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I/O (input/output) is a critical part of any programmable logic controller (PLC) system. It allows for the efficient and reliable connection of external devices to the PLC, allowing for more complex control systems.

NORVI ESP32 Industrial Arduino, has served with the best I/O combinations for both monitoring and controlling applications. On the base unit, NORVI Controllers offer below I/O Capabilities. 

• Digital Inputs
• 4-20mA Analog Inputs
• 0 – 10V Analog Inputs
• Transistor Outputs 
• Relay Outputs

We are planning to discuss the capabilities of the Digital Inputs , Transistor outputs in a separate document. Including how they can be utilized for industrial applications. 

While we discover more and more use of the NORVI Industrial Controllers we added the expandability of I/O Capabilities.

The most obvious advantage of using I/O expansion in an Arduino PLC system is the ability to connect more external devices and increase the capacity of the system. With the use of I/O expansion, the number of devices that can be connected to the Arduino PLC can be increased significantly. This provides the user with greater flexibility, allowing them to control more devices with a single PLC. 

Another advantage of I/O expansion is the improvement of system reliability. By connecting more external devices to the PLC, the system can be monitored and controlled more accurately. This ensures that any errors or malfunctions in the system are detected quickly and efficiently. In addition, I/O expansion can help to reduce the cost of a PLC system. By adding more I/O expansion, the total cost of the system can be reduced. This is because the cost of the additional I/O expansion is much lower than the cost

We have launched below expansion products; 

1. Analog Input Expansions
2. Digital Input Expansions
3. Transistor Output Expansions
4. Relay Output Expansions

In the near future, we will be launching the LoRaWAN expansion module to enable users to get the best out of NORVI Controllers. 

NORVI Solutions for GSM LTE Connectivity
https://norvi.lk/product/esp32-gsm-series/

Why GSM / LTE in IoT ?

https://norvi.lk/product/esp32-gsm-series/

In the 21st century, IoT connectivity has become a very important thing in many sectors. From human to human and machine to machine and machine to human, IoT application connectivity has become important. From wired and wireless mediums, used for IoT applications to establish connectivity. But wired connectivity has limitations when it comes to remote locations, and the cost increases to develop infrastructure. In this case, GSM/ LTE based IoT applications have become a popular solution. The main reason for using GSM/ LTE based IoT applications is that most GSM/ LTE modems globally use signal bands in GSM, GPRS, WCDMA, LTE-FDD, LTE-TDD. Especially when it comes to NB-IoT based IoT applications, GSM/ LTE are more suitable. Also, GSM / LTE integrated IoT applications consume low power, initial setup is easier, and costs low cost.

Solutions provided by NORVI GSM Series. 

The NORVI GSM series has multiple applications based on IoT. There are SIM800L & QUECTEL EC21-G, two cellular modem types used for implementing NORVI GSM series products. SIM800L integrated NOEVI devices support Quad-band, DTMF, MMS, MUX Functions, Embedded TCP/UDP protocols, 850/900/1800/1900MHz cellular bands, and 12/10 GPRS multi-slot class. When it comes to QUECTEL EC21-G, two cellular modem support on Worldwide LTE, UMTS/HSPA(+) and GSM/GPRS/EDGE, DTMF, MMS, MUX Functions, Embedded TCP/UDP protocols, 850/900/1800/1900MHz cellular bands, 12/10 GPRS multi-slot class.

Applications of GSM based IOT Devices

• Wireless IoT Gateways.
• Data transmission over cellular networks.
• WiFi to GSM Bridge.
• MQTT Gateway.
• Remote machine monitoring and controlling.
• Logistic and Store house management.

As a wireless IoT gateway case, GSM based NORVI IOT Devices can be used for communicating with multiple devices as a cluster. For data communication with a central server case from a remote location, cellular networks can be used because the modems integrated into the NORVI GSM series support multiple globally recognized cellular bands. For establishing communication between wifi medium media and GSM transmission as a bridge application. As well as control devices via MQTT Gateway provide advantages for industrial and home consumer applications. In an industrial environment,  installing GSM based NORVI IOT devices with multiple machine functions can be controlled with a single button press. Furthermore, a large number of  industrial machines’ status data can be monitored from a single screen. NORVI GSM based IOT devices can be used to automate & monitor the environmental conditions in store  houses and track logistics on a large scale.

Finally NORVI GSM series is a very good low cost wireless communication solution specially for industrial applications. 

