BAC Certification secured.

The EnOcean SmartServer has been successfully certified by the BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL). This milestone underscores the company´s commitment to delivering open, interoperable building automation solutions that meet global standards, expanding possibilities for customers worldwide.

BACnet certification verifies that SmartServer meets rigorous international standards for building automation and control networks. The certification ensures that the SmartServer offers customers several key benefits. It enables seamless integration with BACnet-certified devices, offering flexibility and eliminating reliance on proprietary systems. System integrators benefit from faster deployment into existing systems, reducing installation time and complexity. Long-term compatibility with BACnet’s global standard safeguards customer investments as the industry evolves. Independent testing has confirmed the reliability and compliance of SmartServer, minimizing implementation risks.

“The BACnet certification underscores our commitment to providing robust and future-proof solutions for building automation. Customers fully benefit from the SmartServer’s advanced capabilities with confidence in its interoperability and reliability,” emphasizes Rich Blomseth, Director of Product Management for EnOcean.

Technical excellence for seamless integration.
The SmartServer offers advanced features designed to simplify integration and enhance system performance. It provides multi-protocol support, including BACnet and LON for standard building automation networks, EnOcean for energy-harvesting wireless sensors and switches, Modbus for industrial control systems, and LoRaWAN for long-range IoT devices. With native support for EnOcean-based devices, SmartServer enables direct communication with battery-free sensors, ensuring seamless data collection and automation. In addition, the SmartServer enables universal data access. This allows users to consolidate data from multiple systems into a single management interface. Communication between different protocols is also possible and data formats can be standardized for seamless integration with analysis and optimization tools.

Versatile edge computing platform for building automation.
The BACnet certification strengthens the SmartServer as a versatile edge computing platform for building automation. EnOcean thus underscores it’s innovate strength and empowers building managers and system integrators to achieve seamless communication across diverse automation networks.

Bridging cloud intelligence and building automation.
The SmartServer plays a key role in reducing energy consumption. It connects cloud platforms like Undagrid and EnOcean Studio with existing building management systems. This bridge enables older properties to adopt modern building practices. By translating cloud insights into concrete actions, the SmartServer helps drive efficiency across HVAC and automation networks.

---

@EnOcean @BACnetIntl #Pauto #Environment #Standard

Secure routers and gateways.

Contemporary Controls has expanded its line of BACnet routers and gateways to incorporate HTTPS to provide secure Internet communication and protect the integrity of client data. Their resident HTTPS web servers allow for commissioning, status reporting, and troubleshooting using any standard web browser.

With the integration of building management system (BMS) networks within an IT infrastructure, BMS devices must manage a lot more traffic. Each device uses a more powerful processor to accommodate this increased traffic volume. Both models have an opto-isolated EIA-485 port with switchable DIP switches for bias and termination.

The BASrouterSX is a high-performance BACnet router that provides stand-alone routing between BACnet networks such as BACnet/IP, BACnet Ethernet (ISO 8802-3), and BACnet MS/TP. This multi-network router features an MS/TP status webpage with a graphical network map that provides real-time status of all BACnet MS/TP devices on the network. It has advanced features, such as MS/TP slave proxy support with auto-discovery and diagnostic MS/TP frame capture for Wireshark® analysis.

The BASgatewaySX Modbus to BACnet Gateway provides gateway functionality between Modbus Serial (RTU or ASCII), Modbus TCP and BACnet/IP. The gateway supports up to 200 devices and 2000 mapped points and features virtual routing that allows each connected Modbus device to appear as an individual BACnet-compliant device. Using HTTPS webpages and a resident database of common Modbus device profiles, Modbus data points from Modbus Serial or Modbus TCP devices can be mapped to BACnet objects.

---

@ccontrolsgmbh #Pauto #BMS #Communications

Field Device Connectivity.

The BASpi-Edge, from Contemporary Controls, is a 12-point freely programmable BACnet IP client/server with a resident connector to the Azure IoT Central cloud. Built on the popular Raspberry Pi, the BASpi-Edge has features not found in conventional controllers such as an HDMI port for remote displays, a USB port for a touch screen, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other built-in features include email alarms, a scheduler, weather monitoring, and easy to build graphical dashboards. The BASpi-Edge is an extremely flexible small system supervisor, human to machine interface, or cloud-connected application specific controller.

"Our customers often complained about how stressful it was to connect edge devices on the network securely," said Zach Netsov, Product Specialist. "We designed the BASpi Edge because we wanted to make the process easier without jeopardizing security."

