Hardware
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Overview
insigh.io IoT node is a modular hardware device, enabling customized IoT data collection quickly and affordably:
- Its integrated functionality allows for rapid deployment, enhanced telemetry and cost-effective maintenance.
- It is equally capable of being used as a development board for implementing small PoCs or scale to enterprise IoT deployments counting hundreds of nodes.
- It is perfectly suited for unattended outdoor or indoor operation as it comes with an IP-rated enclosure (option) and supplied by various energy sources, such as batterries and solar panels.
- It can be used by non-experts, such as system integrators, installation contractors, and internal departments of non-IT companies.
- It can be deployed and configured with minimum prior know-how with the help of an intuitive web configuration application.
When used as a development board by tech-savyys (developers/makers), hardware pinout information along with an extendable open-source Micropython firmware are available for infinite customization.
insigh.io IoT node is designed with a modular architecture:
- A main board embedding the core IoT hardware elements and functionalities out of the box:
- Low-power programmable micro-controller
- Ports for connecting battery, solar panel, and USB power/data cable, with automated management
- WiFi & Cellular connectivity
- GPS for outdoor localization
- On-board diagnostic sensors (temperature, humidity) and health-checks (battery status, charging status. etc.)
- Debugging port through standard Serial or USB cable
- Memory for local sensor data storage
- Various controls and indicators like on/off switch & status LEDs
- Various expansion boards simply called “shields” that can be attached to the corresponding main board expansion ports for:
- Supporting multiple analogue and digital sensor interfaces, such as analogue voltage/current readings, digital (e.g. pulse) readings, I²C, SPI, SDI-12, Modbus-RTU, 4-20mA, etc. (sensor shield)
- Expanding connectivity options beyond WiFi/Cellular, such as LoRaWAN and Satellite IoT (connectivity shield)
- Adding your own functionalities and applications: ad-hoc customization
- A bundle of peripherals (optional) for unattended deployment and operation in the field:
- IP-rated enclosure made of ABS/PC material with PCB mounting
- Waterproof connectors for external sensors and cables (glands or specialized connectors)
- External mechanical switch for enabling/disabling the node without opening the lid
- Internal antennnas
- Vent plug
- Rechargeable battery & Solar Panel
- Cellular Connectivity SIM & Data Plan
List of Boards
Main Board
This is the “heart” of the hardware offering, as it is a “standalone” autonomous and powered IoT device.
Based on the main board, we build a complete hardware solution that perfectly fits any case. To do so, the main board exposes:
- A standard Female Headers Pin Connector for attaching one of our sensor shield, depending on the target application
- A custom Ribbon Cable Connector for (optionally) attaching one of our additional connectivity shields, depending on the network availability
| Board Name | SKU | Expansion Ports |
|---|---|---|
| Main | INS-B-MAN | 30-pin sensor expansion & 10-pin connectivity expansion |
Move to page Main Board to view the complete technical specifications of this board.
Shields
This is a collection of standard “ready-made” expansion boards which can be used out-of-the-box and communicate with standard sensors and networks. For each shield, visit the corresponding dedicated page.
Sensor Shields
| Shield Name | SKU | Sensor Interfaces | Typical Sector | Example Sensors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | INS-S-S-BAS | Analogue, I²C bus | Agriculture | Soil Conductivity |
| Advanced | INS-S-S-ADV | SDI-12, 4-20mA, Pulse Counter | Agriculture | Advanced Soil & Water Status |
| Enviro | INS-S-S-ENV | SDI-12, Modbus-RTU, Analogue, 4-20mA, Pulse Counter | Environmental | Extended Weather Conditions |
| Scale | INS-S-S-SCA | High Precision ADS | Waste Management | Weight (Load Cells) |
| Machine | INS-S-S-MAC | Modbus RTU, High Precision ADS | Industrial Machinery | PLC & Energy Meters |
Connectivity Shields
| Shield Name | SKU | Network | Example Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| LoRa | INS-S-C-LOR | LoRaWAN | Smart buildings resources usage |
| SatIoT | INS-S-C-AST | Satellite IoT based on ASTROCAST network | Environmental Monitoring in remote areas (oceans, mountains) |
There is also a series of deprecated hardware boards that are not commercially available. Page Deprecated lists these boards. Notice that interest for these boards is hanlded on an ad-hoc basis.