iRidium Server and hardware platforms for it

    IRidium mobile software for control panels of automation systems and smart homes is widely known not only in our country, but also far beyond its borders. This solution allows installers to realize their wildest ideas on visualizing the management of their projects both in terms of external design and the internal structure and interaction of system elements.
    One of the significant advantages of the product is the possibility of direct interaction with various actuators and systems. At the same time, the performance of modern gadgets allows you to implement quite complex configurations of solutions and provide comfortable responsiveness. However, this approach has certain drawbacks that iRidium Server is able to handle.


    Features of iRidium mobile


    Direct interaction with actuators works well when interactivity is required. However, if we are talking about mobile devices, then removing them from your home network, shutting down or even replacing them may leave your system without convenient control. In particular, this does not allow implementing a more or less complicated work logic, including schedules and timers.
    Such a scheme cannot provide data analysis tools, as well as build trends, since there is no possibility of efficient storage of information and universal databases. Moreover, these capabilities are increasingly in demand in modern building management systems.

    Despite the unique capabilities of the multi-protocol architecture of iRidium mobile, there is no tool to ensure reliable interaction between different devices and systems. To solve these problems, iRidium Server was created, work on which has been actively conducted since last year.

    New features with iRidium Server


    At the same time as maintaining unique flexibility and compatibility with various protocols and standards of automation systems, the client-server approach implemented with iRidium Server allows us to increase the usability and simplify the programming of control panels. The new architecture allows you to install the controller on the same local network as the managed devices, and on panels (including remote ones) it will be required to provide a connection only with your server, but not with each device or bridge.



    The built-in system drivers available in the editor include AV & Custom Sys., Global Cache (including a ready-made code base for thousands of vehicle models), AMX, Clipsal (C-Bus), Crestron, Domintell, HDL-BUS Pro, Helvar, KNX, KNX IP BAOS, Modbus, EPSNET. Additionally, the server is able to work through script-based drivers with Clipsal C-Gate, CoolMaster, CoolMasterNet, Dune HD, ekey, Fibaro (Z-Wave), Highcross, Integra, Kramer, Marantz, nooLite, Onkyo, Philips Dynalite, Philips HUE, RaZberry (Z-Wave), Russound, Samsung Smart TV, Sonos, Squeezebox, Trivum, Vera (Z-Wave), XBMC.

    In addition, avoiding the direct connection of panels to devices will help virtualize communication schemes. The server provides transparent translation of commands and the presentation of the status of the drivers of his project as their own universal devices. In fact, you can write the same code on the panels to control, for example, a lighting dimmer, regardless of the hardware implementation it uses - be it KNX, HDL, Z-Wave or Philips HUE. It is possible to create fully virtual channels and tags, which increases the convenience of processing events and statuses. At the same time, the panels of course also retain the ability to directly connect to systems and devices.



    A constantly working server allows you to implement work with schedules and timers. In many modern tasks, server support for the organization and use of internal databases will be in demand. For example, this is useful for projects with the processing of large amounts of information and for the implementation of analytics and advanced visualization functions.

    Another significant change is the new licensing scheme. If previously licenses were installed on the panel and could include various combinations of drivers, now the license is required only for the server. The parameters here will be the number of panels and the number of control points. At the same time, the server supports all drivers at once, and a license for panels connected to it is not required.

    In addition, the server has its own service Web-interface, which allows you to control the work, manage panels, change driver settings, check the status of channels and tags.

    The open beta test of the iRidium 3.0 Pro platform, using the client-server architecture, began last fall. Activity can be judged by regularly released software updates, activity on the support forum, and weekly video seminars.

    Platforms for iRidium Server


    iRidium Server is a lightweight software with wide capabilities that can work on various platforms, from microcomputers to PCs on a standard architecture. Note that the service starts in just five seconds, and load tests showed that even on controllers such as the Raspberry Pi2, it can serve 70,000 points.

    A software suite for product introduction and beta testing, running on the Windows operating system, is currently available. It includes a server, client, iRidium Studio programming and interface creation system, as well as iRidium Transfer for uploading projects to servers and clients. Additionally presented are a client for iOS (an Android version is in development and is expected in the near future), a server for Raspberry Pi2, as well as a server for Evika Logic Machine (installation instructions can be found in this article).

    A universal server software platform allows you to flexibly select hardware platforms according to the scale and other requirements of the projects. True, from the point of view of the consumer, choosing the best option is not easy, since the responsiveness of the system will be determined not only by the number of devices and panels, but also by the user code and its quality, as well as communication channels.

    For debugging and testing, it is quite possible to take the option for Windows. Also, this option can be useful for large projects that require the fastest possible reaction to events, intensive calculations and processing of large amounts of data.

    If we talk about real installations of small and medium sizes, it is recommended to use optimized options for this task. In early December, the company opened a pre-order for two options for hardware platforms.

    The first is called iRidium OnBox and is based on a Global Cache solution. It is compact in size and affordable in price, comparable to popular microcomputers. This server has only a network interface and is intended for use in budget installations together. Its capabilities can be expanded by installing additional IP-gateways for integration with other interfaces of automation systems.



    The device runs on a Freescale i.MX28 series chip with ARM9 architecture. The clock frequency of its only computing core is 454 MHz. The system is equipped with 128 MB of RAM. To store data and programs there is a slot for microSD memory cards. Power is supplied through a standard microUSB connector. This model has the Linux-based OpenEmbedded / Yocto ecosystem operating system.



    The second model is produced by the domestic UMC Technology and is a more productive device with enhanced support for interfaces. Freescale i.MX6 with a clock frequency of 1 GHz is selected here as the central processor. The amount of RAM is 512 MB. The microcomputer uses 1 GB of internal flash memory, which can be expanded with standard microSD cards. In addition to the 100 Mbps network port, there is one USB 2.0, as well as a standard KNX port for twisted pair. The device is also interesting with a wide range of permissible supply voltage. Moreover, the maximum power consumption does not exceed 2.5 watts. The model in the housing for installation on a DIN rail is completed and occupies 4 units on it.

    It is expected that the first delivery of devices will be in the next two months. Note that to work you will need to separately purchase a license. To get acquainted with the devices and testing, you can use a free license with a limited time.



    One of the most promising platform options that can already be tested right now (installation instructions can be found on the company's forum) is the Evika LogicMachine family. These products are well known in the market and have proven themselves in automation systems of all sizes. The devices are equipped with various built-in interfaces, including KNX, RS-485, 1-Wire and CEC HDMI. The pluses are also worth recording the presence of certificates.



    Similar capabilities are provided by the WirenBoard platform, also developed in Russia. In addition to the network interface, the device supports RS-485, ModBus, CAN, 1-Wire. Additionally, there are digital inputs and outputs and ADCs. The list of optional interfaces includes Z-Wave, IR, RS-232 and others. In developing a new modification of the model there is also support for KNX.



    Another affordable option is the Raspberry Pi2 platform. It provides a network interface for implementing control over the IP protocol and standard 5 V power supply via a USB connector. If necessary, the user can implement software support for GPIO on this board, which will save additional money on actuators and sensors.

    In addition, the developer is considering the possibility of launching iRidium 3.0 Server on the platforms of modern network drives, which may be of interest to a certain class of users. In certain scenarios, the installation option on compact devices with the Android operating system may come in handy, which will allow you to implement all the functions of the system on one device.

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