Here in the greater Chicago area, like elsewhere in the United States, many commercial buildings already have fairly advanced building-automation networks in place. At work, for example, when I meet with colleagues, the lights turn on as soon as we enter the conference room and turn off again after we leave. I’ve also been in buildings that automatically close heat registers at the end of the business day, and others that use sensors to lower blinds when the sun is at its brightest, or turn on the air conditioning when the outdoor temperature hits a certain point. These automated features save energy while making the workplace more comfortable and more productive.
The growing use of automation in new and reconstructed commercial buildings is due, in large part, to the push for greener, more energy-efficient construction. In California, it’s now mandatory that commercial buildings comply with Title 24 , which calls for automated lighting, heating and cooling functions. Many states have opted to follow the California guidelines, while others have chosen to use the recommendations of ASHRAE 90.1 , a set of minimum requirements for energy-efficient buildings, published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, in Atlanta.
Both standards recommend the use of technology, such as sensors and wired or wireless connectivity, to save energy while enhancing work environments. Sensors help regulate operation by monitoring things like motion, temperature, and light levels and connectivity makes it possible for devices to communicate with each other and the control network. Wired connectivity , in the form of DALI, DMX512 and KNX networks, is a popular choice for automated lighting systems and, such as WiFi, Bluetooth and ZigBee, make the installation, deployment and operation of sensor-equipped devices just that much easier.
What I’ve noticed is that the techniques specified by standards like
Title 24 and ASHARE 90.1 are influencing more than just commercial buildings.
I think it’s because when people have the experience of working in
automated environments, they’re more likely to start wanting similar
levels of comfort, convenience and even productivity at home, too. More and
more people are installing automated appliances, such as thermostats that
learn preferences, sensor-controlled lights and window shades that can be
controlled with a smartphone.
Home and building automation (HABA) is a segment of the Internet of Things
(IoT), and, as such, is a pretty hot topic these days. A growing number of
companies are making building-automation products available for the home
market – just walk into your local do-it-yourself store or electronics
warehouse, and you’ll find lots of options. Most these options had
their start in commercial environments.
We’re still in the early days of smart home devices, but it won’t be long before our homes really live up to the name “smart,” using automation to make life easier, more efficient and more enjoyable. Pretty soon, I’ll walk into my living room, and the room will know it’s me. The lights will immediately set to the combination I like best – with just the right level of brightness and color rendering – my favorite music will start playing, and the room temperature will adjust to match my level of activity. All these things are possible today. What’s needed now is a bit of ingenuity to make the technologies work together, for a seamless user experience – at work or at home.
NXP’s ZigBee home automation guide
ZigBee Home Automation User Guide
NXP Bluetooth Smart connectivity
Bluetooth® Smart/Bluetooth Low Energy
NXP solutions for Wired connectivity
Wired connectivity
Roman Budek has been working with wireless technologies for more than 10 years. At NXP, he looks at ways of using wireless to enhance smart energy, consumer, and lighting applications. He has a BSEE form the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
