Wireless networking for building automation

[Monty1]

In the IT environment drive the development of radio technology manufacturers such as WLAN, WiMAX or Bluetooth grow even further. In the field of home automation different radio standards to fight for their right to exist. Radio-based applications are nothing new for the home. Based on the infrared remote control for the TV and the radio-based garage door opener, there are now a variety of remote applications in the field of home automation (home automation). These range from the alarm, the heating, blinds, electric power and lighting control to the remote meter reading also from outside the housing unit. In the last years and months, a lot of new radio technologies have been developed that are now pushing the market and try to bring about technical innovation with a way out of the jumble of different wireless standards. The most important standards for wireless networks is 802.11.

[Akaashath]

When most of the wireless solutions are point-to-point systems that allow any network functionality. At best, even star-shaped network topologies can be found, which can be controlled with a remote control multiple devices. Likewise, most systems are vendor specific (proprietary). This means that a device of a manufacturer with the remote control from the same manufacturer may be served. Many of the systems work only unidirectional. This means that the data can be transmitted in only one direction, from a transmitter to a receiver. A wireless system can only work reliably if the successful reception of information is acknowledged accordingly. For this purpose, two-way systems are required. In practice, increases the probability of successful transmission is often because the data frame is transmitted twice. In addition, you can live in the many conventional cases, in which a person is able to monitor the results immediately, with a certain unreliability. Did not open the garage door, for example, then the button is pressed stop again. Most systems are very simple radio technology, are often composed of discrete circuits and have a lot of space. An "intelligent" data exchange is not with such antiquated equipment in most cases. Wireless networks in the home operate mainly on the lower frequencies in the ISM bands (Industrial Scientific Medical) - in Europe, particularly in the bands at 433 and 868 MHz. Since here an extraordinary variety of devices, are not ruled out depending on the technical design problems of such radio systems.

[Anirvinya]

In addition, be stated that the entire market of home automation in recent years has lagged well behind expectations. It lacks the multi-vendor and the full value chain integration as well as market acceptance. Despite some technical limitations of wireless networks in the home have been identified during the new developments in recent years, significant qualitative and technological changes. In addition to the basic network topologies are now increasingly meshed well and multi-hop topologies used. In meshing are understood in relation to wireless networks, the ability for a device with all devices that are in its environment, can communicate directly. With a multi-hop ability has a device the ability to communicate between two end nodes, even if no direct radio link exists. must then be forwarded traffic from other intermediate nodes. For such a repeater or router functionality are necessary concepts. Thus, a radio network design includes a key added value, but also a marked increase in the complexity and costs. However, multi-hop topologies with bi-directional systems to good use as this "intelligent" communication between the devices is possible. In addition, through the use of receipts (Acknowledgements), as indeed in WLAN are provided, the reliability of data transfers between different radio systems can be increased significantly.

[Ransom]

The interoperability of systems is always placed greater attention. This requires not only identical air interfaces, but also identical application protocols advance. The standardization of such wireless systems has thus become increasingly important. In addition, the reliability is especially for the systems a major role, and communication between wireless nodes without human interaction with each other (machine-to-machine communication). More and more monolithic integrated radio chip (RF transceiver) are available at low cost. Besides the lower power consumption and smaller form factor, they usually allow a significant reduction of total costs. Such transceivers are now available in standard technology for ever higher frequencies. In particular, today 2.4-GHz radio can be integrated cost systems. In this way, more bandwidth available for wireless data exchange in the home area. At long last - and that was in the previous issues raised again and again, too - can be constructed with modern, highly integrated circuits, very low-cost systems. And so here is also the trivial principle that a technology applications in the more input place, the cheaper it can be realized.

[little-Jacqueline]

The forwarding of data with the help of repeaters or routers an essential element for the global deployment of wireless networks. This applies not only to the home, but also particularly on the applications of industrial and building automation.

First, the effective range of the systems increased. This is all the more important the higher the operating frequency of the systems. Because the propagation characteristics, especially in the so-called indoor area to deteriorate at higher frequencies at the same power levels. And today we are often annoyed enough about the range of the transmitter through walls and concrete floors in particular is clearly limited.

Second, you can increase by using autonomous routing algorithms and the reliability of wireless systems. If a radio link or an intermediate node is no longer available, the data packet to reach the destination node via an alternate path. This applies even if the direct path is no longer available. Known from very simple radio repeater systems concepts, the non-directional forward the traffic are realistic only for very small networks, since traffic in the network increases exponentially with the number of repeaters.

[Efigenio]

The development of efficient routing algorithms and protocols has already been a topic for research and development. In light of the ever varying application requirements in terms of real-time behavior, degree of coupling equipment, dynamism of the network reliability and security have been the manufacturer that is cost-effective systems for the development of new methods useful and necessary. The major semiconductor and system manufacturers have recognized the growing and promising market and have tried to get to on time in position. This also leads to more and more different technologies and approaches in an overall market activity rather confusing. Unfortunately, this is - based on the overall market - rather counterproductive, since the objective of unification of the networks and the accessible volume for the whole technology can not be achieved.