User guide
CloudGate Basics
Last updated on 29/11/2016
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Table Of Content
1. CloudGate Basics ................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Base Unit
............................................................................................................................. 5
1.2. Generating multiple configuration files
............................................................................... 8
1.3. Expansion Cards
.................................................................................................................. 9
1.4. CloudGate Universe
.......................................................................................................... 15
1.5. Custom Applications
......................................................................................................... 16
1.6. Network Interfaces
............................................................................................................ 17
1. CloudGate Basics
The CloudGate M2M Gateway from Option provides LAN to WWAN routing and GPS
functionality in a simple, cost-effective base unit. The CloudGate can be configured
locally or remotely from a PC, tablet, or smartphone, and is certified on all major U.S.
cellular operators (CDMA/EvDO and WCDMA/HSPA+).
With two expansion card slots for additional radio and wired interfaces, customizable
software and configuration images, and a cloud-based provisioning system, the
CloudGate is a flexible, intelligent platform for wireless M2M connectivity.
Base Unit Design
The CloudGate base unit design features LAN-to-WWAN and GPS interfaces and
advanced error detection and repair watchdogs. When a component or software
process loses connectivity, the device automaticaly resets or repowers itself. You can
also schedule the device to reset at specific intervals to ensure daily, error-free
operation.
Finally, CloudGates can be monitored and provisioned remotely, which vastly reduces
the technician time on site, and enables firmware updates and new software features
to be deployed quickly and efficiently.
Expansion Slots
To expand the capabilties of the base unit, you can add up to two expansion cards
and deploy customized software, or developer images. Option offers several expansion
cards with WLAN and Serial interfaces and a hardware development kit for system
integrators to develop their own cards. Likewise, a software development kit is available
to partners who need custom software for a site-specific application.
For more information on the CloudGate developer program, contact Option Customer
Support.
Feature Overview
Reliability and Security
Software and hardware watchdogs continually monitor for loss of connectivity
and will repair the problem if detected
Software and configuration images are protected with digital signatures
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Secure, redundant firmware and configuration images ensure the unit can revert
to previous working settings if a problem is detected
Management functions are protected by certificate or password and applied
over encrypted links
Flexibilty
Two hardware expansion slots allow for additional radio and/or wired interfaces
Expansion cards are designed with board-edge connectors for easy installation
and replacement in the field
Hardware and software development kits are available to partners for
developing custom expansion cards and software images
Provisioning
The CloudGate Universe allows for efficient deployment of firmware,
configuration file and developer application updates to mutliple CloudGates at
once
More Resources
CloudGate Datasheets
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1.1. Base Unit Hardware
The mechanical housing for each base unit is identical. The bottom front and bottom
back panels can be customized to accomodate different expansion cards and
interfaces. Internally, the main board is designed around a WWAN module1 and
Ethernet interface.
The base unit incorporates two hardware expansion slots for additional radio and wired
interfaces. Option offers a range of expansion cards but also licenses the expansion
card format and connector details so that third party hardware developers can design
their own expansion cards to fit specific needs.
The CloudGate base unit consists of:
Light weight aluminum housing with DIN rail and wall mounting options
Customizable bottom front and bottom back panels
Two SMA-type antenna interfaces: WWAN Main and WWAN Div/GPS
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WLAN, GPS, System, and WWAN LEDs showing system status and signal strength
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10/100 MB/s RJ-45 Ethernet interface
9-33 VDC power in with Micro-Fit™, dual row, 4-circuit connector
Two hardware expansion slots for additional radio or wired interfaces
Internal main board with WWAN module, Ethernet interface and GPS
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Freescale i.MX280 450MHz Processor
64 MB Ram (variant dependent)
128 MB Flash (variant dependent)
WWAN module
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Base Unit Variants
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The following variants exist:
CloudGate LTE WW (CG0114)
Contains the LN930 WWAN 4G module that supports 2G/3G/4G technology.
Can be used world-wide
CloudGate 3G Americas (CG0192)
Contains the GTM689 WWAN 3G module that can handle CDMA/EVDO and
WCDMA technology.
Used in the U.S. and Canada and has the correct certification and approvals for
these countries.
CloudGate 3G Americas Rev 3 (CG0198)
Contains the PXS8 WWAN 3G module that can handle CDMA/EVDO and
WCDMA technology.
Used in the U.S. and Canada and has the correct certification and approvals for
these countries.
