m
 m 

m

 

 


m
  
 

 
´ Introduction
´ Openness in control systems
´ Overview of LonWorks
´ LonWorks Design Concepts
´ LonWorks Architecture
´ LonTalk Protocol
´ Network Management Tools
´ Interoperability
´ Applications
´ Conclusion
´ Suppliers and Users
´ Bibliography

 

A technology initiated by the Echelon Corporation in

1990, the LonWorks provides a platform for building industrial,
transportation, home automation and public utility control
networks to communicate with each other. Built on the Local
Operating Network, it uses the LonTalk protocol, in order to
have a peer to peer communication with each other, without
actually having a gateway or other hardware.





 m
´ Êateways are often used to connect systems from different
manufacturers
´ They act as an interface between proprietary control systems, allowing
equipment using different proprietary protocols, communication speeds,
and/or data formatting to exchange data.
´ There are three classifications of protocols: closed, open, and standard.
´ Historically, designs have been protected by their manufacturer, which
have resulted in very little cooperation and far less interoperability.
´ Though, in the interest of promoting vendor independence, the market
has been pressuring vendors to pursue designs that are more open.
´ These range from designs that merely support coexistence on the same
network to designs that support full interchangeability.
   m
 
´ Components:
a) Local Control nodes: monitor and control the operation of attached sensors and/or
actuators
b) Supervisory nodes: collect and pass data from one or more local control nodes
c) Network management tools: used to logically address nodes, configure them, and
bind their network variables
d) Routers: provide transparent connectivity between two LonWorks network channels

´ Echelon Corporation:
a) Echelon Corporation, based in Palo Alto, California, was founded in 1988 by the co-
founders of Apple Computer and ROLM Corporation (A.C. Markkula and
M.Kenneth Oshman, respectively).
b) develops and markets hardware components and software development tools targeted
at original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and systems integrators (SI)
   m
 !
´ Application & distributed channels:
a) Fundamental to the LonWorks design is its support of multi-vendor control products
communicating across different types of transmission media in a single system.
b) LonWorks provides a highly functional control networking scheme to meet the
special needs of a widely diverse collection of application purposes

´ LONMARK:
The LonMark certification is granted through the LonMark Association, which is a
large, relatively independent organization of manufacturers, suppliers, and end users
from around the world.
 m
  



LonWorks would become the standard platform on which control system devices
could communicate on a peer-to-peer fashion to monitor sensors, control actuators, and
provide complete access to control system data.
A. LAN Vs LON
B. LonTalk Protocol
C. Smart devices
D. Network Architecture

The overall LonWorks design approach is to:

´ Define the nodes required in the system.
´ Define the relationships between the nodes.
´ Develop the application-specific programming for each node, which defines its behavior.
 m

´ In a networking scheme, where peer-to-
peer communications is used, each
computer on the LAN has equal
responsibility for initiating, maintaining,
and terminating a session.
´ designed to move large amounts of data
from one computer to another over a
network connection.
´ performance of a LAN is viewed in
terms of throughput, which is the
amount of data transferred from one
location to another, and it is often
measured in megabits per second
(Mbps).
m

´ LonWorks structure is similar to a LAN
in that computers or nodes on a common
network share data continually using
peer-to-peer communications.
´ Designed to transmit sensing and control
messages, which are typically very short
& relate specifically to monitoring real-
time status & triggering a control action.
´ Performance is not measured in terms of
throughput, but in terms of completed
transactions per second and response
time.
´ m"#$%
&"'""$(
a) LON is a control system field bus, allows intelligent devices, such as actuators and sensors, to
share data directly, using a standard protocol, known as m"#$%.
b) Allows intelligence and communication capabilities to be embedded into individual control
devices that can be connected together through a variety of transmission media including
twisted pair data cable, existing power lines, radio frequency (RF), coax, fiber, and others.
c) The core of this embedded intelligence is a mixture of hardware and firmware on device known
as a
)&"# *, which is an integrated circuit manufactured under license by Cypress,
Motorola, and Toshiba.
d) Almost 10 million Neuron chips have been shipped since 1992 on devices from Echelon and
roughly 4,000 other manufacturers worldwide.
e) The Neuron chip implements the LonTalk protocol and performs a variety of local
sensing and control functions.
´ &'+,-(
a) Each node contains a Neuron chip, a power supply, and a communications transceiver.
b) The communications transceiver couples the Neuron chip to the transmission medium and the
Neuron contains the firmware and software required for sending, receiving, and acting upon a
variety of control signals.
c) Each node has a physical ID, a timer, a computation unit, device controllers, I/O ports, and
communications and control software.
d) Each node is a rather sophisticated computer
 Fully distributed
control system
Centralized control
system

emi ± distributed
control system
 m
  / 
$#'- ,&,.(
The LonWorks technology includes all of the elements required to design,
develop, and deploy control system networks. These include:

