External Accessories
While the iOS platform comes with a growing range of sensors; GPS, accelerometers, magnetometers and most recently gyroscopes. They also have a (near-)ubiquitous data connection, whether via a local wireless hotspot or via carrier data, and user positioning via multiple methods including GPS. The device makes an excellent hub for a distributed sensor network.
However until recently it was actually quite difficult to interface these otherwise interesting devices into a standard serial interface, as the iPhone’s proprietary dock connector is a major stumbling block.
All this has changed. In the upcoming title iOS and Sensor Networks by Alasdair Allan (O’Reilly) we’ll discuss using the MFi approved Redpark Serial Cable. This is an officially Apple approved route, and makes use of Apple’s own External Accessory Framework to connect your device to any standard serial (RS-232) capable device. In addition to this we will go on to discuss other methods to use the phone as the hub of a sensor network, and part of the Internet of Things.