Implementation of a web-based programming tool for distributed, connected Arduino systems

摘要

Embedded systems are ubiquitous in day to day life. Many of such systems are (1) numerous, (2) widely distributed over a large geographical area, and (3) often connected to a network. Software enhancements and bug-fixes to software running on such remotely deployed embedded systems might sometimes need to be done. The large numbers of systems that might need to be re-programmed, and/or the remote/inaccessible location of such systems often poses a major hurdle in the process. Several industrial solutions for re-programming distributed embedded systems do exist, viz., systems that use Remote Terminal Units, Programmable Logic Controllers or Programmable Automation Controllers. However, these systems are both complex and expensive. We propose a method to remotely program microcontroller-based distributed embedded systems. Such microcontroller-based solutions are the systems of choice for low-cost, high-volume, distributed embedded systems. Our approach is simple and is more suitable when a direct network connection to each of the distributed embedded systems is available. We use a simple web-based interface to write programs on a modern browser, and download the program onto a light-weight server attached to the remote embedded system. The server checks the code for errors and then updates the embedded system with the new version of the software. This solution is more amenable for low-cost systems and where each system is directly connected to the Internet. We believe that this model of reprogramming remote, connected embedded systems will help reduce the time to market, cost, maintenance effort and digital footprint of such systems.