FboxWD

FboxWD is a modular edge data acquisition platform that combines compact hardware with a software runtime to collect, process, and synchronize data from distributed sensors. It is designed for field deployment, offline operation, and rapid prototyping of sensor-based projects. The platform supports plug-in sensors, configurable data pipelines, and offline storage.

Origins and development: The project began as an open-source initiative by a community of developers and researchers in the mid-2010s and has grown through contributions from universities, industry pilots, and hobbyists. The name FboxWD appears in official releases and code repositories.

Architecture and features: Core components include a lightweight runtime and a plugin API. Features include sensor drivers, data transformation pipelines, local storage, and optional cloud synchronization. Data formats include JSON and CSV; storage options include local flash, SD cards, and external drives. The system supports scripting, task scheduling, and dataset versioning, with optional encrypted storage and authenticated connections.

Applications and reception: FboxWD is used in environmental monitoring, field research, education, and IoT prototyping. It is valued for portability and extensibility; criticisms include a learning curve and variable documentation quality.

Licensing and availability: It is released under an open-source license and hosted on public repositories with community documentation and examples. See also: Edge computing, Data acquisition, Open-source software.