It utilizes the powerful 1.2 GHz 64-bit CPU in the Raspberry Pi with 1 GB of RAM memory for lightning fast operation, its Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters for versatile network connectivity, as well as its HDMI port as an HMI interface for touchscreen or display options.

The field proven, resilient I/O and power circuit board installed on top hardens the Raspberry Pi and allows it to safely interface with standard building automation input/output control signals and industry standard power supplies. A resilient 8 GB pSLC micro SD card ensures reliable operation and sufficient storage space. It operates using 24 VAC/VDC power input and is housed in a compact DIN rail mounted enclosure.

Two models are available in the series housed in compact DIN rail mounted enclosure and powered from a 24 VAC/VDC source. While both models have six universal inputs, one model has six relay outputs, and the other four plus two 0-10 VDC analog outputs. An USB port with an optional EIA-485 dongle connects to BACnet MS/TP devices.

The BASpi-Edge is webpage configured and Sedona function block programmed using a free Sedona application editor. A total of 48 virtual points connects BACnet points to wire sheet logic while 48 web components connect wire sheet logic to webpages.

The unit can easily and securely (TLS) connect via MQTT to the Azure IoT Central (SaaS) cloud effectively making any attached equipment a cloud connected asset. Trending can then be accomplished in the cloud. Cloud connectivity provides global asset management and centralized supervision capabilities for multi-site applications. The user can upload any point data to the cloud where it can be analyzed and accessed from anywhere.

#ccontrols #PAuto

Protocol translators.

A new Intesis™ protocol translator for communication between PROFINET PLCs on factory floors and Building Management Systems with BACnet IP/MSTP has been announced by HMS Networks. With this, full data integration, monitoring, and control is enabled between factory floors and building facilities.

In factories, it is essential that environmental dimensions such as temperature, humidity, and air quality are controlled and monitored automatically to ensure optimal conditions for manufacturing and working staff. And, by ensuring efficient control of facilities such as HVAC and lighting systems, factory owners can save a lot of energy and manage emergency situations in a safe way.

However, when system integrators plan for factory-to-building integration, they normally face a heterogeneous and challenging communication situation. BACnet is typically the protocol used in the Building Management System (BMS) to control the facilities inside the building, and PROFINET is one of the most used factory networks for controlling production processes.

Focusing on this situation, the new Intesis PROFINET - BACnet IP/MSTP protocol translator from HMS Networks is a cost-effective and easy-to-install gateway solution that offers bi-directional communication between PROFINET PLCs and BACnet controllers. Able to connect up to 1200 data points, the gateway is BACnet IP/MSTP server/slave on one side and PROFINET I/O device on the other, featuring independent Ethernet ports. The gateway has been BTL certified for BACnet and carries the UL mark in order to guarantee the highest communication and quality standards.
Thanks to its strategic placement between the factory and building systems, the gateway becomes an enabler of very interesting applications such as energy metering of devices and machines in the factory from the BACnet-based BMS system, HVAC monitoring, and control from the PROFINET PLC, as well as easy alarm definition and management.

Intesis MAPS, the common configuration tool for all Intesis protocol translators, offers a very intuitive configuration process for system integrators covering both sides of the gateway. MAPS help integrators further in their projects by providing valuable EDE files for the BACnet integration, as well as GSD files and TIA portal TAG files for fast configuration of any connected PROFINET PLC controller.

Extending the comprehensive range of existing Intesis BACnet protocol translators, the new PROFINET - BACnet version is the first product in a new line of Intesis gateways for factory to building integration that will be released step by step by HMS Networks. In these gateways, HMS combines its proven Anybus® and Intesis communication technologies for industrial and building-oriented communication respectively, trusted by customers in millions of installations worldwide.

@intesis @hmsnetworks #PAuto #Communications

Speaking the language of intelligent buildings!

The BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL),  have confirmed that the automation software zenon by Copa-Data complies with the criteria of the BACnet standard. Entry onto the international list of products conforming with the standard and receipt of the BTL certificate affirm the reliable communication between zenon and other systems and devices in building automation.

