Building automation
Communication Systems with EIB/KNX, LON and BACnet

by Hermann Merz, Thomas Hansemann and Christof Hübner

An ever-increasing number of processes are being automated in our modern industrial society.

The level of automation in residential and commercial buildings is also steadily increasing due to the demand for more comfort, convenience, security, and efficiency.

Building automation has become an integral part of automation engineering and offers customized solutions for operators and users of all types of buildings.

The sensors, actuators, controllers/regulators, and control panels used in building automation operate remotely. To execute their complex functions, they require dedicated industrial communication systems that enable them to exchange data in the form of messages over both field buses and networks.
This book will provide you with an in-depth introduction to building automation and automation engineering as well as the field buses and networks used:
• Chapter 1 will introduce you to building automation
• Chapter 2 explains the basics of industrial communication systems (field buses
and networks)
• Chapter 3 discusses European Installation Bus/Konnex (EIB/KNX)
• Chapter 4 covers the local operating network (LON) in detail
• Chapter 5 will introduce you to the communication protocol BACnet

The chapters on KNX, LON, and BACnet start by explaining the basics of building automation using practical examples (lighting, heating, air conditioning, and ventilating), before showing you how these systems are used to execute functions in a building through the transfer of information.

Building automation is the result of the Bachelor and Master programs offered by us from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Mannheim, Germany. We thank our students for all their questions and the fruitful discussions that took place during lectures and laboratory sessions.