extensive I/O Interface Support: It supports various industrial protocols (such as Modbus, CAN, RS232/RS485, etc.), and includes multiple serial ports, USB ports, and Ethernet interfaces, enabling connection to various industrial devices.

Highly Integrated Hardware Design: It features multiple I/O interfaces, industrial-grade display output, storage expansion interfaces, and ruggedized designs (e.g., vibration and electromagnetic interference protection).

Flexible OS Support: The BL410 supports operating systems such as Linux, Ubuntu and Debian, offering strong compatibility and customization options.

High Reliability and Stability: The device is built to perform reliably in harsh industrial environments, including high temperatures, humidity, and vibrations.

Thanks to its high performance, low power consumption, versatile interfaces, and strong expandability, the BL410 has become a core computing platform for many IoT and industrial automation systems.

ThingsBoard Edge

ThingsBoard Edge is an edge computing solution from the ThingsBoard platform, designed to push IoT data processing, device management, storage, and analytics to edge devices. It reduces reliance on cloud services, minimizes latency, and enhances the overall reliability of the system. It enables running IoT applications at the edge and integrates seamlessly with the ThingsBoard cloud platform.

Key features of ThingsBoard Edge include:

Local Data Processing and Analytics: By running applications at the edge, ThingsBoard Edge can process and analyze IoT data locally, improving response times and reducing the bandwidth needed to upload data to the cloud.

Offline Mode: Even if the network is disconnected, ThingsBoard Edge can continue local data processing and storage, ensuring that operations are not affected by connectivity issues.

Device Management and Remote Configuration: ThingsBoard Edge allows for remote management, configuration, and firmware updates of IoT devices, reducing the need for on-site maintenance.

Bi-directional Sync with Cloud: Data and configurations on edge devices can be synchronized with the ThingsBoard cloud platform, ensuring consistency and reliability across the IoT system.

By pushing computation and data processing to the edge, ThingsBoard Edge significantly reduces data traffic to the cloud and minimizes latency, enabling smarter and more automated IoT systems.

BL410 ARM SBC and ThingsBoard Edge for Edge Computing

By combining ARM SBC with ThingsBoard Edge, a highly efficient and reliable edge computing solution can be built for industrial IoT applications. Below is an architecture and potential use cases based on this solution.

Solution Architecture

Hardware Platform: The BL410 ARM SBC as the edge device, responsible for on-site data collection, processing, storage, and device management. With its ARM-based processor, the BL410 provides sufficient computing power while maintaining low power consumption, ideal for continuous operation in industrial environments.

Edge Computing Platform: ThingsBoard Edge runs on the BL410, collecting real-time data from various IoT devices (sensors, PLCs, equipment) and performing local processing. ThingsBoard Edge can also handle data caching, offline storage, and local alarms, ensuring that the system remains operational even when connectivity is lost.

Cloud Connectivity: The BL410 ARM SBC connects to the ThingsBoard cloud platform via a stable network, ensuring bi-directional data synchronization. Users can monitor and manage the system remotely through the cloud interface.

Use Cases

Smart Manufacturing: On a production line, the BL410 ARM SBC with ThingsBoard Edge can collect data from machines, including temperature, humidity, pressure, and other sensor data. After local processing, the system can automatically detect machine faults and trigger alarms. Even if the network connection is unstable, the system can continue local operations, minimizing downtime.

Remote Monitoring and Control: The BL410 ARM SBC can remotely connect to a variety of industrial devices for data collection and status monitoring. With ThingsBoard Edge, the system can not only store and analyze data but also perform remote configuration and firmware updates without on-site intervention.

Smart Agriculture: In agriculture, the BL410 ARM SBC and ThingsBoard Edge solution can monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, and soil moisture in greenhouses. By analyzing data locally, the system can automatically adjust irrigation, ventilation, and other environmental controls to optimize conditions for crop growth.

Energy Management: In an energy management system, the BL410 ARM SBC collects data from various energy-consuming devices (e.g., electricity meters, sensors) and processes it using ThingsBoard Edge. If any anomalies are detected, the system triggers local alarms and uploads the data to the cloud for further analysis, enabling optimized energy usage.

Advantages

Low Latency: By processing data locally at the edge, the solution reduces cloud communication delays, enabling faster response times and enhancing automation at the site.

Optimized Bandwidth: Edge computing processes and stores data locally, uploading only relevant data to the cloud, significantly reducing bandwidth usage.

