Modular edge gateway

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of edge gateways, and discloses a modularized edge gateway, which comprises an independently packaged power supply device, a main controller and an expansion connector, the power supply device comprises a power taking interface and a power transmission joint, the main controller and the expansion connector are respectively provided with a bus interface and a bus joint which have the same structure, and the bus interface and the bus joint are connected with the main controller and the expansion connector. The bus joint and the bus interface on the same equipment are internally communicated through a bus, the bus comprises a power transmission line and a signal transmission line, each expansion connector comprises a local signal interface, and the bus joint is connected with the bus interface to connect the power supply, the master controller and the plurality of expansion connectors in series. Functions of the edge gateway are modularly designed, and targeted use is carried out according to on-site equipment and functions, so that the purpose of flexible configuration is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of edge gateway technology, and specifically to a modular edge gateway. Background Technology

[0002] An edge gateway is an edge device in an edge technology architecture, capable of connecting edge devices and cloud systems. It can process data generated by edge devices and transmit the data to the cloud or local data center for further processing and analysis.

[0003] Edge gateways, widely used in the market, are key nodes connecting edge devices and cloud services, located between the network edge and the cloud. They are a crucial technology for edge computing, distributing computing tasks and data processing to devices closer to the data source. An edge gateway can connect multiple edge devices, integrate data, and upload it to the cloud or edge servers for further processing. It can act as a relay node for data collection and transmission, as well as a coordinator and scheduler for edge computing tasks. It can also process and analyze data collected from sensors locally, providing real-time feedback and decision support.

[0004] Currently, edge gateways all use a fixed design pattern, lacking flexible configuration options. This is mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1. Limited terminal device connection methods: All terminal devices have fixed configurations, with electrical interfaces either digital or analog. Communication methods are also fixed, either wired or wireless. 2. Limited quantity: Due to physical space limitations, the number of interfaces a gateway can provide is also fixed.

[0005] Due to the aforementioned issues, most edge gateways on the market can only connect to devices with fixed interfaces. If other types of devices are encountered, they are either incompatible or require alternative connection methods, posing challenges to on-site device integration and debugging. Furthermore, an excessive number and complexity of connected device types can compromise system stability and hinder unified system scheduling and data processing. Utility Model Content

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a modular edge gateway to solve the problem that current edge gateways have a fixed design mode and cannot be flexibly configured according to the data transmission of local devices.

[0007] To solve the above problems, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: a modular edge gateway, including a power supply, a main controller, and multiple expansion connectors. The power supply, main controller, and expansion connectors are all independently packaged. The power supply, main controller, and expansion connectors are all provided with a bus interface of the same structure, as well as a bus connector adapted to the bus interface. The bus connectors and bus interfaces on the same device are internally connected through a bus. The bus includes a power transmission line and a signal transmission line. The power supply also includes a power input interface for connecting to a local power source. The power input interface is connected to the power transmission line circuit. The expansion connectors also include a local signal interface for connecting to local devices. The power supply, main controller, and multiple expansion connectors are connected in series through the bus connectors and the bus interface.

[0008] The edge gateway networking method is as follows: the power supply, the main controller, and multiple expansion connectors are connected in series via bus interfaces and bus connectors to form the edge gateway. Each expansion connector connects to a local device through a local signal interface that matches the local device. The power supply obtains AC 220V from the local source through its power interface, performs voltage conversion in the power supply, and outputs low-voltage DC power to the main controller and multiple expansion connectors. If there are too many expansion connectors, two or more power supplies can be connected in the edge gateway.

[0009] The advantages of this edge gateway design are as follows: The modular edge gateway design breaks away from the conventional fixed edge gateway design. The functionality of the edge gateway is modularized. Targeted expansion modules are designed based on local devices, ensuring that one expansion module is configured for each local device. When local devices are added, removed, or replaced, the corresponding expansion connectors connected to the edge gateway are added, removed, or replaced, achieving flexible configuration. This process does not require changes to the structure of other devices in the edge gateway, thus improving system compatibility.

[0010] Furthermore, both the main controller and the expansion connector have a built-in independently operating MCU chip.

[0011] Beneficial effects: Both the main controller and the expansion connector have computing capabilities, enabling them to perform parallel calculations while functioning as a gateway, thereby improving the gateway's data processing efficiency.

[0012] Furthermore, the main controller is also equipped with a wireless network transmission chip. The core control unit communicates with the wireless network transmission chip via a serial port to upload data from the core control unit to the server.

[0013] Beneficial effects: The main controller transmits data collected in the main controller to the server remotely through the wireless network transmission chip, so as to achieve the purpose of remote data acquisition and remote monitoring.

[0014] Furthermore, the main controller and expansion connector are equipped with four indicator lights, which are controlled by the MCU chip. The four indicator lights are used to indicate whether the power is on, whether the network signal is on, whether it is in operation, and whether there is an error.

[0015] Beneficial effect: The status of the four indicator lights can quickly alert gateway debugging personnel whether the device is operating normally.

[0016] Furthermore, the power supply is equipped with an AC-DC chip to convert local power into power for the main controller and expansion connectors.

[0017] Beneficial effects: The AC-DC chip in the power supply is used to convert AC power into 12V or 24V DC power, which simplifies the hardware investment for AC to DC conversion.

[0018] Furthermore, the local signal interface provided by the expansion connector is one of the following types: network port, serial port, RS232, RS422, RS485, USB, and SPI.

[0019] Beneficial effect: By pre-configuring the expansion connectors with existing interface types, the design complexity of the gateway is reduced during edge networking by simply selecting an expansion connector that matches the data interface of the local device.

