iMOP aims to replace programming efforts to trigger data sending with user-friendly configurations for wireless reporting, controlling and monitoring. This software stack eliminates the need for an external microcontroller to control data transmission; instead it relies on AT commands to invoke a basic response during predefined events. Profiles of these events and actions can be defined and edited over-the-air through SMS, TCP/IP, GPRS and CSD or directly via the serial port.

iMOP can be configured to send periodic reports, providing realtime information and enabling enterprise managers to make decisions that reduce risks and improve their business processes. An alert in the form of SMS or data packet (via TCP socket or CSD) is sent when a user-defined event occurs. iMOP also enables remote control by executing commands and queries from authenticated incoming SMS and TCP messages.

The W24 module conforms to Motorola’s vision of supporting all technologies with a common form factor, thereby enabling smooth and fast integration into M2M applications, including fleet management, security, automation and remote control, and vending machines.

The W24 provides M2M applications with high speed throughput and secure access to IP networks via wireless LANs or via cellular networks when connected to the G24 GSM family of modules. The module also supports seamless Wi-Fi - cellular data routing by linking a local subnet to the Internet via a single cellular connection, thus enabling linkage between local area network (WLAN) and wide area network (WAN).

The module’s powerful standalone capabilities, such as built-in operating system and CPU, communication stack and security protocols eliminate the need for additional development and make it easy to integrate with existing manufacturer designs.

For example, the W24 module offloads the entire task of Internet communications from the host application, enabling manufacturers with limited Internet programming resources to quickly and easily Internet-enable their devices by inserting just a few commands in their application.

“The W24 module was developed in response to M2M platform developers needs to reduce costs by concentrating communications between multiple devices via Wi-Fi access points. In addition, the W24 connectivity with G24 modules means that customers can now leverage a single design for applications requiring both real-time (cellular) and broadband (Wi-Fi) communication”, says Aharon Mirsky, vice president of Motorola Israel and Director of Wireless Modules business Unit.

“Once again, leading manufacturers can rely on Motorola, as the acknowledged innovator in the wireless communications industry, and with its commitment to top quality products. Motorola offers a superior solution, which allows its clients to take advantage of Wi-Fi technology, for improving their business operations, while reducing costs.”

The W24 module supports the IEEE 802.11b/g wireless specifications. Its feature set include the TCP/UDP, HTTP, FTP, SFTP, DHCP, PPP, SMTP, POP3, Telnet and DNS internet protocols. Seamless Wi-Fi - Cellular data routing is available due to the W24 Network Address Translation (NAT: 28.97, +0.97, +3.46%) capabilities and to the DHCP server that supports up to 255 clients

Users first create “data sources”, which are typically based upon a protocol (currently Modbus, but others will be bundled with coming releases). Data sources define “points”, which are representations of single pieces of dataand are configurable in many ways including data logging, text rendering,and chart rendering. (There are two pages to view: data point details - readonly - and data point editing.) Both of these objects allow user permissionsto be set in very granular ways. These points can be monitoring on the”watch list”, or users can build graphical views using drag-and-dropfunctionality on uploaded background images.Users could stop there and only use the system for manual monitoring,
control, and data logging, but the automation power of Mango is in the event subsystem. Events are split into two parts: the detection and the handling. These parts can be arbitrarily paired in a one-to-many fashion, and can also be chained.

An event detector can be something like a high limit (for analog data) or a
binary/multi-state state. For example, you can define conditions such as
“when the humidity exceeded 60% for more than 1 hour”. (Conditions depend on
the data type of the point, so you will not see all of them on a single
point editing page. I can provide you with a list if you are interested.)
There are also hard-coded event detectors for data source exceptions, system
exceptions, and other things like new Mango version notifications.

On the handler side, users decide what should happen when an event is
raised. Currently there are two handlers: email notification and set point.
When the event is raised, email notifications are sent to specified email
addresses, users, or mailing lists. Optionally, if an event is still active
at some timeout, the event can also be sent to an escalation list. Finally,
upon event deactivation, notifications can optionally be sent to all event
participants.

The set point handler allows the user to define how a point should be set
upon the raising of an event. This is how conditions can be chained
together.

There are certainly pieces of functionality that should be added to the
system - and Serotonin has plans to do so - including new data sources,
“meta” data points, scheduled events, inter-Mango communication, a scripting
language, multi-point event detection, etc.

