Connecting IoT devices with Google Cloud IoT Core infrastructure
Integrating smart, connected, and secure devices into one

Embedded developers must invest significant time and resources to acquire expertise in communication protocols, security, and hardware compatibility to build cloud-based connected applications. While large-scale software frameworks and Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) are commonly used to overcome this challenge, they also increase development time, effort, costs, and security vulnerabilities.
On the 11th, Microchip Technology launched an IoT development board that enables developers to prototype connected devices in minutes as part of an expanded partnership with Google Cloud. This solution combines a powerful AVR microcontroller (MCU), a CryptoAuthentication security IC, and a Wi-Fi network controller into a single unit to connect embedded applications simply and effectively. Once connected, data can be collected, processed, and analyzed through Google Cloud IoT Core to easily communicate scalable decisions.

With the AVR-IoT WG development board, developers can add Google Cloud Connectivity to new and existing projects via the free online portal www.AVR-IoT.com. Once connected, they can develop and debug in the cloud using Microchip's development tools, such as MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) or Atmel START. This board integrates smart, connected, and secure devices into a single unit, enabling developers to rapidly connect IoT designs to the cloud.

The ATmega4808 8-bit MCU adds advanced sensing and robust driving capabilities to the processing power and simplicity of the AVR architecture. It provides cutting-edge performance for real-time sensing and control applications, along with the latest Core Independent Peripherals (CIP) features that reduce power consumption.

The ATECC608A CryptoAuthentication device provides a trusted and protected identity that can be securely authenticated to each device. Since the ATECC608A device is pre-registered with Google Cloud IoT Core, it can be used immediately without touch provisioning.

The ATWINC1510 is a fully industrial-grade, certified IEEE 802.11 b/g/n IoT network controller that enables easy connection to selected MCUs via a flexible SPI interface. With this module, there is no need to build expertise in networking protocols.

Connecting devices to Google Cloud IoT Core infrastructure provides the benefits of powerful data and analytics capabilities, enabling developers to create better and smarter products. As part of this infrastructure, it is possible to better utilize and respond to rapidly changing conditions across numerous sensor nodes during embedded design development.

Now that the MPLAB X integrated development environment (IDE) also supports AVR devices, designers can choose between MCC and Atmel STATT when developing with AVR-IoT development boards. Since this board is compatible with over 450 types of MikroElektronika Click boards, sensor and actuator options can be expanded. Developers who purchase this kit can access an online portal to immediately visualize sensor data.

The AVR-IoT WG development board (AC164160) is being mass-produced and supplied at $29 per unit.

Steve Drehobl, Vice President of the 8-bit MCU Business Unit at Microchip, said, “Designing secure cloud-based connected systems does not have to be difficult. The extended solutions Microchip offers with Google Cloud support a simplified development process to shorten IoT design development time,” adding, “Since this board supports both MCC and Atmel Start, you can accelerate development work using your preferred tool.”

Antony Passemard, Lead Product Manager at Google Cloud IoT, stated, “With Microchip solutions, Google Cloud IoT customers can rapidly deploy and migrate their applications at scale without compromising security,” adding, “The combination of Google Cloud Platform’s network infrastructure and Google’s IoT services with the ease of use of this board makes powerful analytics tools and unrivaled machine learning performance easily accessible to anyone.”