Summary of Cloud Sensor Base-Station
This article outlines a project to build a scalable cloud-enabled gateway for hydroponics systems, designed to control multiple sensors and actuators. The proposed architecture uses the Dragino board as a dedicated OpenWRT/Linux router based on the Atheros AR9331 SoC, paired with an Arduino Leonardo microcontroller (ATmega32u4) via UART to handle I/O tasks that a single chip cannot manage alone.
Parts used in the Hydroponics Cloud Gateway:
- Arduino Yun
- OpenWRT/Linux wifi processor
- Arduino Leonardo Microcontroller
- ATmega32u4 Microcontroller chip
- Atheros AR 9331 System-on-a-Chip (SOC)
- TP-Link WR703n travel router
- Dragino development board
- Cloud Sensor Base-Station
What I want to do
I want to create a platform with the capacity to control a large number of sensors and actuators necessary for the hydronponics system outlined in this wiki, and to serve as the central gateway to a cloud-enabled dashboard. The basis for this experiment is the new Arduino Yun which combines an OpenWRT/Linux wifi processor with an Arduino Leonardo Microcontroller. However, the complexity of the Open Source Hydroponics Platform is such that it will likely require multiple microcontrollers to adequately handle the tasks involved.
The new ATmega32u4 Microcontroller chip utilized by the Arduino Yun/Leonardo etc… has proven to be a popular platform for dedicated platforms like the Visualight (discussed on these forums) and the LeoPhi Ph Sensor.
My concept would retain the same basic structure utilized by the Arduino Yun, only instead of being limited to one microcontroller, it will allow 3 or 4 connections simultaneously.
Background
The Yun is based on the Atheros AR 9331 System-on-a-Chip (SOC). The same chip drives the TP-Link WR703n travel router, which when flashed with a custom OpenWRT firmware has been beloved by hackers as a cheap means of adding wifi to Arduino projects. As a consumer product howevr, TL-WR703n is not optimized for additional inputs and outputs and lacks sufficient memory for anything close to the tasks we’d need it for, so a dedicated development board is needed for the AR 9331. Luckily, this board exists in the form of the _Dragino_. The Dragino is basically an OpenWRT router with ample I/O ports to make it more hacker friendly.
While my experience with similar products has been hit or miss in the past, the Dragino developers have done a fantastic job keeping up-to-date documentation and software upgrades. In fact, they’ve not only gone through all the work porting the Arduino Yun firmware to their board, but they even give you the option to ship with the Yun firmware included by default!
. Setting it up was surprisingly straightforward following the step-by-step walk though on the Dragino Wiki. Once an Arduino Leonardo has been connected through the UART, it can be programmed just as if it were a Yun.
For more detail: Cloud Sensor Base-Station
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What is the basis for this hydroponics experiment?
The basis is the new Arduino Yun which combines an OpenWRT/Linux wifi processor with an Arduino Leonardo Microcontroller. -
Why might this project require multiple microcontrollers?
The complexity of the Open Source Hydroponics Platform makes it likely that multiple microcontrollers are needed to adequately handle the tasks involved. -
Which chip drives the TP-Link WR703n travel router mentioned in the background?
The same Atheros AR 9331 System-on-a-Chip (SOC) drives the TP-Link WR703n travel router. -
Why is the TL-WR703n not optimized for this specific application?
It lacks sufficient memory for the required tasks and is not optimized for additional inputs and outputs. -
What board exists as a dedicated development option for the AR 9331?
The Dragino board exists as a dedicated development board for the AR 9331. -
How does the Dragino board compare to the standard consumer product?
The Dragino is basically an OpenWRT router with ample I/O ports to make it more hacker friendly. -
Can the Dragino board ship with Arduino Yun firmware included by default?
Yes, the developers give you the option to ship with the Yun firmware included by default. -
How is an Arduino Leonardo connected to the Dragino for programming?
An Arduino Leonardo is connected through the UART so it can be programmed just as if it were a Yun.
