EKM Smart
Web-based configuration and monitoring tool for industrial protocol converter supporting Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, and IEC-103 protocols.
Overview
EKM Smart is a web-based configuration tool developed at Energotest (SPIE Group) for the EKM Smart protocol converter device. This application provides engineers and technicians with an intuitive interface for configuring communication port parameters, monitoring device performance, and defining data mappings between different industrial protocols. The device supports Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, and IEC 103 protocols, serving as a gateway in industrial automation systems.
Technical Details
Architecture
The application is deployed directly on the embedded device and consists of:
- Backend - NestJS for API handling and device communication
- Frontend - Vue.js for the configuration interface
- Database - SQLite for storing device settings and configurations
Key Areas
Device Configuration
- Serial port parameters setup (RS485)
- Ethernet network settings
- Protocol-specific communication parameters
Protocol Mapping
- Data mapping between Modbus and IEC-103 protocols
- Register address translation
- Data type conversions
Monitoring
- Real-time status display
- Connection diagnostics
- Event logging
Security
- VPN tunnel configuration
- SSL certificate management
- User authentication with role-based access
My Contributions
As a developer on this project, I worked on both backend and frontend:
- Backend Development - Built NestJS services for device communication and configuration management
- Frontend Development - Created Vue.js components for the configuration interface
- Database Design - Implemented SQLite schema for storing device settings and mappings
- Real-time Features - Developed live status monitoring using WebSocket communication
- Protocol Mapping - Implemented data conversion logic between Modbus and IEC 103
- Embedded Deployment - Deployed and optimized the application for the embedded device environment
This project marked my transition from embedded systems and desktop development to web technologies.
Key Features
- Web-based configuration interface accessible from any browser
- Support for Modbus TCP, Modbus RTU, and IEC 103 protocols
- Protocol data mapping and translation
- Real-time device monitoring
- Secure communication via VPN and SSL
- User management with permission levels
- Event logging and diagnostics
Lessons Learned
EKM Smart was my first full-stack web application project, marking a significant transition from embedded C++ development to modern web technologies. I gained practical experience with NestJS and Vue.js, learning how to build responsive interfaces for industrial equipment. The project taught me how to optimize web applications for constrained embedded environments while maintaining reliability required in industrial automation.