Today we announce our new LucidIoT IoT controller.
LucidIoT introduces IoT and many other functions to the LucidControl. LucidIoT is a secure network IO controller for acquisition and control of analog and digital signals. It can interface with up to 16 analog or digital IO channels.
LucidIoT is configurable and available with many options, which can be selected on the product page.
The picture above shows the LIOT-DO8-I-DO8-I which is able to control 16 digital output channels.
If it is for example necessary to control 8 digital output and 4 analog 0-10V output channels, the LIOT-DO8-I-AO4-10V is the matching product configuration.
LucidIoT is a customizable data acquisition and control solution providing up the 16 IO channels.
LucidIoT allows installation of two IO slots 0 and 1. Each IO slot provides its own function class and type. A function class is e.g. digital output or analog input and defines the general functionality of the IO slot. The function type specifies details of the function class like input voltage range.
A slot of the IoT controller can be configured in the following function classes:
- Isolated Digital Input with 8 Channels (DI8) with 5V, 10V or 24V
- Isolated Digital Output with 8 Channels (DO8) with solid state relays
- Analog Input with 4 Channels (AI4) with e.g. 5V, 10V, 24V or 0-20mA
- Analog Output with 4 Channels (AO4) with e.g. 5V, 10V, 24V or 4-20mA
- RTD Input with 8 Channels (RI8) for Pt100 and Pt1000 Temperature Sensors
Each function class is available with different function types.
Features
Network Functions
LucidIoT multi-protocol IO controller communicates via Ethernet 10/100 Mbit and supports IPv4 and IPv6 networks. Protocols like protocols DHCP, DNS, NetBIOS and TCP are available.
Strong Security Functions
Secure communication is very important for IoT devices. For most cloud services TLS/SSL security is mandatory. LucidIoT supports this fully by fast hardware acceleration. Protocols can be secured by X.509 certificates and private/public keys.
HTTPS Server with Responsive Pages
LucidIoT IO values and configuration parameters are accessible by a web browser. The HTTPS is the most comfortable way to access LucidIoT. The modern responsive design looks great on desktops as well as on mobile devices.
Customized web pages can be loaded to LucidIoT. Customer defined user interfaces can be realized e.g. presenting measurement data in a specific way.
MQTT Client
LucidIoT MQTT client can connect to MQTT servers like Amazon AWS and publish data (topics) to them. Furthermore, LucidIoT can subscribe topics. This allows e.g. to send a measured voltage to the cloud service or to control a digital output remotely.
Popular smart home automation software like Home Assistant or openHAB can be interfaced by MQTT what means that all LucidIoT IO signals can be integrated to them.
Modbus TCP/IP
LucidIoT supports with Modbus TCP/IP an important network protocol in the automation industry. This makes it easy, to integrate LucidIoT into existing installations.
FTP Server
The FTP server gives access to the internal file system. Files can be uploaded and downloaded or deleted. This is very convenient to get data log files.
Data Logging
The file system is used for data logging. LucidIoT can log IO values (e.g. measured voltages) to a data log file. The files can be downloaded to a local computer by FTP.
JSON REST API
LucidIoT executes JSON formatted requests and returns requested data e.g. return IO values in JSON format. The JSON REST API interface is a secure way to access LucidIoT.
User Management
The user management controls access to function groups. Users need to log in in order to write or read IO values, IO channel configuration or to get access via FTP.
Filesystem
LucidIoT provides 4 GByte internal memory and support a file system.
Data logging files and custom data like web pages can be saved to the file system. Files can be downloaded to a local computer by FTP.
System Clock
The power-fail save system clock supports local time zones. The date and time information is used e.g. in order to generate time stamps for the data logging function.
The system clock can be synchronized by SNTP servers.
System Diagnostic
Because of the complexity of LucidIoT it is important to record system information. This informs the user e.g. about configuration problems.
Compatibility
LucidIoT is compatible with software tools of the LucidControl series. Basic function of LucidIoT are accessible e.g. by the LucidIoCtrl command line tool.
This makes it easy for the user to migrate existing LucidControl installations to LucidIoT.
Easy Installation
LucidIoT is made for industrial switch cabinet installations. It has an enclosure with integrated snap-on for standard 35mm DIN rails, as they can be found in switch cabinets.
Moreover, LucidIoT has reliable plug-able IO terminal connectors.
The unit can be supplied by a 9-24V power supply. Optionally, a galvanic isolated power supply is available.
Firmware Update
Firmware updates are very important for IoT devices which are exposed to the Internet. LucidIoT devices can be updated with new firmware releases.
Developer Tools
We support developers with SDK/API for many environments like .NET and Python. Sample code for LucidIoT can be provided.
Developers receive a documentation which explains LucidIoT and its protocols fully.
Customized Solutions
We offer customized services for LucidIoT. If our customers need specific functions which are not available in the standard configurations, we can develop a customized solution.
Typical Applications
Due to the flexibility of LucidIoT it can be used in many applications.
Industry 4.0
LucidIoT supports protocols which allows communication with third-party components. This makes it perfect solution for industry 4.0 automation.
Logging and Monitoring
LucidIoT logs and monitors input values standalone without network communication, or it can send data to log services like a MQTT server.
Manage Enterprise-Resource-Planning
LucidIoT can support your ERP system with realtime process data from your production facility.
Smart Home Automation
LucidIoT can easily be integrated into popular smart home automation software like Home Assistant or openHAB.
Many home automation software support data exchange via a MQTT broker like Eclipse Mosquitto.
LucidIoT can publish values like temperatures or voltages to the MQTT broker and exchange data with the home automation software. In reverse it is also possible to control LucidIoT outputs by automations.