Wireless Sensor Networking for HVAC Networking

Commercial buildings continually seek opportunities to lower total cost of ownership for their HVAC systems while improving the efficiency of those HVAC systems to manage cost and optimize occupants’ comfort. Wireless networking lowers the installation costs of HVAC systems and enables different elements to be networked for improved monitoring and control.

Benefits to HVAC System OEMs

For OEMs and developers of HVAC systems, wireless sensor networking delivers:

• Lower total cost of HVAC ownership – The significant reduction in installed costs enables more controls, valves, and other devices to be networked into a single system without the cost and physical constraints associated with wiring.
• Increased HVAC system flexibility – With the elimination of wires, sensing and monitoring points can be easily moved around to accommodate customer property changes and build-outs.
• More HVAC data for better system management – Ease and lower cost of installation means that more sensing and monitoring points can be installed than in a wired environment, providing more data points to increase the effectiveness and granularity of control of the HVAC system.

Solutions for HVAC Networking

Millennial Net’s MeshScape system is ideally suited for HVAC networking applications. The hardware modules are easily integrated with sensor, actuator, and control devices and can be installed quickly and easily. The robust networking protocol provides redundant and scalable wireless mesh network out of the box.

Millennial Net has developed the MeshScape 4.0 product family for applications using devices that utilize RS-485 protocol and interfaces, eliminating the need for RS-485 cabling in the network. MeshScape 4.0 delivers:

• Building-automation focus – Provides out-of-the box support for features and functionality that are specific to building automation application requirements.
• Easy HVAC device integration – Existing devices with RS-485 interfaces can be integrated without any hardware or interface changes.
• Fast, cost-effective development – OEMs can focus development efforts on application functionality rather than device integration or networking software development.
  

HVAC Networking Applications

Millennial Net has collaborated with leading energy conservation solution providers to develop and install wireless thermostat products that are in use today in large bank branch offices, department stores, and other commercial building environments.

Wireless Sensor Networking for Reducing Installed Costs