High Reliability: Even during network interruptions, ThingsBoard Edge continues local operation, caching data until the connection is restored, ensuring high system availability.

Cost Efficiency: By reducing dependence on cloud resources, edge computing minimizes cloud storage and computing costs.

Conclusion

Case Details

With the wave of digital transformation in the power industry, substation automation systems play a key role in ensuring grid security and improving operational efficiency. This article explores how to implement an efficient, flexible, and reliable substation automation solution using ARM-based Industrial computers (industrial PCs) combined with the N3uron Industrial IoT platform.

System Architecture This solution adopts low-power, highly stable ARM-based Industrial computers as edge computing nodes deployed at the substation front end. These nodes are responsible for local data acquisition, protocol conversion, and edge computing. The N3uron platform runs on the industrial PCs and provides modular functionalities such as data acquisition, protocol support, data processing, visualization, and remote communication.

Key Features

Multi-Protocol Support: N3uron natively supports commonly used power industry protocols such as IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 60870-5-102, DLMS/COSEM, DNP3.0, IEC 61850, Modbus, etc., ensuring seamless integration with primary equipment, smart meters, and protection devices.

Edge Computing Capability: N3uron’s computing module enables data filtering, event detection, and logic processing at the edge, reducing the volume of data sent upstream and enhancing response times.

Real-Time Monitoring and Visualization: The built-in web interface supports real-time data monitoring, historical trend charts, alarm management, and user access control, improving on-site maintenance efficiency.

Data Forwarding and System Integration: N3uron supports MQTT, OPC UA, REST API, and other communication methods to transmit data to dispatch centers, SCADA systems, or cloud platforms, enabling unified distributed system integration.

Deployment Advantages

Low Power, High Reliability: The ARM architecture offers excellent energy efficiency and wide-temperature stability, making it suitable for harsh electrical environments.

Modular Deployment: N3uron's functional modules can be enabled as needed to flexibly adapt to different application scenarios.

Quick Installation and Remote Management: N3uron can be deployed with a single command and supports remote configuration and OTA updates.

Cost Reduction: Combining cost-effective ARM devices and support for open protocols significantly reduces system construction and maintenance costs.

Typical Application Scenarios

Automation upgrades for distribution substations of 10kV and above

Edge data collection nodes for newly built smart substations

Power usage monitoring and energy efficiency analysis on the user side

Edge data aggregation and preprocessing for remote sites such as wind farms and solar stations

Case Details

I. Why ARM Industrial PCs + Azure IoT Edge?

1. Cost-Effective, High-Reliability Edge Intelligence

Energy Efficiency Revolution: The TDP (thermal design power) of ARM processors (such as the Cortex-A series) is usually less than 15W, which can significantly reduce cooling costs in harsh industrial environments, support 24/7 continuous operation, and is suitable for deployment in scenarios with limited power resources (such as remote oil fields and distributed production lines).

Real-Time Control: ARM industrial computers equipped with real-time operating systems (such as RT-Linux or FreeRTOS) can provide microsecond response accuracy to meet high real-time requirements such as PLC control and motion control. Hardware-level watchdog and redundant power supply design further ensure system stability.

Industrial Durability: Wide-temperature operation (-40°C to 85°C), anti-vibration, and dustproof design ensure 24/7 uninterrupted operation.

2. Cloud-Powered Edge Computing

Edge AI Deployment: Run AI models directly on industrial PCs (e.g., defect detection, equipment lifespan prediction), achieving 10x faster response and 90% lower bandwidth costs.

Offline Autonomy: Local rule engines execute critical operations (e.g., emergency shutdowns, quality sorting) during network outages, preventing production line downtime.

Seamless Cloud Integration: Manage millions of devices via Azure IoT Hub, enable bidirectional data synchronization, and support remote diagnostics and OTA updates.

II. Industrial Use Cases: From Automation to Intelligence

Case 1: Predictive Maintenance for Smart Production Lines

Pain Point: Traditional PLCs cannot analyze equipment vibration or temperature trends, leading to unplanned downtime costing thousands per minute.

Solution:

ARM industrial PCs collect sensor data (vibration, current, temperature) in real time, running edge-based FFT spectrum analysis and LSTM models to predict bearing wear risks 7 days in advance.

