4. IoT HW Innovation
Modular and flexible embedded hardware,
supported by a specific design
methodology, and capable to guarantee
products sustainable evolution, driven by
customers needs in different vertical
domains.
◦ Based on a new design methodology (DFM)
◦ Two application and vertical driven HW
platforms
◦ Interoperability is based on hardware
components modularity based on COM
Express universal standard (PICMG COM.0
v2.1) and compliancy with the HAT
specification
Native HW
modularity
Existing
HW
modularity
DFM
Address both
makers and
professionals
Solid library
of standard
modules
COM Ex
and HAT
standards
Global
market
ready
Products
sustainability
Reduce
customization
effort
Reduce TTM
5. IoT HW Innovation (2)
AGILE tries to address real-world challenges of IoT solutions design and
development:
◦ the gateway is the core component of many vertical IoT/M2M application.
◦ IoT is volatile, dynamic, with high speed change and limited predictability. AGILE
modularity and flexibility represents a concrete answer in order to quickly
adapt and minimize risks, specifically for custom products.
◦ AGILE approach allow the customer to focus on business logic, not on the IoT
infrastructure and its technical details. AGILE is orienting to rapid application
development in IoT.
◦ The platform allows managing heterogeneity and diversity, handling large
numbers of heterogeneous and constantly evolving assets and devices.
◦ AGILE approach is oriented to simplify building customizable IoT solutions for
different use cases.
5
7. WP1 - Gateway HW design and
implementation
Main objective: specification, design and implementation of
the hardware of the modular gateway.
The modular gateway:
◦ will be available in two versions:
◦ the “makers” version based on RaspberryPi;
◦ the industrial version with a new HW design based
on Intel architecture.
◦ will be based on a set of core and
expansion modules:
◦ core modules: carrier module, cpu module, the storage module or the power supply,
etc.;
◦ extension modules: the communication modules, sensing modules, etc..
7
8. WP1 - Gateway HW design and
implementation (2)
Address two levels of modularity:
• modularity for existing HW: an expansion module (shield) allows the RPi to
be extended with new modules;
• intrinsic modularity: in the industrial gateway any architectural element is a
module.
Hardware module interoperability:
• based on compliancy with the HAT specification;
• based on COM Express universal standard (PICMG COM.0 v2.1).
Hardware prototypes development:
• Implement a set of prototypes of the “makers” gateway;
• Implement a set of prototypes of the industrial gateway;
• implement a set of expansion modules that will be adopted in the pilots.
8
10. Design methodology
Design for modularity (DFM): DFM follows the emerging trend in HW
design and manufacturing known as “Build to Order”.
◦ BTO products are not built until a confirmed order for products is received.
◦ We extend BTO also to the design phase (not only manufacturing).
◦ Traditionally, BTO is the most appropriate approach used for highly
customized or low volume products.
◦ DFM allows to map a custom design in a design based on standard
modules!
DFM has been applied to the design of the industrial gateway:
◦ definition of the reference design;
◦ definition and implementation of a general purpose consolidated design;
◦ definition and implementation of a vertical consolidated design (the
monitoring station, Pilot C).
12. T↓
C↓
V
P
T↓
C↓
V
P
T↓
C↓
V
P
DFM for standard product
Gateway HW modularity is an important factor to:
◦ design and develop sustainable standard products,
◦ and correctly position them in the related markets.
Tuned by a
standard
configuration
Cost
optimized
Extremely low
customization
High volumes (but not
to much sense…because of Low P)
Quickest delivery
Low cost
influenced by
modularity price
(win for stocking/volume lower
indirect costs and NRE)
Extremely low
customization
High volume for a
specific vertical
Traditional design&dev.
approach
Modular approach Comparison
T↓: Time to market (inv.); C ↓: Costs (inv.); V: Volumes; P: Customization Level
13. STRONG DFM
IMPACT
T↓
C↓
V
P
T↓
C↓
V
P
DFM for custom product
Gateway HW modularity has a strong impact to:
◦ design and develop sustainable custom products,
◦ and correctly position them in the related vertical markets.
Highest design,
dev. and
production times
High costs,
highest NRE
Highest
customization
level
Low volumes (but not to
much sense…because it typical for
a custom product)
Low time to
market
(influenced only by
custom modules)
Lower costs
(benefit from modularity,
influenced by custom
modules)
High
customization
(constrained only by
modularity)
High volume for a
specific vertical
(thanks to modularity)
Traditional design&dev.
approach
Modular approach Comparison
T↓: Time to market (inv.); C ↓: Costs (inv.); V: Volumes; P: Customization Level
14. Costs analysis
DFM enable the HIGH REUSE of HW modules:
◦ although the customer request is for 100-200 pieces, the high reuse allow to
manufacture larger quantities of the same modules;
◦ the price “breakpoint” is at 1000-2000, producing a module in these
quantities cuts down the module price;
◦ low-costs modules allows to address orders of small quantities (100-200) of
custom gateway.
Estimated DESIGN costs (normalized):
14
cost for standard products with a traditional approach 100
cost for standard products using DFM approach 150
cost of a custom product with a traditional approach 150-250
cost of a custom product using DFM approach 40-190
The costs analysis demonstrates the AGILE solution is
sustainable when addressing the IoT market!
16. AGILE HW Platforms
Main features
Two versions: makers’ and industrial.
◦ Makers’: oriented to proof of concepts, affordable and rapid prototyping,
◦ Industrial: oriented to high end solutions for transportation and industrial markets.
Two architectures supported: Intel (BayTrail family) and ARM (ARMv7,
ARMv8).
Wide connectivity support: 2G/3G/LTE, Wi-Fi, BLE, ZigBee, LoRaWAN.
Wide sensing capabilities: e.g. more than 150 sensors available with the
monitoring station.
Rich I/O: versatile set of I/O interfaces, including Gbit Ethernet, USB, isolated
DI/O and serial ports, CAN, video, audio in/out, etc..
Multiple storage options, including eMMC, mSATA, SD-Cards, and fixed or
removable 2.5” SSD/HDD
Fanless: low power-performances with fanless architecture.
Both AGILE hardware gateways share the same AGILE software platform.
Other HW platforms potentially will support AGILE: Up Board (V.1) (See WP2)
16
17. AGILE HW Platforms
17
Makers
Gateway
Industrial Gateway
(Reference Design)
Monitoring Station
(Consolidated Design)
Design for Modularity
ATHENS
Event
Intrinsic modularity
Modularity by expansion
20. Makers gateway (3)
20
ZigBee
LoRaWAN
802.15.4
+ sensors
+ actuators
+ …
+ Raspberry Pi 3 features:
Bluetooth Low Energy
Wifi
…
Available in Crowdfunding
Campaign since November
Adopted in Pilot A
Examplesofconnectivitymodules