CoAP Loader

Overview

The Efento CoAP Loader is a lightweight integration component that connects Efento IoT sensors with your software platform. It runs a dedicated CoAP server that receives messages from sensors and forwards the decoded data to your system using a REST API (JSON).

In addition to forwarding measurements, the loader also enables remote device configuration. Your platform can include configuration payloads in the REST response, which the loader will deliver back to the sensor in the CoAP response, allowing parameters such as transmission intervals or device settings to be updated remotely.

The loader also forwards important operational metadata together with the measurements. This includes information such as signal strength, cellular network details (e.g., cell information), device status, and any reported issues or alerts, allowing your platform to monitor both sensor data and device health.

Architecture & Data Flow

The CoAP Loader acts as an intermediary layer between Efento sensors and your application.

1. Sensor Transmission Efento NB-IoT sensors send measurement data using the CoAP protocol over UDP.

2. Data Processing by the Loader The loader receives incoming CoAP packets, decodes the payload, and converts the data into a JSON message.

3. Forwarding to Your Application The JSON message is sent to your application via REST API at the configured endpoints.

4. Application Response After processing the data, your application returns a response to the loader. The response can:

   1. Confirm successful reception of the data (ACK), or

   2. Confirm reception and include a configuration payload with updated device settings (only for /measurements endpoint).

5. Response to the Sensor The loader converts the REST response into a CoAP message and sends it back to the sensor, completing the communication cycle.

Key Benefits

Protocol Translation Automatically converts CoAP sensor communication into standard REST API requests, allowing easy integration with existing backend systems.

Remote Device Configuration Allows your platform to remotely configure sensors by including configuration payloads in the REST response to the /measurements endpoint, which the loader forwards to the device in the CoAP reply.

Rich Device Metadata In addition to measurements, the loader provides connectivity and device health information, including signal strength, cellular network data, device status, and diagnostic flags.

Simple Deployment The loader is delivered as a single Java application (.jar) and can be deployed on any machine with Java installed, enabling quick integration and testing with your platform.