1. The Neuron Chip

2. LonTalk protocol
3. LonWorks communications transceivers and network interface
4. Network management tools

As part of the LonWorks technology, Echelon has defined and provides much of
the infrastructure needed to implement these networks.
a

*(
The central component of an Echelon node is the Neuron chip. Each Neuron chip
contains three 8-bit, in-line CPUs, on-board memory, eleven general-purpose I/O pins, and a
complete interoperable implementation of the LonTalk protocol. In fact, on Neuron-based
nodes, the Neuron chip alone does the vast majority of the work performed by the node.
Except for the power supply, I/O devices, and some of the transceiver functions, all work
performed by the node is done by the Neuron chip.
´
'."&%*''&)')&-(

&"--#0#'-(
´ The  *&"--"& drives the communications subsystem. It communicates with the Network
Processor using network buffers located in shared memory.
´ The
'."&%
&"--"& handles network variable processing, addressing, authentication, network
management, and more. It communicates with the MAC processor using network variables and
with the Application Processor using application buffers.
´ The **$'"#
&"--"& executes user-written code together with operating system services
called by that code. Applications code is primarily written in Neuron-C, which is a derivative of the
ANSI C language optimized for LonWorks-based distributed control applications.

'."&% 0(how the node appears to all other nodes on the network. It contains address
assignments, binding information, message tags, parameters & configuration variables.
"#'$( an entry for every domain to which a node belongs.
++&--'$( defines the network addresses to which a node can send messages & network
variables. It also defines to which node it belongs.
· Êroup addressing

· Subnet/node address

· Broadcast addressing

'."&%,&$'$-(It has three associated tables.

·
'."&%&$"#10)&'"#'$( located in EEPROM, can be modified &
becomes part of the network image written to the node during installation.
·
'."&%&$ $-'$( located in EEPROM
·
'."&%&$ 2+'$( located in ROM, it is part of the application image
written at the time the device is downloaded.
´ /"-'+
"+-(
Nodes that off-load the application layer to a separate host processor are referred to
as "-'+ #"+-. Three different communications interface modules are available:
· &"*&"--"& #'&1
&"0& 3
4( This module supports custom

network interfaces.
· 
'."&% &,- &,& 3
4 #0#( This module is used in the LNS
architecture to process network services, maintain the network database, and
enable and coordinate multiple points of (PC) access.
·
'."&% &,- #'&1 3
 4( This module is used in the LNS

architecture to provide connectivity to the LonWorks network from multiple

clients.
´ &#-,&- + #+
'."&% "*"$"0
In addition to the Neuron chip, LonWorks devices require one of several
transceiver modules for communications. the most versatile and popular transceiver
is the FTT-10 Free Topology transceiver, which supports twisted pair, unshielded,
polarity-insensitive, peer-to-peer communications at 78 Kbps.
 
m   5m 


 /
 /
´ The maximum number of nodes per
segment is 64.
´ The maximum node-to-node distance is
1640 feet (500m) when using Belden
85102 cable or 1312 feet (400m) when
using Belden 8471.
´ The maximum total cable length is 1640
feet (500m) unless you use TIA
Category 5 cable, in which case total
wire length cannot exceed 1476 feet
(450m).
´ One 52.3 ohm (0.25W, 1%) termination
resistor is required in each segment. If
you install a repeater and another
segment, you need to install a
termination resistor in that segment.
G
 
´ The maximum number of nodes per
segment is 64.
´ The maximum total bus length depends
on the wire size.
´ The maximum stub length is 9.8 feet
(3m). A stub is a piece of cable that is
wired between the node and the bus²if
the bus is wired directly to the node,
there is no stub.
´ Two 105 ohm (0.25W, 1%) termination
resistors are required in each segment.
One resistor must be located at each
end of the bus.

