Intel Edison IoT: How to Choose the Intel Edison for Your IoT Prototype

What is the Intel Edison and Why Use it for IoT?

The Intel Edison is a small yet powerful computing platform built for prototyping and producing IoT and wearable computing products. It packs a robust set of features into its small size, including a dual-core Intel Atom CPU, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and support for over 30 industry-standard I/O interfaces.

Key Benefits of Using Intel Edison for IoT

Compact size (35.5 x 25 x 3.9mm, about the size of a postage stamp)
Integrated Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity
Designed for ultra-low power consumption
Open source Yocto Linux OS optimized for embedded devices
Rich I/O capabilities and SDK support for fast prototyping
Scalable architecture with 22nm Intel Atom SoC dual-core CPU and 100Mhz Quark microcontroller
Integrated security features to protect your IoT product and data

The Edison’s powerful yet energy-efficient hardware, integrated wireless capabilities, open software ecosystem, and flexible I/O make it an attractive choice for IoT developers. Its compact form factor allows it to be integrated into wearable and space-constrained applications. Overall, it provides an optimal balance of performance, power consumption, connectivity, and rapid development for many IoT use cases.

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Intel Edison Technical Specifications and Features

Computing and Memory

Intel Atom SoC dual-core CPU + Intel Quark microcontroller
22nm, dual-core, dual-threaded, 500MHz CPU
100MHz Intel Quark microcontroller
1GB LPDDR3 RAM, 4GB eMMC flash storage

Integrated Wireless

Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n dual-band (2.4/5GHz)
Bluetooth 4.0 Smart (BLE) and classic

I/O and Interfaces

40 general purpose I/O (GPIO) via 70-pin Hirose connector
USB 2.0 OTG port
SD card connector
2x UART, 1x I2C, 1x SPI, 1x I2S
Supports over 30 industry-standard I/O interfaces

Software and SDK

Yocto Linux OS optimized for embedded devices
Support for Arduino IDE, Eclipse, Intel XDK IoT Edition
Signed firmware updates via secure OTA
Firmware and software development kits (SDKs)

Power and Size

35.5 x 25 x 3.9mm footprint (about the size of a postage stamp)
3.3-4.5V supply voltage, 100mA-800mA consumption
Designed for ultra-low standby power consumption (<1mW)

The Intel Edison’s powerful computing capabilities, integrated connectivity, compact size, and extensive I/O support provide the foundation needed for a wide range of IoT applications. Developers can leverage the familiar Arduino IDE, Eclipse, and Intel XDK IoT Edition tools along with robust SDKs to accelerate time to market.

Getting Started with Intel Edison IoT Development

Setting Up the Intel Edison Hardware

Purchase an Intel Edison kit that includes the Edison module, expansion board, and accessories. Popular options are the Arduino Breakout Board Kit and the Mini Breakout Board Kit.
Connect the Intel Edison module to the expansion board. The module sits on top of the board and connects via the 70-pin Hirose connector.
Power the board by connecting a 7-15V power supply to the barrel jack or connecting via USB. The board will power on and boot the Yocto Linux OS.
(Optional) Connect additional peripherals and sensors to the board’s I/O interfaces and GPIO pins as needed for your application.

Configuring Software and Connectivity

Configure Wi-Fi by connecting to the Edison’s access point and using a web browser or the configure_edison command line utility.
Update the firmware and Yocto OS via Intel’s repositories to ensure you have the latest versions with security and bug fixes.
Set up your preferred IDE (Arduino, Eclipse, Intel XDK) by installing the Intel Edison SDK and other dependencies per Intel’s getting started guides.
Create a new project, configure the Edison’s capabilities you want to leverage (GPIO, sensors, actuators, etc.), and start developing your application. Use the SDK libraries to interface with hardware and network services.
Deploy your application to the Edison, debug, and test. Iterate until you have a minimum viable prototype that validates your IoT concept.

With the Edison hardware set up and software configured, you’re ready to start developing IoT applications. Intel provides extensive documentation, examples, and support forums to help you make the most of the Edison platform.

Example Intel Edison IoT Applications and Use Cases

The Intel Edison is suitable for a wide variety of IoT applications across industry verticals. Here are a few examples of how it can be utilized:

Smart Home Automation

Monitor and control home lighting, HVAC, security systems
Integrate with sensors to enable context-aware automation
Remotely monitor and manage home energy consumption
Example products: smart thermostats, smart locks, smart hubs

Wearable Devices

Compact size ideal for wearable applications
Integrated Bluetooth enables phone/web connectivity
Biometric and motion sensors can track activity and vitals
Example products: smart watches, fitness trackers, smart clothes

Industrial Automation and M2M

Connect industrial equipment to the cloud for remote monitoring
Predictive maintenance based on real-time asset health data
Optimize production processes and supply chain logistics
Example products: asset trackers, predictive maintenance, process controllers

Healthcare and Telemedicine

Remote patient monitoring and telemedicine applications
Wearable health trackers can collect and transmit biometric data
Hands-free communication solutions for healthcare providers
Example products: personal emergency response, biometric tracking, physician tools

Smart City and Infrastructure

Enable smart metering and demand-response management of utilities
Intelligent transportation systems for vehicle telematics/fleet management
Environmental and air quality monitoring
Example products: smart meters, fleet trackers, mobile Air Quality Sensors

These are just a few high-level examples – the Edison’s versatility makes it suitable for a diverse array of IoT Solutions limited mainly by the developer’s creativity. Its rapid prototyping capabilities accelerate the process of validating new ideas.

