Building Automation with ASi

The advantages of AS-Interface have now become familiar in Building Automation as well. The following overview shows the simple, cost-saving installation, and the high degree of flexibility of this industrial networking solution for automation systems:

(Click to enlarge)

AS-Interface – Building Automation
Basic Concept of ASi
The Structure
ASi Network
ASi Features per Line
Masters/Gateways
Power Supplies
ASi Slaves
ASi Safety
Digital and Analog Input and Output Modules
Diagnostics/Circuit Extension
Benefits at a Glance

AS-Interface – Building Automation

The advantages of AS-Interface – such as simple, cost-saving installation and high degree of flexibility – have now become familiar in Building Automation as well. Numerous companies are relying on the ASi installation system for applications such as controlling fire and smoke damper systems, shutter drives or heating and cooling ceilings using analog output modules. Damper actuators with flow regulators can also be connected to the controller through the MP-Bus Gateway. It is also possible to process EnOcean signals from wireless buttons and sensors through ASi. Customer proximity is our hallmark, which means we stand by you in word and deed and are open to custom-tailored solutions. Just contact us.

To top

Basic Concept of AS-Interface

AS-Interface is an industrial networking solution for automation systems. It is designed for connecting simple field I/O devices such as binary ON/OFF, analog and safety I/O devices according to EN 50295, IEC 62023-2. Using only a two conductor flat or round cable (ASi cable, 2 x 1.5 mm2, 16 AWG) to connect all slaves to the master using a free topology. This is the main advantage of this system compared to conventional, parallel wiring, where every single signal has to be wired directly to the control system.

Data and power are available in the same ASi cable . Every slave or module has its own address for accessing its data. The slaves can be addressed from 1 to 31 (single slaves), or, with extended addressing, there are 62 slaves available (1A to 31A and 1B to 31B). Single slaves and modules with extended addressing (AB modules) can share the same network.

(Click to enlarge)

To top

The Structure

The ASi Master/Gateway controls the ASi network and acts as a direct link to the host (PLC, Building Management Systems, etc.). Combined with an integrated mini-PLC functionality the master can also be used for pre-processing or as a stand-alone device without the need for a host controller (programming language IL or C).

A Gateway is an ASi Master, and simultaneously a slave to higher level network ( PROFIBUS , EtherNet/IP , Modbus , etc.). AS-Interface is the lowest level of the automation pyramid intended for Actuator/Sensor networking.

Free Topology

ASi supports free topology such as Star, Ring, Linear, Tree and Mesh network (see examples below).

Tree topology

Ring topology

To top

Network

(Click to enlarge)

The simple and highly flexible ASi network bus is one of the great strengths of the system. The master/slave principle allows the use of any topology and features a variety of different field and control cabinet modules. Whatever the requirements in your building we make it possible to record both digital and analog values and control either type of actuator. Whether a ventilation flap with four digital and four analog outputs, an analog output module for controlling heating/cooling ceilings, or special equipment such as an MP-Bus or EnOcean gateways.

You can also process both ASi standard and ASi Safety (up to SIL3) data over the same ASi network. The data can be processed in the master or passed on to the higher level building management system through the fieldbus interface on the master.

To top

ASi Features per line

Medium

Unshielded two conductor flat cable *

Signal

Power Supply and data in one cable with max. 8 A

Number of Slaves per ASi line

up to 62

Number of I/O Binary

up to 248 Inputs and 248 Outputs

Number of I/O Analog

up to 124 Inputs or Outputs

Cycle Time

5 ms

Transmission Rate

167 kbit/second

Error Protection

Identification and repetition of faulty frames

Supported Topology

Tree, Star, Ring, Linear, Linear with taps and Mesh

Safety

Up to SIL 3, Category 4, PLe (EN 62061, EN 61508, EN ISO 13849-1, EN 954-1)

Cable Length

100 m (extensible up to 1000 m)

* Of course other cables, such as NYM-J or E90 cable, can also be used.

