Genuino 101 Platform Details
- Transfer
If you are developing for the Internet of things , it is very important to choose a platform that would best suit the needs of the project. In order to do this, you need to know about the capabilities and features of various platforms. Today we will reveal some important details about the Genuino 101 board . First, we compare it with the Arduino UNO, thus setting the starting point for analyzing the capabilities of the Genuino 101. And then we take a closer look at the features of the Genuino 101.
The Arduino UNO uses the Atmel ATmega328P module, the Genuino 101 uses the economical Intel Curie module with the Intel Quark SE SoC. UNO is powered by 5 V, and Genuino 101 is powered by 3.3 V, although the device normally carries a voltage of 5 V at the I / O connectors. The Genuino 101 has an integrated Bluetooth Low Energy module and a 6-axis combined sensor with an accelerometer and gyroscope. Arduino UNO has no such built-in components. The boards of both platforms are similar in size and pinout.
Genuino 101 and Arduino UNO Boards
The table below shows a comparison of the key characteristics of the platforms in question.
SoC Intel Quark SE contains a single-core x86 Intel Quark processor with a clock speed of 32 MHz and an Argonaut RISC Core (ARC) EM processor with the same frequency. These two processors run in parallel using shared memory. The ARC processor in some materials is called the digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP) of the sensor hub. In theory, DSP can work by consuming minimal amounts of energy, collecting and processing sensor readings. And the x86-processor at this time is in an economic standby mode. This scenario is ideal for applications that need to run all the time. However, this feature is not yet available at the software level.
When you load an Arduino sketch into the system, it runs on an ARC processor. However, the sketch is compiled using the Intel toolkit and the ARC processor, if necessary, interacts with x86 processors through static message buffers. To experiment with this, you can use the open source kernel library for Genuino 101.
Genuino 101's great software feature is that it can run a real-time operating system (Real-Time Operating System, RTOS). Intel is working on an SDK that will include a set of developer tools, libraries, documentation, and code samples designed to allow developers to create IoT applications using the Intel Curie module. This SDK, based on the Zephyr Project, will be compatible with the Genuino 101 platform and will be released soon. If you want to be one of the first to find out about the output of this SDK, take a look at this page .
Zephyr ProjectIs a small open source RTOS for IoT. It supports communication protocols optimized for cost-effective devices with a small memory size, allows you to use Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi and other communication technologies. This OS maintains low memory usage and execution of tasks with priorities. In addition, it is extremely effective in terms of energy consumption. RTOS includes powerful development tools and robust hardware subsystems. Among the developer tools, you can mark your own set of tools and an optimized compiler.
Genuino 101 contains a built-in Bluetooth Low Energy module (this technology is also called Bluetooth LE, BLE and Bluetooth Smart). This allows the board to exchange data with various devices, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, without using a connected Bluetooth LE-module. This, among other things, means a low level of energy consumption during data exchange. If you are interested in learning more about working with the Bluetooth LE module, take a look at the CurieBLE sample code .
Libraries for Arduino are collections of code blocks that provide additional functionality for use in sketches. Libraries for Genuino 101 simplify tasks for working with Bluetooth LE, sensors, timers. Namely, we are talking about the following libraries:
The accelerometer and gyroscope, as already mentioned, are built into the Genuino 101. Accelerometers are mainly used to measure acceleration and tilt. Gyroscopes are used to measure angular velocity and orientation in space. Such sensors provide the ability to accurately determine the movement of objects and their position in space. These features allow, when developing wearable devices , to bring interaction with users to a new level.
One of the ways to use an accelerometer is to use a pedometer based on it. When the Genuino 101 board makes a move in space, what is happening is analyzed, and if the transfer parameters meet certain criteria, it is perceived as a step. The determination of the pitch is based on significant measurements of velocity along the axes XY and Z in comparison with the state of rest. Here you can find the code of the example that implements the pedometer.
Just like for Arduino UNO, programs for Genuino 101 can be written using the Arduino IDE. Here is the material where you can see how the Genuino 101 started working out in detail. To see how the application that implements the pedometer on Genuino 101 works, download the corresponding sample code in the IDE.
