ModBerry Archives - TECHBASE Group - Industrial Raspberry Pi & ESP32 devices

17 January 202317 January 2023

Modbus protocol handled by ModBerry IoT device

Modbus is a communication protocol that is widely used in industrial automation systems. It was developed by Modicon (now Schneider Electric) in 1979 and is used to connect different devices and control systems in a network. Modbus is based on a master-slave architecture, where one device acts as the master and the other devices act as slaves. The master device sends requests to the slaves and the slaves respond with the requested information.

ModBerry is a device that uses the Modbus protocol to communicate with other devices in a network. It is a small computer that is based on the Raspberry Pi platform and it is designed to be used in industrial automation systems. The ModBerry device can be used as a master or a slave in a Modbus network and it can be used to connect different devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers.

ModBerry advantages in the IoT market

One of the main advantages of using ModBerry is that it is a low-cost solution for industrial automation systems. It is also easy to use and it can be programmed using different languages such as Python, C++, and Java. Additionally, the ModBerry device is small and compact, which makes it easy to install in different environments. It also has a wide range of input and output options, such as digital inputs, digital outputs, analog inputs, and analog outputs, which makes it suitable for a variety of applications.

ModBerry can be used in various industrial applications such as building automation, energy management, and process control. For example, it can be used to monitor and control the temperature, humidity, and lighting in a building. In energy management, it can be used to monitor and control the consumption of electricity, gas, and water. In process control, it can be used to monitor and control the production process in a factory.

Another advantage of ModBerry is its flexibility and scalability. It can be easily integrated with other systems and devices, such as SCADA systems, PLCs, and IoT devices. This allows for a seamless integration of different systems and devices in a single network, which improves efficiency and reduces the complexity of the system.

ModBerry as a low-cost Modbus controller

In conclusion, Modbus is a widely used communication protocol in industrial automation systems and ModBerry is a low-cost, easy-to-use device that utilizes the Modbus protocol. It offers a wide range of input and output options and can be used in various industrial applications. Its flexibility and scalability make it a great solution for integrating different systems and devices in a single network.

Order now: https://www.industrial-devices.com/industrial-computers/1-46-mod-500.html

3 May 20215 May 2021

ClusBerry-2M utilizing latest Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 in Cluster

Updated ClusBerry device for IoT prototyping

Recently TECHBASE introduced ClusBerry, an industrial Raspberry Pi based cluster device, utilizing up to 8x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and custom cluster board with a wide range of configuration possibilities.

For smaller projects and IoT prototyping, the company designed a smaller and ready-to-deploy cluster device including two independent ModBerry I/O mainboards and two Compute Module 4’s. The ClusBerry-2M offers similar resources as double ModBerry 500-CM4 with software cluster management tools – Docker and K3s Lightweight Kubernetes solutions.

Each module can perform various tasks, from standard I/O gateway, wireless modem, Gigabit LAN router to NAS file server and AI Gateway with Google Coral Edge TPU modules. You can manage your cluster modules at ease, boot modules from one to another, upgrade firmware crosswise and provide safe operation of each module. The modules are connected to each other to provide such features and allow quick healing of the dual cluster.

New features of multiple Compute Modules 4 brought to new ClusBerry series

Fully configurable devices are something desirable in the IoT market, where high performance and low cost is a key factor to success of implementation. TECHBASE’s Industrial IoT Ecosystem gives the opportunity to adjust ordered devices with certain resources and cut unnecessary I/Os, lowering the total cost of the device.

Various implementations must have guaranteed high hardware performance to react fast enough in real time. For this purpose, the arrays of processor blocks are constructed to be assigned to individual tasks. For several years now, attempts have been made to use various types of SBC for this purpose, including, of course, Raspberry Pi.

Reason for use of CM4 cluster in ClusBerry-2M

The introduction of new Compute Module 4 has opened the possibility to construct and maintain effective hardware matrix solutions with the use of both PCI-Express buses and 1GBps Ethernet. Therefore, the ClusBerry-2M opens up completely new capabilities of utilizing cluster solutions for Industrial Automation and server applications.

ClusBerry-2M can be equipped with multiple expansion cards, e.g. serial RS-232/485 ports, range of digital and analog I/Os, USB, HDMI and Ethernet. Interfaces can be expanded with additional I/Os and opto-isolation, relays, Ethernet, 1-Wire, CAN, M-Bus Master and Slave, accelerometer and many more features like TPM Security Chip & eSIM. The device can also be equipped with additional SuperCap backup power source for continuous work and safe boot/shutdown in case of emergency.

