Advanced IoT Data Processing with ThinkSpeak
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ThinkSpeak offers much more that the usual collect, store and display services. It packages apps, of which MATLAB for advanced data processing and visualisation.
As an example, an histogram displays the number of measurements for temperature during the last 24 hours. |
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Collect Data
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To create a new channel, call the Menu Channels > My Channels and click on New Channel.
A channel contains up to 8 fields for data, plus additional information like latitude, longitude and elevation. Once the form is completed, click on Save Channel to obtain three keys:
ThingSpeak provides a great tutorial Using an Arduino + Ethernet Shield to Update a ThingSpeak Channel with the libraries. I ran the library successfully on the LaunchPad CC3200 with Energia. |
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Process Data
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The standard graphs display the data collected.
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The real differentiator of ThingSpeak is the built-in set of apps, including MATLAB analysis and visualisations tools, plug-ins and actions. This is possible because the company running ThingSpeak is MathWorks, developer of MATLAB.
Select the menu Apps, MathLabs Analysis and New. ThingSpeak offers a list of templates and ready-to-use examples. Pick one, here Calculate Dew point, and click on Create. |
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The code appears on the left with the relevant codes on the right. Just copy paste the Channel ID and the Read API Key to complete the code.
Press Run and Save. |
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The result is displayed on the Output box and the other channel is populated with the calculations.
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Conclusion
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ThingSpeak offers many more options, as sending and monitoring tweets, scheduling and running actions, or communicating to another HHTP devices.
Despite the power of MATLAB, the tutorials, step-by-step procedures, templates and examples make ThingSpeak easy to use. ThingSpeak is a recommended choice for advanced processing of data. |
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Pros
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Cons
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Wrap-Up
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Links
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