To top

Masters/Gateways

Gateways for linking to any Building Management System
Optionally with integrated controller (mini-PLC) also usable as stand-alone devices

(Click to enlarge)

1 Master
2 Masters
2 Masters, Version "1 Gateway, 1 power supply for 2 ASi network”

To top

Power Supplies

(Click to enlarge)

Single phase

3 phases

24 V to ASi

1,8 A, 2 A, 4 A, 8 A

Decoupling unit for 2 ASi networks

To top

ASi Slaves

Module for controlling damper actuators

(Click to enlarge)

For ventilation, fire and smoke dampers
Inputs for end position detection
Additional input e.g. for fire alarms
Output for controlling dampers
Supply of the drives from ASi or external 24 V

Module for increased safety requirements

(Click to enlarge)

For ventilation, fire and smoke dampers according to Swiss standard for soldered strut and fire alarms
Inputs for end position detection
Control up to SIL 3/Cat. 4/PLe
Supply of the drives from ASi or external 24 V

Module for controlling shutter drives

(Click to enlarge)

2 shutter drives (230 V AC) per module controllable
4 inputs for switches
For 4-/5-conductor-shutters
Trip-/position recognition

Relay Module for field applications (230V/24V)

MP-Bus Gateway

EnOcean ASi Wireless Module

(Click to enlarge)

Version with 2 relays and 4 inputs for e.g. damper actuators etc.
Version with 4 relays and 4 inputs for e.g. light, blower and fancoil control

(Click to enlarge)

Linking MP-Bus participants (e.g. flow regulators) to ASi
Integrated 230 V / 24 V power supply

(Click to enlarge)

For linking EnOcean wireless modules (e.g. pushbuttons, temperature sensors, window contacts, presence detectors) to ASi
Available in individual designs

To top

ASi Safety

Gateways with integrated Safety controller

(Click to enlarge)

ASi Safety Module to Control Fire/SmokeDamper Actuators (up to SIL 2)

(Click to enlarge)

Mixed Input / Output Modules
For floating contacts, OSSD outputs and safety mats
Electronic outputs
Relay outputs

(Click to enlarge)

Speed/Standstill monitoring

To top

Digital and Analog Input and Output Modules

In Stainless Steel, IP20

(Click to enlarge)

For example:

Digital 4I/4O
Digital 8I
Digital 8O
Relay outputs (230 V AC)

In surface-mounted box, IP54

(Click to enlarge)

For example:

2 analog (0-10 V) + 2 digital outputs for heating/cooling ceilings
Digital 4I/4O
Input Modules for CO2, relative humidity, etc.

Coated module for flush-mounted boxes

(Click to enlarge)

4 digital inputs for standard switches

Cabinet modules

(Click to enlarge)

4E/4A, 8E/8A
0/4...20 mA
0...10 V
Pt100, Pt1000
Thermocouples

M12 Field Modules, IP67

(Click to enlarge)

Digitale I/O Modules
Pt100, Pt1000
Analog I/O Modules

To top

Diagnostics/Circuit Extension

(Click to enlarge)

Analyser Bus Termination Tuner Repeater – optional with integrated Bus Termination

(Click to enlarge)

Diagnostic Software

To top

Benefits at a glance

Save hardware by reducing I/O cards, cabinets and wiring
Robust, globally standardized industrial bus with already more than 27 million installed nodes
Simple electronics with robust performance in industrial quality
Free choice of network topology
Quick installation, reduce maintenance and shorten testing time,fast commisioning and ability to expand the system
Easy commissioning, and opportunity to expand the system
Transmission in real-time
Avoid wiring errors (no risk of faulty electrical connection)
High resistance against EMC noise
Fast error localization, spontaneous diagnostics and enhanced diagnostic options

Compatibility

ASi is fully backwards compatible. This means that a master according to the last specification 3.0 can communicate with all existing slaves according to the different specifications 2.0, 2.11 and 3.0. This guarantees a future proof investment.