Case Studies
T113-S3 Industrial Communication Gateway ODM Case Study: Multi-Protocol Connectivity for Industrial IoT
Oct
Industrial automation systems often rely on PLCs, sensors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and motor controllers from different manufacturers. Connecting these devices to a unified network can be challenging due to differences in communication protocols, interfaces, and data formats.
In this project, KICKPI explored a T113-S3-based industrial communication gateway ODM solution designed to connect industrial equipment, process field data, and transmit information to remote monitoring platforms.
The solution combines customized hardware interfaces with Linux-based communication software to support industrial connectivity, edge data processing, and remote device management.
1. Project Requirements
The customer needed a compact industrial gateway capable of connecting multiple field devices and forwarding their data to an Ethernet or cellular network.
Key requirements included:
- Multi-protocol communication: Support for Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, CAN-based communication, and MQTT integration, depending on the project requirements.
- Flexible interfaces: Multiple RS485 and CAN channels, Ethernet, USB, GPIO, and optional 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Reliable data acquisition: Device polling, communication timeouts, retry mechanisms, and local data buffering.
- Remote management: Configuration updates, diagnostic logs, software upgrades, and device status monitoring.
- Customizable hardware: Adjustable interface quantities, storage capacity, power design, and enclosure options.
2. T113-S3 Hardware and System Architecture
The T113-S3 serves as the gateway’s main processor, running Linux-based software for device communication, data processing, and network connectivity.
The customized hardware design can integrate the following interfaces according to the final product requirements:
| Interface | Target Configuration |
|---|---|
| Ethernet | 1–2 ports |
| RS485 | 2–4 channels |
| CAN | 1–2 channels |
| USB | 1–2 ports |
| GPIO | Project-dependent |
| 4G / Wi-Fi | Optional |
| RTC / Watchdog | Subject to hardware design |
| eMMC | 8–32 GB target capacity |
Industrial interfaces such as RS485 and CAN require appropriate transceivers and protection circuitry. Ethernet port count, wireless connectivity, storage, and other features must also be verified against the final hardware design.
The overall architecture follows a straightforward data path:
Industrial Devices → RS485 / CAN → T113-S3 Gateway → Data Processing → Ethernet / 4G → Cloud Platform
This architecture allows the gateway to serve as a bridge between field devices and higher-level industrial monitoring systems.
3. Key ODM Engineering Challenges
Multi-Protocol Integration
Different industrial devices may use different communication protocols and data formats. The software needs a modular protocol layer that separates device communication, data parsing, and application logic.
For example, Modbus RTU data received through RS485 can be processed and mapped into a unified data model before being exposed through Modbus TCP or transmitted to a cloud platform using MQTT, where appropriate.
Concurrent Communication and Timing
When several serial channels operate simultaneously, the gateway must manage independent communication tasks, polling intervals, response timeouts, CRC checks, and retries.
Separate communication workers, ring buffers, and protocol parsing layers can help reduce blocking and prevent data loss under heavy workloads.
Reliable Data Delivery
Network interruptions should not stop local data acquisition. A local buffering mechanism can temporarily store collected data and resume transmission when connectivity returns.
For applications requiring reliable delivery, the gateway can retain buffered records until the server acknowledges receipt, with sequence numbers and duplicate handling where necessary.
Remote Maintenance
For gateways deployed across multiple industrial sites, remote maintenance can reduce the need for on-site service visits.
Potential software features include remote logs, configuration management, OTA updates, network diagnostics, device health monitoring, and controlled remote restart.
4. KICKPI Industrial Gateway ODM Customization
KICKPI can evaluate hardware and software requirements for embedded gateway projects, including:
- Hardware customization: Interface quantities, communication transceivers, isolation and protection, power supply, wireless modules, storage, and DIN-rail enclosure design.
- Linux software development: Board support package (BSP), device drivers, device tree configuration, and application integration.
- Communication software: Modbus, CAN protocols, TCP/IP, MQTT, HTTP, and application-specific data processing.
- Device management: Local buffering, logging, remote configuration, OTA updates, and Web-based management interfaces.
The final scope depends on the selected hardware platform, interface requirements, protocol specifications, and project validation.
5. Develop Your Industrial Communication Gateway with KICKPI
A customized industrial communication gateway can help integrate PLCs, sensors, drives, and other field devices into a connected industrial system.
KICKPI provides embedded hardware customization and software development services for industrial IoT, edge gateways, and automation applications.
Looking for an industrial gateway ODM partner?
Contact KICKPI to discuss your processor selection, communication interfaces, Linux software requirements, and customization needs. For another example of T113-S3 customization, explore our T113-S3 Industrial Motion Controller ODM Case Study, which demonstrates how the T113-S3 platform can be integrated into industrial automation systems for motor control and motion management.
