數據通信驅動M2M自動化進程

　　網絡連接正在成為嵌入式系統和基于點到點協議的移動/便攜設備的機器對機器（M2M）連接的默認方法。這些系統利用了多種數據格式和網絡方法，從無線選項到全高速局域網/廣域網環境。

　　實現這種連通性的主要方法有兩種：一種是添加到現有設計的現有連接中的附加網絡控制器；以及通過其微控制器和傳感器子系統中的嵌入式功能將網絡協議和接口結合起來。這些應用程序的關鍵特性之一是開發這些接口所需的軟件和固件控制及其相關的開發環境。

　　Legacy systems

　　Most embedded systems that have been deployed in the field now need to be connected to a network in order to provide automated monitoring of their progress and system health. The challenge is how to bring this new functionality without having to re-qualify the whole design or， worse， change the firmware for the system and have to re-verify correct operation. The two methods that are most convenient for these current designs involve adding networking functions to an existing port on the system or adding a network adapter chip to the PCB that interfaces directly with the microcontroller.