What is relayEquipmentManager?

relayEquipmentManager (REM) is designed as a software management console for hardware interfaces. It provides an easy to configure and manage user interface that links hardware devices to software solutions such as nodejs-PoolController, MQTT interfaces, and web sockets. Initially, REM was written to take advantage of source triggers to trigger relays via GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) on Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone boards, but since its inception, it has been expanded to support several common I2c and SPI interface controllers.

One of the primary development drivers behind REM is to provide high performance access to pool related equipment and communicate with external systems without the need to write custom applications to acquire data or control the equipment.

Architecture

REM uses nodejs as its primary development platform. Communication can be performed through configurable MQTT, websocket, or HTTP Rest APIs. The data interface is exposed through the built in web interface for REM. Inputs and outputs in REM are described as Triggers (inputs) and Feeds (outputs). These are routed through a connection manager that can be configured within the web interface.

Installation

To install relayEquipmentManager clone the repository to either a Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone. While you can install this software on other platforms to try it out the GPIO functions will not do anything. All that will happen is the node console will show feedback to simulate GPIO operations.

After you have cloned the repository run npm install or sudo npm install in the cloned directory depending on the permissions assigned to the user on your linux console. Once completed run npm start or sudo npm start to start the relayEquipmentManager server.

System Configuration

relayEquipmentManager server includes a web server for configuration of connection sources, triggers, and data feeds. The default port for this server is :8080 on with the address being the IP address for the Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone. To access this web application, open a browser, and type http://<ip address>:8080 for default Raspberry Pi installations you can use the name of the Pi for the ip address.

{
  "web": {
    "servers": {
      "http": {
        "enabled": true,
        "ip": "0.0.0.0",
        "port": 8080,
        "httpsRedirect": false,
        "authentication": "none",
        "authFile": "/users.htpasswd"
      },
      "https": {
        "enabled": true,
        "ip": "127.0.0.1",
        "port": 8081,
        "authentication": "none",
        "authFile": "/users.htpasswd",
        "sslKeyFile": "",
        "sslCertFile": ""
      },
      "mdns": { "enabled": false },
      "sspd": { "enabled": false },
      "services": {}
    }
  },
  "log": {
    "app": {
      "enabled": true,
      "level": "info"
    }
  },
  "appVersion": "1.0.0"
}

The configuration parameters for the server can be found the config.json file located in the application root directory.

Software Configuration

Configuration of hardwared devices in REM is straightforward with each exposed hardware interface represented by tabs at the top of the page. To enable communication with I2c and SPI bus topologies you must first enable them in the OS for Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, or BeagleBone. Once you have done that you can add the bus access from the General tab.

Supported I/O Devices

REM supports devices connected to GPIO, I2c, and SPI bus interfaces. Below is a list of some of the supported devices.

GPIO

Supports input and output modes for GPIO. Configuration is performed by clicking on a the pin in the GUI then selecting the parameters for the pin connection.

• Push Buttons
• Flow Switches
• Relays

SPI

Most SPI ADC chips are supported for input. While only the Microchip MCP series ADC chips have predefined profiles you can created your own through the interface.

• MCP3008
• MCP3004
• MCP3002
• MCP3208
• MCP3204
• MCP3202
• MCP3304
• MCP3302

I2c

A variety of hardware items are currently supported on the I2c bus in REM. These are easily configured for items ranging from relay hats to analog to digital converters (ADC).

Multi-IO Boards

• Sequent Microsystems Industrial Automation Hat MEGA-IND 0-10v Inputs Digital Inputs 4-20mA Inputs Open Drain Outputs 0-10v Outputs 4-20mA Outputs RS485
• Sequent Microsystems Building Automation Hat MEGA-BAS 0-10v Inputs Dry Contact Inputs 1k or 10k Thermistor Inputs 0-10v Outputs RS485

Analog to Digital Converters

• ADS1115 16-bit
• ADS1015 12-bit
• Pimoroni ADC

Relay Boards

• MCP23017 Based Relay Boards
• MCP23008 Based Relay Boards
• Sequent Microsystems Relay 4
• Sequent Microsystems Relay 8 (v2.x, v3.0, and industrial cards)
• PCF8574 Based Relay Boards
• Seeed Studio
• Docker Pi 4

Temperature Sensors

• ADC fed 10k Thermistors
• SPI ADC fed NTC Thermistors
• Atlas Scientific RTD

Pressure Sensors

• ADC fed Pressure Transducers
• Atlas Scientific EZO-PRS

ORP Sensors

• Atlas Scientific EZO-ORP

pH Sensors

• Atlas Scientific EZO-PH
• 4-20mA pH sensors