Beckhoff New Automation Technology

Implementing a New Planning Method – Applying Building Functions in Software

This document outlines Beckhoff's approach to building automation, focusing on software-driven implementation for enhanced efficiency and flexibility in modern buildings.

An engineer is shown working at a desk with two computer monitors displaying complex building automation schematics and floor plans.

Multiple Planning Tasks – Beckhoff Reduces Complexity

Expert engineers face numerous challenges in efficiently implementing automation in residential and functional buildings. Balancing building requirements with owner requests, engineers are responsible for system functionality, specification, cost, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. PC-based Building Automation integrates all building systems onto a single control platform, significantly reducing the complexity of building automation.

VDI 3814-based BACS Function List

The VDI 3814 standard provides a framework for Building Automation Control Systems (BACS). A typical function list categorizes functions such as I/O, processing, monitoring, interlocks, closed-loop control, and calculation/optimization. Key functions include Plant Controller, Cabinet Switch, Outside Air Damper, Energy Recovery Pump, Supply Air Temperature control, Cooler Valve, and Supply Air Fan, each defined by specific input/output types and processing requirements.

Key Function Categories: I/O Functions, Processing Functions, Monitoring, Interlocks, Closed-loop Control, Calculation/Optimization.

Example Functions: Plant Controller, Cabinet Switch, Outside Air Damper, Energy Recovery Pump, Supply Air Temperature, Cooler Valve, Supply Air Fan.

Function Attributes: Input/output/value object types, physical connections, shared status, monitoring, interlocks, control loops (PI/PID), calculations, switching, motor control, plant control, state processing, event counting, run time totalization, limit values.

Implementing All Functions in Software – Building Automation from Beckhoff

Beckhoff's Building Automation offers maximum planning freedom. The ability to implement all functions in software, separating them from hardware, significantly enhances planning security. This approach eliminates product compatibility issues and ensures the planning process remains consistent even if the building project changes. Software-based control not only simplifies monitoring, change management, and problem-solving but also makes system integration more cost-effective.

A Single Control Platform for All Building Systems – Planning Has Never Been This Easy

Beckhoff's PC-based control platform enables integrated automation for all building systems in functional buildings and infrastructure. This includes room control, window control, shading, lighting, HVAC MCI, smoke and heat recovery systems, access control, energy monitoring, and process visualization. Consolidating the entire system under one control system makes project management four times easier for engineers, encompassing planning, interdisciplinary thinking, time management, and responsible cost control.

Open Control Technology – Enabling Alternative Use Scenarios

Beckhoff's core principle is an open and highly scalable control architecture, providing broad freedom for current and future building use scenarios and ensuring interoperability with standard products for integrated planning. All components can be expanded with minimal additional costs, independent of products, brands, and integrators. Beckhoff Building Automation guarantees that projects implemented today will remain viable in the future, as modifications to the building control system are primarily applied in software.

Beckhoff Building Automation at a Glance

• Integration of all building systems on a single platform
• Hardware can be exchanged with software functions, increasing flexibility
• Interoperability with standard products
• Direct integration of all industrial communication systems and protocols
• Maximum design freedom
• Independence from product/device manufacturers/integrators
• Faster and more efficient planning
• Increased planning reliability
• Long-term usability
• Automated documentation

Experience is Key: Selected References

Tower 185, Frankfurt a. M., Germany

Tower 185 is one of Germany's tallest skyscrapers, featuring over 50 office floors, each approximately 100,000 m². Beckhoff's automation platform manages all HVAC and room automation, operated by a decentralized building management system. This flexible approach supports diverse room usage, scenario definition, simplified control and comparison, and efficient maintenance management for all building systems. The control architecture utilizes 170 CX9010 Embedded PCs, 500 CX9010 Embedded PCs, and 80 C6925 Industrial PCs to process 60,000 data points.

A modern, tall skyscraper (Tower 185) is pictured.

"Zukunftsmeile" – "Future Mile" Research and Development Campus, Paderborn, Germany

The "Zukunftsmeile" Building 1, spanning 3,000 m², features a building automation solution that goes beyond HVAC systems. It integrates full lighting control, MCI technology, energy data acquisition, blind control, central locking systems, and multimedia technologies. DALI-compatible lighting control allows illumination systems to be adjusted according to tenant needs or specific area requirements. Rooms can be combined or new sections created to form larger areas, all seamlessly integrated into the automation system with a simple software change.

