BACnet Integration: Gateways, Routers, Loggers, Tools

Intro to BACnet

BACnet is a communications protocol for Building Automation and Control (BAC) networks that leverage the ASHRAE, ANSI, and ISO 16484-5 standard protocol. It is currently the most popular protocol use in Building Automation systems (BAS).

The BACnet standard defines a way to communicate over a number of wires such as Ethernet, EIA-485, EIA-232, ARCNET, and LonTalk as well as UDP, IP and HTTP (Web Services). Protocols Supported include BACnet MSTP, IP and Ethernet.

BACnet was designed to allow communication of building automation and control systems for applications such as heating, ventilating, air-conditioning control (HVAC), lighting control, access control, fire detection systems and their associated equipment.

BACnet Logo

The BACnet protocol defines a number of services that are used to communicate between building devices. The protocol services include Who-Is, I-Am, Who-Has, I-Have, which are used for Device and Object discovery. Services such as Read-Property and Write-Property are used for data sharing.

BACnet Flavors

The BACnet protocol consists of a number of data link/physical layers referred to as BACnet flavors. They include BACnet IP, BACnet MSTP, BACnet ARCNET, BACnet Ethernet, BACnet IPv6, BACnet PTP, and ZigBee.

Of these flavors, BACnet/IP and BACnet MS/TP are the most popular with BACnet Ethernet rapidly declining. The last few are relatively rare.

Chipkin provides solutions for most flavors of BACnet and can develop the rest. Products include Gateways, Routers, Data Clients, Software, and Stacks.

Automation Checkmark

With its protocol Gateways, Chipkin provides integration solutions and supplies Drivers for BACnet/IP model number FS-8704-06, BACnet MS/TP model number FS-8700-73, BACnet Ethernet model number FS-8704-02, BACnet PTP model number FS-8700-16.

Below is a list of BACnet Protocol Integration Solutions:

The CAS BACnet Stack

Chipkin’s BACnet Stack (CAS BACnet Stack) is a software library that allows you to add a native BACnet interface to your embedded devices or applications. The BACnet stack supports both BACnet server (Field device, power meter, gas detector, etc.) and BACnet client (HMI, Utilities, data loggers, etc.) services giving you the flexibility you need to succeed. The Chipkin BACnet Stack supports the protocol revision 19, making it a global market leader and one of a few stacks that support's revision 19. Chipkin attends plugfest annually and as of 2018 plugfest, our stack is one of the most up to date stacks in the market.

The BACnet Stack is a transport layer independent library, making it easy to use with any transport layer such as MSTP, IP, Ethernet and even PTP and ARCnet. By giving you control of the transport layer you can optimize bandwidth and performance by exploiting the resources at your disposal such as multi-threading and multiple simultaneous connections. See the diagram below of the BACnet Stack Layers which shows what portions are provided by the stack and what by the client:

BACnet Stack Layers

             *Area in the border is provided by the BACnet Stack. The area outside is provided by the client.

QuickServer and the Classic QuickServer

These QuickServers come in a variety of models to handle different point counts. Basic handles (250 points) or enhanced between (500-5000 points). The classic QuickServer supports serial (RS485/RS232), Ethernet, and/or LonWorks/KNX/MBus communication.

The QuickServer, FS-QS-2XX0, series is an upgraded version of the Classic QuickServer. It is slimmer, more powerful, and able to support both RS232 and RS485 ports simultaneously for the classic, you required a specific model to handle RS232 Communication. Similar to the classic, the QuickServer is available at 4 different point capacities between 250 points to 5000 points. Each QuickServer can handle up to 140 different drivers, such as Modbus, BACnet, SNMP, EtherNet/IP and many more.

Dual-Ethernet Port QuickServer

The Dual Ethernet Port QuickServer is the premium secure QuickServer for those needing the best and most secure networks. Besides being capable of handling everything that the classic QuickServer and the QuickServer can handle, it also contains 2 Ethernet ports, can convert up to 10,000 points and has a lot of new security features. It supports 1 RS-485/RS232 Port, 1 RS485 Port, and two Ethernet ports.

With two Ethernet ports, the dual-port QuickServer allows data to move seamlessly across disparate subnets allowing seamless integration with maximum security.

