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How to Connect the Revolution Pi with Cumulocity Using Thin-edge.io

Introduction​

This guide provides comprehensive instructions for connecting a Revolution Pi to the Cumulocity IoT platform using Thin-edge.io. It covers installation, configuration, and data transmission.

Setting Up Your Revolution Pi​

Wiring & Power Connection​

Use either a 24V DC DIN rail power supply or, for desktop use, a 24V DC plug-in power adapter to power the Revolution Pi. A typical power adapter should have at least 30W. Use a barrel jack pigtail connector with open wire ends to connect it to the RevPi.

Establishing Network Connection​

After powering up, connect the Revolution Pi to your network using an Ethernet cable. Access the device by navigating to http://revpi1234.local in a web browser, where 1234 represents the serial number found on the front of the Revolution Pi.

Setting Up SSH Access​

For macOS Users​

  1. Open the Terminal application (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: 
    ssh pi@revpi<SERIAL-NUMBER>.local
    Replace <SERIAL-NUMBER> with the actual serial number of your device.
  3. Enter the password from the sticker located on the right side of your device.

For Windows 7/10/11 Users​

Windows users need an SSH client.

  • For Windows 10/11:

    1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
    2. Type the following command and press Enter: 
      ssh pi@revpi<SERIAL-NUMBER>.local

  • For Windows 7:

    1. Download and install PuTTY from https://www.putty.org/.
    2. Enter revpi<SERIAL-NUMBER>.local in the 'Host Name' field.
    3. Set the connection type to SSH and click 'Open'.

In both cases, replace <SERIAL-NUMBER> with your device's serial number. When prompted, enter the password from the sticker on the right side of your device.

System Updates and Installing Additional Packages​

Once logged in via SSH, update and upgrade your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt dist-upgrade

Install the necessary packages for No-Code OPC-UA and MQTT support:

sudo apt install mqtt-revpi-client opcua-revpi-server

Installing and Configuring the Cumulocity Client​

Download and Install the Thin-edge.io Client​

curl -fsSL https://thin-edge.io/install.sh | sh -s

Configuring Thin-edge.io​

Configure the Cumulocity IoT tenant URL:

sudo tedge config set c8y.url your-tenant.cumulocity.com

Replace your-tenant.cumulocity.com with your actual tenant link without the https.

Creating and Uploading Certificates​

Create and upload a certificate for each device:

sudo tedge cert create --device-id revpi<SERIAL-NUMBER>

Replace <SERIAL-NUMBER> with your device's serial number.

sudo tedge cert upload c8y --user "your_username@example.com"

Starting the Thin-edge.io Client​

Start the Thin-edge client to connect to Cumulocity:

sudo tedge connect c8y

Testing - Sending Measurement Values​

Send a test measurement to Cumulocity:

tedge mqtt pub 'c8y/s/us' '211,100'

Verifying Data Reception​

Log into your Cumulocity account and navigate to the 'Device Management' section to view the 'Measurements' tab for your device.

Reboot your Revolution Pi​

sudo reboot

Sending RevPi's IO Data to the Thin-edge Connector​

Accessing RevPi's Admin Interface​

Navigate to the RevPi's web interface:

http://revpi<serial>.local

Configure IOs and Fieldbus Data on the Revolution Pi Using Pictory​

  1. Log into the admin web interface.
  2. Launch Pictory graphical editor.
  3. Drag and drop devices such as Analog IO (AIO) and Digital IO (DIO).
  4. Configure their settings, and ensure the 'Export' checkbox is checked if the data should be sent to Cumulocity.

Send Connected Values to the Thin-edge Client​

Option 1: No-Code with Pictory​

  1. Drag the virtual device 'MQTT' into your Revolution Pi diagram in Pictory.
  2. Set the server to localhost.
  3. Save the configurations and reset the driver.

Option 2: NodeRed​

Use NodeRed to send values to Thin-edge's MQTT broker. Configure an MQTT node to localhost and send values as JSON.

Option 3: Codesys​

Install and use Codesys to program and send measurements using its MQTT client.

Option 4: Python​

Use the RevPiModIO2 library to interact with Revolution Pi IOs and send data to the Thin-edge MQTT broker.

Activate Cumulocity Device Management Features​

The Revolution Pi supports various Cumulocity features, including:

  • Measurements
  • Warnings / Alarms
  • Configuration Management
  • Software Management
  • Remote Access via SSH / VNC

Refer to the Cumulocity documentation for setup instructions.