BACnet & BMS Journal India – Issue 1

BACnet Insight
Full Steam Ahead for Cross-System
Communication
Modern building management faces a variety
of challenges. Against the backdrop of a device
landscape comprising a range of manufacturers
and various communication protocols, systems
including cooling and ventilation, lighting and
shading require appropriate coordination.
Simultaneously, the efficient use of energy and
climate protection remain top priorities. In the
light of the above, the network protocol BACnet
now occupies a prominent international position
as a key technology, boasting a current market
share of 64 per cent.
A standard for interoperability
There are tangible reasons for this impressive
catalogue of success. When the more complex
control parameters or functions are at stake,
communicative connection via data protocol
offers advantages, which result from a
coordinated interplay between the individual
systems. As an internationally leading standard
(ISO 16484-5), BACnet creates the non-proprietary
basis for consistent data exchange
between field devices and control technology.
Here, serial standards and network media
receive the same level of support. Prior
consideration is essential when it comes to
integrating the various components. From a
technical standpoint, this initially concerns
the devices themselves and the objectives
to be achieved as a result of the integration,
followed by the communication protocols
and tools employed and, finally, user
authorisation and network maintenance. As
far as organisation is concerned, the
standardised use of texts and characters,
responsibilities for the individual systems,
consultations with the IT department, internet
connection and other aspects must be
considered.
Making good use of all IT security
stratagems
exclude hacker attacks on building automation,
which do serious damage to the entire
infrastructure and have a devastating effect
on the image of the company affected, as far
as possible. Networked home technology can
be operated individually using the appropriate
routers in which these security mechanisms are
integrated. Furthermore, BACnet’s comprehensive
communication can be encrypted via the corporate
network, while data access is authorised.
Benefiting from the advantages
The fact remains that anyone looking to operate
building automation in an efficient manner these
days just can’t get around BACnet. Because the
communication standard is a proven method of
creating cross-system networks. Large properties,
in particular, benefit from cost advantages
thanks to interoperability. Available devices can
be integrated simply and easily, and clients
are not limited to specific manufacturers when
making new acquisitions.
If required, BACnet can provide building
operators with information in order to ensure
that data-based functional tests are
implemented more quickly and easily. Systems
can be monitored automatically as a result,
making them more economic to operate.
Devices with security functions can be combined
to create a security system which effectively
protects the transmission paths against
unwanted access.
Gateways as interfaces
A range of sophisticated products and software
systems is available on the market for those
wishing to integrate all devices on a specific
property within a single network on a non-proprietary
basis. A BACnet router, for instance, can
be used in a similar way to a media converter
when DDC or SPS controllers using different
network media seek access to field level sensors
and actuators as clients. If these devices adhere
to varying communication protocols, gateways
can be used as interpreters.
As interfaces for the different communication
protocols in industrial and building automation,
they are also capable of performing more
complex tasks – including specifications for
timer programs, alarm transmission and trend
log recording, if the field device does not
provide these functionalities. Non-proprietary
systems also facilitate data exchange at
automation level. Here, gateways ensure that
KNX, M-Bus and LonTalk devices, for example,
can be functionally integrated into a
homogeneous BACnet global system.
Several benefits are associated with this. The
integration of BACnet gateways as a communication
interface omits the need for the usual bus
couplers, simultaneously reducing cabling work.
These gateways can also be connected faster
to serial or network-based protocols. While field
devices and automation stations frequently only
used to provide current values, BACnet can now
be used to collect additional data and make
this available to the control technology. This
facilitates the provision of other functionalities
at management level, such as alarm detection,
automatic functional tests and maintenance
supervision.
As a result, it’s no coincidence that crosssystem
communication with BACnet is gathering
momentum on a global scale. As a standard
in the field of building automation, BACnet has
become simply unstoppable.
BACnet has responded to the current trend of
using company-wide IT structures in building
automation by creating its own security
architecture “BACnet/SC”, which is due to
be released shortly. It is, after all, essential to
Nils-Gunnar Fritz
Member of Executive Board BACnet Interest Group Europe e. V.
Managing Director MBS GmbH, Krefeld, Germany
info@mbs-solutions.de | www.mbs-solutions.de
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BACnet & BMS Journal India 1 04/19