Download the implementation example of the pedometer to the Arduino IDE
Next, you need to upload a sketch to Genuino 101.
Uploading a sketch to Genuino 101
Now move the board, imitating the “steps”, and look at the serial port monitor.
Pedometer in action
As you can see, the system counts the steps and displays them on the screen.
Both Genuino 101 and Arduino UNO each have 20 I / O pins. But Genuino 101 has more pins that can be assigned interrupts. Arduino UNO can cause interrupts on digital pins 2 and 3, while Genuino 101 on all pins. External interrupts that are caused by certain events can be taken on all pins. Interrupts on all pins can be triggered at low or high values of signals, at the leading or trailing edges of the signal, however, the interrupt can be triggered when the value of the input is changed only at outputs 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
We talked about the main features of Genuino 101. This platform is capable of becoming the foundation of many IoT developments. There are additional components, for example, in the Grove Starter Kit Plus , which allow you to do almost anything on the basis of the Genuino 101. Do not forget that the one who works with Genuino 101 can use the vast experience gained by Arduino-developers.
In order to order a board, take a look here , and you can start experimenting and see the excellent features of the Intel Curie in practice , guided by this material.
Genuino 101 versus Arduino UNO comparison
The Arduino UNO uses the Atmel ATmega328P module, the Genuino 101 uses the economical Intel Curie module with the Intel Quark SE SoC. UNO is powered by 5 V, and Genuino 101 is powered by 3.3 V, although the device normally carries a voltage of 5 V at the I / O connectors. The Genuino 101 has an integrated Bluetooth Low Energy module and a 6-axis combined sensor with an accelerometer and gyroscope. Arduino UNO has no such built-in components. The boards of both platforms are similar in size and pinout.
Genuino 101 and Arduino UNO Boards
The table below shows a comparison of the key characteristics of the platforms in question.
| Characteristic | Genuino 101 | Arduino uno |
| Microcontroller | Intel curie | Atmel ATmega328P * |
| Operating voltage | 3.3 V (I / O circuit tolerant to 5 V) | 5 V |
| CPU clock speed | 32 MHz | 16 MHz crystal oscillator |
| Architecture | Intel Quark SE SoC, 32 bits | 8 bit |
| Flash memory | 196 Kb | 32 Kb |
| Sram | 24 Kb | 2 Kb |
| Eeprom | 1 Kb | 1 Kb |
| operating system | Open source real-time OS | Not |
| Clock frequency | 32 MHz | 16 MHz |
| Special features | Integrated sensor hub on a digital signal processor (DSP) with a 6-axis combined sensor with an accelerometer and a gyroscope Integrated digital signal | Used as a digital signal processor (DSP) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Low Energy | Not |
| Digital I / O pins | 14 digital I / O pins | 14 digital I / O pins |
| Analog I / O contacts | 6 analog inputs | 6 analog inputs |
| USB connector | USB connector used to exchange data via the serial port protocol and download sketches. | USB connector used to exchange data via the serial port protocol and download sketches. |
| ICSP connector with SPI signal lines | Supported by | Supported by |
| I2C interface | Dedicated I2C contacts | Dedicated I2C contacts (Arduino UNO rev3) |
| Reboot | Reset button | Reset button |
| Dimensions (Length x Width) | 68.6 mm x 53.4 mm | 68.6 mm x 53.4 mm |
Details about Genuino 101
Microprocessors
SoC Intel Quark SE contains a single-core x86 Intel Quark processor with a clock speed of 32 MHz and an Argonaut RISC Core (ARC) EM processor with the same frequency. These two processors run in parallel using shared memory. The ARC processor in some materials is called the digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP) of the sensor hub. In theory, DSP can work by consuming minimal amounts of energy, collecting and processing sensor readings. And the x86-processor at this time is in an economic standby mode. This scenario is ideal for applications that need to run all the time. However, this feature is not yet available at the software level.
