DeviceBoard EDGE – Detailed Feature Documentation
DeviceBoard EDGE – Detailed Feature Documentation
DeviceBoard EDGE – Detailed Feature Documentation
with Correct Connectivity Architecture (Industrial Protocols via IoT Gateway)
DeviceBoard EDGE is a lightweight, secure, and high-performance edge computing runtime designed to run low-latency RulesFlow logic, support offline operation, provide local AI inference, and ensure data continuity in environments where internet or WAN connectivity is limited or not permitted.
EDGE is ideal for industrial, remote, and regulated environments requiring real-time edge intelligence while maintaining complete local control.
1. Overview of DeviceBoard EDGE
DeviceBoard EDGE is deployed on:
- Industrial PCs
- On-premise servers
- Factory-floor compute units
- Edge gateways with Docker/VM support
- Embedded hardware with Linux-based runtimes
Its responsibilities include:
- Running RulesFlow logic locally
- Local alarm processing
- AI inference on telemetry
- Maintaining digital twins offline
- Local data buffering with reliable sync to Hub
- Managing site operations without internet
- Receiving data from DeviceBoard IoT Gateway
DeviceBoard EDGE does not communicate directly with industrial protocols such as Modbus, CAN, BACnet, or OPC-UA.
Instead, these protocols are supported through the DeviceBoard IoT Gateway.
2. Key Features of DeviceBoard EDGE
2.1 Local Execution of RulesFlow (Low-Latency Automation)
EDGE runs the full RulesFlow engine locally, enabling:
- Sub-10ms processing latency (hardware dependent)
- Real-time threshold detection
- Local alarm generation
- Automation logic for safety and machine responsiveness
- Local AI model execution
- Data transformation before cloud sync
Supported Rule Node types at EDGE include:
- Telemetry processor
- Conditional filter
- Script/expression node
- Alarm create/update/clear node
- AI inference node
- Attribute enrichment
- Data forwarding node
- Local storage node
RulesFlow updates from the Hub synchronize automatically to EDGE.
2.2 Offline Operation (Air-Gapped or Intermittent Connectivity)
EDGE operates fully offline when WAN or internet connectivity is unavailable.
While Offline, EDGE:
- Continues executing all RulesFlow logic
- Receives data from IoT Gateway
- Stores telemetry in local time-series storage
- Maintains alarm lifecycle
- Performs AI anomaly detection
- Updates digital twins locally
- Executes internal control logic
When connection is restored:
- Buffered telemetry syncs to Hub
- Alarms & attributes reconcile
- AI outputs & derived values merge
- No data loss occurs
EDGE is designed for environments such as:
- Industrial plants
- Defense and government
- Utilities
- Mines and oil fields
- Remote agriculture
- Telecom and energy infrastructure
2.3 Device Connectivity via IoT Gateway (Not Directly by EDGE)
EDGE does not directly support industrial protocols such as:
- Modbus RTU/TCP
- CAN Bus
- BACnet
- OPC-UA
- Serial devices (RS-232/485)
- BLE industrial sensors
- Proprietary machine interfaces
Instead, these integrations are handled by the DeviceBoard IoT Gateway.
The IoT Gateway supports:
- Modbus TCP/RTU
- OPC-UA
- BACnet
- CAN
- BLE
- HTTP device endpoints
- ODBC
- SNMP
- Custom protocol drivers
Data Flow Architecture:
Industrial Devices → DeviceBoard IoT Gateway → MQTT/HTTPS → DeviceBoard EDGE → RulesFlow → Digital Twins / Alarms → Cloud Hub (when network is available)
Benefits:
- Lightweight EDGE runtime
- Industrial protocol decoding handled separately
- Highly scalable distributed architecture
- Gateways can be added independently without changing EDGE
- Cleaner separation of networking and automation logic
3. Example Use Cases
Manufacturing
- Machine telemetry via IoT Gateway
- Real-time anomaly detection
- Offline automated workflows
Smart Buildings
- BACnet/OPC data via Gateway
- Local HVAC logic
- Offline sustainability dashboards
Utilities
- Substation automation via gateway protocols
- Predictive monitoring
Remote/Harsh Environments
- Agriculture, energy, and mining
- Offline operations for weeks or months
Defense & Government
- Air-gapped secure networks
- Zero-cloud dependency
4. Summary of DeviceBoard EDGE Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Local RulesFlow | Ultra-low latency automation without cloud |
| Offline Operation | Full autonomy in disconnected environments |
| AI at the Edge | Real-time prediction & anomaly detection |
| Gateway-Based Connectivity | Industrial protocols supported via IoT Gateway |
| Local Digital Twins | Unified view of device health & state |
| Local Alarms | Safety-critical alarm handling without cloud |
| Secure Sync to Hub | Automatic merging with zero data loss |
| Scalable Architecture | Multi-site, multi-edge deployment ready |
| High Security | Ideal for restricted and critical environments |