case study

a large network of intelligent monitoring stations is a vital public-safety asset in flood-prone regions of the world such as Indonesia. This equipment must be sophisticated enough to provide accurate, timely information where it is needed, while being cost-effective.

To produce solutions that meet these criteria, Hydrosix relies on open-source software that includes custom embedded Linux* enabled by the Yocto Project, running on systems based on the Intel® Atom™ processor.

The company’s sensor equipment passes data to its intelligent logger units, which also receive pictures uploaded from optional onsite cameras. The loggers collect data and communicate it back to central facilities and systems to support monitoring, modeling, and forecasting. Typical data points may include rainfall, surface water or groundwater levels, water flow rates, temperature, and humidity.

The solution benefits from the broad ecosystem of x86 software and hardware, which also supports future extensibility.

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Challenge

develop a full-featured, intelligent

environmental remote-monitoring solution that overcomes the limitations of a previous generation that was based on microcontrollers and firmware. Support new customer requirements for cameras and multi-channel reporting while overcoming cost constraints and achieving fast time to market.

Solution

The Yocto Project enabled Hydrosix to create a custom embedded Linux* OS while overcoming obstacles related to effort, cost, and complexity to focus on the company’s core competencies.

ReSultS

Hydrosix met the project’s requirements with a standards-based solution that accommodates future expansion, within the company’s cost constraints, in just two calendar quarters.1

GUARDING VIGILANTLY AGAINST DISASTER

Indonesia-based Hydrosix provides a data-acquisition and reporting platform based on embedded Linux* that enables early flood detection, hydrometry, and general environmental monitoring. The company’s network of remote monitors is instrumental in protecting the citizens in one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.

WITH FAST, cOST-eFFecTIVe eMBeDDeD LInuX* DeVeLOPMenT

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When Hydrosix began the design phase of its latest generation of environmental monitoring and reporting solutions, it faced the challenge of expanding capabilities far beyond the range of its previous platforms. new requirements included the ability to incorporate remote cameras and support communication through multiple wired and wireless channels. The company’s existing designs were built on microcontrollers and firmware, an approach that was severely limited in terms of extensibility.

The project team saw the opportunity to dramatically extend functionality and to position its platforms for the future by adopting a new approach, based on a full-featured embedded processor and OS. As Hydrosix engineers explored their options, a number of limitations arose, including the following:

• Cost constraints. As a small company, Hydrosix found the expense of product development based on a commercial OS to be prohibitive.

• time limitations. A built-from-scratch alternative based on free open-source components offered lower up-front costs but would have added undesirable complexity and time requirements to the project.

aCCeleRated PRoduCt engineeRing:Streamlined Creation of embedded linux

The nation of Indonesia experiences dozens of significant floods each year, taking a heavy economic and human toll. As it builds technology that helps alleviate that suffering, Hydrosix benefits from the Yocto Project on Intel® architecture.

Image source: u.S. navy

The Yocto Project proved to be a powerful way to address both these challenges. By streamlining the development of a custom Linux OS, this set of tools and technologies helped Hydrosix develop its new solutions within its cost constraints. Moreover, the entire development cycle from concept to production was completed within two calendar quarters, which is a short period for such a complex body of work, given the adoption of an entirely new hardware and software architecture.2

In addition to these cost and time successes, Hydrosix also reports that the Yocto Project helped optimize solution flexibility and performance. Platform standardization offers a wealth of compatible hardware and software components.

In particular, the company benefits from the breadth of the open-source ecosystem, including optimizations contributed by Intel. current Hydrosix solutions also incorporate open-source building blocks that include Perl*, SQLite*, and jQuery*.

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ReaChing out to WheRe the data iS:modular remote-monitoring SolutionS

hydrosix hydrotech* intelligent logger hil-01

Data collection and reporting solution based on the Intel® Atom™ processor n455, Intel® 82801HM I/O controller Hub, and embedded custom Linux* enabled by the Yocto Project 1.0.

• Supports hydrology and general- purpose environment monitoring

• Transmits data using Short Message Service (SMS), 3G High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), wired ethernet, or Wi-Fi*

• Provides multi-level alerting support

hydrosix Water-level Sensor hWl-01

Floating-type water-level sensor that pairs with the Hydrotech Intelligent Logger HIL-01 for telemetry.

• Measures the depth of groundwater

• Senses the levels of rivers and irrigation channels

• Provides measurement precision to one millimeter

hydrosix Rainfall gauge hRg-01

tipping-bucket-type rainfall gauge that pairs with the Hydrotech Intelligent Logger HIL-01 for telemetry.

• Monitors rainfall volume and rate for climate modeling

• used with flood forecasting and early-warning systems

• Provides measurement precision to one cubic millimeter

The rapid, cost-efficient development cycle enabled by the Yocto Project helped Hydrosix focus on its core expertise. The company’s advanced, rugged solution components collect and report on environmental data effectively and reliably, while standing up to brutal operating conditions.