Copa-Data project team (LtoR)– Helmut Weber, Markus Wintersteller and Lewis Williams

Each building is equipped with technology that fulfills a variety of tasks. The spectrum here ranges from heating, air conditioning, ventilation and sanitary systems to lighting management, lift monitoring, energy management or access control. To make sure that the different technologies can exchange data with each other, they need to speak the same language. BACnet, the international communications protocol, is primarily used for networks in building automation. To guarantee reliable and flexible communication in zenon projects in the area of building automation, COPA-DATA developed the native BACnetNG driver about ten years ago.

Markus Wintersteller, Technical Product Manager at Copa-Data, explained: “Our zenon BACnet driver had been communicating flawlessly, yet it did not comply with any profile description in terms of the BACnet standard. Along with increasing expectations from modern buildings and the growing trend in smart buildings, the BACnet protocol has become more and more important. The certification of zenon BACnet connectivity is a fundamental factor for us to be independent in this area as well.”

Speaking the language of intelligent buildings
The international BTL Listing attests that zenon 8.00 complies with the BACnet Operator Workstation Profile, or B-OWS Profile for short, of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) standard 135-2012. To comply with one of the three profiles for user interfaces, products must meet certain criteria, such as setting values. On the basis of a profile, handlers can better classify the capabilities of a system or device in the BACnet environment.

Lewis Williams, Technical Consultant at COPA-DATA, adds: “zenon was carefully examined on the basis of the BACnet test framework outlined by the independent inspection body MBS GmbH from Germany. In the process, zenon standard functionality such as the equipment model has been of great benefit; it brought advantages to the tests and accelerated them. We want to provide our customers with top flexibility and reliability in their projects. Therefore, we had already developed our own BACnet stack early on. We are pleased to know that an independent laboratory has rewarded our efforts with a positive test report, achieving a certificate and entry into the BTL Listing.”

@BACnetIntl #BuildingAutoSys 

BACnet to the cloud...

Sierra Monitor's BACnet gateways, routers, and network explorers are now “IIoT-Empowered out-of-the-box” and are shipping with new software that allows customers to securely register, access, and manage their field-installed products from Sierra Monitor’s FieldPoP device cloud. By seamlessly and securely bridging BACnet-based facility networks to the cloud and using FieldPoP as a portal, facility managers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of industrial devices such as sensors and controllers, can remotely service and support devices and gain operational insights to improve the facility’s comfort, safety and energy efficiency.

Sierra Monitor’s line of gateway products including the EZ Gateway and QuickServer products are used by OEMs and integrators to connect devices that speak a variety of protocols such as Modbus, SNMP, LonWorks, N2, M-Bus, KNX, and more than a hundred other proprietary protocols to BACnet-based networks and management systems within a building or facility. Additionally, Sierra Monitor’s BACnet Router connects BACnet devices to BACnet/IP backbones, while the BACnet Explorer assists with installation and troubleshooting by discovering devices and data points on building and facility networks. The newly-released software enables all of Sierra Monitor’s gateways, routers and explorers to be securely connected to the FieldPoP device cloud with just a few clicks. In addition to serving as a service management portal, FieldPoP also serves as a data middleware layer that collects IIoT device data from the field and lets third-party applications incorporate that data in business and analytics applications. As a result, OEMs and facility managers can gain new insights leading to improvements in product quality, innovations in products and services, and identification of new revenue opportunities.

Customers who choose to take advantage of the pre-built integration between FieldServer products and the FieldPoP device cloud have a choice of “Freemium” options. Basic connectivity to the cloud over the Internet and the ability to remotely run the standard web user interface available on the FieldServer products are part of the standard package. Value-added “fog applications” that run on the FieldServer products such as a dashboard view of field devices and data, trend logs, control logic applications, data uploads to the cloud for long-term analysis, and real-time alerts and notifications to authorized personnel are offered as premium features.

“BACnet has emerged as the leading protocol used in building and facility automation,” said David Nardonne, Membership Manager at BACnet International, an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. “The ability to securely and seamlessly bridge BACnet-based facility networks to the cloud is a significant addition to the BACnet toolkit.”

“This announcement underscores our commitment to be one of the leaders in bridging Operational Technology (OT) with Information Technology (IT),” said Varun Nagaraj, CEO of Sierra Monitor. “The FieldServer protocol translation gateway has long been a leader in the building and industrial automation markets. Now, with the pre-integration of FieldServer gateways, routers and explorers with the FieldPoP device cloud, we have made it extremely easy for our customers to take advantage of the cloud and the IIoT opportunity.”

@sierramonitor #PAuto #BACnet #IoT

Humidity & temperature transmitters with BACnet interface.