[0020] Furthermore, both the main controller and the expansion connector incorporate network switch chips. The main controller's MCU chip, bus interface, and bus connector are all connected to the network switch via signal lines; similarly, the expansion connector's MCU chip, bus interface, and bus connector are also connected to the network switch via signal lines. Utilizing network switch chips to leverage the bus function improves signal transmission efficiency and data transmission accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a modular edge gateway connection.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the power supply unit;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the main controller;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the expansion module. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0026] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: power supply 1; power interface 12, AC-DC chip 13; main controller 2, wireless network transmission chip 21; expansion connector 3; local signal interface 31; bus interface 4; bus connector 5; network switch chip 6; bus 7; four indicator lights 8; MCU chip 9.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a modular edge gateway includes a power supply 1, a main controller 2, and multiple expansion connectors 3, wherein the power supply 1, the main controller 2, and the expansion connectors 3 are all independently packaged devices.

[0028] Both the main controller 2 and the expansion connector 3 are equipped with a bus interface 4 of the same structure, and a bus connector 5 adapted to the bus interface 4. The bus connector 5 and the bus interface 4 on the same device are internally connected by a bus 7, which includes power transmission lines and signal transmission lines. The expansion connector 3 also includes a local signal interface 31 for connecting to local devices, which is connected to the bus interface 4 through the bus connector 5, connecting the power supply 1, the main controller 2 and multiple expansion connectors 3 in series.

[0029] The power supply includes a power input interface 12, a bus interface 4, and a bus connector 5. The power input interface 12 is used to connect to a local power source. The bus interface 4 or bus connector 5 on the power supply is used to connect other independently packaged gateway devices. An AC-DC chip 13 is incorporated in the power supply to convert the local power supply into power for the main controller 2 and expansion connector 3. The AC-DC chip 13 in the power supply 1 converts AC power into 12V or 24V DC power, simplifying the hardware investment for AC-to-DC conversion.

[0030] The local signal interface 31 of the expansion connector 3 can be one of the following types: Ethernet, serial port, RS232, RS422, RS485, USB, or SPI. By pre-configuring the expansion connector 3 with existing interface types, the edge networking process only requires selecting the expansion connector 3 that matches the local device's data interface, thus reducing the design complexity of the gateway.

[0031] Both the main controller 2 and the expansion connector 3 have an independently operating MCU chip 9 built in. Specifically, the MCU chip 9 is a low-power chip from STMicroelectronics' STM32 series. Both the main controller 2 and the expansion connector 3 have computing capabilities, allowing them to perform parallel calculations while functioning as a gateway, thereby improving the gateway's data processing efficiency.

[0032] The main controller 2 also includes a wireless network transmission chip 21. The MCU chip 9 communicates with the wireless network transmission chip 21 via a serial port to upload data from the MCU chip 9 to the server. The wireless network transmission chip 21 can be any of a WIFI, 4G, or 5G chip.

[0033] The main controller 2 and the expansion connector 3 are equipped with four indicator lights 8. The four indicator lights 8 are controlled by the MCU chip 9. The four indicator lights 8 are used to indicate whether the power is on, whether the network signal is on, whether it is in operation, and whether there is an error.

[0034] Both the main controller 2 and the expansion connector 3 contain a network switch chip 6. The MCU chip 9, bus interface 4, and bus connector 5 of the main controller 2 are all connected to the network switch chip 6 via bus 7; similarly, the MCU chip 9, bus interface 4, and bus connector 5 of the expansion connector 2 are also connected to the network switch chip 6 via bus 7. Utilizing the network switch chip to leverage the bus function improves signal transmission efficiency and data transmission accuracy.

[0035] The edge gateway networking process involves connecting power supply 1, main controller 2, and multiple expansion connectors 3 in series via bus interface 4 and bus connector 5 to form an edge gateway. Each expansion connector connects to a local device via a local signal interface 31 that matches the local device. Power supply 1 obtains 220V AC power locally via power interface 12 and outputs low-voltage DC power from the bus to the main controller and multiple expansion connectors. If there are too many expansion connectors, two or more power supplies can be connected in the edge gateway.

[0036] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of this utility model. Commonly known technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the technical solution of this utility model. These modifications and improvements should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model, and will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of this utility model or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A modular edge gateway, characterized in that: The device includes a power supply, a main controller, and multiple expansion connectors. Each power supply, main controller, and expansion connector is independently packaged. All three components have identical bus interfaces and bus connectors adapted to these interfaces. The bus connectors and bus interfaces on the same device are internally connected via a bus. The bus includes power transmission lines and signal transmission lines. The power supply also includes a power input interface for connecting to a local power source, which is connected to the power transmission lines. The expansion connectors also include a local signal interface for connecting to local devices. The power supply, main controller, and multiple expansion connectors are connected in series via bus connectors to the bus interfaces.

2. The modular edge gateway according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main controller or expansion connector each has a built-in independently operating MCU chip.

3. A modular edge gateway according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main controller is also equipped with a wireless network transmission chip.

4. A modular edge gateway according to claim 3, characterized in that: The main controller and expansion connector are equipped with four indicator lights, which are controlled by the MCU chip. The four indicator lights are used to indicate whether the power is on, whether the network signal is on, whether it is in operation, and whether there is an error.

5. A modular edge gateway according to claim 4, characterized in that: The power supply is equipped with an AC-DC chip to convert local power into power for the main controller and expansion connectors.

6. A modular edge gateway according to claim 5, characterized in that: The local signal interface provided by the expansion connector is one of the following types: network port, serial port, RS232, RS422, RS485, USB, and SPI.

7. A modular edge gateway according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the main controller and the expansion connector contain network switch chips. The MCU chip, bus interface, and bus connector of the main controller are all connected to the network switch via signal lines. The MCU chip, bus interface, and bus connector of the expansion connector are also connected to the network switch via signal lines.

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