New-Tech Europe Magazine | September 2018

collaboration with voice, unified communications and data services to significantly boost business productivity. Convergence Possibilities However, all this will require a holistic approach to integrating new technologies to realize the vision for smart buildings. Undoubtedly, convergence into a single system will be fundamental to the digital transformation of buildings. This has traditionally been the biggest barrier to realizing the full potential of a digital building. But convergence has to be implemented at the technology layer, including both wired and wireless communications, as well as at the protocol layer. Networks widely used in buildings will typically be based on a variety of communications technologies including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/BLE, Zigbee and Z-Wave, as well as wired options such as Ethernet or RS485 and other serial lines. However, IP-based protocols such as CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) offers a standard protocol for lighting and other typical building services. It is driving convergence in the IoT (Internet of Things) and in the areas of smart energy and building automation. In addition, convergence to IP technologies such as Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is also is fast growing, especially with the development of standards including IEEE802.3.bt and Cisco’s Universal PoE (UPOE). The UPOE standard, for example, provides up to 60W per port, which supports approximately 90 percent of industry lighting requirements for indoor buildings, as well as high-luminosity applications in retail

and manufacturing environments. When historically dumb devices such as lights for example are equipped with sensors to become IP network endpoints, they can become collectors that deliver information on occupancy and usage, or environmental data such as temperature or humidity levels. This type of innovation in low-voltage PoE LED lighting, for example, is accelerating the transformation of building systems by decreasing installation and operating costs, via the implementation of smart automated systems that offer features such as daylight harvesting, motion detection and smart shut-off. In addition, energy savings delivered using LED and PoE technologies can help developers and owners of buildings meet building codes such as the International Energy Conservation Code. Cisco’s Approach One important approach in the industry comes from Cisco with its recently announced ‘Digital Ceiling’ framework initiative offering advanced building technologies and solutions. Essentially, it is designed to make building smarter through optimized lighting, increased automation and the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to converge standalone systems into one IP-based platform. The company’s first step has been the launch of its Catalyst Digital Building Series Switch. The product has been designed specifically for powering and connecting multiple standalone building subsystems – such as lighting, air conditioning, temperature control, and security systems – onto a single unified low-voltage and IP-based Power- over-Ethernet network that can deliver high levels of security, as well as easy installation and management. A key feature of the device is its interoperability – the product is based on CoAP, which Figure 1: Microchip’s PIC18 based Power-over-Ethernet main board

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