WebAccess communications driver integrates devices using Echelon® LON

Broadwin Technology Inc. announces the release of the LNS communication driver for use with devices using LonWorks based communications from Echelon and other smart device manufacturers. WebAccess HMI & SCADA automation software communicates directly to an LNS server.

The protocol underlying LonWorks networks and the signaling technology used by Echelon's power line and free topology transceivers have been adopted as standards by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). LonWorks (commonly called LON) is found in the Building Automation and Facilities Automation industries. LonWorks enabled processors have been shipped for use in homes, buildings, factories, trains, and other systems worldwide.

Broadwin WebAccess is the first fully Web browser-based software package for industrial and building automation front-ends, Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

Using a standard Web-Browser, users can view and control automation equipment used in manufacturing facilities, industrial process plants and building automation systems.

"Organizations with multiple locations find it a major challenge to integrate the various communications types used in Building Automation. A single user interface to devices using LON, BacNet, and other protocols is required to predict energy costs, ensure security, and increase operational efficiency," said Tom Carter, Broadwin's WebAccess Product Manager. "As Facilities Engineers and Managers try to monitor dozens of locations, it becomes clear that WebAccess SCADA is paramount to success – one that meets the need for a scalable, open infrastructure capable of integrating all the networking pieces together through one single enterprise system. We are looking closely at Echelon's LONtalk and LNS Server is another platform integrated into Broadwin's WebAccess to help meet that need."

Key Features of WebAccess HMI & SCADA include:

Web browser for User access to LNS systems using full animation.
Integrate mixed communications protocols (LonWorks, BACNet, Modbus, and more) into a single user interface.
Built-in Alarming.
Email Notification of Alarms.
Integrated Video.
Scheduler.
Trending, Data Logging, and Scheduled Reports.
Multi-Layer Security.
Fully Scaleable Web application with Management Tools.
Object Oriented Vector-based Graphics.
Fastest Display and Communications performance.
Robust, Redundant SCADA Nodes and Communication Ports.

Full Animation Client

WebAccess uses Active-X technology to provide real-time data, trends and full-animation graphics. The WebAccess Client is available for desktop computers and laptops running Microsoft 32-bit operating system including Windows 98, ME, 2000, 2003, XP Home and XP Professional.

Thin Client

The Web Access thin client interface is compatible with on all 32-bit Microsoft Operating systems including Microsoft Windows CE, 95, 98, ME, 2000, 2003, XP Home and XP Professional.

SCADA Node

WebAccess SCADA node software communicates in real-time with automation equipment via Serial, Ethernet or proprietary communications. WebAccess communications drivers are the fastest available and provide communications with a wide range of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Single Loop Controllers, Direct Digital Control Systems (DDC), Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and IO (input / Output) systems. The WebAccess SCADA Node software is available for desktop computers and laptops running Microsoft 32-bit operating system including Windows CE, Server 2003, 2000 Professional, 2000 Server, XP Professional and XP Embedded.

Project Node

The WebAccess Project Node is an ordinary Web Server using Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Server), a standard option in Windows 2000 Professional, 2000 Server, XP Professional and XP Embedded.

About Echelon Corporation

Echelon Corporation is the creator of the LonWorks platform, the world's most widely used standard for connecting everyday devices such as appliances, thermostats, air conditioners, electric meters, and lighting systems to each other and to the Internet. Echelon's hardware and software products enable manufacturers and integrators to create smart devices and systems that lower cost, increase convenience, improve service, and enhance productivity, quality, and safety. Echelon is also a founding member of the LonMark® Interoperability Association, an open industry forum of hundreds of leading manufacturers, integrators, and users dedicated to promoting the use of interoperable LonWorks devices. More information is available at http://www.lonmark.org. Echelon, i.LON, LonWorks, LonMark, the LonMark logo and the Echelon logo are trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and other countries. Further information regarding Echelon can be found at http://www.echelon.com.

About BroadWin Technology

BroadWin Technology, Inc., headquartered in San Ramon, California, is the innovative supplier of industrial automation software, with installations worldwide. The company recently introduced WebAccess, the industry’s first fully web browser-based software package for human-machine interfaces (HMI), and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). Internet Explorer 6.0 supports all features of WebAccess. For more information, visit BroadWin’s web site at http://www.BroadWin.com.

BroadWin Software Powers eAutomation