EnOcean Alliance defines intelligent commissioning of smart buildings

The EnOcean Alliance has defined a unified specification for remote commissioning of energy harvesting wireless devices in building automation systems to optimize and ease the control and configuration of building automation networks. At the same time, the specification allows complete documentation of existing networks and therefore offers a comfortable and practicable way to expand or change installations. Remote commissioning is the crucial next level of interoperability of the EnOcean eco-system. For member companies, the remote commissioning specification is available in the member portal at www.enocean-alliance.org.

The aim of the remote commissioning specification is to define a uniform approach for the installation and long-term support of automation networks including EnOcean-based devices. Therefore, the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the EnOcean Alliance has developed a complete process for remote commissioning that includes initial set-up, parameterization, control, maintenance and documentation of batteryless wireless devices.

Next level of interoperability

Remote commissioning defines the communication between the commissioned and the target device. Basis for this is the specification of an interoperable interface that product manufacturers can integrate in their devices. It adds to the existing standardized profiles and offers enhanced interoperability with basic rules for remote access, configuration and a uniform procedure of the parameterization of EnOcean-based devices. The communication is based on Generic Profiles. This language defines the grammatical rules for value description in ultra-low power and energy harvesting radio communication.

“With remote commissioning, the EnOcean Alliance has defined a new standard for the set-up and operation of intelligently automated buildings. This significantly eases the work of planners, installers and system integrators. At the same time, it strengthens the interoperability of EnOcean-based devices as the installer doesn’t need to deal with the specifics of a device anymore,” says Marian Hönsch, Product Marketing – Software Architect, EnOcean GmbH, and Remote Commissioning Team Leader, Technical Working Group, EnOcean Alliance.

Detailed Device Description

In addition to the commissioning process, the TWG has introduced a standardized device description that describes the device and its functionalities in detail in an electronic data sheet. All this information will be available on a central data base. Installers or system operators can use a product ID to find the detailed electronic data sheet. That way, they have immediate access to all specifics of the product including the application profiles in use (EnOcean Equipment Profiles, EEP), operational modes and the requirements of parameterization. This significantly eases set-up and maintenance of an EnOcean network.

Functionalities of Remote Commissioning

The remote commissioning specification enables the following functionalities:

• Centralizing and recording the teach-in process

• Device commissioning after installation via remote access using a central tool (smart phone, tablet, control unit)

• Central reproducibility and change of configurations and control parameters, also during operation

• Easy determination of malfunctions and replacement of non-functioning devices in a system

• Comprehensive device and configuration documentation

• Basis definition for tools such as apps and web interfaces to centrally cover all functionalities of the remote commissioning process

• Basis for monitoring applications to visualize and actively control a live network

Energy harvesting wireless solutions use energy from the surroundings as their power source. That way, they allow flexible, easy to install and maintenance-free automation systems for energy-efficient and comfortable buildings. Today, more than 1,200 EnOcean-based products from over 350 member companies of the EnOcean Alliance are available on the market. Due to the products’ high flexibility, the installations in the field range from a few hundred batteryless wireless devices in smart homes to several thousand nodes in large office buildings.