The EE210 and EE160 transmitters from E+E Elektronik are designed for highly accurate measurement of relative humidity and temperature. Both are now available with a BACnet MS/TP interface for easy integration into a network or bus system for modern building automation.

Unitary digital communication standards in modern building automation allows for easy integration and interaction of devices from different manufacturers. With the BACnet*) protocol, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has established an internationally recognised network standard for building automation.

Humidity & temperature transmitters EE210 and EE160 have been tested by an accredited BACnet Testing Lab (BTL) for compliance with the global BACnet standard ISO 16484-5. In addition, their full BACnet conformity has been certified by an independent institute. Users can therefore be reassured that the BACnet protocol of the E+E transmitters fully meets the internationally recognised standard.

E+E transmitters are listed on the official website of the international BACnet association as well as in the certification database of the BACnet Interest Group Europe . As a member of the European BACnet Interest Group (BIG-EU), E+E Elektronik supports the ongoing development and assertion of the BACnet standard in Europe.

The combination of encapsulated measurement electronics and special E+E coating of the humidity sensor makes the EE210 particularly insensitive to contamination and condensation, so it can be employed even under harsh environmental conditions. In addition to humidity and temperature measurement, the EE210 calculates related physical quantities such as dewpoint temperature, frostpoint temperature, absolute humidity, mixing ratio, water vapour partial pressure and specific enthalpy. The transmitter is available for wall or duct mount as well as with remote probe and with an optional display. The typical application for the EE210 is demanding climate control such as in agriculture (stables, hatchers, incubators and greenhouses), in storage rooms, cooling chambers or indoor pools.

The EE160 has been developed specifically for use in HVAC applications and is suitable for wall and duct mounting. It is the ideal solution for cost-effective yet highly accurate and reliable measurement of the relative air humidity and temperature.

Besides devices with BACnet interface, the EE210 and EE160 families include versions with Modbus RTU interface or with analog current and voltage outputs, all of them freely user configurable. Outstanding temperature compensation ensures highest accuracy over the entire working range. The innovative enclosure with external mounting holes minimizes the installation costs. The enclosure can remain closed during installation so that the electronics are protected against construction site pollution or mechanical damage.

• E+E products are marketed by Instrument Technology in Ireland.

Modbus talks BACnet!

The new Anybus BACnet to Modbus gateway makes it possible to connect Modbus devices to a BACnet network. The gateway handles conversion between Modbus (RTU, ASCII, and TCP) and BACnet/IP and makes each connected Modbus device appear as a BACnet compliant device on the BACnet network.

As BACnet networks are increasingly being used in buildings and infrastructure installations, there is also an increasing demand for integrating devices that communicate on Modbus into BACnet networks. Therefore, HMS now presents the Anybus BACnet to Modbus gateway. This gateway works as a translator between the two networks allowing Modbus RTU, ASCII and TCP-devices to show up as individual BACnet-compliant devices on a BACnet/IP network. This enables central BACnet control and supervision of Modbus devices such as drives, HVAC controllers and measuring equipment in building installations.

Making BACnet system integration easier
“The Anybus BACnet to Modbus gateway gives system integrators and building owners more flexibility as they now can use Modbus devices in BACnet projects as well,” said Markus Bladh, Product Manager at HMS. “The gateway is also a good fit for machine builders who want to offer their products to the building automation market. We are seeing an increasing general market demand to connect Modbus devices to BACnet networks, and this new gateway adds yet another gateway combination to the over 300 Anybus gateways already available off the shelf for fieldbus and industrial Ethernet connectivity.“

How the gateway works
Two ports are available on the gateway to connect to serial Modbus (RTU and ASCII) and Ethernet (BACnet/IP and Modbus TCP). When connected, users will benefit from a free library of common Modbus device profiles in order to quickly establish communication between the networks. HMS also provides a straight-forward tool with instructions on how to create device profiles for Modbus devices not yet covered by the library. Commissioning and troubleshooting is done in the included web interface

Certification ensures a high level of expertise in the buildings management!

ControlMaestro™, the ELUTIONS’ Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition solution installed in many monitoring and control applications in the Building Management field, has been recognised as BACnet Advanced operator WorkStation (B-AWS) according to the BACnet 09 version test procedure of the BTL/WSPCert accredited laboratory.

Related to the new ControlMaestro 2013 version released this month, this Certification provides further proof of the software’s robustness and strengthens the ELUTIONS’ position in the SCADA market for building automation monitoring and control as well as their intelligent and efficient management.

