Building Automation
Integration & Standard Protocols
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Topics
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Fascinating!!
Systems integration why and how?
Protocol inner workings
BAS migration
Modbus pros and cons
LonTalk pros and cons
BACnet pros and cons
Questions
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Protocols within building subsystems…
Graphics,
Internet
Reports &
Alarms
Text &
E-mail
H
V
A
C
B
A
S
BACnet
LonTalk
Modbus
OPC
Proprietary
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Schedules
A
C
C
E
S
S
F
I
R
E
BACnet
LonTalk
Modbus
Proprietary
Proprietary
BACnet
Proprietary
BACnet
L
I
G
H
T
I
N
G
P
O
W
E
R
Modbus
LonTalk
BACnet
EIB
Proprietary
S
C
A
D
A
Modbus
LonTalk
Proprietary
Modbus
Profibus
OPC
Proprietary
System Architecture
BACnet/IP
B
A
S
Proprietary Protocols, Modbus
A
C
C
E
S
S
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
P
O
W
E
R
F
I
R
E
BACnet MS/TP, LonTalk, Modbus
B
A
S
H
V
A
C
L
I
G
H
T
I
N
G
Legacy BAS Migration
BACnet/IP
Ethernet
Translation
Translation
Proprietary
Proprietary
Proprietary Protocol to BACnet/IP
Protocol A
Protocol B
Functions to Expect
B
A
S
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
B
A
S
 Monitor and Command
 Alarm
 Trend
 Schedule
Legacy BAS Migration
BACnet/IP
Ethernet
Translation
Translation
Proprietary
Proprietary
Proprietary Protocol to BACnet/IP
Protocol A
Protocol B
Migration Changes Tools
B
A
S
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
B
A
S
 Programming
 Database
 Commissioning Tools
 Schedules
Legacy BAS Migration
BACnet/IP
Ethernet
Translation
Translation
Proprietary
Proprietary
Proprietary Protocol to BACnet/IP
Protocol A
Protocol B
Benefits
B
A
S
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
B
A
S
 Single Programming Language
 Single Database
 Consistent Commissioning Tools
 Consistent Schedules
Top Benefits of Sharing and Aggregating
Information
● Lower energy costs
● Lower maintenance costs
● Improved staff utilization
● Lower repair and replacement costs/extend equipment life
● Increase occupant comfort/tenant productivity
● Improve system performance
● Generate business decision support information
● Enterprise wide data consolidation
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Protocol Inner Workings
A protocol is a set of rules defining
the format of data transmission
between two or more devices.
The protocol defines:
•Data format and composition
•Addressing
•Error checking
•Data compression
•Send/receive message notification
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
For communications to work effectively
between two or more devices, the rules
covering the required functionality must
be interpreted and implemented exactly
the same way
The OSI Model
explains the basics
Integration Using Modbus
Modbus - Overview
• Developed by Modicon
(Schneider Electric)
• Considered a defacto-standard
• Register based protocol
• Digital data
• Analog data
• Master/Slave or Client/Server
based architecture
• Several types of Modbus:
• Modbus RTU
• Modbus ASCII
• Modbus Plus
Building Technologies
• Modbus TCP
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Modbus TCP
MLN
EBLN
Modbus
Driver
Modbus RTU
RS-485
Integration Using Modbus
Modbus - Pros
• Simple data protocol means
simple development
• Extensive implementation in
many building systems:
• Process controls
• Power meters
• Power and Lighting control
• Chillers
• Boilers
• BAS
• Leverage existing driver
development and integration
expertise
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Modbus TCP
MLN
EBLN
Modbus
Driver
Modbus RTU
RS-485
Integration Using Modbus
Modbus Challenges
• Simple protocol means
functionality limited
• No high level application
standardization
Modbus TCP
MLN
EBLN
Modbus
Driver
• No time stamping
• Information limited to
simple register data
implemented by vendor
• Vendors may not implement
the standard consistently
• Mapping is project specific
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Modbus RTU
RS-485
Integration Using LonTalk
LonTalk – Overview
• LonWorks Technology is from
Echelon Corp.
