Short answer

Prioritize open-source IoT platforms and microcontrollers for developing cost-effective and flexible SCADA solutions, especially for projects with budget constraints or a need for high customization.

Field
Commercial Production
Source
Electronics (2019)
Method
System Design and Implementation
Evidence
Strong effect

Leveraging open-source platforms like Thinger.IO and microcontrollers such as ESP32 enables the creation of affordable and adaptable Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Electronics. Using System design and implementation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize open-source IoT platforms and microcontrollers for developing cost-effective and flexible SCADA solutions, especially for projects with budget constraints or a need for high customization.

Study
Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Open-source IoT SCADA systems offer a cost-effective alternative to proprietary solutions.

Leveraging open-source platforms like Thinger.IO and microcontrollers such as ESP32 enables the creation of affordable and adaptable Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Electronics · 2019

01

Key Findings

  • 01A functional SCADA system can be built using low-cost, open-source hardware and software.
  • 02The proposed architecture effectively enables real-time data acquisition, monitoring, and remote control.
  • 03This approach significantly reduces the cost compared to traditional proprietary SCADA systems.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize open-source IoT platforms and microcontrollers for developing cost-effective and flexible SCADA solutions, especially for projects with budget constraints or a need for high customization.

How to apply

When designing a system for monitoring environmental conditions or controlling a small-scale automated process, consider using an ESP32 microcontroller connected to sensors, with data sent to a local Thinger.IO server for visualization and control via a web interface.

Project actions

  • 01Investigate different open-source IoT platforms and their capabilities for data visualization and control.
  • 02Thoroughly test the reliability and security of your chosen components and network setup.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo design and implement a low-cost, open-source SCADA system using readily available IoT components.
MethodSystem Design and Implementation
ProcedureThe study involved integrating analog sensors (current and voltage) with an ESP32 microcontroller as the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). This RTU collects and processes data, transmitting it wirelessly to a Thinger.IO local server acting as the Master Terminal Unit (MTU). The Thinger.IO platform facilitates real-time monitoring, data storage, and remote control capabilities.
ContextIndustrial automation and process monitoring

Variables

IV["Type of SCADA system (Open-source IoT vs. Proprietary)"]
DV["Cost of implementation","System functionality (monitoring, control, data acquisition)","Ease of integration"]
CV["Type of sensors used","Network infrastructure (Wi-Fi)","Core SCADA functions being tested"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Demonstrates a practical and cost-effective solution.
  • +Utilizes widely available and affordable components.
  • +Provides a foundation for further customization and development.

Limitations

The complexity of setting up a local server might be a barrier for some. Network connectivity issues can impact real-time performance.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the system depends on the stability of the ESP32, the Thinger.IO platform, and the Wi-Fi connection. Validity is established by demonstrating that the system accurately acquires, transmits, and displays data, and performs control actions as intended.

Think critically

How might the security vulnerabilities of open-source IoT platforms impact the reliability and safety of a SCADA system in a critical industrial application?

05

Design Principles

"Embrace open-source ecosystems for accessible and adaptable industrial control system development."

This approach democratizes access to advanced industrial control and monitoring technologies, making them attainable for smaller businesses, research institutions, and even individual designers. It allows for greater customization and integration with existing systems, fostering innovation in process automation.

06

What This Means for Your Design

You can build your own system to watch and control things remotely using cheap parts and free software, like a simplified industrial control system.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when justifying the choice of open-source hardware and software for a SCADA or IoT monitoring project, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and flexibility achieved.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The design of a low-cost, open-source SCADA system, as demonstrated by Aghenta and Iqbal (2019), utilizes readily available IoT components like the ESP32 microcontroller and platforms such as Thinger.IO to achieve real-time monitoring and control. This approach offers a significant reduction in cost compared to traditional proprietary systems, making advanced automation accessible for diverse design projects.

09

Source

Electronics

Low-Cost, Open Source IoT-Based SCADA System Design Using Thinger.IO and ESP32 Thing

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about open-source iot scada systems offer a cost-effective alternative to proprietary solutions?
Prioritize open-source IoT platforms and microcontrollers for developing cost-effective and flexible SCADA solutions, especially for projects with budget constraints or a need for high customization. Evidence: Electronics (2019).
Why does "Open-source IoT SCADA systems offer a cost-effective alternative to proprietary solutions." matter for design?
This approach democratizes access to advanced industrial control and monitoring technologies, making them attainable for smaller businesses, research institutions, and even individual designers. It allows for greater customization and integration with existing systems, fostering innovation in process automation.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize open-source IoT platforms and microcontrollers for developing cost-effective and flexible SCADA solutions, especially for projects with budget constraints or a need for high customization.
What were the main findings?
A functional SCADA system can be built using low-cost, open-source hardware and software.. The proposed architecture effectively enables real-time data acquisition, monitoring, and remote control.. This approach significantly reduces the cost compared to traditional proprietary SCADA systems.
What research method was used?
System Design and Implementation.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Electronics.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing a system for monitoring environmental conditions or controlling a small-scale automated process, consider using an ESP32 microcontroller connected to sensors, with data sent to a local Thinger.IO server for visualization and control via a web interface.
What are the limitations?
The performance and reliability may be dependent on the stability of the chosen IoT platform and network infrastructure. Security considerations for open-source systems require careful implementation.