Meeting the Needs of Embedded Systems and IIoT Edge Device Manufacturers

Summary

Digitally transforming industrial processes requires substantially more data than does business system digitalization. Effective and responsive industrial digitalization is best accomplished by processing and analyzing sensor data and other real-time information generated at the edges of systems needed for high-speed and flexible production.
 
With the ongoing expansion of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity such edge devices need to have onboard data management computing capabilities. Embedded systems and device manufacturers need a high-performance data management software development kit (SDK) that is easy to learn and is embeddable within microcontrollers (MCUs) and microprocessors (MPUs).
 
ITTIA DB SQL is secure data management and processing software that leverages the structured query language (SQL) ANSI standard to meet those IIoT and edge-device needs. ITTIA DB IoT brings core database competencies to MCUs where resources are limited, says Sasan Montaseri, founder of ITTIA and developer of ITTIA DB SQL database software.

ITTIA DB SQL and ITTIA DB IoT

ITTIA DB SQL is a standalone database used without any installation. As a standalone executable or embedded library, it is hidden inside the application and runs on the device. Therefore, applications can be embedded to execute and use the database inside.
 
ITTIA DB SQL facilitates data storage and distribution between IoT edge devices. It provides capabilities to create IoT streams that are like database tables but, instead of storing data, applications submit data in real time, and the database continuously processes data as it arrives. Montaseri explains that it is inefficient to execute traditional database queries continuously and with repetitive data. “Our approach is more modern and much faster. In addition, it allows IoT devices to capture real-time data from many sensors, collect valuable information from massive raw data, and store it locally on the edge,” he says.
 
ITTIA DB IoT for MCUs, on the other hand, is a high-performance embedded database development suite. Montaseri calls it reliable, easy to use, and “built for resource-constrained microcontrollers. It is designed and built with ease of use and device constraints in mind, by developers for developers.”
 
ITTIA DB IoT for MCUs supports most 32-bit microcontrollers and allows manufacturers to silently embed powerful, reliable data management software to securely collect, process and distribute data in real time. The ITTIA DB SQL transaction engine, designed with standards and scalability for ease of development and maintenance, includes utilities and security features.
 
To clarify the difference, ITTIA DB IoT, is for MCUs while ITTIA DB SQL is for MPUs. “Edge devices—the MCUs—have limitations and constraints, and ITTIA DB IoT is purely designed for MCUs,” Montaseri said. “But ITTIA DB SQL has ITTIA DB IoT built into it, so when you use ITTIA DB SQL, you also benefit from ITTIA DB IoT.”
 

Case study: Wasserbauer

Wasserbauer is Europe's leading specialist in industrial automation for manufacturing robotic feeding systems. Wasserbauer is recognized as a specialist in feedings systems for cattle and the company’s embedded systems have dramatically improved animal health care: animals cared for by Wasserbauer feeding systems experience the most efficient milk yields, weight control and better health. Wasserbauer selected ITTIA DB SQL to provide data management for its industrial automation and robotic systems. It protects, organizes and shares data between the many tasks and devices that make up a complete system, and offers the best conditions for rational software development with the highest standards of quality for their products.

ITTIA’s platform-independent layered design lets its database be deployed on Linux, Windows and several real-time operating systems. In addition, it can be deployed without an operating system using ITTIA’s C or C++ libraries for highly embedded applications on any platform.
 
“We work with the client closely, and we test our software in their exact environment,” Montaseri said. “If you have a Renesas platform, we work with you on the Renesas platform. If you have TI, we work with you on that platform. We do the qualifications in the beginning. When we get engaged with the project, we completely work with the client closely so we both can see the same thing. Some even have their own custom hardware; we work with them as well.”
 
The demand for data management on industrial automation systems and devices is growing rapidly, and there is a clear need for development of advanced software to deliver new features on fixed hardware specifications. The needs of industrial automation system developers are evolving as systems become more intelligent, so it is worth finding partners who can support that evolution.