Kontron introduces a new M2M smart services developer kit with deployable services-ready system

The new machine-to-machine (M2M) Smart Services Developer Kit, with a deployable Intel Atom processor-based services-ready system, has been introduced by Kontron.

Developed in collaboration with Intel Corporation, the standards-based Computer-on-Module (COMs) based kit is a powerful development and deployment solution that provides simple ‘plug & play’ capability enabling designers to develop and test their application’s connectivity and performance, then quickly deploy.

The kit is designed to meet the need for accelerated M2M connected-computing launch schedules of smart services that utilize cloud-based computing to communicate and aggregate data on edge node and gateway devices. The kit uses the COM Express compatible Kontron Computer-on-Module nanoETXexpress-TT powered by the Intel Atom processor and includes a M2M System Carrier Board and an AV board to support headed configuration use.

The kit is 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN (wireless local area network) and 802.15.4 WPAN (wireless personal area network) capable allowing rapid development of wireless connectivity solutions. 3G WWAN (wireless wide area network) is either pre-installed or easily enabled by dropping in a pre-certified PCI Express 3G/4G module for further broadband connectivity flexibility.

Kontron’s COM-based modular architectural approach gives OEMs, smart services developers, and independent software vendors (ISVs) multiple benefits including reduced development cost, risk and time-to-market in an optimal, proven production-ready COTS small factor platform that includes mounting hardware for ease of deployment. The M2M solution and kit packaging may be easily customized to include the network operator’s, OEM’s, or ISV’s brand.

Industry analysts have forecasted that over the next decade billions of devices will be deployed as edge node and gateway devices collecting and sending data. This will be a cross-industry phenomenon that has the potential to be a game-changing disruptive force pushing the need for connectivity, high-performance, and standards-based solutions into a myriad of new and existing device platforms that will drive the creation of new smart services. M2M smart services will be deployed in a wide variety of markets including building automation, energy, healthcare, IT/networking, retail, security and transportation, among others, says the company.

Designed as a production-ready solution that helps to accelerate smart services deployment opportunities, Kontron is simplifying M2M application development by providing connected computing M2M intelligent devices based on Intel architecture, as well as the infrastructure building blocks to enable M2M technology data from the point of collection through the cloud to the point of aggregation and decision,” said Dirk Finstel, CTO, Kontron.

The Kontron M2M Smart Services Developer Kit works out-of-the-box, and its extensive capabilities allow the developer to test the smart services application in a connected environment that will be similar to an actual deployment.

The Kontron M2M Smart Services Developer Kit generates a compelling out-of-box experience, which can be used in multiple ways to generate, aggregate and transmit machine-to-machine data to the cloud. The Kontron M2M System is preloaded with a 90-day free trial of Wind River Linux 4.1. The kit also includes a Wind River LiveUSB drive that provides the software stacks and drivers to support immediate wireless connectivity testing. The pre-flashed drive containing Wind River software is optimized for developing, running, debugging and prototyping embedded software directly onto the Kontron M2M System using Wind River development tools.

Kevin D Johnson, director of Embedded Connected Devices, Intel Embedded and Communications Group, said:
Machine-to-Machine is all about seamlessly integrating compute and connectivity in ‘small smart platforms’ with the focus on simplifying the development process by relieving designers from having to master the complexities of wireless connected computing technologies. Intel is excited about the possibilities of next generation machine-to-machine smart services developed and deployed with solutions such as the Kontron M2M Smart Services Developer Kit that is production-ready for high volume M2M deployments. Based on the Intel Atom processor, the new kit and product line gives designers a small, power efficient, high-performance production-ready solution that is supported by a robust ecosystem of hardware and software providers.

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