Advantech’s E&E M2I SRP provides a seamless edge-to-cloud integration solution for heavy electrical equipment
9/01/2018
Introduction
However, because network connectivity was understandably
not a consideration in the design of conventional heavy electrical equipment, upgrading
equipment and integrating it with a cloud platform may require many additional
software and hardware products. This can subsequently extend the implementation
period, largely due to efforts aimed at solving compatibility issues between
products made by different manufacturers, and it can also increase the
difficulty of future system maintenance and management because of the complexity
of the new system architecture.
Advantech’s M2I SRP is a lite equipment
networking solution that overcomes these problems. It allows the easy upgrade of
power generators in giving them networking capability and requires only an ECU-1152
industrial communication gateway. It also makes integration with a cloud
platform seamless with WISE-EdgeLink, which is smart protocol conversion
software that comes preinstalled with the unit. Thus, the solution not only
simplifies the system architecture but also accelerates the establishment of
remote management systems.
System Requirements
- Compact hardware that could be installed in an electromechanical cabinet that has limited space l
- Hardware capable of operating in a wide range of temperatures such as in outdoor livestock environments
- Serial ports for connecting diesel generator controllers and GPS modules
- Support for various wireless communication options in order to meet various connection requirements
- MQTT protocol support for remote monitoring
- Provide a mechanism that ensures data accuracy in the event of a wireless network disconnection, device failure, or other issues
System Description
WISE-EdgeLink is intermediary edge-to-cloud software
that supports a variety of communication protocols, including Modbus, DNP3,
RESTful, MQTT, and IEC 60870-5-104. Thus, it can easily connect to various low-level
devices, such as controllers and mainstream PLCs, and high-level IT management
systems or cloud platform. In addition to performing protocol conversion, the software
also supports transmission restoration. When the signal is lost, the software temporarily
stores the data in the ECU-1152’s onboard SD card for upload once communication
is restored, thus ensuring that critical data are not lost. In the event of an
abnormality with the network, mini-PCIe communication module, or gateway, the software
has an automatic debugging mechanism for troubleshooting by redialing, restarting
the module, or rebooting the system.
System Diagram

Conclusion
At this time of growing ubiquity in IoT connectivity, equipment networking is the leading solution for implementing smart applications. Heavy electrical equipment used in factories, commercial buildings, hospitals, stores, and other settings are invariably following this trend. Advantech E&E M2I is an application-ready solution integrating both software and hardware. By enabling the easy configuration of required functions, users can complete the equipment networking and remote management in a short time. The new energy and power system solution provider is very satisfied with Advantech’s solution, particularly for its convenience, and th company has decided to introduce the ECU-1152 with built-in WISE-EdgeLink in other power generator sets add value to their products.