Carefree entry into the BACnet world

Firstly, the protocol is much more complex than Modbus, for example. Secondly, it is essential that it works flawlessly in the end, because the new product or software package can only survive on the market with a final conformity test or a corresponding certificate. Thirdly, continuity in maintenance should be guaranteed, as the standard is constantly being improved and corresponding changes must be tracked.

If you want to use BACnet communication

• want to manufacture a product successfully,

• want to have a development certified,

• need an implementation for your property at short notice or

• would like support with your tasks

and use a software stack from CS-Lab, you no longer need to worry about these four points.

Originated by MBS

Originally developed by MBS GmbH at the end of the 1990s to program its own products for communication with BACnet, the company CS-Lab has been marketing the software stack since 2009. The reason: an objection from the international standardization committees BACnet International and the BACnet Interest Group Europe, with which MBS has always worked well as a member. These bodies did not want MBS to supply the stack for programming new BACnet devices on the one hand and operate a test laboratory in which they are tested for standard conformity on the other. So development and marketing were outsourced to the spin-off CS-Lab, which not only constantly adapts the BACnet stack to the new revisions of the standard, but also provides many services for its customers.

Milestones for BACnet programming

The software stack for applications running on Linux was developed first. Then Windows and later embedded platforms (microcontrollers) were added. The fact that three stacks were finally available for the main platforms in GA is a milestone in the manufacture of BACnet-compliant products.

As if that were not enough, the Windows stack, which is also based on ANSI C, has been significantly revised over time: To simplify integration into Windows environments, a .NET wrapper is now included in the Windows stack deliveries. This means that all functions of the BACnet stack can be mapped in .NET, which makes the work of programmers much easier.

MBS GmbH also offers numerous products based on the BACnet stack, such as

• the Universal Gateways [Link], which serve as a communication interface for the various protocols in industrial and building automation,

• the BACnet Test Framework (BTF), an automated tool for (pre-)testing,

• BACeye/SC, a compact tool for system integrators, commissioning engineers and system operators.

Of course, each revision of the standard is adopted in each of the three software stacks. The current revision 25 with the brand new Secure Connect (BACnet/SC) security infrastructure is already available for programming.

Convenient, flexible, reliable

The BACnet stack is now represented in more than 100 customer products, which benefit from the following advantages:

• Convenience: The development of standard-compliant applications is made much easier.

• Flexibility: Large control technology systems can be programmed in the same way as automation stations or small devices (such as heat meters).

• Bandwidth: Implementations are available for a wide range of operating systems, from older Windows systems to various Linux variants.

• Reliability: As part of the BTF, all accredited test laboratories worldwide use the stack to test the standard conformity of BACnet products.

• Future-proof: As part of a maintenance contract, it is possible to use the latest available BACnet stack revisions at any time. This makes it easy to upgrade your own products to the latest functions in the BACnet standard. 

Many details are handled automatically so that users no longer have to worry about them. For example, the functionality of the BACnet objects is implemented as an object database. In addition, various mechanisms and fallbacks for obtaining values from field devices have been built into the code.

Lease or buy - and benefit from support

There are different ways to obtain the BACnet stack: In the leasing version, you acquire a time-limited right of use to develop standard-compliant applications on a development workstation. In the full buy-out of the library version, you receive the unlimited right to develop. Or you can buy the stack as a full buy-out source - we are flexible here too.

We provide comprehensive support to ensure successful implementation: After purchase in an initial briefing as part of a training course, or by telephone or e-mail. We can also supply demo applications that you can use as templates. If necessary, we can actively support you with our own experts in integrating the system into your application. To make your work even easier, we are also happy to make customer-specific adaptations to our products.

Highly qualified BACnet solutions for your product

As an expert in industrial and building automation, CS-Lab is your partner in the development of BACnet-compliant products and software solutions. Long-standing relationships with our customers thrive on our expertise as well as the project support we are always happy to provide. And new customers can be sure that they will receive highly qualified BACnet solutions for their product with our stacks - both in terms of time and budget.

Select your BACnet stack

Embedded

The functional scope of the BACnet stack | Embedded is suitable for the development of BACnet servers according to all common profiles such as: B-SS, B-SA, B-ASC, B-AAC ... etc.

Data layer: IP, Ethernet, MS/TP and BACnet/SC

Linux (Posix)

The functional scope of the BACnet stack | Linux (Posix) is suitable for the development of BACnet servers and clients according to all common profiles such as: B-BC, B-SS, B-SA, B-ASC, B-AAC, B-OD, B-OWS, B-AWS ... etc.

Data layer: IP, Ethernet, MS/TP and BACnet/SC

Windows

The functional scope of the BACnet stack | Windows is suitable for the development of BACnet servers and clients according to all common profiles such as: B-BC, B-SS, B-SA, B-ASC, B-AAC, B-OD, B-OWS, B-AWS ... etc.

Data layer: IP, Ethernet, MS/TP and BACnet/SC

All variants support the data layers: IP, Ethernet and SC.
The variants for Linux and Embedded also support MS/TP.