Autoconfig for DALI to BACnet

DALI and DALI + PROFINET gateway

The latest development from MBS enables the integration of DALI bus systems into industrial and building automation systems

Krefeld, September 7, 2016 - A DALI protocol hardware adapter has been integrated into the new Universal Gateways from the Krefeld-based specialist for industrial and building automation. The device is also available as a DALI + PROFINET gateway in combination with a PROFINET adapter. With the integrated adapter, up to 16 lighting groups with a total of 64 DALI devices can be connected and addressed per channel. "In addition to implementing the current DALI standard, MBS offers automatic configuration for mapping DALI to BACnet in the new gateways," explains Nils-Gunnar Fritz, CEO of MBS GmbH. "This makes integration into BACnet networks considerably easier and faster," he adds.

The MBS Universal Gateways are based on a product platform and therefore offer exceptional versatility and flexibility for adapting to changing requirements. This advantage leads to particularly low overall costs: there is no need to purchase a new gateway, as new functions can simply be activated due to the adaptability. The new MBS Universal Gateways therefore have numerous functions that help our customers to reduce downtimes, shorten integration times and cut costs in the long term.

Autoconfig for DALI to BACnet

With the integrated DALI protocol hardware adapter with two channels, it is possible to automatically scan the operating devices on the DALI bus. 64 operating devices, 16 groups and 16 scenes are supported per channel ─ this is the number supported by the DALI V2 standard. MBS ensures simple and fast merging to BACnet. The MBS DALI gateway is therefore the perfect solution for integration into a BACnet network.

Fast integration

The integrated DALI protocol hardware adapter and the additional PROFINET adapter for the PROFINET + DALI gateway eliminate the need for the usual external bus couplers and reduce the amount of cabling required. This also enables faster connection to serial or network-based communication protocols.

All important communication protocols are available

With their numerous available communication protocols, MBS gateways offer the right solution for almost every requirement. Manufacturer-specific protocols can also be implemented on request. The gateways are configured using text files; these are transferred to an integrated web server via a browser on the gateway ─ the configuration is saved permanently on the gateways ─ and optionally as a data backup in the Dropbox (prerequisite: Internet connection).

With web interface and upgradeable

The gateways have a web interface for configuration and analysis. This considerably simplifies the configuration of the devices and therefore enables faster commissioning. In addition, the web interface offers the possibility to use the various upgrade options of the MBS gateways, for example the activation of up to 2,500 data points.

The devices are available with 25, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,500 data points. Activation takes place via the web interface.

Further features

By activating the Dropbox option, trend data can be recorded and intelligent backups of the gateway configuration can be created, among other things. This option can also be used as a basis for redundant systems.

The MBS Universal Gateways have a real-time clock and a memory card that can be used to record trend log data, for example.

The devices also offer an upgrade option: if the data point volume is not sufficient after integration, an upgrade to a larger number of data points is possible at any time. The devices are available with 25, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,500 data points. Activation takes place via the web interface.

With the ARM9 processor, the gateways offer maximum performance so that data can be processed for all central applications.