Control Network Newsletter
Product Upgrade for BACnet Controllers Improves Performance
Contemporary Controls continues to improve the performance of its BAScontrol unitary controllers by increasing the available application memory space, adding more sophisticated components, and developing more pre-built applications. With these advances, system integrators can implement more complex sequences for fan coil units, air handlers, rooftop units, and heat pumps.
BAScontrol Toolset
The BAScontrol series of BACnet/IP-based controllers feature BACnet as a communications protocol and Sedona as a license-free function block programming language. These controllers offer simple webpage configuration and are freely programmable using Contemporary Controls' BAScontrol Toolset.
Available as a free download, the Toolset includes the Sedona Application Editor (SAE), BASbackup project archiving tool, and a BASemulator which provides BAScontrol emulation on a PC. All three programs are available as a single install sharing a common Sedona bundle of kits and components. Along with a common web browser, the toolset is all that is needed to commission the BAScontrol unitary controller. As part of the upgrade activity, the SAE has undergone several enhancements to improve its editing functionality and its ability to adapt to both tablets and high-resolution screens.
Macro Components and Pre-Built Applications
Additional memory was gained with the development of macro components (which are highly integrated configurable Sedona components) used in a new series of pre-built applications. The use of macro components provides an additional opportunity to reduce application memory space. These large highly integrated components, developed by Contemporary Controls using Sedona developer tools, form the nucleus of heating/cooling applications. They include the Stager component for multi-stage heating/cooling along with optional analog outputs. The wall setter component provides a convenient interface to either analog or digital wall setters with provisions for space temperature thermistor, slider potentiometer, temporary occupancy, and CO2 transmitters. The economizer components, in either SI or I-P units, implement various airside economizer schemes which include dry-bulb, enthalpy, and direct control ventilation (DCV).
Our free constant-volume air handler applications have been updated to use these new macro components. Pre-built Sedona applications address multi-staged or analog heating/cooling, fixed or variable speed exhaust fans, dual dry-bulb or enthalpy economizers, wall-setters, or network occupied/unoccupied setpoints. These applications come with a pre-assigned BACnet points list, sequence of operation, system schematic, and suggested device list. Pre-built applications speed up installation time by only requiring configuration during installation. Sequences can be modified using the SAE and saved using BAS Backup.
With these advancements, Contemporary Controls retains its mission of providing freely programmable, web-based open controllers with BACnet as the protocol, license-free Sedona as the programming language, and unrestricted access to the free BAScontrol Toolset. Look for the release of new BACnet Controllers and updated tools throughout this year.
For more information, visit the BAScontrollers series page.