Getting started

Preparations

• Make sure that you have registered an Alibaba Cloud account and completed identity verification. For more information, see Sign up with Alibaba Cloud.
• Make sure that you have activated the IoT Platform service.
• Download and install the Cloud Intelligence app or the Tmall Genie app.
• Install a 64-bit Ubuntu 20.04 Linux development environment for device firmware development.
• Install a serial flashing and debugging tool to flash device certificates and firmware. Devices use a software development kit (SDK) and certificates to connect to IoT Platform. Flashing methods vary by device. This topic uses the TG7100B chip and the SecureCRT serial flashing tool as an example.

Procedure

1. Create a project: Projects help you manage products and allow for multi-party collaboration.
2. Create a product and define its features: A product is a collection of devices of the same model. You can define product features using properties, services, and events. The platform uses these definitions to create a data model for communication between the cloud and devices.
3. Configure human-computer interaction: In the consumer IoT realm, consumers typically use an app to attach and control devices. The platform provides an app service. You can configure app parameters to easily enable human-computer interaction.
4. Add a test device: A device is a specific physical device. Each device has its own device certificate to connect to IoT Platform. The platform provides test devices. The certificates for test devices cannot be used for mass production and are for debugging only.
5. Develop the device: The platform provides a device-side SDK. This SDK allows a device to connect to the cloud with simple development.
6. Debug the device connection: After you connect the device using the app, you can debug the physical device using the app and the console (the cloud). You can then verify the upstream and downstream data communication among the device, the cloud, and the app.