Intelligent BMS

The XNet Neuron is a fully featured Intelligent Building Management System (IBMS) that can control Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) plant in buildings to provide maximum occupancy comfort conditions at the lowest possible energy cost. Many types of ancillary equipment, for example lighting and compressed air compressors can also be controlled and sub-metering can be monitored. The Neurons modular approach allows for cost effective control of the HVAC plant in small buildings, multiple building scenarios or large building complexes. User day to day supervision of the XNet Neuron is carried out using Internet Explorer browser from any PC on the IT network infrastructure or even over the Internet from anywhere in the world, without the need to install any proprietary software. Access is strictly and securely controlled with encryption to authorised pre-programmed users, each user also has a security level that determines the operations that the user can perform.

Built in web server

The XNet Neuron uses industry standard Internet TCP/IP network communications protocols over a standard Ethernet 10/100 BASE-T physical connection and provides 10 and 100 Mbs speed auto sensing hardware enabling easy integration with the user’s normal IT infrastructure. The principal TCP/IP protocol that the Neuron uses for communications is HTTP, exactly the same protocol as that used by web servers, in fact the Neuron has it’s own built in web server that not only serves up graphics pages but also is the means of transmitting and receiving all data. The system software of the Neuron can be remotely updated, even over the Internet if desired. This provides the benefit that you can ensure your energy management system is up to date with the latest software without the cost of an engineer visiting site.

Fast Communications

Communication with XNet Neuron from the browser interface is virtually instantaneous. As you navigate through the pages you can be confidant that you are viewing live data the moment the page has loaded on your screen.

XAML Graphics

XNet Neuron uses the very latest in web-based graphics, developed for the Windows Vista operating system, in the form of Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML). As part of the Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) XAML provides an infrastructure to allow designers and developers to engineer graphics the like of which have not been seen before. No longer are you stuck with bit map pictures that stretch and distort on different screen sizes, XNet Neuron uses XAML based, scalable vector graphics that give you sharp dynamic pictures that can be resized live and will also remain in proportion, whatever screen size they are viewed on.-

Data Logging

The Neuron includes extensive capabilities to measure and log plant performance, inputs, outputs, energy and utility usage, meter readings and also provides locally recorded degree day data. The historical logged data can be displayed, archived or exported to software packages such as Microsoft’s Excel or other monitoring and targeting software. This provides the building manager with the ability to ensure that the plant and control system is performing to the highest efficiency and to target energy usage on a long-term basis with minimum effort.

Integration with buildings IT Infrastructure

The Neuron will be integrated within the IT infrastructure of a building as the IP address can be statically allocated or can be set using the inbuilt DHCP client. The Neuron can be monitored and managed using standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The users network administrators can manage the Neuron’s network using the standard software packages used to manage other IT devices such as routers, switches etc.

In built Mail Server

Occasional plant failure is something we all have to live with, be it a pump tripped or a boiler locked-out or something more serious, it is important that where possible standby equipment is automatically activated and the fault be reported in such a way that the problem can be rectified before the building occupants experience discomfort. The Neuron is able to immediately react to such situations switching on standby equipment and reporting faults with emailed report messages in plain English accurately and understandably detailing the failure priority, the where the when and the what of the problem. Depending upon the failure priority these messages can be forwarded to multiple recipients using email, fax or SMS messages to pagers or mobile phones. The Neuron has an inbuilt SMTP mail server client for sending email messages.