Functions

The gateway functions allow data exchange between all available communication technologies. This is accomplished by using “connections” which connect data points of different technologies with each other. Both “1-to-n” and “m-to-1” connections are supported. Connections can contain simple or complex calculations. Different engineering units of connected data points are automatically converted. Connections can easily be created using templates. They are distinguished into local and global connections. Connections can be created manually or automatically using the Smart Auto-Connect™ feature of the Configurator tool. Especially the automated creation of connections reduces engineering effort and helps preventing configuration errors.

The Smart Auto-Connect™ feature works on a selection of source data points and creates target data points and the respective connections. In principle, Smart Auto-Connect™ can work with all available communication technologies as sources. However, only select technologies can be used as targets. Depending on the availability on the device model, data points can be created for the following technologies: CEA-709 (static NVs), BACnet (server objects), Modbus (slave registers) and user registers. A remarkable feature in this context is the automatic mapping of network variables to BACnet objects according to CEN/TS 15231:2005.

A "local connection" is used for connecting data points of different networking technologies, which are integrated on a single LOYTEC device.

"Global connections" provide similar functions as local connections, but can span across an IP network between two or more LOYTEC devices. A global connection creates a data cloud with a system-wide name. Data points which are added to a global connection can send values into the cloud or receive values from the cloud. This is entirely independent from the installation location or the original communication technology.

The LIOB-Connect port of a L-INX or L-ROC device allows connecting LIOB-10x Modules and provides a power and communication path without additional cabling. Regardless of the L-IOB type, up to 24 L-IOB I/O Modules are supported. This makes up to 24 LIOB-10x devices possible in a daisy chain. The first four LIOB-10x can be connected directly. Starting with the fourth LIOB-10x, the LIOB-Connect chain needs to be divided into two (or more) segments using LIOB-A4 and LIOB-A5 adapters.

Parameterization of the I/O modules is done by the Configurator software or over the Web interface of the L-INX or L-ROC device. All parameter data is stored on the L-INX Automation Server or the L-ROC Room Controller and can be downloaded to the L-IOB Modules again if needed. When replacing a L-IOB Module, it is detected and integrated again automatically.

The LIOB-FT port allows operation of remote LIOB-15x Modules. These are connected by twisted pair cabling of up to 500 m length in free topology or more than 500 m in bus topology. The maximum number of supported LIOB-15x Modules depends on the L-INX Automation Server model, the L-IOB IP I/O Controller model, or the L-ROC Room Controller model.

Parameterization of the I/O Modules is done by the Configurator software or over the Web interface of the L-INX, L-IOB IP or L-ROC device. All parameter data is stored on the L-INX Automation Server, the L-IOB IP I/O Controller, or the L-ROC Room Controller and can be downloaded to the L-IOB Modules again when needed. When replacing a L-IOB Module, it is detected and integrated again automatically.

The LIOB-IP port allows operation of remote LIOB-45x and LIOB-55x Modules. These are connected over Ethernet/‌IP (100Base-T). The maximum number of supported Modules depends on the L-INX Automation Server model, the L-IOB IP I/O Controller model, or the L-ROC Room Controller model. Communication across NAT routers is not supported.

Parameterization of the I/O Modules is done by the Configurator software or over the Web interface of the L-INX, L-IOB IP, or L-ROC device. All parameter data is stored on the L-INX Automation Server, the L-IOB IP I/O Controller, or the L-ROC Room Controller and can be downloaded to the L-IOB Modules again if needed. When replacing a L-IOB Module, it is detected and integrated again automatically.

All L-IOB I/O Controllers are equipped with local I/Os. The usage of local I/Os is completely transparent to the application. For the device’s logic program, it does not matter if the I/Os are local or remote. Parameterization of the Local I/Os is done by the Configurator software or over the Web interface of the L-IOB I/O Controllers.

The development of an application program is done in the graphical programming environment L-LOGICAD (IEC 61131-3 standard), which offers programming languages using function blocks (FBs) or structured text (ST). It is possible to mix programming languages within the same project. The IEC 61131-3 programming software allows an online test of the application over the Ethernet/IP network or the TP/FT-10 channel (depending on the hardware). IEC 61131-3 applications can be modified without interrupting execution. L-LOGICAD offers a variety of tools for diagnosis and debugging, commissioning, and additional service function blocks (e.g., force update). Errors can be detected early when developing the function plan in the integrated, graphical offline simulation. Oscilloscope and logic analyzer functions allow a timely display of the respective values. Apart from this, watch pages can be added for visualization and modification of run-time values. L-LOGICAD can access all data points and parameters on the device and process them in the logic program. The program operates independently of the underlying communication technology or the underlying L-IOB I/O Module.

