IoT, which is also called internet of things can be described as a network of some physical things, which connects to the internet. This thing can also be referred to as IoT device.
These IoT devices help in sending and receiving data to and from the internet. Furthermore, these IoT devices will be able to exchange the data with themselves through the internet.
How can you connect the Arduino to your Internet?
One significant task when you are making IoT devices is making use of Arduino to help connect Arduino to your internet. The common ways include
- Lora – here, you will need Lora gateway
- GPRS/5G/4G/3G
- ZigBee – Here, you will need a ZigBee gateway
- BLE or Bluetooth – this requires a Bluetooth gateway
- Ethernet
- WiFi
Of all the methods highlighted above, the most frequently used is the Ethernet and WiFi. They are also the most secure, simple, and popular. They also involve third parties for functional and analytical purposes. Majority of those smart home products we use are making use of WiFi. Also, a good number of industrial IoT devices also make use of Ethernet.
Furthermore, for the bluetooth, you can utilize the smartphone to serve as your bluetooth gateway. An example is a bluetooth tracking device called TrackR bravo. It makes use of the smartphone to serve as a Bluetooth gateway for the “crowd locate”.
What are the Applications of the Arduino IoT?
Generally, during IoT application, your Arduino helps in collecting data from the devices and sensors and then sends it to the internet. Also, it receives data from your internet and websites tohelp in controlling the actuators and motors. Furthermore, it will show you personalised advertisement. IoT applications can be grouped in these types:
- Monitoring Arduino through PC or smartphone
- Controlling Arduino through PC or smartphone
- Arduino helps in collecting the sensor’s data as well as send it onto the database
- Also, Arduino collects the data of the sensor and also send onto the IoT cloud
- Arduino helps in detecting the event. It also sends notification through phone call, SMS, Email, and push notification.
- Also, Arduino interacts and deal with some smart speakers such as Google Home, Amazon Echo Dot.
- Arduino helps in interacting automatically with some other devices making use of some protocol like Modbus TCP.
- Also, Arduino functions as the gateway. This forms a bridge in-between the other devices, as well as the internet.
Getting Started with the Arduino IoT Cloud
This is an online platform, which makes it very easy for the creation, deployment, and monitoring of the IoT projects. The connected devices globally are increasing in billions yearly. This is a platform, which permits anyone to help in creating the IoT projects, having a unique user-friendly interface. It also serves as a complete solution for writing code, configuration, visualization, and uploading.
Here, we will consider some of the components of Arduino IoT cloud. Also, we’ll consider a usual and general overview. However, if you really wish to get started as well as explore it by yourself, this is very fine. You may always visit this tutorial to get more information.
The IoT Cloud Documentation
Furthermore, the Arduino Cloud also offers different documentation pages available. Here, you will find some important and popular pages:
- You will be able to find all the articles and tutorials by visiting their documentation page
- Also, for the list of features, technical overview, as well as the API guide, then check the cheat Sheet of the Arduino IoT Cloud.
- For the SDK and API documentation, check the Arduino IoT Cloud API developer reference
What are the Features of the Arduino IoT Cloud?
Here are the different features of the Arduino IoT cloud
Data Monitoring: This helps you learn ways to monitor the sensor values of the Arduino easily via a dashboard.
Scheduler: This helps in scheduling jobs to go either on or off for some specific time period. This could be hours, minutes, and hours.
Variable Synchronization: This allows users to be able to sync the variable across the devices. This enables communication between these devices with very minimal coding.
Webhooks: This incorporates your project with a different service like IFTTT
Over the air uploads: Helps in uploading the code onto the devices that are not connected onto your computer.
Dashboard Sharing: This helps in sharing your data with different people all over the world.
Amazon Alexa Support: This makes the voice of your project controlled via the integration of the Amazon Alexa.
What are the Compatible Hardware with the Arduino IoT Cloud?
To make use of the Arduino IoT Cloud, there is a need to have a board that is cloud compatible. Also, you will choose between making use of the official Arduino board, as well as a board that is based on the ESP8266 / ESP32 microcontroller. This Arduino IoT Cloud presently supports you to connect through WiFi, mobile networks, and LoRaWAN (through the things network).
All the Arduino boards that are cloud compatible includes some hardware secure elements like ECC508 cryptochip. Here, you will be able to store your personal security keys. Also, the Arduino boards can only support a frequency band of 2.4 GHz for the transmission of data.
The boards below help to connect the Arduino IoT Cloud through WiFi. These include:MKR WiFi 1010, MKR 1000 WiFi, Nano 33 IoT, Nano RP2040 Connect, Nicla Vision, Portenta H7 Lite, and Portenta H7.
In addition, connection through WiFi is the easy option, and you can enter your credentials safely during a project’s configuration. This connection type is best for the low-range projects. Here, you will connect the board to the Arduino IoT cloud through your school, work, and home router.
LoRaWAN
These boards help to connect the Arduino IoT Cloud through the Things Stack. This is a Network Server that help to connect to thousands of gateways. Furthermore, connection through LoRaWAN is necessary for the low-power projects in the urban and remote areas whereby the WiFi as well as other well-known types of connectivity are not present.
Also, the MKR WAN boards are also equipped using the LoRa radio module. Furthermore, it has an antenna slot. With the best low-power configuration, it becomes possible for the board to send the data onto the cloud for some months on just one battery.
NB-IoT / GSM Boards
Also, the MKR NB 1500 ad the MKR GSM 1400 needs a SIM card to help connect into the cloud. This helps in communicating over the different mobile networks.
Also, you can consider the connection via mobile networks in the remote areas where there is no WiFi, neither are there in mobile projects like cargo tracking.
ESP8266 and ESP32
Arduino IoT Cloud backs and supports different third party boards. This is based on the ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontrollers having support for the WiFi. In order to set them all up, just choose the 3rd party option present in your device setup.
Support for the Arduino IoT
If the user has any issues while working with the Arduino IoT cloud, then you can check some troubleshooting issues and then get some information on the different features using their Arduino Help Center. Anyway, if you won’t be able to get the answer you’re searching for, you can always ask us with any question.
Configuration Process of the Arduino IoT Cloud
The setting up of the Arduino IoT Cloud, and accessing the features available deals with some steps. Let’s consider them.
Create your Arduino Account
In order to start making use of the Arduino IoT Cloud, the first thing you need to do is to sign up. If you have already done so, all you need to do is to log in.
Go to your Arduino IoT Cloud
Once you are done signing up, you can visit the Arduino.cc page and gain access into the Arduino IoT Cloud. This is possible by clicking the four dots present on the topmost right corner of the menu.
Configure the Device
You can add devices easily and link it to a Thing. This Arduino cloud needs you to install the Arduino agent. This process of configuration is easy and quick and you can achieve this by searching on the Thing overview and then tapping on “select device.”
Creation of Variables
The created variables will be generated automatically into a specific sketch file. You can choose from different files like char, long, Boolean, float, and int. You will also find variables like luminance, velocity, and temperature.
Connect to a Specific Network
You must connect. When you connect to your internet network, tap “configure”. Put in your credentials and then click on “save”. You can also generate this information in the sketch file.
Editing your sketch
Now, there are configured variables, network settings and devices. Now, we can start with the programming of the devices as well as editing of the sketch
Creation of a Dashboard
Once you are done configuring the device and the network, created the variables, finished the sketch and uploaded your code, then you can continue. This is creating dashboards.
Conclusion
The Arduino IoT cloud is very useful in different applications. This is why it is necessary to learn its features and how to configure it from this tutorial.