In a constantly changing market more and more driven by standards and safety aspects, the ControlMaestro technological innovations enable it to provide answers in a meaningful way and to keep ahead of its competitors while providing open connectivity and supporting all common communication protocols. ControlMaestro is also compliant with the FDA21 CFR Part 11 standard for information systems security.

"Member of the BACnet Interest Group (BIG-EU), we are closely monitoring developments in the BACnet protocol that include all the features that may be encountered in the BMS space and that are constantly evolving to meet the field’s requirements.", explains Didier Pedreno, Technical Manager at ELUTIONS.

Thanks to this interoperable open protocol and to the easy configuration of all devices existing on the network(s) as well as the ability to natively access all the properties of a BACnet object without any additional tools, ControlMaestro 2013 offers maximum flexibility and optimal management of operations by enabling products and various intelligent vendor systems to exchange different data types (temperature, instructions, schedules, alerts, etc.) while increasing equipment performance. SCADA operations are easily accessible. Data sharing, scheduling, alarming and trending services are fully integrated within the SCADA system.

In this context, ControlMaestro provides valuable benefits in terms of productivity, engineering, security, user mobility and integration of third party systems.

          
Beyond the technical aspects, ControlMaestro also offers many economic benefits allowing Real Estate owners and operators to reduce operating costs and save on maintenance costs with the additional possibility to integrate the complementary solution for the energy management: Maestro™.

Support for BACnet/IP

Control Technology Corp has added BACnet/IP support as a standard feature to its Model 5300 Automation Controller.

Model 5300 Automation Controller

The 5300 series programmable automation controllers can be simultaneously connected to one or more Fieldbus networks. BACnet/IP, Modbus master/slave, and CTC Binary communications are standard on the CPU module. BACnet/IP is supported on the controller’s Ethernet port. Additional Fieldbus networks are supported by Fieldbus Modules that plug into the Model 5300 backplane.

The 5300 Blue Fusion controller implements BACnet/IP so it can be either a dedicated server and/or initiate transactions as a client, monitoring online devices. As a server an external BACnet/IP client can access virtually any public variable or I/O within the controller as an object, either for monitoring or modification. In addition to supporting standard BACnet objects, the Model 5300 supports full-time synchronization and multiple read/writes.

Tom Schermerhorn, CTC’s President, was happy to announce the availability of BACnet: “We are constantly expanding our toolbox, to meet the needs of our customers. Since BACnet is designed specifically for the building automation and control industry, our customers with products or systems that manage HVAC, power, safety and security are well served by this option — an additional communications resource for specialised applications.”

Connecting devices to BACnet

HMS Industrial Networks now releases Anybus® CompactCom™ for BACnet/IP – a network communication module which can be embedded into air conditioning equipment, pumps, ventilation devices etc. in order to enable communication with the BACnet/IP network.

With this new member of the Anybus CompactCom family, HMS offers ready-made connectivity to BACnet/IP – an up-and-coming network in the building automation and HVAC (Heating Ventilation AirConditioning) industry. By choosing Anybus CompactCom for BACnet/IP connectivity, device manufacturers can save up to 70% of the development costs compared to developing a BACnet/IP communication interface in-house.

“As with many other industries, the building automation and HVAC industry is now contemplating a migration towards Industrial Ethernet technology and BACnet/IP could very well be the next big thing within this industry,” comments Leif Malmberg, HMS Product Line Manager, Embedded Solutions. “By implementing Anybus CompactCom, device manufacturers can also achieve instant connectivity to 19 other industrial networks by simply switching Anybus module. This opens new business opportunities for the device manufacturers and widens their market considerably.”

2-port switch makes devices easier to network
The Anybus CompactCom BACnet/IP includes an integrated 2-port switch that makes it possible to connect the device to the network in normal fieldbus style (daisy chain) rather than connecting all devices through an external switch. This is a demand from many end users today.

Technical highlights
The Anybus CompactCom module acts as a server (B-ASC) on the BACnet/IP network. It is available with and without housing and is about the size of a compact flash card.
Thanks to the integrated web functions (such as dynamic web pages, email and FTP) it is possible to get online statistics, notification emails and other information about the device that the Anybus module is embedded into. For example, it is possible to get an email whenever the device is in need of service.
The onboard 2-port switch provides two 100 Mbit/s full duplex Ethernet interfaces with RJ45 connectors.