IP-based building technology
More and more building automation services and applications are being connected via IP
More and more building technology services and applications are being connected via IP: video surveillance, access control, time and attendance systems, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, shading, Wi-Fi, systems for cordless phones and cell phones (DAS), sensor networks, ... the list grows almost daily. DIN EN 50173-6 for distributed building services specifies the cabling required for these systems.
Digital Ceiling
In addition to Wi-Fi access points, LED lights and their control systems, temperature and brightness sensors, and occupancy detectors—all with IP connectivity—are often installed in the ceiling, a trend that has given rise to the term “digital ceiling.” Since sensors and their wiring can be easily installed in suspended ceilings, digital ceilings are an important component of smart building applications. A universal, application-neutral cabling system for all applications enables the simple and cost-effective replacement of devices.
planning.
End-to-End Cabling
It isn't always practical to connect devices to jacks using patch cables. Just think of cameras in security areas or access points in lobbies: Patch cables are, at best, a nuisance; at worst, a security risk. With RJ45 connectors mounted directly onto the installed cable, connection jacks and patch cables are no longer needed. In German, the term “Ende-zu-Ende-Verkabelung” is used for this; in English, “end-to-end link” or “modular plug terminated link (MPTL).” Important: To correctly measure a link that ends in a connector, appropriate measurement adapters are required. Channel adapters are not suitable for this purpose, as they exclude the first and last connector connections of a link.
Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE)
Four wire pairs are not always needed to connect sensors or devices. Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), which uses only one wire pair, is an interesting alternative that saves space and money. SPE is designed to support data rates of 10 Mbit/s, 100 Mbit/s, and 1 Gbit/s. The standardization process for this is not yet complete; variants are currently standardized or are in the process of being standardized in
IEEE 802.3cg (10 Mbit/s), IEEE 802.3bw (100 Mbit/s),
, and IEEE 802.3bp (1 Gbit/s),
IEEE 802.3ch (2.5, 5, and 10 Gbit/s), planned for mid- to late 2020
Cable lengths are 15 m, 40 m, and 1,000 m, depending on the data rate; depending on the variant, up to ten connectors per cable run are possible.
Power over Data Lines (PoDL)
With SPE, too, end devices can be powered via the data line, eliminating the need for a separate power connection. This is particularly important for small components such as sensors and actuators. Although the underlying technology is related to the well-known Power over Ethernet (PoE), it is not compatible with it, as PoE requires at least two wire pairs. To avoid confusion between the two, a new name was chosen: Power over Data Lines, or PoDL for short.
PoDL is standardized according to IEEE 802.3bu. In normal operation, end devices have access to up to 50 W at a current of typically up to 1360 mA.
