Study on the performance analysis of building automation network

In a networked building automation system, many kinds of monitoring, control, maintenance and management data are transmitted through the network. If the network-induced delay of these data exceeds pre-determined limits, building automation systems that require real-time control and operation cannot satisfy their performance and functional requirements. BACnet (building automation and control networks) is a standard data communication protocol for building automation and control systems. BACnet adopts master-slave/token-passing (MS/TP) as one of its local area networking operations. In this study, the performance of BACnet is investigated using a simulation model developed using ARENA, a tool for simulating discrete event dynamic systems. This study evaluates the delay characteristics of MS/TP network being used to deliver BACnet application service. Analysis of the simulation results was used to identify the network parameters that influence the performance of BACnet application services and to develop recommendations that should be considered when designing and operating BACnet systems.