• LonWorks is a suite of products
• LonMaker Integration Tool
• LNS network operating
system
• iLon IP router and Internet
Server
• LonTalk protocol
• Neuron Chip
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Network
Manager
LonTalk
Devices
LonTalk
Devices
Integration Using LonTalk
LonTalk – Pros
• LonTalk is the standard protocol
• ANSI/EIA/CEA 709.1 A 1999
• LonTalk is an effective device level
protocol standard
• Product selection impressive
• HVAC and BAS devices
• Lighting control
• LonMark controllers adhering to
LonMark profiles are cost effective
and standard
• Neuron chip provides unique
address out of factory
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Network
Manager
LonTalk
Devices
LonTalk
Devices
Integration Using LonTalk
LonTalk –
Challenges
• LonTalk standard does not define
important applications
• Scheduling, Trending,
Alarming, Programming, etc.
• LonMark profiles provide few
mandatory network variables,
leading to many variances in
vendor implementations
• LonMark programmable controllers
do not conform to LonMark profiles
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Network
Manager
LonTalk
Devices
LonTalk
Devices
Integration Using LonTalk
LonTalk –
Challenges
• Device vendors create nonstandard implementations
• proprietary network variables
• proprietary start-up and
commissioning tools
• Little acceptance in certain systems
• Fire, Security, Power, PLCs
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Network
Manager
LonTalk
Devices
LonTalk
Devices
Integration Using LonTalk
LonTalk –
Challenges
• LonTalk Standard does not define
system level components
• Network Operating Systems
• Network Management
Software products
• Web server products
• Database is site/job and vendor
specific
• Hardware, licensing fees, and
royalties are high
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Network
Manager
LonTalk
Devices
LonTalk
Devices
Integration using BACnet
BACnet - Overview
• ASHRAE 135-2004 and 2008
Standard
• Communications media (MS/TP,
ARCnet, Ethernet, IP, PTP,
LonTalk)
• PICS (Protocol Implementation
and Conformance Statement)
and BIBBS (BACnet
Interoperability Building Blocks)
from vendors
• BTL (BACnet Testing Lab)
certification process
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
BACnet/IP
Ethernet
Other
BACnet
Controller
BACnet
MS/TP
RS485
Integration using BACnet
BACnet - Pros
• Available from most BAS and
HVAC equipment vendors
• Cost effective integration
solution
• Standard provides insulation
from vendor system migrations
and upgrades
• Standard allows for flexibility in
implementation
• Protocol implementation
disclosure documents (PICS
and BIBBs)
• Testing procedure and
certification (BTL)
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
BACnet/IP
Ethernet
Other
BACnet
Controller
BACnet
MS/TP
RS485
Integration using BACnet
BACnet - Challenges
• Network security
• Encryption mechanism in
review
• Standard in review for
user authentication and
access rights
• Programming language
• Every system will have a
unique programming
language
• Unique programming tools
are required for each
vendor
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
BACnet/IP
Ethernet
Other
BACnet
Controller
BACnet
MS/TP
RS485
Integration using BACnet
BACnet - Challenges
• Configuration tools are
proprietary
• No device application profiles
• System and device control
algorithms are unique to
vendors
• Database structure not
standardized
• Methods of implementing
functionality vary from vendor to
vendor
• Private transfer services
• Proprietary objects
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
BACnet/IP
Ethernet
Other
BACnet
Controller
BACnet
MS/TP
RS485
Steps to Successful Integration
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Document functional requirements
Assess and assign integration responsibilities
Assess the capabilities against expectations and requirements
• LonTalk Variables
• Modbus Register List
• BIBBS (BACnet Interoperability Building Blocks)
• BACnet Object List
Communication between departments
• Facilities
• IT
• Purchasing
Communicate and coordinate vendor responsibilities for integration
implementation and commissioning
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011
Questions
Building Technologies
Standard Protocols Update January 2011