ClusBerry-2M series also offers two M.2 NVMe SSD slots and up to four standard miniPCIe module support for various wireless communication protocols, such as:

GSM modem (4G/LTE and fast 5G modem)
economic NarrowBand-IoT technology
LoRa, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Sigfox, Wireless M-Bus
secondary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interface or Wi-Fi Hi-Power
custom wireless interfaces

Software cluster management with Docker and K3s Lightweight Kubernetes

With use of Docker-based and Kubernetes solutions, installation and management of ClusBerry-2M is easy and backed with a large community for further support and development. Kubernetes is a portable, extensible open-source software platform for managing containerized tasks and sites that enables declarative configuration and automation. The Kubernetes ecosystem is large and dynamically developing. Kubernetes services, support and tools are widely available.

Kubernetes provides:

Detection of new services and traffic. Kubernetes can balance the load and redirect the network traffic to ensure the stability of the entire installation.
Kubernetes data storage management enables you to automatically mount any type of storage system – on-premises, from cloud providers and others.
Automatic deployment and rollback. You can describe the expected state of your installation with Kubernetes, which will take care of bringing the actual state to the expected state in a controlled manner. For example, with Kubernetes, you can manage your cluster modules at ease, boot modules from one to another, upgrade firmware crosswise and provide safe operation of each module.
Automatic management of available resources. ClusBerry-2M provides a cluster of modules that Kubernetes can use to run tasks in containers. You determine the CPU power and RAM requirements for each container. Kubernetes arranges containers on machines in such a way as to make the best use of provided resources.
Self-healing Kubernetes reboots containers that have stopped working, replaces them with new ones, forces disabling containers that are not responding to certain status queries, and does not announce their availability until they are ready to run.
Managing confidential information and Kubernetes configuration with TPM Security Chip allows you to store and manage confidential information such as passwords, OAuth tokens and SSH keys. Secured data and configuration information can be provided and changed without having to rebuild the container image and without exposing sensitive data in the overall software configuration.

ClusBerry-2M availability

Basic version of ClusBerry-2M is available in 2-4 weeks. Delivery time for various configurations of ClusBerry-2M including ExCard modules and modems can be approximately 2 months, depending on the CM4 supply on the market and chosen expansion cards. For more information please contact via our website and sign the offer here: https://clusberry.techbase.eu/

16 April 202119 April 2021

Latest Raspberry Pi CM4 device with relay expansion

Sequent Microsystems has introduced the Raspberry Pi “4-relay” add-on to the Industrial IoT market. Four relays switch lines for loads up to 10 A and 250 V, can be stacked up to 8 times with max. 32 switched relays.

It can be used to control loads of up to 10A and 250V. You can control directly all your lights and appliances. Pluggable connectors accept 18 to 22 AWG wires and simplify the installation, specially if you are planning to use more than one card. The cards are stacked with 18mm male-female standoffs. All the hardware required for the installation is provided. Relays are controlled through I2C IO Expanders, using only 2 pins on the GPIO interface and leaving all the other pins available for the user.
Source: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/279405789/4-relays-for-raspberry-pi-8-level-stackable-10a-250v-each/

Source: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/279405789/4-relays-for-raspberry-pi-8-level-stackable-10a-250v-each/

Some industrial IoT devices, based on Raspberry Pi platform already offer Relay expansion modules. One of them is ModBerry 500 CM4 series, introduced in 2014 – later upgraded with latest Raspberry Pi’s Compute Module 4+. ModBerry standard configurator offers up to 12x Relay expansion, with additional customizable options available for larger orders.

ExCard modules to peak the performance

Every TECHBASE’s industrial computer is supported by ExCard add-on modules for extra RS-232/485 serial ports, Ethernet ports, PCIe slots, analog input and output, digital I/Os, relays, M-Bus interface, opto-isolation, accelerometer, etc. To provide specific communication paths, ModBerry can be rigged with additional Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module, 3G/LTE, NarrowBand-IoT, LoRa, ZigBee, GPS and Wireless M-Bus.

The latest options for ModBerry series are:

SuperCap expansion, to provide constant power supply as a UPS option
OLED 0.96” & new OLED 1,3″ screen, allowing the control without the need of connecting into the device
ESP32 module as a security chip, to add a firewall into control installation and ensure constant operation of the device, even with power drops and random events
Aluminum case, to grant much higher durability for extra harsh industrial conditions
M.2 NVMe SSD controller for extra data storage

**ModBerry 500** with Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4

28 February 201928 February 2019

SIMCom modems now available in Industrial IoT Shop

TECHBASE’s Industrial IoT devices, ModBerry & Moduino series supports latest SIMCom global-band SIM7000G eMTC & NB-IoT Module. Now the latest SIM7000G as well as 7000E / 7000A versions of modem are available at IIoT-Shop.

