The trend in control systems is toward intelligent, open-standard, distributed control architectures that emphasize interoperability among multi-vendor devices. Such a networked control system leverages a common physical and logical infrastructure to provide holistic system control that can evolve to meet new opportunities and customer needs. These open solutions have shown to provide reliable and flexible energy monitoring at lower cost with less development time than centralized systems.

This distributed, peer-to-peer network trend has accelerated due to Echelon’s LonWorks platform. The platform, a complete network solution, works under the theory that device control is extremely similar regardless of application or industry, and requires high reliability, expandability, flexibility, and an ability to be driven by applications – as opposed to being application specific. For example, a process control system may have several pressure and temperature sensors sending data to the every device on the network only as readings trend toward being out of a set range.  Only specific heater controllers use the data for maintaining proper temperature. Such a system does not move megabytes of data, but does require reliable delivery of the temperature and pressure updates to ensure correct heating.

Though LonWorks technology is used in industrial, transportation, and public utility control applications, today it is widely considered the most popular open-standard control network for building automation. The reasons for its popularity apply to Avnet Memec customers —especially product developers and building automation project managers. 

The LonWorks platform includes development tools, network management software, power line and twisted-pair smart transceivers (applications processing and communications in a single chip) and control modules, network interfaces, routers, controllers, technical support, and training. These tightly integrated components allow developers to focus on their core competency: applications development. And the platform also helps reduce development time, risk, and time-to-market. This is the case because it delivers all the functionality needed for network control now—in addition to the flexibility to alter the network design as it’s being installed—or even far into the future. In this way, it can help expand or even open markets for your products.

A few platform components are further described below. 

ICs and Transceivers

Tools and infrastructure have been optimized for efficient development based on LonWorks microprocessors and transceivers. LonWorks infrastructure is a fully documented world standard that comes with installation handbook, specifications, standard guidelines and reference implementations, BOMs, a design guidebook, and easily typified network variables. The operating system is up and running, requiring no start-up and assembler code. Echelon’s NodeBuilder® development tool and integrated resource file editor reduce network setup time. The system provides a common structure for all development and clear rules on how network variables are defined and used. Only variables of the same type can exchange data, which eliminates confusion and further increases development efficiency and reliability.

Communications Protocol

Building a communications system is time-consuming and risky because if you miss including a device relationship, retrofits and redesign cut into your profit. With the LonWorks platform’s seven-layer communications protocol stack, you can eliminate weeks of development time. Developers throughout the world know and understand the protocol, or have clear documentation to turn to if they don’t. 

Network Implementation

LonWork’s network management services make setting up, monitoring, and controlling devices very straightforward by ensuring their compatibility. Multiple users can use different tools on the same network at the same time.

LonWorks technology is “topology agnostic.” It doesn’t matter where a device is, only that it is properly commissioned, making installation and retrofitting fast and very straightforward. For this reason and others, a LonWorks network installation incurs fewer support calls, higher acceptance by installers, and higher customer satisfaction. It can also be kinder to your reputation, because your devices and add-ons install easily.

The LonWorks platform, a worldwide standard, works with hundreds of third-party products and integrates easily into leading enterprise access and energy management solutions. For more information, please contact the office location closest to you.