Making the leap from isolated legacy building control systems to a unified automation platform has its challenges. Leading the list are high installation costs and integration difficulties, as the process of networking previously siloed systems and IIoT devices can be a monumental task depending on the size, expanse and bandwidth of your existing infrastructure.
In the case of older facilities, pre-existing two-wire or single-pair cabling can be a concept killer as the cost of ripping and replacing infrastructure can be very expensive and disruptive to daily operations. But there is a viable, practical and cost-effective alternative — 10BASE-T1L or IEEE 802.3cg, T1L SPE technology — or simply T1L.
A game changer for building automation
T1L provides reliable 10Mbps long-distance connectivity ideal for numerous building automation, manufacturing and industrial network infrastructure applications where IIoT edge devices may be installed at long distances from their control points. T1L reduces cabling complexity and cost by leveraging existing infrastructure and eliminating repeaters, enabling enhanced data transmission and power distribution to support virtually any type or number of edge devices across myriad types of system management and control platforms.
There are value-added advantages to T1L for building automation applications. For starters, it allows you to utilize existing SPE infrastructure with virtually no sacrifices in performance. T1L is also ideal for long distance connectivity with range up 1km (1000m/3280’) without the use of repeaters – another cost saving attribute. It also allows point to point IIoT integration where each edge device can have a unique IP address, which is critical for remote management and status reporting of connected devices. T1L 10Mbps long-distance connectivity also supports advanced data collection applications and devices. And last but not least, T1L is a low voltage solution making it safe for highly volatile environments that may house combustibles.
Where and why T1L makes a difference
T1L is proving to be highly effective and cost-efficient across a myriad commercial and industrial facilities. Some specific examples where T1L transmission solutions can be leveraged to transform legacy building infrastructure into smart building infrastructure include:
Building management and automation systems can cost effectively and efficiently monitor and control numerous mechanical and electrical systems to reduce operating costs, enhance occupant comfort and convenience and streamline maintenance. T1L can help accomplish this in facilities with legacy infrastructure through the use of smart utility meters, occupancy and environmental sensors and various remote input/output devices that can be remotely managed via T1L networked systems.
Display and messaging systems are increasingly being deployed for applications ranging from wayfinding in large facilities to corporate imaging and advertising. This requires the deployment of dynamic imaging systems ranging from LED signage, monitors and boards to interactive kiosks, public address and emergency notification systems — the majority of which can be deployed over conventional SPE using T1L data networks.
Warehousing and logistics operations continue to grow in numbers and size driven by the growth of on-line retail. More than simply vast warehouse space, logistics centers demand advanced solutions to monitor, track and manage inventory flow. This requires the use of complex wired and wireless infrastructure to support numerous types of devices and sensors including barcode scanners, radio frequency identification (RFID) asset tracking systems, conveyor systems, dock door systems and more. T1L provides an affordable pathway to transform large open warehouse spaces into smart logistics centers over existing two-wire or single-pair cabling/infrastructure.
Manufacturing and industrial automation systems play a critical role in driving and sustaining the global economy, yet many facilities still rely on legacy two-wire control infrastructure. Whether its agriculture, irrigation, pump stations, water/wastewater treatment, utility monitoring or some other form of industrial edge environment, today’s building automation systems require advanced infrastructure to operate at peak efficiency. Even as new construction and renovations proliferate, many facilities are wired with legacy SPE cabling. T1L technology allows these facilities to upgrade fast and affordably using T1L technology to accommodate a wide variety of logic controllers, process sensors, motor controls, actuators, remote monitoring sensors/systems and more.
Lighting management and control can now be seen across virtually every city skyline across the country. perhaps one of the most iconic examples is New York City’s Empire State Building, which changes colors every night to commemorate special events, holidays, and even sports. From a more practical perspective, lighting control for commercial offices, warehouses, parking lots, pathway and emergency lighting systems can help to enhance almost any environment, increase safety and reduce overhead expenses and carbon footprints.
People movers like elevators, escalators and moving walkways (also called autowalks or travelators) are critical for flow management everywhere from shopping malls to mass transportation terminals to office and residential properties. T1L provides an affordable means to network all types of people movers to centralized building management systems in older facilities that lack modern infrastructure. This allows building management admins to better monitor and manage the operation of all people mover systems, improving safety and security, user convenience, and cost-efficiency.
HVAC management and control systems are perhaps the most prolific example of T1L’s utility for energy management and cost-containment. T1L enables the connection of new and existing HVAC controllers, thermostats, sensors and remote monitoring devices using legacy SPE infrastructure. This provides facility management with the ability to maintain internal environmental conditions in specific locations based on their specific requirements. For example, to keep server rooms cool, areas where vegetation may be located more humid, and pharma storage areas dry while maintaining common work areas based on their occupancy.
Business Intelligence / Analytics solutions can integrate with an organization's systems to collect myriad sources of data from previously disparate building systems, providing new insights for analysis and planning. T1L contributes to an organization’s business intelligence by enabling the connection of various systems and devices using legacy SPE infrastructure, which would otherwise require the cost and disruption of daily operations to rip and replace all of the legacy cabling throughout an entire facility.
Upgrading pre-existing two-wire or single-pair cabling can be disruptive to daily operations, but T1L technology offers a practical and cost-effective alternative. T1L media converter/ adapters provide a fast, easy and cost-effective way to upgrade legacy cabling into high-performance T1L network infrastructure.