Our ModBerry / Moduino devices equipped with latest SIM7000G modem are perfect for industrial automation solutions, e.g. data logging, metering, telemetrics, remote monitoring, security and data management through all Industrial IoT applications.

Supported bandwidths:

- Global-Band LTE CAT-M1: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B18/B19/B20/B26/B28/B39;
- Global-Band LTE CAT NB-IoT1: B1/B2/B3/B5/B8/B12/B13/B17/B18/B19/B20/B26/B28;
- GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900Mhz Control Via AT Commands

Supported data transfer:

- LTE CAT-M1(eMTC) – Uplink up to 375kbps, Downlink up to 300kbps
- NB-IoT – Uplink up to 66kbps, Downlink up to 34kbps
- EDGE Class – Uplink up to 236.8Kbps, Downlink up to 236.8Kbps
- GPRS – Uplink up to 85.6Kbps, Downlink up to 85.6Kbps

You can browse wireless modem category here: https://iiot-shop.com/product-category/modems/

Supported ModBerry series

Supported Moduino series

2 November 20182 November 2018

New ModBerry M2000 based on Aaeon’s UP Squared x86 board

ORDER NOW

10 September 20182 November 2018

ESP32 Modbus Master TCP

We will use two devices, which contain this processor: Moduino ESP32 and Pycom. Both devices are running in MicroPytthon environment. Our Modbus Slave will be PC computer with Modbus simulator software running on it.

You will need:

Moduino ESP32 or Moduino Pycom device (check this website to find out more about Moduino ESP32 device and this to check Pycom device)
PC with Linux operating system
RS-232/RS-485 port in your computer or USB to RS-232/RS-485 converter

You can read the complete tutorial at Instructables.com:

11 July 2018

New SIM7000G modem for ModBerry / Moduino Industrial IoT devices

TECHBASE’s Industrial IoT devices, ModBerry & Moduino series, now supports latest SIMCom global-band SIM7000G eMTC & NB-IoT Module. New SIM7000G supersedes previous 7000E / 7000A / 7000C versions of modem and provides a universal band set with global coverage, in opposite to Europe, America and China-only solutions.

Supported bandwidths:

Global-Band LTE CAT-M1: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B18/B19/B20/B26/B28/B39;
Global-Band LTE CAT NB-IoT1: B1/B2/B3/B5/B8/B12/B13/B17/B18/B19/B20/B26/B28;
GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900Mhz Control Via AT Commands

Supported data transfer:

LTE CAT-M1(eMTC) – Uplink up to 375kbps, Downlink up to 300kbps
NB-IoT – Uplink up to 66kbps, Downlink up to 34kbps
EDGE Class – Uplink up to 236.8Kbps, Downlink up to 236.8Kbps
GPRS – Uplink up to 85.6Kbps, Downlink up to 85.6Kbps

Our ModBerry / Moduino devices with global-band SIM7000G are available for testing and developing purposes, due to pending certifications of this module. For more information please contact our sales managers via live chat or contact forms.

Supported ModBerry series

Supported Moduino series

3 July 20185 July 2018

SuperCap UPS – Backup power supply for Raspberry Pi / ESP32 IIoT devices

The new SuperCap UPS-SC01 backup power supply is equipped with a highly available backup feature to safely bridge fluctuations, drops or failures accompanying standard 9~30VDC supply voltage and avoid interruption of output voltage in industrial and automation environments. For this purpose SuperCap UPS-SC01 utilizes two supercapacitors (so-called supercaps) as a durable, cycle-resistant and maintenance-free solution for backup energy storage and failure safety.

As an addition to Industrial IoT family of TECHBASE’s products, such as ModBerry (Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 powered) industrial gateways and Moduino (ESP32 powered) end-point devices, the SuperCap UPS-SC01 serves well as an additional, highly efficient and fanless power source to allow continuous operation of connected devices in difficult conditions, such as extended industrial temperature range. Perfect solution for a multi-range applications, especially for embedded IIoT / Industry 4.0 systems, where stability and high availability is most important.

PDF Datasheet

Continue reading “SuperCap UPS – Backup power supply for Raspberry Pi / ESP32 IIoT devices”

8 June 201811 June 2018

ModBerry M500 upgrades to Raspberry Pi 3 B+

The latest version of Raspberry Pi development board, Raspberry Pi Model 3 B+, is now available as a platform for ModBerry M500 industrial computer series. Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (Plus) offers has more computing power and much greater possibilities in the field of wired and wireless communication.