CloudGate 3G EMEA (CG0112)
Contains the GTM681 WWAN 3G module that can handle only WCDMA
technology.
Used in Europe and has the correct certification and approvals for these
countries.
CloudGate 3G EMEA Rev 3 (CG0118)
Contains the PHS8-E WWAN 3G module that can handle only WCDMA
technology.
Used in Europe and has the correct certification and approvals for these
countries.
CloudGate 3G JP (CG0122)
Contains the GTM661 WWAN 3G module that can handle only WCDMA
technology.
Used in Japan and Asia Pacific and has the correct certification and
approvals for these countries.
CloudGate Ethernet (CG0102)
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Does not contain a WWAN module.
Can be used in Europe, US and Canada
Note 1:
The CG0102 is a CloudGate without a WWAN module, so it has no 3G functionality. It
does not support GPS. The front plate has no RF connectors.
A detailed HW description of the different models can be found in the CloudGate
Hardware Guide.
Related Topics
Expansion Cards
Mounting the CloudGate
Mechanical Drawings
Front and Back Panels
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Generating multiple configuration files
(Under construction)
This section will guide you in generating multiple configuration files in case you need to
configure large amounts of CloudGates.
CloudGate configurations are stored as UCI files. (Check the OpenWRT Wiki for more
info on this subject) The abbreviation UCI stands for Unified Configuration Interface and
is intended to centralize the configuration of OpenWrt, the OS the CloudGate's OS is
based upon. A CloudGate configuration export is stored as such UCI file and can be
modified before applying to other CloudGate's.
OPTION developped a special tool for this purpose that can be downloaded here.
Extract the tool on a Linux system, preferably Ubuntu, by using the following command:
tar -xvf Documentation/cgconfig1_1.tar.gz
The ./cgconfig.py python script will take a list of UCI configuration files and build one or
more configuration (config.bin) images that can be uploaded to your CloudGate
directly or your CloudGate Universe account.
Before you can start using the tool, you would need to create a template UCI file that
contains a placeholder for all the items that you want to configure in an automated
way.
Let us investigate the following example:
"One would need to configure 100 CloudGate's, with each CloudGate a slightly
different configuration like the login username and the Main Ethernet IP address. For
easy reference, let us increment the username and IP address for each CloudGate with
1, starting with 'username1' and '192.168.11.1' for CloudGate 1, 'username2' and
'192.168.12.1' for CloudGate 2, 'username3' and '192.168.13.1' for CloudGate 3, etc."
1. Start with adding placeholders '${value1}' in the /Config_tool/UCI_template file
for the values that needs to be filled in automatically.
[Screenshot placeholder]
2. Adjust the values.csv file to contain 'username1' and '192.168.11.1' for CloudGate
1, 'username2' and '192.168.12.1' for CloudGate 2, 'username3' and '192.168.13.1'
for CloudGate 3, etc.
[Screenshot placeholder]
1.
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1.3. Expansion Cards
Option offers a several expansion cards. For custom solutions, Option also licenses a
hardware development kit. Third parties can design their own expansion cards to fit
specific needs.
The expansion cards offered by Option include:
WLAN expansion card (CG2101)
WLAN access point card (CG2102)
Low cost serial card (CG1101)
Industrial serial card (CG1102)
Ethernet switch with PoE (CG1103)
Ethernet switch (CG1104)
Developer card (CG1105)
Telematics card (CG1106)
Telematics card with I/O expander (CG1106 + CG3101)
Telematics card with CAN I/O expander (CG1106 + CG3102)
Breadboard card (CG1108)
WLAN Expansion Card - CG2101
Provides 802.11 bgn
Simultaneous Access Point and Station mode for providing service or connection
as a wireless LAN
Failover to WLAN client for WAN connectivity
Dual SSID
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WLAN Access Point Card - CG2102
Provides 802.11 abgn
Access Point wireless LAN
Low Cost Serial Card - CG1101
Provides a single RS-232, 921.6 kbaud maximum speed.
Industrial Serial Card - CG1102
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One RS-232 port with 921.6 kbaud maximum speed.
2 KV isolated RS-485 serial port, 921.6 kbaud, full duplex or half duplex; 2 wire or 4
wire with switchable termination.
