CLOUD 101 FOR EMBEDDED DESIGNERS

Abstract• Attendees will learn about the PROs and CONs

of different connection options for the Internet of Things.

• The class will cover Ethernet, WiFi, cellular, and mesh networking options and also talk about tradeoffs for each (security, reliability, performance, and cost).

What is the cloud?

• Definition: Scalable servers connected to the Internet that provide certain functionality.

• Some applications in “The Cloud”:– Salesforce -> Sales, CRM– Amazon Cloud Drive, Box.net -> Data storage– Google Apps -> Office productivity– Mint, Quickbooks -> Financial

• Today, we are talking about “The Cloud” as it pertains to embedded systems.

Market evolution

For anyone who has designed or spec’d a product in the past 12 years, there has been a race to add the next thing to meet customer needs, improve the product, drive down costs, keep up with the competition:

2000

LCD, USB, Ethernet, Compact Flash

2005

Touchscreen, Video, HW Accelerators, Wireless, SD 2010

Cellular, WiFi, Security, Authentication

The new peripheral

2000

LCD, USB, Ethernet, Compact Flash

2005

Touchscreen, Video, HW Accelerators, Wireless, SD 2010

Cellular, WiFi, Security, Authentication

The cloud enables new options:•Remote diagnostics•Remote software upgrades•Remote control•Asset management•Simpler hardware

Cloud2015

The opportunity

End Users

ServiceAdmins

Site Managers

PRODUCTS STAKEHOLDERSCONNECT

What can the cloud do?

• Add value by enhancing user experience• Add revenue by offering new services • Reduce expenses by improving business processes

and managing firmware updates, support, and data collection from a central vantage point

• Understand users by analyzing use patterns• Make better decisions by integrating with existing

business systems

Converging perspectives

We’ve got problems

• New product categories are emerging• Vocabulary is not standardized• Consensus standards are immature• Differing interpretations of what IoT/M2M is

Hierarchical Taxonomy

Smart Services

Source: http://trentonsystems.com/

Machine Interfaces

Source: http://eurescom.eu

Solution evolution

Goal: internet-enable a CNC lathe

Embedded webserver

Summary: simple; not highly scalable; IT firewall issues can be challenging

CNC lathe (server) Computer terminal (client)

Ethernet

Treat devices as clients

Summary: endlessly customizable, complex, requires IT expertise

CNC lathe (client) Web application (server)

Ethernet

Buy, not make

Summary: leverages existing technologies; focus on data/stakeholders

CNC lathe (client)Application Enablement Platform (AEP)

Ethernet End Users

ServiceAdmins

Site Managers

Add cellular

Summary: increased flexibility; no IT firewall issues; increased cost

CNC lathe + Gateway

Application Enablement Platform (AEP)

End Users

ServiceAdmins

Site Managers

MNO, MVNO

CNC lathe + Gateway

CNC lathe + Gateway

Optimize cellular

Summary: add short-range RF to reduce cellular costs

CNC lathe + Short-range RF

Application Enablement Platform (AEP)

End Users

ServiceAdmins

Site Managers

MNO, MVNO

CNC lathe + Short-range RF

CNC lathe + Short-range RF

GatewayRF Aggregator

Parting thoughts

• Understand your design goals– Flexibility vs. cost– Performance vs. power

• Understand your options– Modules, aggregators, gateways, cellular networks, cloud

platforms, mobile frameworks• Focus on your core competencies; buy the rest• Prepare for the next frontier: federation of services

(CRM, ERP, social networks)

We’ve got opportunities

• Bring simplicity where there is complexity• Design solutions where there are none• Set lasting consumer precedents• Provide access to information that drives business decisions

and reduces risk• Pioneer new territory

CLOUD 101 FOR EMBEDDED DESIGNERS