## 3 Research Design
### Project Context and Organization  
To set up the context of the study, one of the most relevant solutions is to provide the scope of the project, which serves as a measurable and exogenous variable [60]. In this line of thinking, first the requirements are briefly provided, regarding the hardware deliverables. More specifically, their features and properties, with the embedded software developed specifically for their needs, are discussed with the project schedule illustrating a summary of the physical device development process. Remote monitoring and control of processes in technological areas, and thus the need to transmit large amounts of data while maintaining confidentiality, requires the use of efficient communication solutions that are characterized by high-performance embedded microcontrollers, while also maintaining a low price and reliable long-term operational time in specific environmental conditions that are often extreme and unfavorable for the operation of electronic systems of large-scale integration. To this end, the goal of the project was the development of a universal, cost-effective communication model, which should be flexible enough to adapt to the changeable requirements imposed by data acquisition from different technological areas. The guidelines for the hardware and software platforms were based on maximizing the functionality of the module solution for use in various technological areas with a strong emphasis on aspects of Machine to Machine (M2M) communication [61] and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, especially devoted to industrial applications. The hardware platform of the communication model was made in two iterations. In the first iteration, a model of the modem was made to test the functionality of the selected OSD335x solution and to check the validity of the solution in terms of the connection of the printed circuit board elements. The second, taking into account functional corrections and comments after EMC/LVD EMC tests. **First production stage [main unit]. ** The communication module model design is divided into two blocks. The main unit block, integrating the SOM and Ethernet communication circuits, and the second on a separate PCB with communication circuits and connectors. This division was due to the effective distribution into functional blocks and the technological requirements for the PCB for the individual functional blocks. With the proposed division, a reduction in PCB manufacturing costs was achieved, as well as the fact that in case of an error resulting from incorrect functional assumptions, it can be corrected manually or the printed circuit can be improved with only one module, which reduces the manufacturing costs. **First production stage [base unit]**. The base unit includes connectors and add-on circuits required to communicate with sensors and measurement sensors. In the design of the communication modem model, it was assumed that the basic communication interface to the sensors and measurement sensors will be USB 2.0, with a high-speed, 480 MBit/s communication interface. USB 2.0 is a universal and standardized serial communication interface. One differential port and a possible 5 V power supply are required for data exchange. The USB 2.0 protocol is flexible and allows for the use of standardized data exchange protocols such as classes e.g., ACM, HID, mass storage as well as the definition of a custom class. It allows for a maximum of 256 devices on a single bus via HUB circuits. **Second production stage [main unit]**. The second iteration required amendments to components of the modem, including the microprocessor and Ethernet physical layer hardware unit layout, to optimize the size of the device to be more compact. The microprocessor was changed to a version with built-in e-MMC memory. The change allowed for the design to be optimized for component availability. e-MMC memories are among the difficult to access electronic components.