Smooth communication BACnet and OPC UA / DA
/"BACnet-2-OPC" transmits BACnet data from the building automation system to a control system via OPC UA or DA
Krefeld-based MBS GmbH is expanding its OPC product range based on the Open Platform Communications specification Unified Architecture (OPC UA). The BACnet-2-OPC software solution is now available as the first new release from the long-standing expert for BUS protocols in building automation. "BACnet-2-OPC ensures data transmission from BACnet field devices to OPC UA or DA-based applications and replaces our tried-and-tested BACnet OPC server," explains Nils-Gunnar Fritz, CEO of MBS GmbH.
Simple commissioning
Building automation with BACnet is increasingly growing together with control technology and Scada systems for industrial automation: More and more field devices - for example for temperature measurement or air conditioning control - are communicating with the manufacturer-independent ISO 16484-5 standard, also known as BACnet, while the higher-level control technology is based on OPC. BACnet-2-OPC is the right choice for smooth communication between these worlds. The system can be parameterized very easily, as BACnet data can be automatically transferred to the platform-independent architecture with just a few mouse clicks.
Optimal overview thanks to color-coded status coding
BACnet-2-OPC enables the control center to monitor the data generated in the BACnet network online - this provides a quick overview of the current values, which can be viewed directly. As several data points can be combined, the software solution can be used as a tool that directly supports the commissioning of a network. The color-coded status code on the user interface, which displays all data points and their operating statuses in different colors, provides an optimal overview. This makes it clear at a glance whether a field device is "out of service" or in alarm status, for example. During a migration phase, BACnet can even be converted to OPC UA and OPC DA at the same time.
Effective and reliable
The user interface and service have been separated in order to meet the requirements of current Windows systems. This means that data can be forwarded from a data center server, for example, without having to start the user interface first. In addition, configuration changes can be made during operation without interrupting the function. A restart then makes all the changes made effective.
"If you want to put your systems into operation quickly and cost-effectively and operate them effectively, BACnet-2-OPC is the right solution," says Fritz. With its many years of expertise, MBS stands for the reliability of this software solution. It is the first in a series of products that the BACnet specialist has newly developed for communication between the network protocol and the OPC architecture and will be presenting in the near future.