Industrial automation is widespread in today’s factories and businesses, and it’s impossible to picture a manufacturing line without it. Control devices and machinery with software are used in industrial automation to execute activities that were previously performed manually.Due to the digitalization of manufacturing, particularly with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), industrial automation technologies have progressed greatly in recent years, providing more and more opportunities for businesses to benefit from automation solutions.

NORVI industrial controllers with the aim of helping the industrial manufacturers, to gain greater visibility and insights into their operations, provide IoT solutions via the programmable IoT devices. The ESP32/STM32 based NORVI devices come equipped with digital and analog I/O enabling them to detect digital logic states (for sensor reading and counting), to read analog inputs (for voltage/current measurements) and to control applications based on relay & transistor outputs. Variety of models in the NORVI lineup can be used in various applications like flow rate, pressure, and etc. Unlike traditional controllers, these devices are designed to be durable and able to withstand harsh environments, making them ideal for industrial use. They’re all built to the IEC specification, which defines a current/voltage range and interfaces for industrial applications.

The NORVI  devices come with WiFi(for ESP32 based devices), RS-485 and Ethernet connectivity as standard with GSM/LTE, NB-IoT, LoRa as additional options on request, offering a wide range of communication options. NORVI controllers can be used as modbus devices using RS-485 modbus support or modbus over Ethernet support, with the given RS-485 and Ethernet connectivity options.

NORVI IoT controllers also support MQTT protocol. Traditional automation products and protocols typically require a stringent setup and hierarchy to move data from a field sensor to a field controller, to a site network, to a PC data center, and then to the cloud. It can be difficult to create and manage these types of implementations. MQTT, which includes multiple functions to satisfy the needs of Industrial IoT, has risen to popularity as a protocol for solving this issue.

Consider a cloud-controlled device that can monitor the humidity in a farm from afar. In the case of the HTTP protocol, the system will have to send out GET requests on a regular basis to check for changes in an attribute, such as “Voltage  Variable,” and then take action based on the most recent reading.This necessitates a huge number of requests, and it isn’t entirely real-time because it is dependent on the polling frequency. MQTT allows the user to listen to the cloud and receive notifications only when a variable changes. The communication between the computer and the cloud is kept open in this manner, but data only moves when it is needed, saving battery life and network bandwidth while enhancing real-time performance.

So it is clear that MQTT-capable industrial automation devices are the latest approach for combining commercial and industrial automation with the cloud using IoT principles in a cost-effective, safe, and reliable manner. Users only need to do some basic legwork after choosing a programmable MQTT device like NORVI to create the MQTT link. Furthermore, as compared to PLC devices that perform the same role in an industrial setting, the NORVI controllers are much more affordable.

Refer to these comprehensive articles for step-by-step guidance on working with the NORVI devices. https://www.instructables.com/member/Iconic%20Devices/instructables/

Why NORVI Programmable IoT Devices
– Cut build time and consolidate the process,
– Pre- certified products
– Ability to customize I/O requirements.
– Example programs for variety of applications.

Applications :
– MQTT End device
– Modbus sensor node
– Machine / Equipment monitoring system

Checkout our product range on https://norvi.lk/products/

The introduction of micro controller-based boards has sparked a surge in interest in embedded systems, allowing a large number of people to show interest in the field of micro-controllers and IoT. This has increased the scope and applications in which they are used. The advent of easy to use micro-controller boards have increased the scope within which micro controllers are being used, especially paving a path to replace the PLCs in complex control systems.

NORVI Industrial controllers are such programmable IoT devices based on micro-controllers. Unlike the usual controllers, these devices are designed with ruggedness and the ability to withstand extreme conditions, which makes them ready for industrial applications. Also they are designed according to the IEC standard which is usually at a range of current/voltage and interfaces for industrial applications.

Programming these devices are simplified by providing the facility to code these devices using simplified platforms like Arduino IDE, with step by step guides available to the users.These ESP32 based devices come equipped with digital and analog I/O, enabling them to detect digital logic states and analog inputs, depending on the choice of the model. Variety of models in the Norvi lineup are capable of measuring the environmental factors like flow rate, pressure, temperature and offer analog inputs (for dedicated voltage/current measurement) at the industrial level. 

Setting up the Norvi devices only require lesser wiring, which offers more flexibility to management of the device. And mainly, it is to be noted that the cost of the Norvi devices is kept in a much affordable range when compared to that of PLC devices, which do the same task in an industrial environment.