´ ##$-( describe the physical medium to which a node is attached and the transceiver type it uses to
communicate. Every LonWorks node is physically connected to a channel. The physical form of a channel
depends on the medium. Multiple channel types are connected by routers.
´ ")'&-(
· Routers are used to manage network message traffic, extend the physical size of a channel (both in terms of
length and the number of devices attached), and to connect channels that use different media (transceiver
types).
· A ñ
 ñ ññ 

  ñ
   
    ñ
 
· A |ñ ññ   

  ñ
   
    ñ
  the packet is sent on a
domain to which the bridge belongs. In a single domain network, a bridge functions much like a repeater.
· A
ñ  ñ ñ   ñ  


   ññ |    ñ ñ tables²if no members of
a group are on the far side of the router, a message addressed to that group is not forwarded. This type of
router is often recommended since it optimizes network traffic. Configured routers have their routing tables
stored in non-volatile memory and thus are retained after a reset.
· A ñ ñ ñ  
ñ  ñ ñ   ñ  


   ññ based on internal routing
tables. Learning routers have their routing tables in volatile memory, so that after reset the router must relearn
its network topology.
´ m"#"&%-
'."&% #'&1(
Standard network interfaces are available to support direct and remote connection between a workstation running
LonWorks-aware software and the LonWorks network. The workstation connects to the LonWorks network (as a
node) using an Echelon LonTalk adapter, also known as an
 3
'."&% &,- #'&14 . is available
in a variety of form factors depending on the channel type used, the architecture of the PC bus, and the functions
that are to be performed by the PC.
m
 m
   m
´ m"0$ ++&--#0(
In the process known as #'."&%#0#', software is used to associate the node's unique 48-bit
Neuron ID to a logical domain, subnet, and node number.
The components of a logical address include:
 "#²Nodes must be on the same domain to communicate, but if different network
applications exist on the same transmission medium, different domain identifiers can be used to
keep the applications separate.
 )#'² The second level of addressing is the subnet. A subnet is a logical grouping of up to 127
nodes from one or more channels. Each domain can have up to 255 subnets.

"+ ++&--²Each node must have a unique node number on a subnet. Up to 127 nodes can
exist on a subnet.
The transmission medium (channel) does not affect the way a node is logically addressed. Domains can
contain several channels as can subnets and groups.
")'#0--0-(
· A router or bridge is a special purpose node that contains two Neuron chips and transceivers, each
connected to a separate channel.
· A physical layer repeater is the simplest form of a router, merely forwarding all packets it
receives. Using a repeater, a subnet can exist across multiple channels.
· A bridge forwards messages for a given domain ID. Using a bridge, a subnet can exist across
multiple channels.
· A learning router monitors network traffic and learns the topology at the domain/subnet level and
it uses that knowledge to selectively route packets between channels.
´ ")#'"#-&,-(
The LonTalk protocol offers four basic types of message service.
 %#".$+0+ &,( messages are sent to a node or a group of nodes, and individual
acknowledgements are expected from each receiving node.
 6)-'7-*"#- &,( it is the same as the acknowledged service, except a response is
sent rather than an acknowledgement.
 *'+ &,( this service sends a message to a node or a group of nodes multiple times (n
times at intervals of m milliseconds) and expects no response.
 #%#".$+0+ &,( the message is sent one time and no response is expected.

´ "$$-"#''"#(
All networking protocols use a media access control algorithm to allow devices to determine when they can
safely send a packet of data. The LonTalk protocol implements a unique collision avoidance algorithm that
allows an overloaded channel to carry close to its maximum capacity, rather than have its performance degrade
due to excessive collisions.
a. Optionally cancels transmission of a packet as soon as a collision is detected, and
b. Waits a random period of time before attempting to retransmit.
´ &-(
There are several timers used with the LonWorks messaging service. Typically, these timers are automatically
configured by a network management tool. Also known as $& 8 '&-, these include:
a. Free Buffer Wait Timer
b. Transaction Timer
c. Êroup and Non-Êroup Receive Timers
d. Repeat Timer
´ *'"#$*&"&'(
The protocol allows the user to allocate priority time slots on a channel dedicated to priority nodes
and because there is no contention for the medium during the priority portion of a packet cycle,
those packets realize improved response time over non-priority nodes.
´ )'#''"#(
Authentication is the process used to verify the integrity of a transmitted message.
Authentication is achieved by distributing 48-bit keys to the nodes at installation, with a sender
and receiver of an authenticated message both requiring the same key.
The authentication process includes the following steps:
1. A message requiring authentication is sent.

2. The receiving node challenges the sending node to provide authentication information. Each
time a challenge is made, the receiving node uses a random 64-bit challenge number.
3. The sending node uses its authentication key and the data from the original message to
transform the challenge message, and then it responds. The receiving node transforms the
challenge message, as did the sending node. The receiving node compares the result of its
transformed message with the value received from the sending node. If both match, the
message is accepted.
4. The receiving node sends an acknowledgement to the sending node.

