NuMaker-Brick

The NuMaker Brick is an open source IoT platform including a combination of sensors and module which can work independently or be arranged in any order. Monitoring and the adjustment of parameter settings can be done via the NuBrick App on either Android or iOS based mobile devices or tablet computers. The NuMaker Brick’s main control board is equipped with Bluetooth function, which controls and coordinates data transfer. By setting the parameters of various modules via the NuMaker Brick app, the basic applications of an IoT system can be quickly structured. Onboard modules include the temperature and humidity sensor, gas detection module, infrared module, gyroscopes, accelerator, sonar, LED and buzzer. In addition, the NuMaker Brick App provides mechanism for NuMaker Brick to trigger phone function in case a sensor value meets threshold. The design enrich the application of IoT system since phone functions, e.g. SMS, GPS, camera, flash light, fingerprint scanner, and internet connection, could be leveraged.

The NuMaker Brick platform is highly extensible and supports open source codes and protocols. Users may freely add new modules to the system. Makers have used Nuvoton’s NuMaker Brick to build navigation device for firefighting operation, sleep monitor, aquaponics, air pollution detector, forest monitoring system and so on. We believe the great flexibility the NuMaker Brick offers will stimulate the invention of more innovative IoT applications in days to come.

Full open source development strategies were employed for all firmware, hardware, and application software needed by the NuMaker Brick open platform. This has resulted in an extremely developer-friendly end product that includes a main controller terminal and several sub-modules. The main controller terminal and sensor modules utilizes the NuMicro® M451 series MCU. The NuMaker Brick platform modules are also equipped with powerful computational capabilities to be able to rapidly process data while reducing data transfer time for IoT applications. Every module in the NuMaker Brick platform is capable of simultaneous data processing, providing the advantages of distributed computing. The platform is also capable of timely and quick responses to data collected from the sensors.

In addition to powerful computing capabilities, the NuMaker Brick platform is also designed to provide great flexibility. Each module is already designed to include a specific function. Users can start using the NuMaker Brick platform without the need to rewrite any program. Mobile phones and Tablets can be linked to the platform via Apps to set platform functions. Module connections can also be built or modified like stacking bricks according to the users’ preferences. In addition to existing modules, the development module of the NuMaker Brick platform also includes an extension board where developers can create their own modules. Users only need to make sure that the features of the newly added modules are compliant with the NuMaker Brick protocols to start using them, build communication links with existing modules, and achieve plug-and-play functions.