*** End of Overview ***

On to your questions:

A> What does Serotoninsoftware.com do?
Serotonin Software comes from a software development and consulting
background, mostly in the web development vertical. We started building
Mango mid-last year because we found the concept of an Ajax-based controls
system too compelling.

B> What was the driver behind starting this company?
I’ll assume that given the above you mean Mango. In addition to the geeky
answer above, there were a number of other reasons, including personal
usage. But based on market research we found that there was an obvious
opportunity in the industry for a product like Mango. Every other product
that we are aware of suffers from at least one of the following problems:
- Too expensive
- Too complicated
- Assumes too much prior knowledge from the users
- Uses old technologies that do not adapt to modern application standards
- Depends upon “closed” or proprietary technologies

Mango was created specifically to bring powerful controls technology to
technical and non-technical people alike. Every aspect of Mango - the user
interface, the integrated architecture, right down to nomenclature - was
carefully considered to appeal to the widest possible range of users. As
someone said, we aim to be the Google of the controls market.

C> Who do you see as your customers?
Mango is very generalized at the moment. Marketers that we speak to
inevitably suggest that we should be targeting a specific vertical. We will
likely address this by creating customizations of Mango (”mango salad”?,
“mango grove”?, “mango tarts”?), but for the moment we are deliberately
casting a wide net. We understand that there are risks in doing so (i.e.
being ignored my potential users in specific verticals), but the feedback
that we are getting is helping us determine our next moves.

D> What are the some of the challenges that you see in the M2M Space?
Challenges in general, or for Mango? In general, the controls industry is
expensive, proprietary, and evolves at a rate that is, compared with the
internet, glacially slow. With Mango we want to bring the mentality of the
internet to the controls space, i.e. open standards, collaborative
development, easy access to information… all of it. It’s a tall order for
a small company in a massive and entrenched industry, but we think that it
will inevitably happen anyway and we’re excited to be a part of it.

E> Anything that you would like to share with our readers?
Mango is now slightly over two weeks old (i.e. since release), and we are
very encouraged by the response we have received. There is a great deal of
work still to do, though, to bring the product to where we really want it to
be. Early adopters who get involved in the Mango community have the
opportunity to strongly influence its development. Now is the time to get
involved!

ConnectivityWeek’s uniqueness is that the event gathers a number of key subjects that are inter-related, around the common theme of energy and sustainability. This is presented with an understanding that the main issues of technologies and solutions facing the differing audiences are in fact similar if not common - differing only in context and application.

Wireless M2M is also increasingly being used for fixed location security, according to Berg’s research. The research firm notes that “a single landline connection between the premises alarm system and the alarm receiving center is no longer deemed sufficient for high security situations.” The use of a secondary wireless link reduces the chance of disruption and makes communication much more reliable, Berg says. Late last year, the UK adopted a European standard for alarm systems (EN 50131) that requires dual signaling in most stores and offices.

Overall, Berg estimates that there will be nearly four million alarm systems connected to wireless networks in Western Europe by 2010

Infineon Technologies AG has announced a new family of security MCUs targeting the growing market of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication for various applications. M2M applications range from utility monitoring; remote alarm systems; car telematics (for communication between carmakers and owners to signify that an oil change or software updates are required); fleet management in freight forwarding and rental car companies; to vending machines (stocks level checks).

Anyware Technologies brings to Wavecom a world class-leading Integrated Development Environment (IDE), built on Eclipse(tm), whose ease-of-use will accelerate broad adoption of wireless M2M applications. Anyware’s Java(tm)-based software can be used with all brands of wireless modules and the company will continue to supply to the entire wireless M2M space

Company release around the launch of its M2M products in Europe
Rugged and Intelligent Devices
The AirLink PinPoint X is an intelligent in-vehicle platform embedded with ALEOS technology, enabling robust device configuration and network session persistence. Equipped with a high precision GPS receiver and advanced remote management capabilities, the PinPoint X is well-suited for a wide variety of mobile data and location applications requiring real-time and continual data access.

Embedded Intelligence
Sierra Wireless AirLink devices are powered by ALEOS embedded intelligence. ALEOS, available only on the AirLink line of devices, simplifies installation, deployment and management of any wireless solution. Compatible with numerous machine protocols, ALEOS streamlines integration with a broad set of legacy equipment. In addition, ALEOS ensures a persistent network connection and enables extensive remote management and diagnostics, all of which are vital in remote, unmanned operations where physical access is difficult and expensive.