Introduction to the Intel Edison IoT Platform

The Intel Edison is a powerful Internet of Things (IoT) development platform that packs a robust set of features in a tiny package. It is designed for prototyping and deploying IoT projects and products.

The Edison module includes:
– A dual-core, dual-threaded 500MHz Intel Atom CPU
– A 100MHz Intel Quark microcontroller
– Wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
– 1GB RAM and 4GB flash storage
– 40 GPIO pins for connecting sensors and peripherals

With its computing power, integrated wireless, and extensive I/O capabilities, the Intel Edison enables developers to quickly prototype and deploy a wide range of IoT applications, from wearables to robotics to smart home devices.

Advantages of the Intel Edison for IoT Prototyping

There are several key advantages that make the Intel Edison well-suited for IoT prototyping:

1. Small Size

One of the most notable features of the Intel Edison is its incredibly small form factor. The module itself measures just 35.5 x 25.0 x 3.9 mm – smaller than a standard SD card. This allows it to be integrated into tiny IoT devices and wearables where size and weight are at a premium.

Despite its small size, the Edison packs a punch in terms of performance and capabilities. It’s powered by a 500 MHz dual-core Intel Atom SoC that can run full Linux as well as other IoT software frameworks.

2. Extensive I/O

The Intel Edison offers extensive I/O options for connecting sensors and peripherals. It has a 70-pin connector that breaks out to:
– 40 GPIO pins
– 4 PWM pins
– 6 analog inputs
– 1 UART
– 1 I2C bus
– 1 SPI bus
– SD card support

This allows developers to interface the Edison with a wide variety of external hardware to sense environmental data, control motors/actuators, and communicate with other devices.

3. Integrated Wireless

The Edison has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. This enables it to wirelessly communicate with networks, mobile devices, and other IoT devices.

Having wireless connectivity built-in greatly simplifies prototyping of networked IoT projects. Developers don’t have to add extra radios and antennas.

4. Full Linux OS

Unlike microcontroller-based platforms, the Intel Edison runs a full Linux operating system. Specifically, it runs Yocto Linux, which is optimized for embedded devices.

Having Linux provides a full-featured development environment. Developers can take advantage of the vast ecosystem of Linux software and tools. They can write applications in familiar languages like C/C++, Python, Node.js, and Java.

Linux also provides capabilities like full multi-threading, which is important for complex IoT applications that have to juggle multiple tasks. The Edison’s dual-core 500MHz CPU has plenty of headroom to run multi-threaded Linux software.

5. Arduino Compatibility

In addition to the main Atom CPU, the Intel Edison also contains a 100 MHz Intel Quark microcontroller. This microcontroller is actually compatible with Arduino Shields and the Arduino IDE.

This Arduino compatibility lowers the barriers for those coming from an Arduino background. It provides a familiar development environment and a huge selection of shields to choose from.

Intel Edison Starter Kits

Intel offers several starter kits that bundle the Edison module with expansion boards, cables, and other accessories to help jump-start development:

Kit	Description	Key Features
Intel Edison Board for Arduino	Includes an expansion board that plugs into Arduino shields.	Arduino compatibility, 20 GPIO, micro USB
Intel Edison Breakout Board Kit	Minimalist kit with a small breakout board.	40 GPIO, USB OTG, Battery Charger
Intel Edison Kit for Arduino	Includes an expansion board with Arduino shield connectors plus a Grove sensor kit.	Arduino compatibility, Grove sensors
Intel Edison Starter Kit	Includes an expansion board with battery, a breadboard, and some basic sensors.	40 GPIO, battery, prototyping breadboard

These kits provide convenient ways to start developing on the Edison for different use cases and skill levels. The Arduino kits cater to those already familiar with Arduino, while the breakout and starter kits are suitable for more general embedded development.

Example Intel Edison IoT Projects

To illustrate the types of IoT applications that are possible with the Intel Edison, here are some example projects:

1. Wearable Health Monitor

The small size of the Edison makes it suitable for wearable devices. One project idea is a wrist-worn health monitor that tracks heart rate, physical activity, and sleep patterns.

An optical heart rate sensor and inertial measurement unit (IMU) can be connected to the Edison’s I/O pins to collect health data. The Edison can fuse the sensor data and run algorithms to extract health metrics. It can then wirelessly sync this data to a mobile app or cloud service via the built-in Bluetooth radio.