Thanks to the extensible platform based on the Yocto Project and Intel® processors, Hydrosix solutions offer abilities far beyond those of their predecessors.

• Remote picture upload from connected onsite cameras offers visual information that complements numeric data.

• A flexible communication approach uses a combination of short-range and long-range wired and wireless methods.

• In-band manageability provides remote equipment configuration without costly technician travel.

The key solution components built by Hydrosix to enable robust remote environmental monitoring are shown below. The company also makes airboats that range from 13 to 40 horsepower for use in moving personnel, supplies, and equipment through wetlands and waterways efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.

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environmental monitoring and reporting equipment developed by Hydrosix, based on Intel® architecture and built using the Yocto Project, is deployed at widely dispersed sites in Indonesia.

Flooding is a constant threat in Indonesia, with more than 30 incidents leading to more than 100 dead or missing in 2012 alone.3 Data from the united nations International Strategy for Disaster reduction ranks Indonesia sixth highest out of 162 countries in terms of the number of people at risk for loss of life by flooding.4 That data indicates that more than 1.1 million people are in such danger.

More than 50 remote monitoring stations based on equipment built by Hydrosix have been deployed in four provinces of Indonesia. The systems monitor a number of environmental factors at each site, ensuring that the relevant parameters remain within a pre-determined safe range. In the event that any values reach warning or danger levels, the apparatus will initiate responses according to a set of established rules. examples include taking preventive action, alerting local officials, triggering an event in the centralized Flood Forecasting and Warning System, or sounding a public alarm for evacuation. That communication may use a variety of mechanisms and protocols, such as Short Message Service (SMS), 3G High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), wired ethernet, or Wi-Fi*.

Less dramatic but also vital to public welfare, Hydrosix solutions benefit monitoring and modeling related to factors that include groundwater and climate. Groundwater comprises approximately 20 percent of the world’s fresh water supply,5 providing a significant buffer that can protect human populations against shortages in surface water. Thus, monitoring groundwater levels is valuable to our understanding of how to prevent water crises.

Indonesian research and government institutions, including the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology, the research center for Water resources, and local water-management offices, use the devices for data acquisition in conjunction with monitoring and forecasting operations. Similarly, systems built by Hydrosix are utilized for general climate monitoring of factors such as temperature and humidity, providing data that feeds a range of modeling and forecasting applications.

PRoteCting liFe and enaBling ReSeaRCh:embedded SYStemS for enVironmental monitoring

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When Hydrosix began its search for a robust custom OS, the company quickly found that commercial options were cost-prohibitive for its purposes. Likewise, building an OS from scratch using open-source components was a cumbersome proposition that also raised concerns about ongoing support.

Turning to the Yocto Project, Hydrosix has been able to create a balanced solution that provides both the cost-effective flexibility of open source and the reliability of commercial support if the need arises.

Derived in part from the collection of recipes, classes, and associated files that make up Openembedded-core, the Yocto

Project is continually refined, tested, and updated by an active community. As a result, companies such as Hydrosix have the tools they need to accelerate embedded Linux development.

Several Intel engineers are among the project’s key contributors, delivering board support package (BSP) support across the breadth of Intel’s portfolio of embedded hardware, and helping provide rich features, such as the Hob graphical interface. This interface simplifies efforts to create, modify, build, and deploy images for both beginner and experienced Linux developers. Such contributions by Intel to the community-based design of the Yocto Project help developers to focus on high-value tasks and accelerate time to market.

The Yocto Project provides a familiar Linux environment for development, reducing time spent on porting. Having Intel architecture as a platform enables us to choose hardware partners and peripherals with ease. All that helps speed up time-to-market. – Endang Wachyan, Managing Director, Hydrosix““collaborate

haRneSSing FleXiBle, ReliaBle innoVationWitH tHe YoCto ProJeCt

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Fostering Cross-ecosystem innovation

In the best spirit of open source, the Yocto Project facilitates work across the ecosystem.

• Simplified license inclusion tracking. Programming filters and automatic reporting on GPL license types simplifies legal compliance.

• Cross-architecture solution. Porting across application and device types on any hardware architecture, including x86 (32-bit and 64-bit), ArM*, PPc, and MIPS, requires only a minor configuration change for the project to automatically rebuild without additional user effort.

• Advisory board participation. Intel participates on the Yocto Project advisory board.

YoCto PRoJeCt BeneFitS:faSt traCK to a CuStom embedded linux diStribution

Hosted by the Linux Foundation, the Yocto Project is a collaborative, open-source project that facilitates and streamlines the development of custom embedded Linux OSs with proven templates, tools, methods, and community support.

The Yocto Project has received the backing of some of the industry’s top embedded silicon makers, OS vendors, and embedded board makers. Significant project contributions by Intel help ensure pre-validation for Intel® hardware platforms, and an extensive lineup of prebuilt and tested BSPs offer solid Linux support across Intel® embedded platforms. The project provides diverse benefits.

accelerating Product development

The Yocto Project enables fast time-to-market for high-quality products.

