Blues is helping boost Arduino Opta connectivity with the launch of an affordable wireless for Opta expansion module.

The module enhances connectivity options for the Arduino Opta micro-PLC; it was launched at this week’s Automate show in Chicago.

This announcement marks a leap forward in programmable logic controller (PLC) technology by adding no-frills cellular and LoRa connectivity to the ecosystem. The expansion will be available from Blues and Arduino this summer.

“The IIoT is on the cusp of a revolution in democratised connectivity and computing not unlike the PC era of a generation ago,” said Brandon Satrom, senior vice president at Blues. “Products like Lotus Notes, Microsoft Access and FrontPage sparked a revolution, offering teams and organisations a red tape-free path to connect with one another. With the Opta and Blues’ wireless expansion, Blues and Arduino are fuelling a similar revolution, empowering OT teams with a direct path to cloud-connected PLC systems.” 

There are currently three variants for the Arduino Opta, offering Ethernet, RS485, or wifi and Bluetooth capabilities. The Blues wireless for Arduino Opta expansion module can quickly and inexpensively add cellular or LoRa connectivity to any Arduino Opta micro-PLC.

The module connects into the Opta’s standard aux expansion port and can be used alongside other modules in a daisy-chain. The Opta can then communicate with the module and its onboard Notecard via I²C, using either the Arduino Cloud SDK or the Blues’ Note-Arduino library to interact with the Notecard and transfer data to and from the cloud.

Equipped with the Blues Notecard, the module supports global LTE Cat 1 (Note-WBGLW) with 500Mbyte of data and ten years of service across more than 139 countries, requiring no activation fees or monthly commitments. Alternatively, it can use LoRa communication through the Things Network.

The Blues Notehub cloud service is used for network backhaul, with compatibility extending to Arduino Cloud, AWS, Azure, GCP and numerous other cloud platforms.

A power outage detection system and an onboard backup power supply allow the module to send timely outage alerts through the Notecard and Notehub directly to user-specific cloud services.

While the Opta provides Ethernet connectivity in all models and wifi in specific versions, some OT professionals lack the necessary IT permissions to integrate these networked products into their facilities. The expansion module addresses this by offering additional cellular or LoRa options, allowing OT professionals to bring PLC systems online quickly and securely using the Blues secure communication technologies. This approach is part of a broader trend in Industry 4.0 and IIoT where OT departments are able to leverage democratised technology without central oversight in an effort to prove quickly the business value of adding cloud connectivity to industrial systems.

“With Opta, Arduino empowers engineers to swiftly create professional-grade solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing systems and connect to their chosen cloud platforms,” said Marcello Majonchi, chief product officer at Arduino. “The partnership with Blues expands these connectivity possibilities into the cellular realm, enabling comprehensive remote monitoring and control with just a few clicks. If you think about a remote plant, a solar farm, a water well pump, an industrial vehicle or a large machine, like an air compressor, that you want to monitor and control, these are the scenarios we are targeting.” 

To learn more and join the Wireless for Opta waitlist, visit blues.com/wireless-for-opta.

Blues (blues.com) wants to transform every physical product into an intelligent service, helping communities and companies save time and money, and improve the world. Blues helps organisations worldwide create reliable and innovative connectivity that delivers measurable value using IIoT-driven data intelligence. With Blues, users can easily send and receive information to and from any device, anywhere, and at any time, improving business operations while reducing costs. More than 800 organisations worldwide, from non-profits to start-ups to enterprises, use Blues integrated hardware, software and cloud service IIoT technologies to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and create revenue streams.

Arduino (www.arduino.cc) is an open-source hardware and software company providing an easy-to-use platform for anyone making interactive projects, Arduino has reached a growing community and adapted to new needs and challenges, branching out into products for IoT, wearables, 3D printing and embedded environments. The Arduino community includes more than 33 million active users.