The IGX-560 IoT gateway is based on a fully industrial Raspberry RPi compatible computer platform. This results in a number of advantages that can be realized in considerable time and cost savings. There are considerable simplifications in software creation and administration, as a broad knowledge and software base can be used. There are already tried and tested examples or even ready-made solutions for practically every application and requirement. In industry, system solutions are often first created as a fast prototype with a Raspberry Pi. In the next step, such a solution can be quickly and seamlessly converted into an industrial solution with the IGX-560.

An extensive set of industry standard interfaces is available for coupling and collecting the data on site:

• LAN, RS485 / RS232 ports and terminal connection
• CAN ports
• Digital-IO, M-Bus,
  Acceleration, onboard temperature
• HDMI display port
• Customizations and
  Extensions are possible at any time

The integrated 4G / LTE technology of the IGX-560 ensures reliable, wireless internet access. The automatic fallback to 3G and 2G guarantees optimal internet availability. A fail-safe permanent link technology was developed for the cellular connection. The connection is established automatically and automatically restored at any time in the event of an interruption. The radio module can be fully controlled and also reset by software. The integrated WiFi module can be operated in both client and access point mode. Both at the same time are also possible. The also integrated Bluetooth interface of version V4.1. offers BLE functionality. For example battery-operated sensors according to the BLE standard can be connected. A Bluetooth interface of version 5.0 BLE long range is also optionally available.

The IGX-560 system supports a ready-to-use Node-RED installation in the latest version. The version is equipped with full functionality including the compilability of nodes. Specially developed nodes are included for the operation of all hardware components. Furthermore, nodes for standard protocols such as Modbus-TCP, Modbus-RTU etc. are available. Node-RED typically reduces the development time for specific application systems considerably and can be used at any time for professional productive systems. Axotec also offers development support for new developments or modifications of nodes and applications.

IoT applications are characterized by very different ranges of requirements. The powerful and extremely energy-saving computer architecture with simultaneous compatibility with the RPi platform, which is widely used in the industry, ideally meets the requirement:

• 1.5 GHz QuadCore system with 1 GB RAM
  (on request 2GB/4GB/8GB)
• 16GB to 128GB onboard flash memory
• Compatible with industry standard Raspberry Pi
• Power consumption from 3-4 watts
• extended temperature range
• Power control

For programming the IGX-560, all common programming languages are available in their current version through the use of the standard Debian system. Examples are C / C ++, Python Version V3.8, NodeJS V12, Java V11, PHP V7, HTML, CSS and SQL etc. Tried and tested systems such as Netbeans, Eclipse, Remote GDB etc. are available as development systems.

IGX-560 comes with an operational Debian Linux. It is a fully featured standard Debian system. This means that practically all common software packages are available and can be installed automatically with the push of a button. Examples are Apache, LightTPD, NPM, MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, Docker, Paho, Codesys etc. The standard Debian operating system is of course freely configurable. Access to the command line is already set up and accessible via the serial terminal interface and via network and ssh access. Axotec offers development support for the connection of specific hardware such as RFID readers, barcode readers, USB adapters, sensors, etc.

The connection to the common cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure / Amazon AWS / Google Cloud / Cumulocity is possible without any problems. A connection to a private cloud is also easy to implement. The common required services and protocols such as MQTT and REST are ready for operation.

VPN technology is regularly used for secure data transmission. Often the VPN technology used cannot be freely selected due to existing infrastructures or other reasons. Therefore, the IGX-560 supports the common VPN technologies OpenVPN and IPsec. OpenVPN, StrongSwan and Wireguard can be used directly as packages. Axotec can offer support with the configuration and commissioning of VPN technology.

An integrated TPM chip is optionally available. This has a wide range of possible uses in the area of security for IoT applications, for example for storing cryptographic keys, for generating real random numbers and for authentication. TPM2 software stack support is available as well as e.g. authentication with cloud services.

Power can be supplied with DC voltages between 9 and 34 volts. The supply input is reverse polarity protected and protected against overvoltages. External control of the switch-on and switch-off process is optionally available. Switching on and off is then carried out via a status input. The shutdown process is automatically controlled by software, so that a safe and controlled shutdown of the computer is guaranteed.

The IGX-560 Embedded Computer has a low power consumption and operates without a fan. The reliability of the software system is optimally supported by the integrated hardware watchdog for 24/7 operation. The 4G module as well as WiFi, Bluetooth and the USB interfaces can be reset separately via software.

A ready-to-use Codesys implementation is also available for the IGX-560 system. With this IGX-560 can e.g. operated as a soft PLC. CANopen and J1939 stacks are automatically included.