The application project is created with the graphical programming system L-STUDIO (IEC 61499 standard), which allows programming using function blocks (FBs). In L-STUDIO, the programming environment comprises the entire project, where each controller in the IP network is treated as a computing resource with data points. L-STUDIO deploys the application to the networked controllers and creates the connections between them automatically. Event-oriented execution of the program allows for fast reaction times. As a novel approach to automation we name this "Cloud Control". An arbitrary set of functions can be mapped to a cloud of controllers. The strictly object oriented programming method allows for efficient reuse of previously implemented functions. A variety of debugging and watch functions allows for building-wide troubleshooting during run-time.

L-STUDIO has established itself as an integration platform for the L-ROC system for individual room control installations. With the new version L-STUDIO 3.0, LOYTEC is now taking the next step and extending the programming function by a development environment in accordance with the industry standard IEC 61131.

Math objects with user-defined formulas can execute mathematical functions on data points. A math object uses a number of data points as input variables (v1, v2, …, vn) and calculates a result according to the formula. The result is written as an output to a number of data points. The calculation is executed each time one of the input data points changes its value. A result is calculated only if all inputs have a valid value.

Depending on the device model, there exist several possibilities to backup and restore a device configuration. In principle, all LOYTEC devices with a built-in web server offer the backup and restore function on the Web interface. Also the Configurator tools provide this function for their respective device models. When using the L-WEB System, backups of device configuration can be created on a timely basis (e.g. once a day) and restored easily when needed. Devices with SD card support and USB port allow a device backup onto external storage. In this case, the backup and restore function is operated locally on the LCD display. In all cases, the LOYTEC device is restored with all data points, dynamic NVs and bindings, BACnet server objects and client mappings, etc. The device appears again as commissioned and online and is fully functional in the network. In case an LNS-based tool is used, the LNS device needs to be replaced, which can be done at a later time.

LWEB‑900 gives a clear overview of the status of all devices and provides detailed information for each device (e.g. device type, name, IP address, firmware version, configuration file, program file, etc.). A firmware update can be performed for individual devices or groups of devices. A backup feature ensures a regular backup of all relevant device configurations. If a defective device needs to be replaced, the configuration can be easily restored. Depending on the device hardware, the restore operation can be initiated either from the LCD UI of the device or from the LWEB‑900 Client.

LWEB‑900 manages and configures all LOYTEC devices based on a central database. The required device configuration software can be opened directly in LWEB‑900 and the configuration files are stored in the data base.

Each data point is uniquely identified by its name and path. With LWEB-900, you can define your own identification key schema and assign identification keys (IK) to each data point. The IK schema can be exported and imported into other LWEB-900 projects.

The built-in SNMP server (Simple Network Management Protocol) provides network management information of a device that can be used by customary IT tools. Via a configurable SNMP agent, status information and statistics with standard MIBs (Management Information Bases), system registers, and all OPC-exposed data points can be read and monitored, and also alarms can be sent.

The LOYTEC device is equipped with a graphical LCD display (128x64) and a jog dial, which can be used for monitoring, testing, and configuration. The backlight is automatically turned off after 30 minutes of jog dial inactivity. Access to the display can be protected by a PIN code. The display can show the current device configuration and allows its modification. All basic settings (IP address, BACnet ID, etc.) can be made on the LCD display.

Apart from configuration, L‑INX Automation Servers and L-GATE Gateways with a graphical LCD display allow operating trend data backup to external storage (SD card or USB stick) and backup/restore of the entire device configuration. Also the state of the integrated data points can be displayed and modified. Remote access to the LCD display over an Ethernet/‌IP connection is made possible by the VNC protocol.

In L-IOB I/O Modules and Controllers, the graphical LCD display allows – apart from modifying the configuration – access to physical I/O data points and parameters. The data point state is displayed as a value and engineering unit, as a status text, or showing dynamic symbols. Inputs and outputs can be switched to manual mode on the display and thus be decoupled from the physical input or the output value from the logic application.

The VNC (Virtual Network Computing) service offers password-protected remote access to the LOYTEC device. VNC employs a client/server model. The VNC server is a built-in component of the LOYTEC device. A great variety of free or commercial VNC clients is available on the market for different platforms. Which functions and views are exposed over VNC depends on the device.

The Web interface on LOYTEC devices with a built-in web server provides an alternative to the Configurator tool for the maintenance personnel. It can be used to configure device and communication settings. It also provides extensive statistical information on the used communication protocols for analysis and troubleshooting. Backup and restore can also be operated on the Web interface.

