Sensors
In addition to the temperature, light, and pressure sensors needed for measuring ambient conditions, there is now increasing interest in air quality monitoring. Based upon numerous different detection methods, devices are being utilised to gauge CO2 figures, as well as determining the presence of volatile organic compounds. Advanced optoelectronics, such as infrared (IR) time-of-flight (ToF), may be used for checking the number of people in a given area, so that the air conditioning or other functions can be set correctly in response. There are increasing opportunities for radar in this context too. Both options will be more effective than the pyroelectric detectors previously used, which needed to detect movement for them to work. More sophisticated smoke sensors, based on spectral sensing, are able to recognise the type of smoke, whether it is from an actual fire or from cooking activities, thus preventing fire alarms going off unnecessarily in hotel or restaurant kitchens.
Connectivity
The foundation of many building automation systems will be wireline KNX infrastructure. In use for many years, this provides a highly versatile and streamlined form of connectivity for the control of lighting systems, shutters, door access mechanisms and ventilation systems, as well as the transfer of monitoring data from sensors. The emergence of single pair Ethernet (SPE) has great potential in home automation applications. This eliminates the need for multiple conductor pairs - making the greater convenience and added performance of Ethernet data transfer achievable while saving space, reducing costs and simplifying installation work. A wide range of KNX transceivers are available via EBV, and we are working with the leading component suppliers to help our customers implement SPE-based connectivity too.
Wi-Fi and BLE are clearly very effective ways of retrofitting next generation automation capabilities into existing building structures. BLE will generally be preferred in situations where low power operation means that installed equipment can run off batteries. Furthermore, the new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) protocol means that much higher data rates reaching multi-Gbps can now be supported. 2G/4G solutions will be the best option in cases where devices need to be independently connected to a wide area network (WAN). In addition to the various solutions from our franchise partners, EBV also offers highly optimised 2G/4G modules through our EBVChips custom semiconductor solutions service.
Easy to implement, without having to have separate cabling for data and power, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) also has considerable appeal, especially when assuring security is a priority. It is often used in surveillance systems, door access systems, and office lighting. At EBV, we stock devices relating to both the powered sourcing equipment (PSE) and the powered device (PD) side of PoE implementations. We also supply PoE routers.
For SPE installations, power can be delivered across single Ethernet conductor pairs by use of Power over Data Line (PoDL) technology. This is, once again, an area where we can offer extensive product and engineering support.
Increasing scope is being witnessed for BLE and UWB to be leveraged in the tracking of assets. These technologies may be applicable, for example, when it comes to keeping updated information on the location of equipment in large building complexes, such as hospitals. They might also offer location-based services to people when they are inside large building complexes such as shopping malls or sports stadia.
There is also the option of Li-Fi. As it cannot be hacked by parties externally, it can be employed in WLAN situations where higher levels of security are needed, in enterprise environments where the influence of malicious third parties must be safeguarded against.
Security
To accompany wireless hardware, it is increasingly important that secure element devices are included within home automation set-ups. Supplied through several EBV vendors, these will prevent security breach opportunities from arising. GDPR regulations mean that manufacturers need to be much more aware about the privacy information stored on IoT devices or other items of equipment. More stringent regulations are likely to emerge in the coming years, so it will be important to be fully prepared.
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