Wired Communication

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits

Field Busses in Industry and Building Automation

Overview

Field bus systems for serial information transmission between automation technology devices have brought advantages in many ways to process automation.
The idea to automate big and complex buildings and industry plants is not necessarily new. However, new is the technology which makes it possible to put more and more intelligence into smaller and smaller units. The main control system will be disburdened because certain partial control functions can be swapped out without problems due to this distributed intelligence.
At the moment, there is a multitude of bus systems in use in automation. The main emphasis of these networks is put on the fast transmission of small data packages between single automation components. The size of the data packages is limited to achieve a deterministic, and in that way a predictable, transmission characteristic.

Typical automation busses are:

  • LonWorks®
  • CAN (Controller Area Network)
  • Profibus
  • Interbus-S
We offer an extensive range of field bus solutions, which cover the whole bandwidth of industry and building automation.

 

Real-time Ethernet

Office applications and automation solutions accrete in an increasing degree. The request of most companies is an integrated flow of information from field bus level up to office cross-linking. Unfortunately, different ancillary technical conditions hamper the necessary real-time access and complicate full-coverage use of Ethernet in the automation.
The present state-of-the-art consists in the use of different proprietary approaches. Standardization efforts try to eliminate the disadvantages of this widespread network and to unify the already existing company-wide solutions to an industry capable standard.
We offer support in realizing a deterministic, real-time capable and secure communication system based on the Ethernet technology in consideration of hardware and software aspects. As a member of IAONA we actively work on the real-time Ethernet themes and security solutions in the automation technology as well as on the development of new automation standards.

Our achievements in the area of real-time Ethernet include:

  • integration of Ethernet in
  • real-time operating systems real-time Ethernet based on ARM-processor platforms with integrated Ethernet-MAC
  • hardware and software components for the realization of real-time Ethernet functions
  • hardware-IPs for the integration in ASICs resp. FPGAs

 

LonWorks®

LonWorks®-technology refers to a universal automation network and is a worldwide standard for the automation of buildings and industrial plants.
In comparison to many automation solutions, LonWork®-network is characterized by its peripherally controlled functions. Every device in this network is provided with a programmable intelligence. That way a huge amount of sensors and actors can be connected with each other in any topology. The communication of the individual hubs takes place according to a defined protocol. That way the whole system stays functional even if single components fail. Moreover, it is possible to modify or extend the network even during operation at any time.
LonWorks® is an open technology: Single network components are interoperable among each other, even if they are from different manufacturers.
The applicability of this intelligent network technology in building automation is multifaceted and ranges from simple lighting control systems up to complex monitoring systems, detection systems, and visualization equipment.
Construction costs and time can be reduced due to minimal cabling complexity. Furthermore, there will be a return on investment due to an optimal collaboration of the separate components in LonWork®-networks. Nevertheless, all offices can be controlled individually.

Our competences in the scope of LonWorks®:

  • Echelon training program at Fraunhofer IIS
  • Hardware and software development of cost-efficient and powerful coupling modules between LonWork® and other bus systems respectively internet access