The Wi-Controller maintains configurations of analog and digital outputs to control actuators and relays, to such points of energy consumption as boilers and heaters. The analog inputs and digital inputs from several sensor types offer local feedback and verification. The supervisory control or direct control variables may be received wirelessly over Millennial Net’s MeshScape wireless sensor network. Integrating various local and remote inputs, the device is configured to control on a continuous regulatory, on-demand, scheduled and/or timer basis. The combination results in robust wireless-enabled solutions with a hierarchy of remote and local overrides and fail-safe modes to function appropriately even if wireless communication is disrupted.
Together with Millennial Net’s Wi-Stat II and other devices. The Wi-Controller jointly control and wireless mesh communication capabilities to economically transform existing equipment and facilities to meet the challenges of new commercial and industrial demands and opportunities for control and optimization.
At Sensors-2009 EXPO Millennial Net launched the MeshScape 6424 Wi-Controller. Conference attendees will hear examples of field deployments of Millennial Net’s bi-directional wireless communications for monitoring and control. Also featured at the show is a line of MeshScape electric sub-meters, Wi-LEM, by LEM, Inc.
“Wireless mesh sensor networks are recognized as an enabling technology of the Smart Grid. They will participate in an energy market of fluctuating energy prices and in cooperation with utilities to reduce peak demand and carbon emissions. The operation of Wi-Controller can be directed by a network of far reaching communications that convey sensors close to what servers the business needs together with commands and constraints signaled by the energy market,” said Mark O’Hearne, vice president business development and marketing, Millennial Net.
This wireless controller together with other sensors and supervisory systems make up Millennial Net’s MeshScape wireless sensor network system, utilizing the 802.15.4 standard and 2.4 GHz unlicensed radio band. Mesh networking overcomes the challenge experienced with point-to-point radios. Wireless devices mesh nodes and end nodes participate in an ad hoc, self-forming, and self-healing wireless mesh network that requires no administration.
The reliable and fail-safe operation is important factor in deploying control. The Wi-Controller algorithms and MeshScape protocol are designed for wireless environments, which can delay and disrupt communications. This industrial-class network makes certain the robust and responsive bi-directional communications essential for such control applications, with latency within 50 to 100 milliseconds. MeshScape can rapidly self-form and self-heal network routing in complex topologies within seconds and with scalability ranging to 10 to 20 or more hops. Alternative wireless solutions for complex building environments lack the range, scalability and robustness to perform well in real-world environments.
The applications of the Wi-Controller includes cooling, and ventilation; operation of boilers; activation of enunciators and indicators; variable speed regulation of fans, pumps, and other motors (e.g. Unit Ventilator, Variable Air Volume -VAV- boxes, Variable Frequency Drives – VFD).
“This device is ideal for retrofit applications, as it can leverage existing electric and/or pneumatic infrastructure, thus minimizing installation time, cost, and disruption to buildings and productivity,” says Allan McLeod, VP Business Development of AltaStream, a Millennial Net system integrator partner. AltaStream will be speaking with Millennial Net at Sensors-2009 EXPO.
