In the previous push, we introduced Teacher Li Ning’s crowdfunding project, and enthusiasts have given good feedback. Mastering a professional skill that is above your classmates or colleagues is also excellent!
Today, we continue to share some practical knowledge, allowing more enthusiasts to smoothly participate in the project!
Practical Knowledge Begins!
1. What is a Gateway?
To go from one room to another, you must pass through a door. Similarly, to send information from one network to another, it must pass through a “gateway”, which is also known as an inter-network connector or protocol converter.
2. The classification of IoT gateways is roughly as follows:
(1) Wired to Wired, as follows
Serial to Ethernet, 485 to Ethernet, Can to Ethernet, etc.
(2) Wired to Wireless, as follows
Serial to Wi-Fi, 485 to Wi-Fi, Can to Wi-Fi, etc.
Serial to 2G, 485 to 2G, Can to 4G, etc.
Serial to 3G, 485 to 3G, Can to 3G, etc.
Serial to 4G, 485 to 4G, Can to 4G, etc.
(3) Wireless to Wireless, as follows
Zigbee to Wi-Fi, 433 to Wi-Fi, 868 to Wi-Fi, 915 to Wi-Fi, etc.
Zigbee to 2G, 433 to 2G, 868 to 2G, 915 to 2G, etc.
Zigbee to 3G, 433 to 3G, 868 to 3G, 915 to 3G, etc.
Zigbee to 4G, 433 to 4G, 868 to 4G, 915 to 4G, etc.
(4) Wireless to Wired, as follows
Zigbee to Ethernet, 433 to Ethernet, 868 to Ethernet, 915 to Ethernet, etc.
3. Currently, there are roughly two types of IoT gateway solutions:
The first solution, 32-bit microcontroller + Ethernet chip or Wi-Fi chip.
32-bit microcontrollers commonly used include STM32f103, GD32f103, etc. Ethernet chips commonly used include W5500, ENC28j60, etc. Wi-Fi chips commonly used include ESP8266, etc.
The second solution, a system-on-chip that runs Linux with Ethernet or Wi-Fi, such as RTL8196, RT5350, MT7688, MT7620, etc.
4. Demand Analysis and Solution Selection
The smart furniture we need to create uses a Zigbee to Ethernet gateway (also compatible with Zigbee to Wi-Fi and 433 to Ethernet). The main chip must support one UART connection to the Zigbee module. One SPI connection to the 433 module, and the system-on-chip must come with Wi-Fi and Ethernet. To facilitate software development, we use the OpenWRT system, and we adopt the second solution.
Realtek’s RTL8196 is low-cost, less than 3 USD. The chip itself only has Ethernet and does not come with Wi-Fi, requiring an additional Wi-Fi module. However, the manufacturer does not support it, making development difficult.
RT5350, MT7688, and MT7620 all belong to MediaTek.
RT5350 has a lot of documentation, is low-cost, and easy to develop. I originally hoped to use RT5350, but after communicating with the chip manufacturer, there may be supply issues in the future.
MT7688 and MT7620 both support OpenWRT, and MT7688 is relatively cheap, less than 3 USD. After comparative analysis and client requirements, we chose the MT7688 chip to create a low-cost, easy-to-develop, and easy-to-maintain gateway.
The performance of MT7688 is incomparable to RT5350. MediaTek is increasing technical support for MT7688. MediaTek LinkIt™ Smart 7688 is currently an officially supported development board. http://home.labs.mediatek.com/hello7688/.
5. Introduction to MT7688AN
MediaTek MT7688AN system-on-chip can be applied to the bridging center of home automation. It integrates 1T1R 802.11n Wi-Fi radio, 580MHz MIPS® 24KEc™ CPU, 1-port fast Ethernet PHY, USB2.0 host, PCIe, SD-XC, I2S/PCM, and supports various low-speed input/output interfaces in a single system-on-chip.
MT7688 supports two operating modes: IoT gateway mode and IoT device mode.
In IoT gateway mode, it can connect to an 802.11ac chipset via the PCIe interface and act as a dual-band 802.11ac synchronous gateway. The high-speed USB 2.0 interface allows MT7688 to connect to additional 3G/LTE modem hardware or connect to H.264 ISP for wireless IP camera applications. IoT gateway mode also supports hardware required for smart home applications such as touch panels, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee/Z-Wave, and Sub-1 GHz RF.
In IoT device mode, MT7688 supports eMMC, SD-XC, and USB 2.0, and can play high-quality Wi-Fi audio through a 192Kbps/24bits I2S interface or VoIP applications via PCM. It also supports various peripheral interfaces, including PWM, SPI slave, three UARTs, and more GPIO interfaces.
The MT7688 IoT gateway high-speed PCB design practical project is currently crowdfunding on Electronic Enthusiasts!
MT7688 IoT Gateway High-Speed PCB Design Practical Project
Project Features:
(1) Hardware Trio, MT7688 IoT Gateway High-Speed PCB Design Practical Project, not just layout! Requirement analysis, solution selection, component selection, cost estimation, supply chain selection, schematic design, PCB design preparation, PCB design, post-processing of PCB design, board fabrication, and assembly are all explained.
A full process explanation of a gateway product hardware design process that transforms others’ experiences into your own.
(2) “Double Sword Combination” Two sets of videos, Altium Designer is easy to learn and use.
The first video covers Altium Designer 2-layer MT7688 IoT Gateway motherboard.
The second video covers Altium Designer 4-layer MT7688 IoT Gateway core board.
(3) Currently, the hottest solution-type practical project for the future.
IoT has swept the globe multiple times and will become a highly visible field in 2018, with both enterprises and households focusing on the application and development of the Internet of Things. The cloud + end constructs intelligent everything, and the gateway is the heart of intelligence, enabling system information collection, information input, information output, centralized control, remote control, and coordinated control functions.
Target Audience
(1) Testing and maintenance engineers
(2) Students
(3) Professionals from non-electronic backgrounds looking to switch careers
(4) CAM engineers
(5) Engineers looking to enhance their technical skills
(6) Smart hardware product managers
(7) Electronic enthusiasts or hobbyists
(8) Software and hardware engineers working in the IoT industry
How to Join the Project Crowdfunding
Join this crowdfunding project now!
Start your journey in hardware R&D!
A full process explanation of a gateway product hardware design process!
There is only one goal!!
We aim to transform others’ experiences into our own!
Scan the QR code below
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