Interoperability
The true essence of IoT, not "a technology", but an innovative and flexible approach to reduce vendor lock-in and lower both Capex and Opex costs.
If we had to summarize the essence of IoT (or even IoE, Internet of Everything) for Tera in a single word, we would undoubtedly say: INTEROPERABILITY. Objects connected to the internet even before the term IoT existed, so IoT is not strictly a technology, but rather an approach. The truly novel aspect of this approach is the interoperability between sensing/control products (devices, sensors, actuators), ICT products and software – both in the field (servers) and on the CLOUD. In line with this concept, Tera has designed and created edge computers (new generation gateways based on Linux and remotely updatable) inherently focused on the interoperability typical of IoT. All Tera products follow this direction, including our top-of-the-range products, BeetaBox and GIoE.
BEETA BOX
GIoE: l’unità di controllo per la fabbrica intelligente
What are the strengths of our fully interoperable approach?
The number of on-board communication protocols (it seems that no other products in this market segment offer such a concentration of protocols), which allows for enormous flexibility. In fact, by being able to use third-party devices (sensors and actuators), we offer extremely high modularity and scalability. Having Linux on board, 1 or 2 GB of RAM, 8 GB of Flash expandable to 256 GB via SD card, being accessible and remotely updatable and interoperable with the Cloud, ... it is in fact possible to use Tera gateways in one or more of the following ways:
With pre-installed LINUX OS
MQTT, Node-Red, OSGI, OPC-UA, etc…
With “FIN FRAMEWORK”
Like FIN Framework by J2Innovations (a Siemens Company) or other. Fin Framework is currently the best SW suite for designers, engineers, System Integrators and installation companies in the field of building automation and, particularly, for HVAC control (FIN has chances to become the best solution also for other market verticals). We are official and “preferred” partner of J2Innovations . As OEM, we could deliver our edge computers with “InTERActor” Framework on board (the FIN Framework branded by TERA S.r.l.). Also “AWS IoT GreenGrass” and “IBM Edge Application Manager” have been successfully used on our edge computers
With custom software
Tera supports clients in customizations.
How to use Tera products?
There are digital I/Os on board (and Analog Inputs in the case of GIoE): some simple sensors can be connected directly, as well as some relays
.3d250554.svg)
Using the two RS485 ports, then extending an RS485 bus, RS485 expansion modules can be used, which provide 8, 16, or 32 digital I/Os (there are various types, brands, and models), making it possible to read other sensors or control other loads via relays
The same with Ethernet cabling
Where cabling is not convenient, using wireless sensors and relays achieves the same results; for specific protocols, it is always possible to use an adapter "dongle" via one of the USBs; there are also USB adapters for controlling single loads via IR
Fiscal electricity meters are automatically read; fiscal gas meters can be read in the wireless WMBUS protocol (if the distributor gives the user the password, which is always possible to "demand") or with "S0" wiring (if equipped with pulse output); the same is true for some new generation water meters; in addition to measuring and "controlling" the electricity consumption of individual loads via smart plugs or wall or cabinet-mounted meters, you can also read thermal consumption using "heat meters" on RS485 and wireless.
Some photovoltaic inverters and batteries
Tera and J2 Innovations: Interoperability for Advanced IoT Solutions
Further confirming the value of Tera's products in terms of interoperability and a truly IoT approach, in October 2019 Tera and J2 Innovations (a Siemens company) signed an agreement for reciprocal compatibility between Tera gateways and the FIN Framework software package. In particular, J2 recommends Tera products for applications that require the simultaneous management of multiple communication protocols. Below are some of the functionalities/magnitudes managed thanks to several third-party devices that have already been tested.
.52d6c5a7.svg)
Readings and on/off management of typical electrical panel partitions (electromotive force, lights, air conditioners) and of individual machines (typically Modbus RS485, but some wireless devices are also available)
Surface temperature readings (in wells, ovens, tanks, chassis, etc.); Part counter readings in production machinery
Readings and on/off management of some loads such as refrigerators, ovens, lights, etc., via Zwave and/or ZigBee smart plugs and via built-in devices available on the website www.beeta.it (and also described in the attached "short guide" document)
Readings and management of radiator valves; Readings and management of panic buttons/alarms
Soil moisture sensor readings
Readings and management of temperatures with wireless sensors; Readings of thermal consumption using heat meters; Gas consumption readings
Water consumption readings; Readings for water presence (flooding), CO2, CO, methane (leaks), smoke (fire) signals
Reading open/close door and/or motion signals; I/O to collect alarms; I/O to be able to command activities
Reading measurements of inclination, cracking, vibration for walls/bridges (static monitoring of structures)
Reading Target Bluetooth (or also on other protocols) for localization
Below we summarize the Tera products that maximize the concept of interoperability:
BEETA Box, GIoE and MoCo
Used for Building/Energy Management applications, but also for monitoring in industry and agriculture; to be used in the field of "automatic controls", the use of the J2Innovations/Siemens "Fin Framework" SW package is particularly suitable; for monitoring, in addition to being used with custom SW created and developed by Tera, it is also used with open-source SW tools such as NodeRED, HomeAssistant, OpenHAB, Grafana, InfluxDB, IBM Edge Application Manager, AWS IoT GreenGrass, etc.
BEETA Reader
Is a chain2 (and chain1) approved User Device for reading electricity meters on the PLC protocol
Middleware DCP
All Tera products have the DCP SW on board, which can be used to easily configure the products and the data sending - including MQTT with simple mouse clicks, no code lines or Linux commands to type (APIs are available, all products are open in terms of SW and protocols to use)
TERA4Energy” SW Platform
Monitoring systems compliant with ENEA regulations (d.lgs 102/2014) for "energy diagnoses", built with open-source tools such as Grafana, InfluxDB, NodeRED.
