ARM Industrial Edge Computing Gateway BL370 with Prosys OPC UA Monitor for Industry 4.0

Solution Overview

Prosys OPC UA Monitor is an HMI tool for real-time monitoring and visualization of OPC UA data, designed for industrial data acquisition and production process monitoring.

By integrating the powerful hardware performance and flexible software ecosystem of the BL370 with the real-time data visualization capabilities of Prosys OPC UA Monitor, an intelligent system for Industry 4.0 can be built, enabling device interconnectivity, data acquisition, protocol conversion, edge computing, and remote monitoring.

Core Component Analysis

ARMxy BL370 Series Industrial Edge Computing Gateway 

• Hardware Advantages:
  • Processor: Rockchip RK3562/RK3562J, quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 (up to 2.0GHz) + single-core Cortex-M0, with a built-in 1TOPS NPU supporting deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
  • Storage and Memory: 8/16/32GB eMMC storage, 1/2/4GB LPDDR4X memory, meeting diverse computing needs.
  • Rich Interfaces:
    • 1-3 10/100M RJ45 Ethernet ports for industrial network communication.
    • 2x USB 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.0 (supports 4K@60fps), Mini PCIe (supports 4G/5G/WiFi/Bluetooth), X/Y-series I/O boards (support RS485, CAN, DI/DO, AI/AO, etc.).
  • Environmental Adaptability: Operating temperature range of -40~85°C (RK3562J), IP30 protection rating, passed EMC tests (ESD, EFT, Surge, etc.), suitable for harsh industrial environments. 
• Software Support:
  • Operating Systems: Linux-5.10.198, Ubuntu 20.04
  • Development Tools: Qt-5.15.10 (GUI development), Node-RED (rapid IoT development), Docker (containerization), BLRAT (remote access).
  • Protocol Conversion: BLIIoTLink supports protocol conversion for Modbus, PLC, BACnet, IEC104, MQTT, OPC UA, and more, connecting to mainstream cloud platforms like AWS IoT Core, Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Cloud, etc.
• Typical Applications: Industrial control, edge computing, AIoT, machine vision, AGV robots, industrial IoT gateways, etc.

Prosys OPC UA Monitor

• Features:
  • Provides an intuitive HMI interface for real-time display and monitoring of OPC UA server data.
  • Supports browsing OPC UA server address spaces, reading/writing variables, calling methods, and subscribing to events.
  • Visualizes production process data (e.g., sensor data, equipment status), supporting dynamic charts, trend analysis, and alarms.
  • Cross-platform operation (Windows, Linux, etc.), compatible with BL370’s Linux/Ubuntu environment.
  • Ensures secure and reliable data communication via the OPC UA standard.
• Advantages:
  • Easy to configure and use, enabling data visualization without complex programming.
  • Supports customizable interfaces to meet monitoring needs in various industrial scenarios.
  • Integrates with Prosys OPC UA SDK and other tools for extended functionality (e.g., data logging, analysis).

Industry 4.0 Application Solution Architecture

System Architecture

1. Data Acquisition Layer:
   • BL370 collects field device data (e.g., sensors, PLCs, actuators) via X/Y-series I/O boards, supporting RS485, CAN, DI/DO, AI/AO, RTD, thermocouples, etc.
   • BLIIoTLink software enables data acquisition for protocols like Modbus and BACnet, converting them to OPC UA.
2. Edge Computing Layer:
   • BL370 leverages its built-in NPU for edge-side AI tasks (e.g., machine vision, anomaly detection).
   • Supports Docker containerization to run multiple applications (e.g., Node-RED, Prosys OPC UA Monitor).
   • Performs data preprocessing and filtering to reduce cloud transmission load.
3. Data Communication Layer:
   • BL370 transmits data to local servers or cloud platforms via Ethernet, 4G/5G, or WiFi.
   • OPC UA protocol ensures secure and interoperable data communication.
   • BLRAT tool supports remote access and maintenance.
4. Data Visualization and Monitoring Layer:
   • Prosys OPC UA Monitor runs on BL370 or a local workstation, connecting to BL370’s OPC UA server.
   • Displays equipment status and process parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, current) in real-time, generating trend charts and alarm notifications.
   • Allows operators to issue control commands (e.g., switching devices, adjusting parameters) via the HMI interface.

Workflow

1. BL370 collects data from field devices (e.g., via RS485 connected to a PLC).
2. BLIIoTLink converts the data to OPC UA format and stores it in a local OPC UA server.
3. Prosys OPC UA Monitor connects to BL370’s OPC UA server, reading and displaying data in real-time.
4. Operators monitor production status through the Monitor’s HMI interface, issuing control commands as needed.
5. Data is uploaded to the cloud platform via 4G/5G for remote management and analysis.

Specific Application Scenarios

Scenario 1: Factory Automation Monitoring

• Requirement: Real-time monitoring of production line equipment (e.g., motors, sensors), recording key parameters (e.g., temperature, vibration).
• Implementation:
  • BL370 collects temperature data via Y-series I/O boards (e.g., Y51 PT100 module) and connects to PLCs via X-series boards (e.g., X10 RS485).
  • BLIIoTLink converts data to OPC UA format.
  • Prosys OPC UA Monitor displays temperature trend charts and equipment status, setting over-temperature alarms.
  • Data is uploaded to a cloud-based SCADA system (e.g., IgnitionSCADA) for remote management.

Scenario 2: Edge AI and Machine Vision

• Requirement: Perform visual inspection on AGV robots or production lines to monitor product quality.
• Implementation:
  • BL370 uses its NPU to run OpenCV or TensorFlow models, processing camera data (via USB or HDMI interfaces).
  • BLIIoTLink encapsulates inspection results (e.g., defect counts) as OPC UA data.
  • Prosys OPC UA Monitor displays inspection results and real-time images, allowing operators to adjust inspection parameters.
  • Results are uploaded to the cloud via a 4G module for quality analysis.

Advantages and Value

• Flexibility:
  • BL370 supports various I/O configurations and protocols, adapting to different devices and scenarios.
  • Prosys OPC UA Monitor provides customizable HMI interfaces to meet specific monitoring needs.
• High Reliability:
  • BL370 passes EMC and environmental tests, suitable for harsh industrial environments.
  • OPC UA protocol ensures secure and reliable data transmission.
• Efficient Development:
  • BL370 offers extensive development examples (Qt, Node-RED, Docker) and SDKs, reducing development complexity.
  • Prosys OPC UA Monitor enables data visualization without programming.
• Industrial 4.0 Support:
  • Enables device interconnectivity, edge computing, cloud integration, and remote management, aligning with Industry 4.0 intelligent requirements.
  • Supports mainstream cloud platforms and SCADA systems, facilitating scalability.

Conclusion

The combination of the ARMxy BL370 series Industrial Edge Computing Gateway  and Prosys OPC UA Monitor provides a robust solution for Industry 4.0, enabling device data acquisition, protocol conversion, edge computing, real-time monitoring, and cloud integration. Its flexible hardware configuration, extensive software support, and reliable industrial performance make it suitable for factory automation, energy management, machine vision, and other scenarios. With proper selection and configuration, this solution can significantly improve production efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and drive industrial intelligent transformation.