LOYTEC devices with an Ethernet/‌IP interface display data point values and states on the Web interface coming from different communication networks or registers. The display contains a data point list, a tree view, and a breadcrumb navigation for fast access to subdirectories. The data point list shows the data point name, direction, type, data point state, the current value, and a description. All values are updated live. Data points can also be modified on the Web interface.

On LOYTEC devices with L‑WEB support, all available graphical user interfaces are listed on the Web interface and can be started with a mouse click. LOYTEC devices with AST™ functions (Alarming, Scheduling, and Trending) offer access to those functions over the Web interface.

An alarm summary page displays all currently active alarms of alarm data points, which can also be acknowledged, if configured so. The Web interface also provides access to a historical alarm log, which lists alarms and acknowledgements. If an inactive, acknowledged alarm disappears from the alarm summary page, the last transition is stored in the alarm log. The content of the historic alarm log can be exported to a CSV file on the Web interface.

The Web interface provides a scheduler page, which allows modification of schedules and calendar entries for exception days during run-time. For existing local schedulers, the Web interface supports the re-configuration of the scheduled data points. The changes become effective immediately and don’t require a reboot of the device. For adding or removing data points to or from a scheduler, no reboot is necessary either.

The trend log configuration page on the Web interface allows the reconfiguration of existing trend logs during run-time. This also includes the assignment of new data points. The changes become effective immediately and don’t require a reboot of the device. The trended data can be exported into a CSV file over the Web interface.

Most LOYTEC devices can be integrated into the LWEB‑900 Building Management System. This software provides a user interface to manage and operate a LOYTEC building management system. LWEB‑900 is a highly flexible and scalable solution which accompanies you from installation and configuration of LOYTEC devices (L‑INX Automation Servers, L‑IOB I/‌O Modules and Controllers with IP connectivity, L‑ROC Room Controllers, L‑GATE Gateways, L-VIS Touch Panels), all the way to daily operation of the facilities.

Graphical views are schematics that help to visualize and operate areas of a building. Each graphical view can consist of a large number of dynamic display elements which reflect the current status of the facilities. LWEB-900 provides the graphical view within the LWEB-900 User Interface of the software and additionally offers distributed LWEB-900 clients the same functionality of visualization through Web services.

Most LOYTEC devices can manage and store graphical projects (L-WEB projects). These projects can be created without knowledge of any Web-based language within the L-VIS/L-WEB configuration tool. Customized graphical pages with dynamic content can be shown either with LWEB‑803 on Windows PCs or with LWEB‑802 in a standard browser.

LWEB‑900 can create reports based on trend logs. Reports can be used, for example, to document the energy consumption in a building. The generation of a report can be triggered in one of the following ways:

Reports can be generated in PDF, Excel, or Word format. They can be automatically distributed via e-mail.

LWEB-900 provides a separate work environment for each user. A user has to log on to the system and is presented with a perspective tailored to his individual requirements. A perspective defines which windows are open and how they are arranged.
In this way, a user can define separate perspectives which are optimized for different tasks and quickly switch between them.

LWEB-900 uses access control lists to define which operations a user can perform on a certain object (e.g. folder, data point, graphical view, parameter view, trend chart). To speed up the access right configuration, access control lists can be inherited from parent to child objects.

The parameter view allows configuring operational parameters, which are distributed over multiple devices, efficiently. For example, parameters for room temperature control, light control, or sunblind control can be organized in different parameter views. Each parameter view is a matrix where each cell represents a parameter. Parameters can be organized freely in the matrix depending on space layout and function. In this way, it is possible to e.g. adjust the running periods of sun blinds across many rooms with a few mouse clicks and write the new values reliably into the corresponding automation devices.

The LWEB‑900 watch view allows observing data point values in real time. Depending on the data point types, the values can also be changed and easily edited within the watch view. You are able to see what is actually going on in the network.

LWEB-900 can integrate web cams supporting the ONVIF standard. The local subnet scanning feature detects cameras automatically and reduces configuration effort significantly. The live image of a camera can be added to graphical views. LWEB-900 automatically detects the capabilities of a camera and maps events (e.g. motion detection, people counter information) and commands (e.g. PTZ control) to data points. LWEB-900 does not record videos itself but can command a camera to start recording if an alarm occurs.

This feature allows accessing multiple LWEB-900 Servers located at different sites with a single LWEB-900 Client. It is possible to create a common graphical view showing data from the different servers. Devices, alarms, and users can be managed across the sites. To enable this feature the LWEB-900-MS license needs to be installed on each LWEB-900 Server.

The L-STAT is a network thermostat with a modern, minimalistic look that fits any interior design. It is directly connected to a LOYTEC controller with a Modbus interface such as LIOB‑AIR or L‑ROC.