Wireless Sensors in Building Automation

SUMMARY

Cost-efficiencies Necessary to Drive Adoption of Wireless Sensors in Building Automation

In addition to technical sophistication, greater cost-efficiencies while maintaining high levels of functionality and reliability are high on the priority list for most wireless sensor developers. While wireless systems reduce the wiring and labor cost in building automation technologies, there is an urgent need to enhance power efficiency and the range of the wireless digital signal transmission. Wireless mesh networking technology is likely to address the issue surrounding wireless signal attenuation and offer better quality wireless signals. As installation and maintenance expenses continue to rise in building automation, developers of wireless sensors will have to lay emphasis on affordability in addition to individual comfort, design, flexibility, and security.

This Technical Insights research evaluates the latest advances and upcoming wireless sensor networking technologies in building automation. In addition to discussing the various technology drivers and restraints, the study covers research and development efforts at various universities, leading companies, and other research institutions across the globe.

Flexibility Popularizes Wireless Sensors in Various Building Automation Applications

Apart from the possible cost benefits, ease of deployment, retrofitting applications, and scalability of the network are spurring interest in wireless sensors. "Whether used in new construction or retrofit, flexibility is the ultimate benefit in deploying a wireless system as opposed to a wired network," says the analyst of this research. "These sensors can be located -- or relocated -- to optimize system performance, increase customer comfort, and adapt to changing floor plans."

Constantly evolving embedded systems and wireless technology are also supporting the development of novel wireless sensors. Instead of installing different sensors for various functionalities, the applications can be bundled in a single chip, thereby bringing down costs by several notches.

Standardization to Expand the Reach of Wireless Sensors Technology

The emergence of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for radio communication hardware and very recently, the ZigBee standard for networking is driving demand for wireless sensors and sensor networking technologies. Due to better interfacing capabilities with other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), a customer looking to shift to another service provider need not incur additional expenses in reworking the entire solution.

This move toward a standards-based environment is also spurring adoption rates for wireless sensors in both large and small building automation applications. Monitoring of structural health in particular is improving due to the incorporation of miniature sensors with improved functionalities. "Advancements in nanotechnology are enabling production of tiny sensors which can be placed at various joints, reinforcements, and other places during construction of a structure," explains the analyst. "These sensors constantly monitor the structural health and provide accurate data regarding cracks, excessive loads, or any other critical situation."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Executive Summary
  • 1. Scope and Methodology
    • 1. Research Scope and Segmentation
    • 2. Methodology
  • 2. Key Findings
    • 1. Noteworthy Emerging Technologies
    • 2. Noteworthy Applications
• 2. Technology and Applications Viewpoint
  • 1. Technology Primer and Standards
    • 1. Wired Networks vs Wireless Networks
    • 2. IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee Standards
  • 2. Applications Analysis
    • 1. Structural Health
    • 2. HVAC
    • 3. Security
    • 4. Fire and Safety
    • 5. Lighting Control
• 3. Technology Adoption Factor Analysis
  • 1. Analysis of Technology Accelerators and Barriers
    • 1. Accelerators
    • 2. Barriers
  • 2. Influential Market Factors & Technological Trends and Roadmap
    • 1. Market Factors
    • 2. Technological Trends
• 4. Recent Advances in Wireless Sensors in Building Automation Technologies
  • 1. Emerging technologies
    • 1. Managing Data from Sensors Could Become Easy
    • 2. Measuring Shear Stress of Small Magnitudes
    • 3. Digital Wireless Data Networks Enable Distributed Sensing Systems
    • 4. Allowing RF Chip Makers To Do What They Do Best
    • 5. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Technology for Digital Transmission
    • 6. Protocol Analysis to Figure Out What's Wrong
    • 7. Reducing the Rush Hour Traffic
    • 8. Overcoming False Fire Alarms
    • 9. Designing Buildings That Can Think and Act
    • 10. Distributed Frequency Spread Spectrum Technology for Industrial Environments
    • 11. In Situ Monitoring System for Detecting Structural Damages
    • 12. Remote Sensing System for Civil Structures
  • 2. Latest products
    • 1. ZigBee Devices To Become Platform Independent
    • 2. New Low-Power Mesh Networking Technology
    • 3. Going Wireless
    • 4. Know Your Wireless Network
    • 5. Chip Integrates Microcontroller with a Complete MAC/PHY
    • 6. EkaNet--Fully Internet-Enabled Technology for Bidirectional Wireless Networking
    • 7. System-on-Chip
    • 8. Application Profile To Meet Lighting Application Requirements
    • 9. Simplifying ZigBee life
    • 10. Ensuring Robust ZigBee Network
• 5. Patent and Contact Details
  • 1. Patents
    • 1. Wireless Technology Patents
    • 2. Building Automation Patents
  • 2. Database of key industry participants
    • 1. Companies
    • 2. Universities and Government Bodies
• 6. Frost & Sullivan 2005 Science and Technology Awards
  • 1. Excellence in Technology Award in Wireless Device Networking Solutions
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
  • 2. Excellence in Technology Award in Wireless Technology for Monitoring & Control Networks
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
  • 3. Product Innovation Award for Development of Standard RF Modules
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
  • 4. Product Innovation Award for Development of Telemetry Data Management and Communications Platform
    • 1. Award Description
    • 2. Award Recipient
• 7. Critical Reference Tables
  • 1. Decision Support Database
    • 1. Worldwide Industrial Electrical Consumption
    • 2. Total Number of Airports
    • 3. Elecricity Installed Capacity
    • 4. Number of Semiconductor Plants