FS-B3510 Series

The FieldServer Multiport Protocol Gateway (FS-B35XX) is an extremely flexible tool for integrators looking to connect devices to the cloud and on different physical networks, using different links, and speaking different protocols.

With support for 1,000 points (upgradable to 10,000), the Multiport Gateway can easily handle multiple protocol drivers and multiple translations simultaneously with no slowdown in performance. The product includes four serial connections (two RS-232, two RS-485), two 10/100 Ethernet ports, and a LonWorks (Free Topology - FT) port.

EZ Gateways

The EZ Gateways is an easy-to- use, high-performance, building and industrial automation protocol gateway for system integrators to be used in commercial buildings, campuses or industrial facilities.

The EZ Gateway provides quick multiprotocol deployment of field protocols to enable integrators to commission the gateway with ease.

BACnet System Block Diagram

BACnet Block Diagram

BACnet Tools

CAS BACnet Explorer

CAS BACnet Explorer is the perfect utility for testing, debugging and discovering BACnet® networks and devices. It is great for network diagnostics and discovering who is the problem. No more pointing fingers.

CAS BACnet Explorer performs the following functions within BACnet Networks:

  • Exploring/Discovering
  • Testing
  • Debugging
  • Monitoring

Buy the CAS BACnet Explorer

CAS BACnet Wireshark Storm

The CAS BACnet Wireshark Storm application is a tool to help test BACnet server applications with problematic BACnet UDP messages. The tool loads a Wireshark PCap log file and resends the UDP messages to a destination IP address. The BACnet server at the destination IP address will then process the incoming UDP message and attempt to respond to them as if they were coming from an actual BACnet client.

Download the CAS Gateway Firmware Download tool FREE!!

Wireshark Storm Tool
Wireshark Reporting Tool
CAS BACnet Report Tool

The Chipkin BACnet Wireshark Report Tool is a tool to help debug problematic device installations on sites with BACnet networks. The tool decodes the captured BACnet messages from a Wireshark PCap log file into their XML representations and outputs a comprehensive report containing important information and statistics. The outputted report and xml files provide the user with an informed understanding of their network so that they can easily locate and debug problematic devices.

Download the CAS Gateway IP Address Tool FREE!!

BACnet Routers

The BACnet Router provides stand-alone routing between BACnet/IP, BACnet Ethernet and BACnet MS/TP.

BACnet utilizes the same protocol whether it is over RS-485 Serial, Ethernet or IP. In order to interconnect between the various levels a BACnet Router is required. The FieldServer BACnet Router can easily interconnect between BACnet MS/TP, BACnet Ethernet or BACnet/IP.

BACnet for Field Technoclogies Booklet
BACnet for Field Technicians (Free!)

Learning about BACnet? Want to update your BACnet knowledge? This free EBook will guide you through basic and advanced BACnet topics.

You can purchase a hardcopy of this book from Amazon or you can download the BACnet for Field Techniciansfor free from our website.

FREE CAS BACNET EXPLORER WITH THE PURCHASE OF A BACNET GATEWAY!

Purchase a FieldServer or CAS Gateway from us that contains any BACnet protocol and we will help you test and document the BACnet interface by providing a free full license to the CAS BACnet Explorer and a Hardcopy of the BACnet booklet.

The USB key and booklet ships with the FieldServer.

BACnet MSTP
BACnet Ethernet
BACnet Arcnet

Thanks for choosing Chipkin’s protocol gateways, data clients, and integration services to meet your building and industrial automation requirements!

Chipkin™ is a building and industrial automation protocol expert. We develop, configure, install and support gateways (protocol converters), data loggers and remote monitor and controlling applications. Founded in October 2000, Chipkin provides expert solutions for converting BACnet®, Modbus®, and LonWorks®—to name just a few—and enabling interfaces for HVAC, fire, siren, intercom, lighting, transportation and fuel systems. The high-quality products we offer (including those from other vendors) interface with Simplex™, Notifier™, McQuay™, GE™ and many others—so you can rest assured that we will select the most appropriate solution for your application.

With Chipkin you are buying a solution. Our configuration expertise in this field combined with free BACnet and other tools ensure your success; and our customer support via phone, e-mail, and remote desktop tools means that we’re there when you need us. Chipkin is a small responsive company, and we live or die by the quality of our service—and with offices in two-time zones—we can provide support when you need it. Give us a call now!

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