LonWorks is a networking platform created by Echelon.

LonWorks networks really describe a complete solution to the problem of control systems. Like the computer industry, the control industry was, and in many cases still is, creating centralized control solutions based on point-to-point wiring and hierarchical logic systems. This meant that you had a “master” controller, like a computer or programmable logic controller, physically wired to individual control, monitoring and sensing points, or “slaves.” The resulting scheme worked, but was expensive and difficult to maintain, expand, and service. It was also very expensive to install.

LonWorks networks started out with some very simple notions - control systems are fundamentally the same regardless of application; a networked control system is significantly more powerful, flexible, and scaleable than a non-networked control system; and businesses can save and make more money building control networks over the long term than they can with non-networked control systems.

LonWorks technology provides a solution to the many problems of designing, building, installing, and maintaining control networks: networks that can range in size from two to 32,000 devices and can be used in everything from supermarkets to petroleum plants, from aircraft to railway cars, from fusion lasers to slot machines, from single family homes to skyscrapers. In almost every industry today, there is a trend away from proprietary control schemes and centralized systems. Manufacturers are using open, off-the-shelf chips, operating systems, and parts to build products that feature improved reliability, flexibility, system cost, and performance. LonWorks technology is accelerating the trend away from proprietary control schemes and centralized systems by providing interoperability, robust technology, faster development, and scale economies.

Echelon manufacturers over 80 products to help developers, system integrators, and end-user implement LonWorks networks. These products provide a complete LonWorks solution including development tools, network management software, power line and twisted pair transceivers and control modules, network interfaces, technical support and training.

What are LonWorks Networks used for?

In theory, all control network applications, across all industries.

Applications for which LonWorks networks technology are used today include appliance control, asset tracking, automated supermarket pricing, automated work environments, avionics instrument integration, circuit board diagnostics, consumer electronic controls, discrete and process control, electronic locks, elevator control, energy management, environmental monitoring, fire protection, HVAC control, highway toll collection, identification systems, intelligent industrial I/O, irrigation management, lighting control, liquor dispensing, livestock management, medical instrumentation, office machine automation, patient monitoring, power supply management, research experiment monitoring, restaurant automation, security systems, slot machines, traffic lights, utility meter reading, vehicle wiring systems, vending machines, whole house automation, wire harness replacement, and many more...

What about network management?

LonWorks networks incorporate a full set of network management (installation, configuration, & maintenance) facilities. All products can be installed at manufacturing time, and - unless prohibited by authentication - by using third-party installation tools; they can also be designed for self installation. Network management functions include node address assignment, multicast address group specification, router & bridge definition, network variable binding, communication service modification, network traffic data monitoring/collection, node/network diagnostics, application code/data downloading, etc.

If you use LNS™, then you get the added benefit of being able to do many of these things simultaneously using devices and tools tailored for the operator or technician and the specific task.

 

For more information about LonWorks, please visit Echelon's Website