P4M-400: Build powerful IoT applications with PHP using PHPoC

PHP which stands for Hypertext Preprocessor is one of those server-side programming languages that is widely used across web-related applications. PHP has found applications in countless web development projects and even other cloud-based applications. But PHP applications don’t seem to stop there and this with the advent of PHPoC.

PHPoC is a programming language based on the popular PHP and is designed for building a various Internet of Things applications. PHP on its own is just an Internet-based language that is usually limited to the web, but what if we could bring PHP down to the hardware that wants to connect to the internet? PHPoC comes into play there. PHPoC expands PHP from being only a web development language to also a general-purpose programming language for IoT.

PHPoC, an acronym of PHP on Chip, inherits it’s core functions from PHP. Especially, PHPoC adds new functions, which are used to interact with hardware peripherals such as I/O, UART, I2C, SPI, ADC, TIMER/COUNTER, RTC and so on. Aside from building IoT applications with PHPoC, you can still develop dynamic Web pages too. The Sollae Systems’ P4M-400 is an example of a PHPoC module which was recently released to facilitate the use of PHPoC.

The module comes with a PHPoC interpreter and uses PHPoC language for programming. It works effectively with 10/100M Ethernet as well as IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g Wireless LAN connectivity and it also comes with different interfaces such as ADC, UART, SPI, I2C, hardware timer, and many more, which can be used to connect with sensors.

This board comes with a USB host port for a USB WLAN adapter. It is powered from its DC 5V Input and an also from the USB port (Micro USB). The RENATA CR1225 is an embedded battery for Real Time Clock. The battery socket is compatible with CR1220 too.

Below are some of the device’s specifications:

• Power: DC 3.3V
  • Consumption – Typical – about 110mA (* without USB WLAN adapter)
    Power Down mode – less than 200uA
• Connectivity:
  • Network – 10/100Mbps Ethernet
    IEEE802.11b/g Wireless LAN (require Ralink
    RT3070/5370 chipset Wireless LAN Adapter)
  • USB – USB Host – for WLAN adapter
    USB Device – for PC
• GPIO –  26 Ports for Digital I/O, DC_CH0 ~ 3, AREF, 12-bit resolution
• Peripherals:  2x UART, SPI, i2C, Hardware timer
• Temperature (Storage/Operating): -40℃ ~ 85℃
• Dimension: 50mm x 32mm x 9mm.
• Weight: About 4g.

The module will easily find application in areas that require quick prototyping of Internet of things. It can also be used to interact with various hardware peripherals and create a variety of web pages. An evaluation board is available for the module which helps in extending the device interfaces especially those of connectivity. More information about the product is available on the product page and the user manual.

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