Reliable industrial 4G connectivity gateways simplify network integration

Advantech has launched the ICR-1600 series industrial 4G connectivity gateways. This new series meets the growing demand for reliable and cost-effective network connectivity in industrial environments. The series provides robust performance, flexibility, and advanced features to support various industrial M2M and IoT applications, including environmental monitoring, vending machines, and surveillance. Featured models such as the ICR-1602, ICR-1642, and ICR-1645 provide seamless connectivity of Ethernet devices and serial buses to LTE cellular networks, addressing essential network connectivity needs.

The ICR-1600 series is equipped with an LTE Cat4 cellular module and features an on-module system design that integrates ICR-OS directly onto the cellular module, resulting in a compact and cost-effective router without compromising performance. The series supports up to five Ethernet ports, optional serial interfaces (1 × RS232 + 1 × RS485), I/O interfaces (1 × DI, 1 × DO), and optional Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) capabilities, delivering versatility and adaptability for various industrial environments. Designed to withstand extreme conditions, the series operates within a temperature range of -40C to 75C (-40F to 167F) and features a robust IP30-rated metal chassis. Dual SIM slots provide backup connectivity to ensure continuous network availability, making these routers ideal for harsh environments where reliability is crucial. They support a power input range of 9VDC to 48VDC, ensuring compatibility with different industrial power systems, and offer an optional DIN-rail mount for secure installation in control cabinets.

Additionally, the series integrates seamlessly with WebAccess/DMP, an intelligent connectivity software platform developed for provisioning, monitoring, and managing the company's routers and IoT gateways. This platform ensures secure zero-touch device enablement, simplifying pre-provisioning and configuration regardless of deployment size. With full multi-tenancy support, WebAccess/DMP permits permissions-enabled power-user oversight, making it an excellent solution for diverse industrial applications. The platform offers real-time, scalable device health monitoring and an extensible architecture built for seamless integration within existing services through a secure RESTful API.

ICR-OS is an operating system tailored for the company's cellular routers, supplying a user-friendly web GUI interface for easy configuration and display. The Linux-based operating system ensures robust cybersecurity and future-proof deployment options through re-development capabilities. The series includes comprehensive software support, providing advanced security measures such as HTTPS, SSH, VPN tunnelling, and various authentication and encryption methods. It also offers extensive firmware management capabilities, including automatic over-the-air updates and diagnostic functionalities. These features ensure that the series can meet the rigorous demands of industrial applications while maintaining high security and performance standards.