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Monitoring inputs and controlling outputs require basic two-way communications functions that can be used to accomplish other functions. For example, maintenance activities can be enhanced and response times shortened. A technician can evaluate several simultaneous system readings remotely to determine the probable cause of a problem before traveling to the site. Similarly, the ability of head end computers to communicate with distributed processors makes the storing of historical data easier. Historical data allows mechanics and technicians to identify trends in the operation of a system before a failure occurs. Such a capability can help a maintenance group plan its work on mechanical systems. Also, energy consumption levels can be evaluated so actions can be taken to lower electrical demand.
What Is A Protocol?
A data communications protocol is a set of rules: a group of machine codes, message structures, and treatment of these codes and structures. A protocol does not necessarily define equipment or specific software, but rather defines coding methods for data and structures the way coding is manipulated by the system. An open protocol is a set of detailed, published rules for communications. Open protocols are available for public use and implementation. These protocols usually have been developed by a single vendor and may have been tailored around a specific application. Open protocols usually require gateway interfacing, or a microprocessor-based translator. A standard protocol is a set of these rules that are published and available to the public, sometimes for a price, and are also globally accepted. The BACnet standard, published by the Association of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (Ashrae), is an example of a standard protocol (see page 16). Most leading BAS manufacturers provide some level of BACnet compatibility.
Proprietary Communications
Proprietary communications are fast disappearing from the marketplace. Proprietary communications protocols, those specific to the equipment of one manufacturer, cannot be easily applied to the equipment of other manufacturers. These systems were developed for intercommunication with different components of the same manufacturer's system. There may be backward or forward compatibility with equipment generations of the same manufacturer but no ready intercommunication with the equipment of others. One of the disadvantages of proprietary communications is a lack of interoperability. Because a proprietary system does not communicate with others, the user's options for expansion of the BAS in a particular facility are limited. Choices also are reduced with the purchase of new equipment, limiting the user's bargaining power. An alternative would be to install separate systems of two or more manufacturers in a facility. Installing multiple systems will create a competitive pricing environment, which is critical to containing installation costs of expansions and upgrades. This strategy, however, can increase the cost of maintenance and requires operators and technicians to be trained on all systems.
Gateways
Gateways have been developed by some manufacturers to address the interoperability issue. A gateway is a device that translates the proprietary communications of a manufacturer to the communications of a competitor or to a standard or open protocol. The use of gateways helps solve the interoperability issue, but only is successful for a particular manufacturer and the specific competitors and manufacturers of third party controllers for which the manufacturer has decided to build gateways. User choice is still limited, and the manufacturer of the proprietary equipment protocol still controls most of the activity. If a user wants to install a competitor's head end, for example, the competitor must construct gateways to the existing equipment in the same way the manufacturer of the existing equipment did. This is cost intensive, complex, and costly to maintain.
Open Communications
"Open" is a relative term that implies transparency. While there will probably never be totally transparent communications between all manufacturers of building automation systems, there have been great strides made in open protocols in recent years. Several open protocols have been in existence for some time; the development and publication of the BACnet standard by Ashrae helped moved things along significantly. The BACnet standard is a published set of communications rules that have reached a high degree of consensus. In essence, this standard defines the rules of communication for every device level in the BAS, from sensors to head ends. There is even some room in the model communications string for a limited amount of proprietary data. Several examples of networking options that are supported by the BACnet protocol are listed below. Ethernet-ISO 8802-2 and ISO 8802-3-local area network (LAN) is a high performance network with a data exchange rate of 10 million bits per second. This network generally is used for higher-level system control, and is usually more expensive. Ethernet networks are commonly used in a broad spectrum of commercial and industrial applications. ARCnet-ATA/ANSI 878.1-LAN also is a high performance network with a data exchange rate of about one fourth that of Ethernet. While this network is more widely used in industrial applications, it also lends itself to building control situations. MS/TP (master-slave/token passing) methods provide a lower level of performance, but are much less expensive. This method uses an EIA-485 signal and is characterized by serial data transmission over multiple drops. LonTalk networks use "neuron" integrated circuit chips (proprietary) for communications interfacing. This network is versatile and has been successfully applied over twisted pair wire, power lines, and microwave transmission. LonTalk networks have moderate data exchange rates and are easily applied to all system component levels.
There are several advantages to using an open communications protocol for a BAS. First, there is the assurance that a number of manufacturers will be able to interface with existing equipment. Using equipment with open protocols creates a competitive bidding environment for system
additions and renovations that help contain costs. This situation also helps keep manufacturers who have equipment on site from becoming too "comfortable," ensuring a good level of service and response to problems. Another advantage is the containment of expenses associated with interfacing to mechanical equipment. It is very difficult to extend the instrumentation and monitoring features of a BAS with proprietary communications to measure temperatures, pressures, flows, and monitor safeties of a chiller. If all additions to a system are specified as open/standard protocol, interfacing becomes easy and inexpensive. In addition, by using an open protocol, the head end of the manufacturer of your choice can interface with all equipment in the facility through communications, not through separate gateways or a multitude of wires. This reduces the need for multiple head ends and specialized interface equipment. The result is reduced training expense, fewer maintenance agreements and spare parts, and a single mode of system access. Using open communication protocols introduces additional considerations. For instance, if a system with one manufacturer's head end and three others comprising distributed processing, and a host of third party controllers, who is called when one part of the network stops functioning? Care should be taken in the maintenance contracting process to clearly delineate the areas of responsibility for maintenance activities. Whenever system additions are installed in the field, the manufacturer of the existing head-end will have to do additional programming to support the additions. Alternatives would be either to have a certified contractor who is proficient with the existing head end install the additions, or to have in-house personnel do it. The same advice applies to additions that affect only a distributed processor. There will be some programming requirements in the distributed processor whenever additions are made, so staff or maintenance contractors need to be familiar with all the manufacturers of distributed processors on site. Finally, acceptance testing is the key to effective communications. Open/standard communication systems should be thoroughly commissioned, and the performance of all system components compared with the published and submitted manufacturer's performance data. With BACnet standard systems, Protocol Implementation Conformance Statements (PICS) should be submitted before construction to ensure compatibility at all appropriate levels. While most BAS are commissioned to some extent today, the open/standard communications issues will require commissioning for success.
Design Issues
Any discussion regarding BAS and its implementation is not complete without addressing design issues. Systems still are being installed today without formal specification or design. Instead, installation is done by agreement between the user and the manufacturer. The communications issue makes it even more essential that systems be specified by an engineering firm familiar with standard and open protocols. Simply stating in the specification that communications shall be BACnet compatible or use LonTalk doesn't accomplish much. Several levels of communication, communication properties, system objects, and a host of other issues must be specified for the user to get the desired result. To ensure conformity, it is advisable to have knowledge of formal BAS specifications and the requisite requirements for submittal of equipment specifications to the designer of record. Larry Rowland is a senior project manager for Savage Engineering, and heads their southeast U.S. office in Birmingham, Ala. Rowland is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional (CLEP), and has served on the technical advisory board of Energy User News for over five years. Rowland is a nationally recognized energy management educator and energy engineering professional.