• UI framework-agnostic. Developers have the flexibility to use their preferred uI tools, such as clutter, QT, HTML5, Gnome, and more.

• economical transition to commercial oS. In addition to supporting roll-your-own OSs, eneA, Mentor Graphics, and Wind river offer commercial OS support and services, protecting code and design investments when moving from a proof of concept to a commercial OS.

• ease-of-use. A rich graphical uI can simplify rapid adoption and day-to-day operation.

• eclipse* integration. usability with the eclipse environment helps optimize the developer experience.

• automatic device customization. An application development toolkit is created with each image, enabling access to only the capabilities needed for a specific device or application.

Yocto Project training Video

Interested in getting a jump-start in using the Yocto Project? Scott Garman, embedded Linux engineer, Intel corporation, provides developers with a quick orientation and explains how to build an initial Linux image and run it through the emulator. http://vimeo.com/36450321

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invent

Yocto Project Compliance Program

the Yocto Project Compliance Program offers businesses a means to demonstrate interoperability by registering their products and components as Compatible, while companies can denote their alignment with the goals and directions of the Yocto Project by registering as a Participant.

Test drive the Yocto Project to streamline custom embedded

Linux development:www.yoctoproject.org

The Yocto Project provides an opportunity

to help Intel customers differentiate and create unique solutions

in the embedded market segment. Intel remains committed to

choice in operating systems and our Intelligent Sys

tems roadmap

for embedded views the Yocto Project as a way to provide our

customers with a flexible Linux enabling vehicle.

– Ton Steenman, Vice President and General Manager,

Intelligent Systems Group, Intel

“Learn more about open source at Intel, Intel’s contributions to the Yocto Project, and Hydrosix

environmental monitoring solutions:www.intel.com/yoctoproject

www.hydro6.com

“

1 Source: Hydrosix.2 Ibid.3 Source: http://dibi.bnpb.go.id.4 IndonesiaRiskProfile,accessedon7September2010,atwww.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/risk.php?cid=80. 5 Source: Hydrosix.Intelmaymakechangestospecificationsandproductdescriptionsatanytime,withoutnotice.Designersmustnotrelyontheabsenceorcharacteristicsofanyfeaturesorinstructionsmarked“reserved”or“undefined.”Intelreservestheseforfuturedefinitionandshallhavenoresponsibilitywhatsoeverforconflictsorincompatibilitiesarisingfromfuturechangestothem.Theinformationhereissubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Donotfinalizeadesignwiththisinformation.Theproductsdescribedinthisdocumentmaycontaindesigndefectsorerrorsknownaserratawhichmaycausetheproducttodeviatefrompublishedspecifications.Currentcharacterizederrataareavailableonrequest.ContactyourlocalIntelsalesofficeoryourdistributortoobtainthelatestspecificationsandbeforeplacingyourproductorder.Copiesofdocumentswhichhaveanordernumberandarereferencedinthisdocument,orotherIntelliterature,maybeobtainedbycalling1-800-548-4725,orbyvisitingIntel’sWebSitewww.intel.com.SoftwareandworkloadsusedinperformancetestsmayhavebeenoptimizedforperformanceonlyonIntelmicroprocessors.Performancetests,suchasSYSmark*andMobileMark*,aremeasuredusingspecificcomputersystems,components,software,operationsandfunctions.Anychangetoanyofthosefactorsmaycausetheresultstovary.Youshouldconsultotherinformationandperformanceteststoassistyouinfullyevaluatingyourcontemplatedpurchases,includingtheperformanceofthatproductwhencombinedwithotherproducts.Formoreinformationgotohttp://www.intel.com/performance.InFoRMATIonInThISDoCuMenTISPRovIDeDInConneCTIonWIThInTel®PRoDuCTS.nolICenSe,exPReSSoRIMPlIeD,bYeSToPPeloRoTheRWISe,ToAnYInTelleCTuAlPRoPeRTYRIghTSISgRAnTeDbYThISDoCuMenT.exCePTASPRovIDeDInInTel‘STeRMSAnDConDITIonSoFSAleFoRSuChPRoDuCTS,InTelASSuMeSnolIAbIlITYWhATSoeveR,AnDInTelDISClAIMSAnYexPReSSoRIMPlIeDWARRAnTY,RelATIngToSAleAnD/oRuSeoFInTelPRoDuCTSInCluDInglIAbIlITYoRWARRAnTIeSRelATIngToFITneSSFoRAPARTICulARPuRPoSe,MeRChAnTAbIlITY,oRInFRIngeMenToFAnYPATenT,CoPYRIghToRoTheRInTelleCTuAlPRoPeRTYRIghT.*othernamesandbrandsmaybeclaimedasthepropertyofothers.Copyright©2013IntelCorporation.Allrightsreserved.Intel,theIntellogo,andIntelAtomaretrademarksofIntelCorporationintheu.S.andothercountries.0413/nKR/MeSh/PDF328806-001uS

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