By 
By Agu Collins Agu PhD
The Vulture has landed: A Vulture is a mystical bird, and is neither sacrificed nor eaten!
UDENE BOARD: A Solar-Powered RFID/IoT Data Acquisition as a Service (DAQaaS) Platform with Arduino Compatibility.
RELATED: Agu Collins Agu: Unity Board Pro Bare PCB has finally arrived!
We are currently bringing up the UDENE BOARD but I cant help not sharing the news prior to the completion of the on-going process – still work in progress.
The Birth of IoT: Tracing its Origins to RFID Technology
The Internet of Things (IoT) has become an integral part of modern life, transforming the way we interact with technology and the world around us.
What many might not realize is that the roots of this revolutionary concept can be traced back to an older technology: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). RFID, a technology developed for automating identification and tracking, played a significant role in giving birth to the IoT as we know it today.
The UDENE BOARD represents a groundbreaking innovation at the intersection of RFID/IoT technologies, renewable energy, and Arduino compatibility.
Designed around the PN532 RFID/NFC chip, this platform seamlessly integrates diverse RFID/NFC technologies with IoT capabilities. Notably, the integration of a solar energy harvester ensures sustainable and autonomous operation.
This publication delves into the architecture, features, advantages, and potential applications of the UDENE BOARD, underscoring its potential to drive data-driven insights and sustainable practices across industries.
As organizations strive for data-driven decision-making and sustainable practices, the UDENE BOARD emerges as a versatile solution that bridges the gap between RFID/IoT data acquisition and renewable energy.
Based on the PN532 RFID/NFC chip and designed for Arduino compatibility, the UDENE BOARD offers a powerful combination of technology and sustainability. Let’s investigate the UDENE BOARD’s unique features and its potential to reshape data acquisition strategies while embracing renewable energy sources.
- The Power of PN532 RFID/NFC Chip:
At the heart of the UDENE BOARD lies the PN532 RFID/NFC chip, a versatile enabler of RFID and NFC technologies. This chip brings numerous capabilities to the platform:
Multi-Technology Support: The PN532 chip supports a wide range of RFID/NFC technologies, including ISO14443 Type A/B and MIFARE, ensuring compatibility with diverse devices.
Contactless Data Exchange: The platform facilitates seamless communication with NFC-enabled devices, enabling secure and efficient data exchange.
Enhanced Security: Built-in encryption and authentication mechanisms provide a secure environment for data transmission and interaction.
- Solar Energy Harvester Integration:
One of the most distinctive features of the UDENE BOARD is its incorporation of solar energy harvesting technology. By harnessing solar power, the platform gains sustainability and energy autonomy:
Renewable Energy Generation: Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into usable energy, powering the UDENE BOARD’s operations without relying on conventional power sources.
Energy Storage: Integrated rechargeable batteries store excess energy, ensuring continued operation even during periods of low light.
Environmental Impact: Solar energy harvesting aligns with sustainable practices, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional power sources.
- Arduino Compatibility:
The UDENE BOARD’s Arduino compatibility extends its versatility and accessibility:
User-Friendly Programming: Arduino compatibility allows users to leverage a familiar programming environment for seamless development and integration of applications.
Vast Community Support: The extensive Arduino community offers resources, libraries, and tutorials, making it easier for developers to harness the platform’s capabilities.
- Benefits and Applications of UDENE BOARD:
The UDENE BOARD’s integrated features offer numerous benefits across industries:
Real-time Insights: The platform’s RFID/NFC capabilities enable real-time data collection, which can be transmitted to cloud-based systems for analysis and visualization.
Sustainable Operations: Solar energy harvesting promotes sustainable practices, reducing the need for conventional power sources and lowering operational costs.
Versatile Applications: The platform finds applications in grid monitoring, e-Health, various smart technologies, asset tracking, inventory management, access control, and more.
Features/Specifications:
- Microcontroller: ATmega328P
Operating Voltage: 5V
1.1 NFC/RFID Card Reader – PN532 NFC/RFID Chip
NFC/RFID reader/writer mode supporting:
Mifare 1k, 4k, Ultralight, and DesFire cards
ISO/IEC 14443-4 cards such as CD97BX, CD light, DesFire, P5CN072 (SMX)
Innovision Jewel cards such as IRT5001 card
FeliCa cards such as RCS_860 and RCS_854
Can work as a 14443-A card or a virtual card
Support P2P communication
Built-in Stackable/Detachable PCB Antenna, with 5cm~7cm communication distance
Exchange data with other NFC devices such as a smartphone
Support NFC with Android phone
- 2Mbit I2C EEPROM
- Crypto Authentication Chip -Built-in encryption and authentication mechanisms
- 128Mbit SPI Serial EEPROM – Can store 32,000 fingerprints
- Real-time Clock & Calendar (RTCC)
- 6-DOF Inertia Measurement Unit (IMU) – Accel/Gyro
- AC High Voltage Input Port – for Grid Monitoring
- Integrated GSM/GPRS Module;
- microSD Card Connector
- SPI Display port
- I2C Bus Connector;
- USB Type-C Port
- Dedicated I2C Analog Digital Converter
- Programmable Piezo Buzzer;
- 6-Channel Remote Load Switches
- Gas Sensor Port (MQ Series)
- Thermometer Port (One Wire)
- ICSP Port
- RX/TX Debugging Pins from CP2102
- 16-Channel I2C Port Expander
- I2C Display port
- Charge Controller/Charger – Solar Energy Harvester
Dr Agu Collins Agu| Director R&D, NITDA |IoT Systems Expert | Electronic Product Design/Programmer | UnityBoard Co-Designer
