Ayla FastTrack

Ayla Networks enables brands and manufacturers to connect, manage, and operationalize products through IoT and digital transformation. Quick time-to-market and costs are among the key aspects for any manufacturers looking to launch connected products. One of the key challenges in bringing a differentiated connected product to market is the large initial investment in product development and testing.

The Ayla FastTrack modules address these challenges by providing a range of fully productized W-Fi modules, that enables customers to connect devices to the Ayla platform without requiring firmware development. The modules come pre-integrated with standard functionality for a range of product types, along with a core set of Ayla platform connectivity and device management features.

Platform Features

The Ayla FastTrack modules comes pre-built with a standard set of Ayla platform features. The integrated Ayla connectivity agent handles the complexity of a secure and reliable connection, while ensuring seamless operability with the Ayla cloud and mobile applications. The core platform features include:

  • Secure and reliable connection to Ayla’s IoT Platform
  • Local/Offline control from a mobile application (LAN Mode)
  • Schedules, including local sunrise and sunset rules
  • Over-the-air device firmware updates
  • Seamless Wi-Fi setup over Bluetooth
  • Secure boot, flash encryption, and configuration security
  • Command line interface support for configuration during manufacturing
  • Remote factory reset capability
  • Logging and monitoring for remote device management
  • Network security integration (using Firedome’s platform)

Host Application Functionality

In addition to the core set of Ayla platform features, the FastTrack modules are purpose-built for a range of connected product types. Standard product functionality is built into the modules, eliminating the need for host application firmware development and a separate host microcontroller. For example, a FastTrack module that supports a smart color bulb includes all the functionality to interact with the internal components to represent brightness, color, and color temperature settings.

Product manufacturers would leverage the turnkey modules by designing the hardware to the module specifications and configuring the module functionality to fit their product hardware.

Overall Process

The steps below outline the process for manufacturers (ODMs) to develop smart products using the FastTrack solution:

  1. Understanding product specifications
  2. Module selection
  3. Hardware development
  4. Factory test flow definition
  5. Final testing and mass production
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Product Specification

The first step in creating a smart product is for manufacturers to understand the main specifications of the selected product type. Ayla offers a set of FastTrack modules that supports a range of standard connected product types. The customer will work with Ayla to decide the product types and platform functionality.

Manufacturers should review the Ayla product functional specifications to determine feasibility. Please reach out to the Ayla Support team to request the relevant functional specifications for the products of interest.

Module Selection

Based on the selected product type, the next step in the process would be for manufacturers to evaluate and select from the list of supported FastTrack Wi-Fi modules based on form factor, pinouts, dimensions, and any certification or environmental criteria.

Please contact Ayla Support to know about the supported product types and modules.

Hardware Development

Once the product functionality and module selection has been determined, device manufacturers can begin the process of designing the product hardware around the FastTrack modules. Since the product functionality is built into the module, hardware development can be accelerated with a few quick configuration steps.
The following diagram shows an example of how a Smart Plug manufacturer would design the hardware around the FastTrack module I/O pins.

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Product and Module Configuration

To begin the initial hardware development process, the Ayla project team works with the module manufacturer to configuring sample modules with the relevant platform functionality.

The module configuration is performed using a simple config file that is loaded on the module. Module configuration settings include:

  • OEM-related information
  • DHCP hostname prefix
  • Device ID used for Wi-Fi setup (e.g. Bluetooth ID, Wi-Fi Soft AP SSID)
  • Module I/O pin functions
  • Any product-related configuration (e.g. current limits, bulb type, etc.)

Additionally, the Ayla project team will assist with the initial product design on the Ayla platform. The process includes:

  • OEM ID creation
  • Device template and properties creation
  • Ayla developer account access