Hybrid IoT Demo Showcasing a Unified PLC + RF Mesh Network Demonstration Application

Key Features

The Hybrid IoT Demo leverages G3-Hybrid technology for reliable, long-range communication over existing power lines, combined with wireless connectivity, for extended reach and redundancy. The system includes sample firmware, hardware reference designs and examples for cloud connectivity and device management.

Common use cases:

• Smart grid, industrial automation, street lighting and home networking

This solution uses the following elements:

• PIC32CZ CA80 Curiosity Ultra Development Board as a host device, getting network data from the coordinator to showcase it on the display and an IoT dashboard hosted on the cloud and updated through Wi-Fi® and LTE-M connectivity
• The combination of WBZ451 and PL460 is used as the coordinator to create the G3 network with hybrid connectivity (PLC + RF)
• WBZ451 + PL460 or WBZ451HPE + PL460 are used as end devices with hybrid or RF-only connectivity

There are four projects in this solution:

• Host Controller (PIC32CZ CA80) with the following primary functionalities:
  • Receiving and requesting G3 network data from the G3 Coordinator
  • Displaying G3 network data on the touchscreen
  • Controlling G3 devices through the touchscreen interface
  • Establishing cloud connectivity through Wi-Fi or LTE, accessible from the touchscreen
  • Presenting G3 network data on the IoT dashboard through Wi-Fi and/or LTE connection
  • Controlling G3 devices from the IoT dashboard through Wi-Fi and/or LTE connection
  • Displaying G3 network data on the command line interface
  • Managing the G3 Coordinator and devices from the command line interface
  • Printing debug data on the UART interface
• G3 network coordinator (WBZ451 + PL460) with the following functionalities:
  • Registering G3 devices in the G3 network and assigning short addresses and MAC layer encryption keys
  • Continuously pinging G3 devices to monitor the availability
  • Sending commands to act/get information from and send to G3 devices based on the functionality
  • Notifying alarms triggered by the Emergency button
• G3 device (WBZ451 + PL460) for the light nodes or the push button:
  • Registering with the G3 network created by the G3 Coordinator
  • Receiving commands from the G3 Coordinator to act/get information to/from G3 devices
  • Notifying the G3 Coordinator of alarms
• G3 device (WBZ451HPE + PL460) for the LED matrix display:
  • Same functionality as the other G3 devices but adding the control of the LED matrix panel to display alarm events