Comparing Intel Edison to Other IoT Platforms

When evaluating the Intel Edison for your IoT application, it’s helpful to compare it to other popular platforms to determine the optimal choice. Here we compare Edison to Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and a few other options:

Intel Edison vs Raspberry Pi

Feature	Intel Edison	Raspberry Pi 3
Processor	500 MHz dual-core Intel Atom + 100 MHz Quark	1.2 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
Memory	1GB LPDDR3 RAM, 4GB eMMC	1GB LPDDR2 RAM, microSD card slot
Wireless	Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0	Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
I/O	40 GPIO, USB OTG, SD card, UART, I2C, SPI, I2S	40 GPIO, 4 USB ports, HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack
Size	35.5 x 25 x 3.9mm	85.6 x 56.5 mm
Power	3.3-4.5V, designed for low power	5V, higher power consumption
OS	Yocto Linux	Raspbian Linux, Windows 10 IoT Core

The Raspberry Pi provides more I/O options, a faster processor, and easier access to peripherals and displays, making it better suited for IoT applications with significant computing or multimedia needs. The Edison is smaller and more power-efficient, with built-in wireless connectivity, making it a better choice for battery-operated wearables and size-constrained devices.

Intel Edison vs Arduino

Feature	Intel Edison	Arduino Uno
Processor	500 MHz dual-core Intel Atom + 100 MHz Quark	16 MHz ATmega328P
Memory	1GB LPDDR3 RAM, 4GB eMMC	2KB SRAM, 32KB flash, 1KB EEPROM
Connectivity	Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	None built-in, requires shields
I/O	40 GPIO, USB OTG, SD card, UART, I2C, SPI, I2S	14 digital I/O pins, 6 analog inputs
Size	35.5 x 25 x 3.9mm	68.6 x 53.4 mm
Power	3.3-4.5V	7-12V
Programming	Sketch (Arduino), C/C++, Python, Node.js	Sketch (Arduino)

Compared to Arduino, the Intel Edison is significantly more powerful in terms of processing speed, memory, and integrated features. Arduino is simpler to work with and lower cost, making it a good choice for basic sensing and actuation. Edison is preferable for more complex applications requiring computation, power management, and wireless capabilities.

Other IoT Platform Alternatives

Particle Photon: An Arduino-compatible Wi-Fi development kit with an ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller, 1MB flash, 128KB RAM. Integrated Wi-Fi and cloud platform.
BeagleBone Black: Linux development board with 1GHz ARM8 processor, 4GB eMMC, and extensive I/O interfaces. Suitable for high-performance, non-size-constrained applications.
ESP32: 2.4 GHz dual-mode Wi-Fi + Bluetooth combo chip with a dual-core Tensilica microprocessor. Suitable for low-power, low-cost IoT devices.

The optimal platform choice depends on the specific needs of your IoT application, including processing power, power consumption, physical size constraints, I/O requirements, wireless connectivity, and ease of use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Intel Edison IoT

What programming languages are supported on Intel Edison?

The Edison supports C/C++, Python, Node.js, and Java programming via Eclipse, Arduino IDE, and Intel XDK. It also supports web languages like HTML5 for IoT app development.

Is Intel Edison open source?

The Edison runs Yocto Linux, an open source Embedded Linux distribution. Much of the software, SDKs, and libraries are open source. However, some binary kernel drivers are closed source.

How do I connect sensors and actuators to the Intel Edison?

The Edison supports a wide variety of digital and analog sensors that can be interfaced via the 40 GPIO pins and protocols like UART, I2C, SPI. Refer to the expansion board documentation and schematics for specifics.

What is the power consumption of Intel Edison?

The Intel Edison is designed for low power consumption, drawing 100mA-800mA and less than 1mW in standby. Actual consumption depends on workload and peripheral usage. It is suitable for many battery-operated applications.

Where can I find support and documentation for working with Intel Edison?

Intel provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and support forums for Edison developers:
– Intel Edison Product Brief and Technical Documents: https://software.intel.com/en-us/iot/hardware/edison
– Intel Edison Getting Started Guides: https://software.intel.com/en-us/get-started-edison-linux
– Intel Developer Zone Edison Community: https://communities.intel.com/community/tech/edison
– Hackster.io Community and Projects: https://www.hackster.io/edison

There is an extensive knowledge base to help you get started and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Engage with Intel’s forums and the broader Edison developer community to find answers and collaborators.