2. Smart Home Hub

The Edison’s processing power and connectivity also make it a good fit for smart home automation hubs. The Edison can run home automation software like openHAB or Home Assistant.

Various smart home sensors and devices can be integrated with the Edison over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee (via a USB radio). The Edison can process automation rules to intelligently control devices based on sensor data, schedules, and user preferences. It can also provide a web-based dashboard for the user to monitor and control their smart home.

3. Autonomous Robot

The Intel Edison can serve as the main control board for a small autonomous robot. Sensors like cameras, ultrasonic rangefinders, and IMUs can be interfaced to allow the robot to perceive its environment.

The Edison can run perception and navigation software, using techniques like sensor fusion, computer vision, localization and path planning. It can control motors and actuators via PWM and GPIO signals.

The built-in wireless connectivity allows remote monitoring and control of the robot. More powerful algorithms like neural networks for object detection and reinforcement learning for adaptive control can be run on the Edison’s CPU.

FAQ

What operating systems can the Intel Edison run?

The Intel Edison runs Yocto Linux out of the box. This is a full Linux distribution that has been optimized for embedded devices. It provides a familiar Linux environment with a package manager and many common Linux utilities and tools.

The Edison also supports other embedded OSes like Windows IoT Core and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) like Free RTOS.

What programming languages are supported on the Intel Edison?

The Edison supports many common programming languages including:
– C/C++
– Python
– Node.js
– Java
– Arduino Sketch (C++)

Being Linux-based, it can run most software that has been compiled for Linux on x86/x64 architectures.

How do I connect sensors and actuators to the Intel Edison?

The Intel Edison has a 70-pin Hirose DF40 series connector that breaks out to 40 general purpose I/O (GPIO) pins. These pins can be configured as digital inputs or outputs to interface with external electronics. Some pins have special functions like:
– 4 pins can generate pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals for motor control
– 6 pins can read analog voltages from sensors
– 2 pins for I2C communication
– 4 pins for SPI communication
– 2 pins for a serial UART

To simplify connecting hardware, the pins are often routed to more convenient connectors on Edison breakout boards and shields. Many breakouts provide 0.1″ spaced header pins that can plug into breadboards or connect to jumper wires. Some include screw terminals for more secure connections.

The Edison is also compatible with Arduino shields. So the large ecosystem of Arduino-compatible sensors and actuators can be leveraged.

What is the difference between the Intel Edison and Intel Galileo?

The Intel Edison and Intel Galileo are both x86-based development boards designed for IoT and embedded applications. However, there are some key differences:
– Processor: The Edison has a 500MHz dual-core Intel Atom CPU, while the Galileo has a single-core 400MHz Intel Quark SoC X1000.
– Size: The Edison is much smaller, about the size of an SD card, while the Galileo is around the size of a credit card.
– I/O: The Edison has 40 GPIO pins, while the Galileo has 20.
– Arduino Compatibility: The Galileo has full native Arduino pin compatibility, while the Edison requires an expansion board to be Arduino shield compatible.

Overall, the Edison is smaller and more powerful, making it better suited for commercial IoT products and portable applications. The Galileo is larger and has more accessible I/O, making it a good fit for prototyping and education.

Can the Intel Edison connect to cellular networks?

The Intel Edison does not have built-in cellular connectivity. Out of the box it supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

However, the Edison can be connected to external cellular modems via USB or UART. Intel sells cellular add-on cards for 3G and LTE that are designed to work with the Edison.

Alternatively, a USB cellular modem can be connected and controlled with a serial communication library. This allows the Edison to send and receive data over cellular networks.

Conclusion

The Intel Edison is a very capable and flexible platform for developing IoT devices and prototypes. Its key advantages are its small size, powerful processor, built-in wireless connectivity, extensive I/O options, and Arduino compatibility.

It is well suited for applications like wearables, robotics, smart home automation, and industrial sensing and control. Intel provides several starter kits and expansion boards that make it easy to start developing on the Edison.

When choosing the Intel Edison for an IoT project, consider the processing and I/O requirements, as well as the wireless capabilities needed. Also factor in the skill sets of the development team and the need for compatibility with existing hardware and software.

Overall, the Intel Edison is a solid choice for many IoT applications and a good platform to start learning IoT development. Its versatility and features make it adaptable to a wide range of use cases and markets.