Azure IoT Edge syncs alerts with cloud digital twins, auto-generating maintenance orders to reduce unplanned downtime by 30%.

Case 2: Autonomous Visual Inspection

Pain Point: Manual inspections are inefficient (<200 units/hour) with over 5% defect leakage.

Solution:

ARM industrial PCs with industrial cameras deploy lightweight YOLOv5 models for millisecond-level detection of surface scratches or assembly defects.

Results are uploaded to Azure AI for continuous model optimization (99.9% accuracy), cutting labor costs by 70%.

Case 3: Energy Management Optimization

Pain Point: Dispersed energy data hinders real-time optimization.

Solution:

ARM industrial PCs aggregate data from meters, HVAC, and compressors, computing real-time KPIs (e.g., energy consumption per unit output).

Azure Stream Analytics dynamically adjusts equipment operation modes, reducing annual energy consumption by 15–20%.

III. Tangible Business Value

Cost Savings: 40% lower hardware costs, 60% reduced energy consumption.

Efficiency Gains: Fault response time shortened from hours to minutes, 25% improvement in OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

Data-Driven Insights: Capture full lifecycle equipment data to optimize processes and supply chain decisions.

IV. Global Success Stories

Automotive: A German automaker deployed 200+ ARM industrial PCs for real-time health monitoring of welding robots, cutting annual maintenance costs by $1.2M.

Food Packaging: A Southeast Asian dairy producer reduced product defects from 0.8% to 0.05% using edge visual inspection, avoiding $5M+ in annual recall losses.

Smart Water Management: A North American municipal water system achieved 98% accuracy in pipeline leak detection, saving 4M tons of water yearly.

V. Future Trends: The Edge Intelligence Frontier

5G + TSN Integration: ARM industrial PCs with 5G modules enable microsecond-level network synchronization for flexible manufacturing.

AI Accelerators: NPU/GPU-powered edge devices unlock large-model inference (e.g., generative AI for process optimization).

Sustainable Manufacturing: Edge-based carbon footprint tracking and optimization help meet ESG goals.

Conclusion: The Gold-Standard Combo for Industrial Intelligence

ARM industrial PCs and Azure IoT Edge redefine industrial operations—lower costs, faster decisions, unmatched resilience. Whether in discrete manufacturing or process industries, this synergy builds a closed loop of edge sensing, cloud optimization, and global intelligence, positioning enterprises at the forefront of smart manufacturing.

The ARMxy BL330 series is a versatile industrial ARM controller designed for flexible I/O configuration. It is based on the Allwinner Technology T113-i dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 + XuanTie C906 RISC-V + HiFi4 DSP heterogeneous multi-core processor. This industrial-grade computer features an ARM Cortex-A7 processor with clock speed of up to 1.2GHz. It is equipped with either 256Mbyte NAND Flash or 4/8GByte eMMC storage options and offers various combinations of 128M/256M/512M/1GByte DDR3 RAM and ROM. The BL330 series ARM embedded computer offers a rich array of interfaces including 1-3 10/100M Ethernet ports, 2 x USB 2.0 ports,1 x optional HDMI 2.0a port,1 x optional X series IO board,2 x optional Y series I/O boards.These interfaces support various functions such as communication, PWM output, pulse counting, and data acquisition and control. The BL330 also supports hardware decoding of 1080P@60fps videos. Additionally, it features a built-in Mini PCIe interface to support communication modules such as Bluetooth, WiFi, and 4G modules. The BL330 series ARM embedded computer supports a range of operating systems anddevelopment tools, including Linux-5.4.61 and Linux-RT-5.4.61 kernels,Ubuntu 20.04 operating system,Docker containers, Node-Red,Qt-5.12.5 and Qt-5.11.3 for graphical interface development.In addition, BL330 is compatible with BLIoTLink industrial protocol conversion software for data collection and transformation, and can seamless integration withvarious mainstream IoT cloud platforms and industrial SCADA software. Users can leverage the BLRAT for remote access and maintenance of the BL330 embedded computer. Additionally, with support for Node-Red, users can rapidly develop IoT applications on the BL330. The BL330 series ARM embedded computer has undergone rigorous electrical performance design and high-low temperature testing to ensure stability and reliability. It is designed for DIN35 rail mounting, making it suitable for various industrial application environments. This embedded computer is widely used in industrial IoT, photovoltaic power generation and energy storage systems, automation control, and transportation and rail applications.