The biggest new feature introduced in 2016 is the Raspberry Pi 3 wireless support. Now the creators took a step forward and refined the solution. The new Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ – supports two-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and new 5 GHz), Bluetooth version 4.2 and Ethernet over USB 2.0 (up to 300 Mb / s). Upgraded ModBerry M500 series is powered by s more powerful heart, in the form of a Broadcom BCM2837B0 quad-core processor clocked at 1.4 GHz. Power-over-Ethernet support has also appeared, and heat dissipation has been improved.

ModBerry M500 vs ModBerry 500(CM3)

Standard ModBerry 500 series is based on Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3, an industrial version of commercial Raspberry Pi branch, with flagship Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. Used Compute Module is more suitable for custom products, such as our ModBerry 500 industrial computer, which can be adapted to customer’s need with wide range of extension modules from TECHBASE. ModBerry equipped with CM3 can be configured to support chosen number of RS-232/485 serial ports, Digital and Analog I/Os, various setup of Ethernet/USB ports, CAN interface, 1-Wire and wireless modems: 3G/LTE, GPRS/EDGE, GPS, LoRa, ZigBee, Wireless M-Bus, NarrowBand-IoT and many more.

The updated M500 availability

Currently the updated M500 samples, are available on demand. Please contact TECHBASE’s sales department via http://modberry.techbase.eu/ contact form with specific requirements to receive an offer that will suit the project’s needs. Since the M300 update is still under the development, the pricing of each unit may vary on the basis of configuration and order quota

20 February 2018

ModBerry expands to the latest NanoPi & OrangePi platforms

NanoPi recent additions to ModBerry series

Introduced in November 2017, the ModBerry M300 series, based on NanoPi NEO revolutionised the economic segment of Industrial IoT devices and proved, that automation and monitoring can be done effectively with low expenditure on industrial installations.

https://www.cnx-software.com/2017/11/15/techbase-modberry%E2%80%8B-m300-linux-iot-gateway-%E2%80%8Bis-powered-by-nanopi-neo-board/

To ensure constant development of TECHBASE’s solutions and cutting-edge technology, the NanoPi platform part of ModBerry series is expanded by updated ModBerry M300 N2 product, based on NanoPi NEO2. The new addition features Quad-core Cortex-A53, twice more RAM than previous version of NanoPi NEO and Gigabit Ethernet for fast communication.

For even wider range of communication interfaces and application possibilities, TECHBASE offers now ModBerry M300 N2+ based on the NanoPi NEO Plus2. M300 N2+ is equipped with 8GB eMMC, features more USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet port like M300 N2 and is supported with onboard Wi-Fi/Blutetooth 4.0 to ensure many channels of data management.

ModBerry M300 series can optionally support an external 2.5″ SATA hard disk and 2242 SSD storage units with M.2 interface thanks to onboard JMS567 USB to SATA controller. With extra storage space, data management of specific installations would be more convenient than sending all unprocessed data into cloud or directly to user.

OrangePi capabilities

To meet the Industrial IoT market demands the ModBerry family joined new embedded computer platform, offering adjustable solutions for every industrial installation. ModBerry M300 O1/O2 series is formed by two OrangePi module boards offering different approach to IoT than NanoPi solutions.

ModBerry M300 O1 based on OrangePi Zero Plus features Allwinner H5 (Quad-core Cortex-A53) SoC, moderate 512MB RAM, storage memory option with microSD slot, USB and Gigabit Ethernet port. The wireless communication is supported with onboard Wi-Fi module.

Offering much higher performance and wider feature range, the ModBerry M300 O2 features same SoC as M300 series, but thanks to OrangePi Zero Plus2 means, the device is equipped with onboard 8GB eMMC, extra microSD expansion slot as alternative and wired/wireless interfaces, e.g. HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0.

ExCard modules to peak the performance

The latest options for ModBerry series are:

SuperCap expansion, to provide constant power supply as a UPS option
OLED 0.96” & new OLED 1,3″ screen, allowing the control without the need of connecting into the device
ESP32 module as a security chip, to add a firewall into control installation and ensure constant operation of the device, even with power drops and random events
Aluminum case, to grant much higher durability for extra harsh industrial conditions
Mentioned earlier SATA/M.2 SSD controller for extra data storage

The updated M300 availability

Currently all the updated M300 samples, including M300 N2, N2+, O1, O2 are available on demand. Please contact TECHBASE’s sales department via http://modberry.techbase.eu/ contact form with specific requirements to receive an offer that will suit the project’s needs. Since the M300 update is still under the development, specific datasheets will be available in mid-February. The pricing of each unit may vary on the basis of configuration and order quota.