When you load an Arduino sketch into the system, it runs on an ARC processor. However, the sketch is compiled using the Intel toolkit and the ARC processor, if necessary, interacts with x86 processors through static message buffers. To experiment with this, you can use the open source kernel library for Genuino 101.
Real time operating system
Genuino 101's great software feature is that it can run a real-time operating system (Real-Time Operating System, RTOS). Intel is working on an SDK that will include a set of developer tools, libraries, documentation, and code samples designed to allow developers to create IoT applications using the Intel Curie module. This SDK, based on the Zephyr Project, will be compatible with the Genuino 101 platform and will be released soon. If you want to be one of the first to find out about the output of this SDK, take a look at this page .
Zephyr ProjectIs a small open source RTOS for IoT. It supports communication protocols optimized for cost-effective devices with a small memory size, allows you to use Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi and other communication technologies. This OS maintains low memory usage and execution of tasks with priorities. In addition, it is extremely effective in terms of energy consumption. RTOS includes powerful development tools and robust hardware subsystems. Among the developer tools, you can mark your own set of tools and an optimized compiler.
Bluetooth Low Energy
Genuino 101 contains a built-in Bluetooth Low Energy module (this technology is also called Bluetooth LE, BLE and Bluetooth Smart). This allows the board to exchange data with various devices, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, without using a connected Bluetooth LE-module. This, among other things, means a low level of energy consumption during data exchange. If you are interested in learning more about working with the Bluetooth LE module, take a look at the CurieBLE sample code .
Additional libraries
Libraries for Arduino are collections of code blocks that provide additional functionality for use in sketches. Libraries for Genuino 101 simplify tasks for working with Bluetooth LE, sensors, timers. Namely, we are talking about the following libraries:
- Curie BLE allows you to connect the board to other devices using the Bluetooth LE module;
- Curie IMU allows you to work with a built-in 6-axis accelerometer and gyroscope;
- Curie TimerOne allows you to work with a timer.
Accelerometer and gyroscope
The accelerometer and gyroscope, as already mentioned, are built into the Genuino 101. Accelerometers are mainly used to measure acceleration and tilt. Gyroscopes are used to measure angular velocity and orientation in space. Such sensors provide the ability to accurately determine the movement of objects and their position in space. These features allow, when developing wearable devices , to bring interaction with users to a new level.
One of the ways to use an accelerometer is to use a pedometer based on it. When the Genuino 101 board makes a move in space, what is happening is analyzed, and if the transfer parameters meet certain criteria, it is perceived as a step. The determination of the pitch is based on significant measurements of velocity along the axes XY and Z in comparison with the state of rest. Here you can find the code of the example that implements the pedometer.
Just like for Arduino UNO, programs for Genuino 101 can be written using the Arduino IDE. Here is the material where you can see how the Genuino 101 started working out in detail. To see how the application that implements the pedometer on Genuino 101 works, download the corresponding sample code in the IDE.
Download the implementation example of the pedometer to the Arduino IDE
Next, you need to upload a sketch to Genuino 101.
Uploading a sketch to Genuino 101
Now move the board, imitating the “steps”, and look at the serial port monitor.
Pedometer in action
As you can see, the system counts the steps and displays them on the screen.
I / O lines and interrupts
Both Genuino 101 and Arduino UNO each have 20 I / O pins. But Genuino 101 has more pins that can be assigned interrupts. Arduino UNO can cause interrupts on digital pins 2 and 3, while Genuino 101 on all pins. External interrupts that are caused by certain events can be taken on all pins. Interrupts on all pins can be triggered at low or high values of signals, at the leading or trailing edges of the signal, however, the interrupt can be triggered when the value of the input is changed only at outputs 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
findings
We talked about the main features of Genuino 101. This platform is capable of becoming the foundation of many IoT developments. There are additional components, for example, in the Grove Starter Kit Plus , which allow you to do almost anything on the basis of the Genuino 101. Do not forget that the one who works with Genuino 101 can use the vast experience gained by Arduino-developers.
In order to order a board, take a look here , and you can start experimenting and see the excellent features of the Intel Curie in practice , guided by this material.