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September 2011
Interview
AutomatedBuildings.com
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INTERVIEW
– Mark Walters and Ken
Sinclair
Mark has over 20 years experience in all aspects of electronic product
solutions. He has a background in product design and
development having served as chief engineer for a high-end audio
company, a vehicular sensor and controls company and a manufacture of
premise wiring solutions. Additionally, he is a seasoned veteran
in the building controls market including positions held with Alerton,
Encelium Technologies and Leviton Manufacturing. Currently Mark
serves as the Chairman of the Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of
leading global companies dedicated to establishing Z-Wave as the
standard in wireless controls. Mark holds bachelor’s degrees in Biology
and Chemistry from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a MBA
from City University, Seattle.
Z-Wave For Large Buildings
There are over 65,000 Z-Wave devices in this one hotel. A key
reason Z-Wave was chosen for this job was the simplicity of
installation and commissioning.
Sinclair: I see Z-Wave being used in simple home automation
applications, can it be used in large commercial buildings as well?
Walters: While most manufacturers of Z-Wave products concentrate on residential
applications the technology is not limited to simple home
automation. Z-Wave technology provides for the easy, secure
creation of networks consisting of; sensors, energy meters,
thermostats, lighting and window shade controls, door locks, keycard
switches and user interfaces. Z-Wave uses a true mesh networking
topology providing for robust network coverage of large spaces.
Sinclair: Can you give me an example where Z-Wave was used
in a large commercial application?
Walters:
Sure, Z-Wave technology was used to automate the 2,716 room Wynn Hotel
in Las Vegas. Each room is equipped with smart lighting, climate
control, window shade control as well as integration with keycard entry
and housekeeping. There are over 65,000 Z-Wave devices in this
one hotel. A key reason Z-Wave was chosen for this job was the
simplicity of installation and commissioning.
Sinclair: We hear a lot about other RF technologies being
used in automated buildings what makes Z-Wave a good choice for large
building automation?
Walters:
A key benefit is Z-Wave uses the 900Mhz ISM band where most other
technologies use the 2.4Ghz band. The lower frequencies in the
900Mhz band provide for better wall and ceiling penetration and hence
improved range and reliability. In addition to the improved
penetration and range, there is no chance of interference with other
2.4Ghz technologies such as WiFi and Bluetooth. Another benefit
is Z-Wave profiles fully support the products and functions needed in a
large commercial building such as; smart-grid and DR interfaces, HVAC,
lighting, window covering, security, IP communications and
access. Perhaps the key benefit is the proven interoperability of
Z-Wave. While other technologies advertize multi-vendor
interoperability Z-Wave is the only technology that brings hundreds of
products from many different manufacturers together with a standard
plug-in play network. This gives the integrator multiple choices
of say gateways, thermostats or lighting controls where with other
technologies there is often only one choice.
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Sinclair: How about integration of Z-Wave with other
building systems?
Walters:
There are several gateway devices on the market that provide internet
access to the Z-Wave network. Some of these gateways support
OpenADR and other regional demand response protocols. For true
M2M integration Z-Wave is supported by the Niagara Framework through a
JACE interface. If your building has a Niagara or BACNet front end it is
easy to incorporate Z-Wave devices.
Sinclair: How can someone get more information on Z-Wave
products for large buildings.
Sinclair: Any last comments on Z-Wave for large buildings?
Walters: Yes,
in the end the power of Z-Wave is its user community and the ecosystem
of over 500 certified, interoperable products. This ecosystem and
interoperability is fostered by the Z-Wave Alliance a global consortium
of companies dedicated to the continued development and promotion of
the Z-Wave Standard. The Alliance holds regular advanced
trainings and unplug fests and maintains an interoperability lab.
Readers can learn more about the Alliance at http://www.z-wavealliance.org/modules/AllianceStart/
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