Blues, working in collaboration with Arduino, has introduced the Blues Wireless for Arduino Opta, an innovative Expansion Module unveiled today at Automate in Chicago. The module enriches the connectivity options for the Arduino Opta micro-PLC, representing a significant advancement in programmable logic controller (PLC) technology by integrating straightforward Cellular and LoRa connectivity into the ecosystem.
“The IIoT is on the cusp of a revolution in democratised connectivity and computing not unlike the PC era of a generation ago,” said Brandon Satrom, Senior Vice President of Product & Experience at Blues. “Products like Lotus Notes, Microsoft Access, and FrontPage sparked a revolution, offering teams and organisations a red tape-free path to connect with one another. With the Opta and Blues’ Wireless Expansion, Blues and Arduino are fuelling a similar revolution, empowering OT teams with a direct path to cloud-connected PLC systems.”
Currently, the Arduino Opta offers three variants with Ethernet, RS485, or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth capabilities. The Blues Wireless for Arduino Opta expansion facilitates quick and cost-effective addition of Cellular or LoRa connectivity to any Arduino Opta micro-PLC.
The Expansion Module seamlessly integrates into the Opta’s standard AUX expansion port and can be utilised alongside other modules in a daisy-chain setup. The Opta communicates with the Expansion Module and its embedded Notecard via I2C, employing either the Arduino Cloud SDK or Blues’ note-Arduino Library to interact with the Notecard and transfer data to and from the cloud.
Key features of the Blues Wireless for Arduino Opta include:
- Cellular or LoRa Communication: Equipped with the Blues Notecard, the module supports global LTE Cat 1 (NOTE-WBGLW) with 500 MB of data and 10 years of service across over 139 countries, without activation fees or monthly commitments. Alternatively, it can utilise LoRa communication through The Things Network
- Versatile Network Integration: Utilises the Blues Notehub cloud service for network backhaul, compatible with Arduino Cloud, AWS, Azure, GCP, and various other cloud platforms
- Reliable Power Management: Incorporates a power outage detection system and an onboard backup power supply, facilitating timely outage alerts through the Notecard and Notehub to customer-specific cloud services
While the Opta provides Ethernet connectivity in all models and Wi-Fi in specific versions, certain Operational Technology (OT) professionals encounter challenges in integrating these networked products into their facilities due to insufficient IT permissions. The Blues Expansion Module addresses this by offering additional Cellular or LoRa options, enabling OT professionals to swiftly and securely bring PLC systems online using Blues’ secure communication technologies.
This approach aligns with the broader trend in Industry 4.0 and IIoT, where OT departments leverage democratised technology to demonstrate the business value of adding cloud connectivity to industrial systems without central oversight.
“The market is seeking effective, manageable embedded solutions for routine industrial challenges, as exemplified by the Arduino Opta micro-PLC,” said Marcello Majonchi, Chief Product Officer at Arduino. “With Opta, Arduino empowers engineers to swiftly create professional-grade solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems and connect to their chosen cloud platforms. The partnership with Blues Wireless expands these connectivity possibilities into the cellular realm, enabling comprehensive remote monitoring and control with just a few clicks. If you think about a remote plant, a solar farm, a water well pump, an industrial vehicle or a large machine, like an air compressor, that you want to monitor and control, these are the scenarios we are targeting.”
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