 

 m
Network management tools typically provide graphical, applications-oriented views of the system and allow the user to
develop control solutions in that environment. This protects the user from the specific complexities of the underlying
technology as they design, commission, manage, and maintain LonWorks networks. Network management tools often
provide the following:
· Device programming

· Device installation and configuration

· Device monitoring and control

· Êeneral purpose support

´ -' ,&,.(
The major functional areas of a LonWorks system include the following:

'."&% +'-²A collection of information about the nodes that exist on the network including
name, Neuron ID, program ID, network image, and so on.

'."&% #0#'²The services that are needed to install and maintain nodes on the network.
 **$'"# *&"0&#0²Software that is used to create Neuron-C code that is loaded into a
programmable device, which defines its control logic.
 -& #'&1²Human/machine interface used to monitor and control LonWorks devices.

'."&% #'&1²That which provides connectivity for each node on the network.
´
'."&% #0#' &,-(
i. Network management functions typically include:
ii. Discovering new nodes as they are physically attached to the network.
iii. Network configuration and commissioning of nodes.
iv. Receiving service pin messages.
v. Importing node self-documentation and self-identification information.
vi. Importing node external interface files.
vii. Copying configuration network variable values from one node to another.
viii. Installing, removing, and replacing nodes.
ix. Connecting and disconnecting network variables and message tags.
x. Loading application images into nodes.
xi. Querying and setting node properties, such as locations, priority slots, self documentation, and network
variable attributes
xii. Resetting, winking, and testing nodes
´ m"#"&%-
'."&% #-'$$'"#( determines how each device will be ultimately used in the system and
establishes the relationships between it and other devices on the network.
´
'."&% '-( The database contains comprehensive descriptions of all network devices including
channels, routers, nodes, network variables, binding information, and more.
´ **$'"#
&"0&#0( LonWorks application programming tools provide a graphical development
environment that allows the user to create control strategies, compile that logic into Neuron-C, then download it
into programmable controllers on the network. LonWorks devices come in varying degrees of programmability
including:
 "#10)&$ ,-9 These devices are application-specific, in that they come from the manufacturer
with an application, but require some degree of customization.

&"0&$ ,-9Also known as 0#&$ *)&*"- "#'&"$$&-, these devices are provided with
only the code that is necessary to enable I/O²actual control logic must be created with a software tool.
 /&+ ,-²Hybrids are a mix between application-specific devices and general purpose controllers.
Echelon's Lampooned devices are examples of hybrids.


 5 m 
The LonMark Interoperability Association (the LonMark Association), through member dues, is instrumental in
developing standards for interoperability, certifying products to those standards, and promoting the benefits of
interoperability. The association employs a rigorous review and approval process that includes a cross-functional
review team to ensure that profiles not only interoperate within an individual subsystem, but also provide
interoperability to other subsystems.
´
'."&% &$-(
· Echelon defines a network variable as a data item that a particular device application program expects to get
from other devices on a network (an input network variable) or expects to make available to other devices on
a network (an output network variable).
· Network variables can be any single data item, or they can be data structures. Examples of network variables
may include temperature, switch positions (binary), or actuator position (analog).
· An example of a network variable that uses data structures is SNVT_temp_setpt.
· When the application changes a value, it simply passes the new value to firmware.
· Using a process that takes place during installation called #+#0'+,firmware is configured to
know the logical address of the other devices on the network²the device is then able to assemble a message
and send it to the devices that need the information.
Network variable connections:
† Can create virtual wiring

† Can be deleted and added with a network

management tool
† Can be changed without reprogramming the
device
† Make adds, moves, and changes easy.