Ethernet Switch with PoE - CG1103
Power over Ethernet (requires special power supply)
4-port 10/100Base-T with 2 ports class 4 or 4 ports up to class 3 PoE
µSD card
Ethernet Switch - CG1104
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4-port 10/100Base-T
µSD card
Developers Card - CG1105
Extended format with headers on all interfaces to attach to development
equipment
Pre-wired RS-232 port, GPIO connected temperature sensor, a relay and SD card
slot.
Telematics Card - CG1106
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3 axis 12 bit accelerometer
Dual SIM socket
Two USB interfaces
DTE interface
Telematics Card with I/O Expander (CG1106 + CG3101)
Same features as the Telematics card plus following ones provided by the I/O
expander:
5 inputs (digital or analog)
2 analog inputs
6 digital outputs
AUX serial port
1-wire interface
Telematics Card with CAN I/O Expander (CG1106 +
CG3102)
Same features as the Telematics card plus following ones provided by the CAN I/O
expander:
5 inputs (digital or analog)
2 analog inputs
4 digital outputs
AUX serial port
1-wire interface
CAN bus interface
Breadboard Card - CG1108
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Breadboard area for hardware prototyping
Expansion connector signals available on test points
area for 3.5mm pitch front connector
Related Topics
Installing Expansion Cards
Configuring Expansion Cards
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The CloudGate Universe is the configuration and deployment mechanism for the
CloudGate. From the factory, CloudGate base units have no customization.
On power-up, the CloudGate connects to the CloudGate Universe over the wired
Ethernet port and automatically downloads the appropriate update. If the Ethernet
interface is unavailable, then the CloudGate uses the WWAN interface to download
the updates.
Tip: You can set the CloudGate Universe enable or disable the automatic downloads.
The CloudGate downloads the following files from the CloudGate Universe:
CloudGate firmware: device firmware provided by Option.
CloudGate radio firmware: updates changes to wireless operator firmware
CloudGate config file: configuration settings that can be applied to one or more
CloudGates
CloudGate application: customized software that provides additional
functionality to the CloudGate or controls third-party expansion cards.
Related Topics
CloudGate Universe Guide
3G Connection Tab
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Custom Developer Applications
To extend the base unit functionality provided by the CloudGate firmware, you can
install developer software images onto an overlay file system and adapt the
CloudGate to specific needs. Developer applications can be created for custom
applications and middleware, and to control third-party expansion cards.
Option licenses a software development kit which allows third parties to design
developer images. For information on the CloudGate developer program, contact
Option Customer Support.
Related Topics
CloudGate Universe
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1.6. Network Interfaces
For connecting to the Internet, the CloudGate base unit comes with an Ethernet
interface and a WWAN1 (3G) interface. An optional WLAN interface is available only
when the WLAN expansion card is installed.
While the WWAN1 network interface is always a direct connection to the Internet, or
WAN, the Ethernet interface and optional WLAN interface can act as either a WAN or a
local Area Network (LAN). The LAN interface allows local devices to connect to the
Internet through the CloudGate.
The network interfaces available on the CloudGate are:
Ethernet interface: can be a WAN or LAN connection depending on the
behavior of the WAN/LAN switchover feature at start-up or can be set manually.
WWAN1 interface: always a WAN connection because it connects directly to the
internet.
WLAN interface: optional WLAN expansion card can be configured as either a
WLAN client, which will act as a WAN interface, or as a WLAN access point,
which will act as a LAN interface.
Choosing a WAN or LAN Interface
The CloudGate can have only one WAN connection at a time. However the
CloudGate can be connected to several different LAN networks simultaneously.
In choosing the network interface, you can specify:
Manual: the network interface is selected through the on device web interface
on the Home page.
Automatic: a priority list defines which network interface to use to connect to the
WAN/internet. The network interface at the top of the list will try to connect to
the WAN/internet first. If this succeeds then the CloudGate continues to use this
network interface to connect to the WAN/internet. If the connection to the
internet fails, the CloudGate tries the second interface in the priority list and so
on. The priority list is defined in the on device web interface on the Home page.
Warning: In firmware versions 1.12.0 and older, the ability to choose between
automatic mode and manual mode and to set a connection priority list are not
available. These firmware versions always try to connect to the internet over the
Ethernet interface first. When this interface is not able to connect to the internet, the
CloudGate will try to connect to the internet via the WWAN interface.
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Note1
The CloudGate Ethernet (CG0102) has no WWAN module!
Related Topics
Configuring the Base Unit
Ethernet Tab
3G Connection Tab
WAN/LAN switchover feature
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