Arduino gets 3G connectivity and pushes the Internet of Things to reality

Arduino gets 3G connectivity and pushes the Internet of Things to reality

The new 3G/GPRS module released by Libelium allows any Arduino in the world to connect to high speed mobile networks, enabling real connectivity and mobility for any object to be part of the Internet of Things.

Just one week after releasing the document “50 Sensor Applications for a Smarter World” Libelium launches the first 3G module for the Arduino platform. The new module which works under a “plug and play” philosophy makes any of the half million plus Arduinos spread over the world accessible everywhere and at any time.

The new module for Arduino has been designed by Cooking Hacks – the open hardware division inside Libelium – and shares the same open hardware and open source philosophy of Arduino. “We want Arduino community to be able to learn and improve this new design, for this reason we have made public the schematics and source code libraries of the module” explains Libelium’s CTO, David Gascón.

The new 3G shield for Arduino enables connectivity to high speed WCDMA and HSPA cellular networks allowing transfers up to 7.2Mbps (20 times faster than with GPRS technology). The module also counts with an internal GPS that enables the location of any Arduino both outdoors and indoors, combining standard positioning data from satellites with mobile cell triangulation in the assisted mobile mode (A-GPS).

3G + GPS shield for ArduinoThe new Arduino 3G module also includes a small camera for video recording in high resolution and a complete audio interface that enables Arduino to run with all the functionalities of a smartphone device.

The new communication module is specially oriented to work with web servers implementing all the functions that simplify transfer of the information to the Internet. “Now every Arduino will be able to make HTTP and HTTPS (secure) connections, downloading and uploading content to any web server in the Cloud using high speed 3G networks” adds David Gascón, the Libelium’s CTO.

During the past years Cooking Hacks has been an active part in the design of new modules and shields for Arduino, from the famous “Arduino XBee shield” -released in 2007- (that enabled thousands of Arduino to use the ZigBee protocol) to the “Radiation Sensor Board” which allowed Arduino users in Japan measure the radiation levels after the Fukushima disaster last year.

For more information about the new 3G/GPRS module for Arduino go to:
http://www.cooking-hacks.com/index.php/documentation/tutorials/arduino-3g-gprs-gsm-gps

About Libelium
Libelium designs and manufactures hardware technology for the implementation of wireless sensor networks so that system integrators, engineering and consultancy companies can implement reliable Smart Cities solutions to end users within the minimum time to market. All our products are modular, horizontal and fast-learning and include extensive documentation and support through a Community of developers. The company was founded in 2006, is privately held and is based at the European Business and Innovation Centre CEEIARAGON, Zaragoza, Spain. For more information visit http://www.libelium.com

Related posts