Close-up view of industrial HVAC ductwork with various pipes, valves, and sensors.

Global Solutions: Building Automation from Beckhoff

Beckhoff's integrated and scalable building automation solutions meet the requirements of various building types worldwide, including offices, residences, hotels, museums, shopping malls, industrial complexes, train stations, and theaters. Examples include:

• Virtual Engineering Center, Fraunhofer IAO, Stuttgart, Germany
• Miele Management Building, Germany
• Microsoft Technology Center, Germany
• CologneTriangle, Cologne, Germany
• Park Hotel Vitznau, Switzerland
• Dolder Grand Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland
• Dresden City Museum, Germany
• Schauspielhaus Nuremberg, Germany
• Ferry Porsche Museum, Austria
• Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Basler Nordtangente, Basel, Switzerland

Integrated PC-based Building Automation – A Single Control Platform for All Building Systems

The image displays Beckhoff's industrial automation hardware, including an embedded PC (CX9020) and various Bus Terminals, representing a scalable control technology and a complete I/O system.

Smart Modular Systems Simplify Planning for Buildings

Beckhoff's PC-based control philosophy introduces a new planning paradigm. With a single control platform for all building systems and a range of modular software and hardware components, planning reliability is ensured at every stage, from engineering to unplanned changes or enhancements, making projects easier and faster to implement. Beckhoff's portfolio offers extensive freedom, featuring powerful Industrial PCs for field-level operation, a comprehensive I/O system with over 400 terminals for all conventional data points, and the TwinCAT Building Automation software platform with extensive libraries and proven software templates, guaranteeing maximum flexibility, scalability, and functional integrity.

Maximum Planning Freedom – All Functions Provided as Software Modules

Beckhoff's TwinCAT Building Automation software facilitates modular and holistic planning of all automation tasks. This powerful solution offers all functions as software modules, promoting interdisciplinary thinking, reducing planning complexity, and enabling simple expandability.

"1 Lot-Sized Planning" for Smart Buildings – With the eXtendable Room Box

Beckhoff minimizes the effort required for eXtendable Room Box planning. In addition to PLC configuration, TwinCAT BA offers the "Box Configurator" interface, enabling automatic configuration of prefabricated and easily integrable, customized hardware assemblies.

Operation via Multi-touch Panels – Planning is This Simple

Beckhoff integrates HMI engineering into the Visual Studio® integrated development environment (IDE) using TwinCAT, providing uniform user interfaces. Multi-touch Panel PCs also allow for local monitoring.

A multi-touch panel is shown, displaying building automation interfaces and controls. Icons representing building functions are visible: a light bulb (?), a fan (?), a thermometer (?️), a water droplet (?), a gear (⚙️), a power plug (?), and a network symbol (?).

Beckhoff at a Glance

As an expert in PC-based control systems, Beckhoff is recognized globally for its universal automation solutions used in industrial, energy management, and building automation applications. Beckhoff helps users maximize their savings potential and even exceed the highest energy efficiency standards.

Beckhoff by the Numbers:

• Medium-sized family company
• Headquarters: Verl, Germany
• Innovation leader in PC-based control
• Sales 2016: 679 Million Euros
• Over 3,350 employees worldwide
• 34 subsidiaries
• Representation in over 75 countries worldwide

Expert Engineers for Building Automation

For more information, please visit:

www.beckhoff.com.tr/tr/applicat/building.htm

Beckhoff Automation Ltd. Şti.
Gardenya-3 Plaza No:18-19-20
34758 Ataşehir Istanbul
Turkey
Phone: +90 216/5809830
Email: BuildingAutomation@beckhoff.com.tr
Website: www.beckhoff.com.tr/tr/applicat/building.htm

Beckhoff®, TwinCAT®, EtherCAT®, EtherCAT P®, Safety over EtherCAT®, TwinSAFE®, XFC®, and XTS® are registered trademarks of Beckhoff Automation GmbH. Other trademarks mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners and their use may infringe upon the rights of the rights holders.

© Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG 06/2017

The information in this brochure provides general descriptions and performance characteristics that may not conform to the specific application case or may change due to product development. The desired performance characteristics are only binding if they have been expressly agreed upon in the contract.