Device access at the edge, and compute that stays local
The SimtoLink edge gateway uses an ARM Cortex-A53 or an x86 processor, with several Ethernet ports and serial ports. The edge runtime is already installed. It covers device access, a rule engine, local storage, and store-and-forward across an outage, for plants and campuses that need local compute and offline running.
It can talk to SimtoLink Cloud or a private deployment, and Docker can carry a custom application. The gateway is already in discrete manufacturing, process industry, and smart buildings, with more than 20,000 units in the field, running 24/7.
Hardware builds and how to choose
Builds differ by processor and by the ports on the front. The table is a typical set for matching the number of devices you need to bring on:
| Processor | Typical specification | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ARM | 1～2GB memory, 8～32GB eMMC, low power | Light collection, rule engine, a small device count |
| x86 | 2～4GB memory, 32～64GB storage | Several protocols, complex rules, Docker add-ons |
Ports: 4× Gigabit Ethernet, 4× RS485, and GPIO. Communications are 4G, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. PoE supply is supported. A fanless option suits dusty air. HDMI is there for local debug, and the unit mounts on a DIN rail. Pick the build for the size of the job; SimtoLink will recommend a configuration and a path to add capacity later.
Where it runs, and what changed
From OEE on a discrete line, to interlocks in a smart building, to local alarms on a chemical tank farm, the gateway covers device access and local compute across industries. These are typical jobs and what they changed on site:
OEE computed on a discrete manufacturing line
A discrete plant puts a gateway on each line, collects machine data locally, and calculates OEE (overall equipment effectiveness). If the network drops, the gateway keeps the buffer and syncs to the MES when the link returns, so the production record is not lost.
Several systems in one smart building
A smart building puts a gateway in each block to gather HVAC, lighting, and access control, run the interlocks locally, and keep a cloud backup. The site depends less on the central equipment room.
Local alarms and interlocks on a chemical tank farm
A chemical plant puts the gateway on the tank farm, computes level, temperature, and pressure locally, and trips a local alarm and interlock. The safety case depends less on the cloud.
Data collection and protocol conversion in energy plant rooms
In a chiller plant or a power distribution room, the gateway gathers Modbus, BACnet, and similar protocols, converts them, aggregates at the edge, and reports to the energy-management platform.
What to settle before you install
- How many devices: Choose by the device count and by how complex the rules are. Take a GPU build for video analysis. Take a wide-temperature, fanless build for a harsh site.
- The network: The gateway usually sits in a workshop or on a building floor, on the same subnet as the devices. Plan the VLAN and the security isolation when you install.
- Containers: Docker can carry a custom application. SimtoLink supplies an edge-application framework and examples.
- Offline: Local storage and the rule engine keep running when the link is down, and they sync on their own when it returns, so the process does not stop.
- The design: SimtoLink will survey the site and write the design, including a build that can be phased.
Rollout and looking after the gateway
A practical order for putting an edge gateway in:
Check how the edge applications are running and how much memory they hold, so a leak does not build up. Remote SSH and the logs are there when you need to trace a fault. SimtoLink monitors the edge applications and raises alarms, and container apps can be deployed and updated remotely, so a site visit is not required for that work.
Support
SimtoLink helps with gateway selection and with getting edge applications on, including Docker containers and custom applications, plus remote maintenance and fault diagnosis. A product manual and a project quote are available.