Jan 13 2011
The Siemens Building Technologies Division has enhanced its portfolio for building management systems by adding products that permit the convenient and reliable control of room functions such as lighting, sun protection and room climate by infrared (IR).
Infrared control is particularly suitable for environments in which radio solutions are not permitted for legal or technical reasons, for example hospitals. The new system is based on a significantly more reliable industrial transmission technology than standard infrared technologies. The infrared system thus also represents an optimal alternative to radio remote controls in office buildings because it ensures fault-free operation in rooms such as conference rooms, where there is a high level of radio traffic.
An IR receiver/decoder, which can be fitted unobtrusively in the ceiling, or a pushbutton with integral IR receiver decoder acts as a gateway.
An IR receiver/decoder, which can be fitted unobtrusively in the ceiling, or a pushbutton with integral IR receiver decoder acts as a gateway.
The innovative IR system is part of Siemens Gamma instabus building management systems. The new devices include an IR hand-held transmitter, an IR wall-mounted transmitter, an IR receiver/decoder and a pushbutton with integral IR receiver/decoder. Using the controls, room applications can be controlled wirelessly via infrared signals – with no direct visual contact between transmitter and receiver required for this. The IR wall-mounted transmitter in titanium white is available as a 1-way, 2-way and 4-way switch and includes an LED for transmission and battery control as well as a slide switch for setting up to 64 channels. Installation costs are minimal: the transmitter can be stuck or screwed directly to the wall or workplace. The range is eight meters (omnidirectional). Alternatively, up to 16 room functions can be operated using the IR hand-held transmitter, which has a range of up to 20 meters (omnidirectional).
An IR receiver/decoder, which can be fitted unobtrusively in the ceiling, or a pushbutton with integral IR receiver decoder acts as a gateway. The receivers convert infrared signals from up to 32 infrared channels into bus telegrams and thus activate the KNX actuators to control the room functions. The applications that can be realized by infrared include switching on/off and switching over as well as lighting dimming, sun protection control, scene control and room temperature control. The IR signals are limited to the room in question because they cannot be transmitted through walls or glass. Interference between rooms, as commonly occurs when radio signals are used, is thus prevented. At the same time, a hand-held transmitter can be carried within the building and used for the control of functions in various rooms in which a configured IR receiver decoder is installed.
Source: http://www.siemens.com/