Applications: Protocol Conversion, LonWorks
LonWorks as the Master

When we ask the question "What protocol is on the network?", we are really asking "who's the master?".

The first scenario is this: You have a LonWorks network with a number of LonWorks devices. You have a device that does not talk LonWorks, but you want to integrate it into your LonWorks network. In this instance, we say that LonWorks is the "protocol on the network".

There are many other scenarios that are variations on these themes. The main thing to ask is, "Who's in charge" of communications. That will be the "protocol on the network".

LonWorks as the Slave

Assuming you just read the column to the left, the slave would simply be on the opposite end.

LonWorks is a peer-to-peer protocol. However, we still usually have some notion of a primary controller with one or more subordinate controllers which we might refer to as "slaves".

If we have a device which was manufactured as a LonWorks node, but we want it to be a slave on a non-LonWorks network, this requires a gateway. When we want to put this LonWorks device on a non-LonWorks network, we answer "LonWorks" to the question "What protocol does the device talk?"

Is this you looking for
a network gateway? 

You need to start with two pieces of information:
(1) What protocol is on the network?
(2) What protocol does the device talk?

Use the Gateway Chooser to guide you through the questions while you choose from available answers to arrive at a model number.


LonWorks as the Master

The Babel Buster family includes members that support Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP devices on a LonWorks network. SNMP support is available. Support for BACnet devices on a LonWorks network is not currently available.

I don't know anything about LonWorks. Where do I start?

LonWorks as the Slave

The Babel Buster family includes support for putting LonWorks devices on BACnet IP, BACnet MS/TP, and Modbus TCP networks. Support for LonWorks devices on a Modbus RTU network is supported but requires a good understanding of LonWorks.

Support for LonWorks devices on a Modbus network is available.

Support for LonWorks devices on a BACnet network is available.

Are these gateways easy to set up?

"Easy" is a relative term. If you are new to gateways, the answer is probably "no". But many customers who have used other gateways do tell us that ours are easier to set up than any other gateway they've used. All the drivers you need are included in the one low price. Gateways with Ethernet protocols include a web server with all configuration software contained within the gateway itself. Most other gateways have PC based tools which are available for free download on this web site.