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nblocks:n-blocks_n-pro [2019/09/26 06:03] faizan |
nblocks:n-blocks_n-pro [2020/02/20 06:18] (current) engineer |
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- | =====OVERVIEW ===== | + | =====n-Blocks PRO===== |
+ | ~~CLOSETOC~~ | ||
+ | *<fs medium>**n-Blocks** is a modular open source low power embedded systems platform based on a modular form factor. n-Blocks adopts a plug and play concept where computing, sensor, energy harvesting/powering, and communication boards can be plugged together to achieve particular embedded system platform capabilities.</fs> | ||
+ | | ||
+ | * <fs medium>A number of embedded processors are used based primarily on the ARM Cortex series. Wireless communication capabilities include boards with for example Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRa, WiFi, IEEE802.15.4/Zigbee, and NB-IoT. </fs> | ||
- | *** n-Blocks started as a Wireless Sensor Node platform, a product for the niche academic WSN market, but due to its dynamic/modular structure and mbed code base, soon became a general IoT and embedded systems platform.** | + | * <fs medium>The sensing capabilities include temperature, humidity, acceleration, light, VOC, CO2, air quality, and others.</fs> |
- | * **A platform to create products: We have used n-Blocks in Nimbus centre to develop and deliver innovative projects. As a result, we created many different n-Blocks.** | + | * <fs medium>The n-Blocks platform is built with the following principles in mind:</fs> |
+ | * <fs medium>**Modularity**- boards that can be plugged together like bricks in an efficient and seamlessmanner to create wireless nodes or industrial style controllers with varying computing, communication and sensing capabilities </fs> | ||
+ | * <fs medium>** Functional Scalability**- boards have 240 pins divided into four 60 pin standardized low profile connectors to expose as many functions as possible and create a scalable platform that is not limited by communication capabilities between boards</fs> | ||
+ | * <fs medium>**Processing performance scalability**- from the ARM Cortex M family of microprocessor to support a wide range of software applications starting from battery-powered ultra-low power wireless sensor applications running onCortex M0 to Linux OS based applications running on Cortex A8</fs> | ||
- | * **After using and testing the n-Blocks platform internally for our Nimbus centre projects for several years, we realised that the low pin-count simple connectors (similar to mbed or Arduino boards) was blocking the** | + | * <fs medium>Following these principles, we have created a range of [[https://www.n-blocks.net/nmodules/doku.php?id=start|n-Blocks PRO]] boards, initially for use within industry sponsored R&D projects in the Nimbus Research Centre..</fs> |
- | * **modularity (cables create a mesh)** | + | |
- | * **scalability (need for more than 24 pins)** | + | |
- | * **Use of larger/faster Microprocessors and Linux supported Microcontrollers** | + | |
- | * **By the end of 2018 we decided to redesign the platform with dense connectors moving from 24 pins to 240pins)** | + | * <fs medium>The most important n-Blocks PRO boards are being assembled and are in the testing phase. We are migrating our standard [[https://www.n-blocks.net/nmodules/doku.php?id=nblocks:list_of_n-blocks| n-Blocks]] (about 100 different n-Blocks) to the new n-PRO form factor </fs> |
- | * **After several iterations, we created the n-PRO series. The most important n-Blocks are being assembled and are in the testing phase** | + | *<fs medium>n-Blocks has been evaluated in a number of academic-industry pilot projects for use cases covering: </fs> |
+ | * <fs medium>Wireless Sensor Networks</fs> | ||
+ | * <fs medium>Motion Control</fs> | ||
+ | * <fs medium>Industrial Control</fs> | ||
+ | * <fs medium>Environmental Monitoring</fs> | ||
+ | * <fs medium>Smart Buildings</fs> | ||
+ | * <fs medium>Healthcare</fs> | ||
+ | | ||
- | * **We are migrating most of our standard n-Blocks (about 70 different n-Blocks) and the Reference designs to the new n-PRO form factor** | ||
- | *** We can’t really control what the users will develop with n-Blocks, but we are creating well structured use case examples in the form of Reference Designs** | + | =====Form Factor===== |
- | + | ||
- | * **Reference designs are used to narrow-down to specific use cases** | + | |
- | ** - Sensing | + | |
- | - Wireless Sensor Networks | + | |
- | - Industrial Control | + | |
- | - Education | + | |
- | - Science/Lab | + | |
- | - Any new project requirements** | + | |
+ | =====mbed Enable===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | =====Low Power===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | =====Customization===== | ||