'."&%&$-'&'"#-
There are some restrictions on network variable
bindings (that is, only so many bindings can be made
in given situations).
† A Neuron-based node can have up to 62
network variables bound.
† A Hosted node can have up to 4096 by using a
LonWorks network interface.
´ '#+&+
'."&% &$ *- 3
-4
· Every network variable is defined by a data type. Data type defines the units, scaling, and structure of the
data contained within a network variable.
· The LonMark Association has defined and published definitions for at least 145 common data types (version
10.00) including standard network variable types (SNVTs, pronounced ³sniv-its´).
· When programmers program Neuron chips using the Neuron-C programming language, they declare inputs,
variables, and outputs using SNVTs.
· Alternatively, manufacturers can define their own user-defined network variable types (UNVTs). SNVTs are
expressed as either fixed-point numbers, floating-point numbers, enumeration lists, or structures.
´ 2*$' --0-
· Explicit messages use LonTalk messaging services, but with minimal data interpretation.
· Each explicit message contains a message code that can be used by the application to determine the type of
data contained in the message.
´ **$'"#-(
· Every device must contain an application. Applications may be pre-configured at the factory or downloaded
(file extensions .APB and .NXE) in the field during installation.
· The application determines the actual control algorithm that reads network variable inputs, makes
calculations based on some level of intelligence, and writes network variable outputs.
´
&"0& -(
· A program ID is a unique identifier for the device functionality that is included in a LonWorks device.
· Program IDs are used by network management tools to identify nodes on the LonWorks network.
· Program IDs are 8-byte identifiers (for example: 80:0:C:50:5A:3:4:12) that includes Format, Manufacturer
ID, Device Class, Device Subclass, and Model Number.


m  

1. Buses in Italy Stop for LonWorks Networks:
· Brescia Trasporti SpA, the public transportation company for the Italian city of Brescia, decided to improve its monitoring
system to allow the immediate exchange of data between buses, electronic bus stops, and a control center.
· To monitor the bus network within the city of Bresica, Italy, Microlab Sistemi srl implemented a flexible and expandable
integrated solution based on Echelon¶s LonWorks technology.
· This new system consists of a meshed network, which connects 56 electronic bus stops. Each electronic bus stop is connected
via existing twisted-pair cable to central control center.
· Furthermore, each bus stop contains a special LonWorks based CPU, integrated with a Neuron 150 chip and FTT-10
transciever.
· Microlab Sistemi has also integrated LonWorks technology into various units onboard the bus such as validating machines,
consoles, information displays, odometers and other individual sensors.
´ 5#1'-
· Integrated monitoring system enables more efficient bus service.
· Real-time monitoring allows immediate exchange of data between busses, bus stops, and control center.
· Passengers get up-to-date status on service and journey
2. Semiconductor manufacturing
3. Lighting control systems
4. Energy management systems
5. Heating/ventilation/air-conditioning systems
6. Security systems
7. Home automation
8. Consumer appliance controls
9. Public street lighting, monitoring, and control
10. Petrol station control
 

m 

 *&#*$ -)**$&- "1 m"#"&%- #'."&%- &(
a $"# "&*"&'"# Development tools, smart transceivers, Neuron chips, network
management tools, support and training.
: *&-- "#+)'"& #+ "- Neuron chips.
; )'"&<+
'."&% #'0&'"&- Specification, design, and installation of LonWorks network
solutions.
In addition, LonWorks developers worldwide supply everything from transceivers to
network management tools to end-user systems.
"*#- '' , +"*'+ ' m"#"&%- *$'1"& #$)+(
1. Most of the world's leading building automation system suppliers (such as Honeywell, Johnson
Controls, TAC, and Distech Controls)
2. Leaders in appliance, home, and building control (such as Samsung Electronics)
3. Leading engineering firms (such as Teng and Associates)
4. Transportation suppliers (such as Bombardier and Kawasaki)
In additional, many end user organizations require the LonWorks platform, including the US
Army Corps of Engineers and the New York CIty Public Schools District.
 
m

The simple way of installation and operation, the standardized by the

LonMark organization network variables (SNVT's) the device templates, the
wide choice of communication channels and transceivers and the information
which is freely spread for the Lon technology make LonWorks the most
interoperable protocol at the network sector today. The Lon networks are
sponsored as open networks and probably this is the best way to describe the
protocol itself.
m
 
 !!!!!
 5 5m 
/
´ www.dti-be.com
´ http://ecmweb.com/mag/electric_basics_lonworks/
´ http://www.echelon.com/solutions/home/
´ http://www.echelon.com/solutions/transportation/appstories/BresciaBusses.pdf
´ http://www.echelon.com/solutions/transportation/papers/train5.pdf
´ www.wikipedia.com

´ ,$"*#'"1+-'&)',$0'#0"#'&"$--')-#0m"$ *&'#0

'."&%by Tsang, P.W.M.; Wang, R.W.C., Consumer Electronics, IEEE Transactions
on Volume 40, Issue 4, Nov 1994 Page(s):879 889, Digital Object
Identifier 10.1109/30.338334

´
'."&%#0#'#$&#-' **$'"#--#0m"#"&%-= "#'&"$

'."&%-Alex Chervet, Echelon Corp., June 1998
‘