Open Protocols: Communications Standard for Building Automation Systems

The need for interchangeability in equipment in Energy Management Systems as well as the integration of various building management systems, has spurred those purchasing and designing systems to support open protocols for such systems. Before such protocols are adopted, it is important for those in the industry to understand some of the advantages and disadvantages of the many alternatives - all the way from imbedding protocols into silicon to other hardware solutions. This book incorporates the views and recommendations of users, manufacturers and representatives of standards making groups. The presentations were made at two symposiums sponsored by Johnson Controls, Inc. and The Intelligent Buildings Institute. They are now being published in order to make those associated with the building and energy management industries aware of the issues in what one participant described as the hottest topic in the industry today - open protocols.