Free Topology (FT) is the most cost-effective, highest-performance solution for industrial wired networks compared to alternatives including RS-485 and Ethernet. Not only is it easy and inexpensive to install, it can also significantly improve network communication speed and reliability, and now supports multiple protocols for incredible integration flexibility. In addition to LON, FT now supports BACnet – the most widely adopted industrial IoT protocol. It’s no wonder FT is the favorite solution of its many devotees. Why not evaluate the FT architecture for your projects today?
Evaluate FT Smart Transceiver using mikroBUS™-compatible FT Click board!
- Benefits for OEMs: Open systems solution over easy-to-install media
- Ability to mix devices and applications from different vendors for instantaneous, decentralized peer-to-peer communications
- Freedom to install devices in any network topology, free from noise and installation errors, using a single installation tool that can accommodate any system, whether installing a BACnet or LON device
- Ability to select from the widest range of product ecosystems including BACnet and LON certified devices
- Benefits for Integrators: Open systems solution over easy-to-install media
- Ability to mix devices and applications from different vendors for instantaneous, decentralized peer-to-peer communications
- Freedom to install devices in any network topology, free from noise and installation errors, using a single installation tool that can accommodate any system, whether installing a BACnet or LON device
- Ability to select from the widest range of product ecosystems including BACnet and LON certified devices
Free Topology
Related Evaluation Boards
MikroBUS™ Compatible Interface Module
Open Systems IP Communication and Control SoC for BACnet and LON over Free Topology (FT) Media
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We’re revolutionizing field integration for Building Automation and Industrial Control
Renesas' FT 6050 Smart Transceiver system-on-chip (SoC) now natively supports LON®, LON/IP, BACnet/IP and BACnet MS/TP protocol stacks along with simple messaging protocols – uniquely enabling the protocols to communicate simultaneously over the highly reliable and widely-adopted FT channel.
The FT 6050 will modernize and simplify automation and control networks, especially in smart buildings. Its unique and powerful open systems approach allows BACnet workstations and LON network manager and integrator tools to natively field-configure, provision and monitor controllers as either LON or BACnet devices or both. This enables a flexible architecture that combines the best of both worlds, all while taking advantage of FT.
Freedom of Choice and a Best-of-Breed Architecture
The ability to have native BACnet and LON communication on the same network fundamentally changes the way building automation systems can be architected. Solutions providers can mix devices and applications from different vendors, leading to instantaneous, decentralized peer-to-peer communications for myriad IoT use cases such as office and room controls, HVAC and energy management, security and access control systems, elevator controls and space management.
Building managers and operators also benefit by having a uniform management architecture from their workstations or building management system (BMS) applications to the network of devices, thus standardizing the workflow for managing complex systems.
The FT 6050 smart transceiver SoC offers system integrators the freedom to install devices in any network topology, free from noise and installation errors, using a single installation tool that can accommodate any system, whether they are installing a BACnet or LON device. With the FT 6050, integrators can respond more easily to project specifications, spend less effort on integration and focus on delivering value-added applications and solutions.
Free Topology also eliminates expensive home run wiring, or daisy-chaining limitations, and eliminates heavy IT involvement and cyber security risks of using Ethernet while providing superior reliability and scalability.
Bigger, Better, Faster Networks with FT Media
The performance and total cost of ownership of BACnet networks is significantly improved when running over FT compared to traditional MS/TP media:
- BACnet/FT leads to better performance, doubling the throughput compared to MS/TP.
- FT significantly reduces installation time and costs with simpler polarity-insensitive wiring that enables creation of complex networks that are less error prone, more fault tolerant and have high noise immunity.
- FT lets integrators create larger, more complex control scenarios with more devices, longer wire runs and virtually no wiring topology limitations; supports bus, star, loop or any combination of topology simplifying future expansion.
- FT enables much faster, more reliable site commissioning – with built-in electrical isolation, there is no possibility of hard-to-diagnose site issues arising from mixing of manufacturer’s differing isolation policies; automatic addressing further speeds commissioning.
- FT is an industry-wide adopted connectivity standard, and can operate over any unshielded twisted-pair wiring or Cat 5 cabling.