Look, no wires!

Wireless systems in security and home automation will be the prevailing technology within a few years, predicts an international expert on building technology.

Helmut Macht, Chief Technology Officer of Siemens Building Technologies Group, predicts: "In a few years the advantages of wireless communications over conventional communica-tions will be so overwhelming that the majority of communications in residential and simple commercial premises will be handled using wireless systems."

Speaking at the Siemens International Trade Press Forum, Macht said that wireless technology offered the advantage of "considerably simplified installation". But at the moment this was offset by "certain drawbacks with regard to node costs and battery service life". There was also the problem of possible interference with other devices.

However, the potential of conventional, on-wire communications technology "has largely been ex-hausted". In contrast, wireless technology was "deve-loping very quickly", he told the forum in Dallas.

Wireless systems meant added value for the customer with component costs decreasing year by year. There was minimal installation effort and short upgrade times (particularly useful in hotels etc). Unpleasant wiring in historical and sight-sensitive applications was avoided and there was easy integration on the sensor/actuator level.

He added that conventional wired comms technology did have its advantages and will continue to justify its presence on the market. For instance, wired systems enjoyed very well known installation techniques.

Home automation
The next step to integrated wireless home automation systems is about to be made, he said. Home automation systems will be responsible for controlling all aspects of comfort and security in a building in future. This includes everything from lighting, sunblinds, individual room and automatic controls to adjustment of the security system. In future years wireless technology in buildings will benefit from lower prices and longer battery service life.

Potential of conventional, on-wire communications technology ‘has largely been exhausted’

Siemens Building Technologies provides medium to large, sometimes complex, integrated systems to the industrial and commercial market. For the domestic sector devices are manufactured for security, fire safety and comfort, frequently distributed by other equipment manufacturers.

Wireless systems by SBT aspired to the same quality standards as hard-wired systems, he said. Developments ranged from the 433 MHz ISM band to the 868/ 902 MHz SRD band. The SRD (Short Range Devices) band was much more strictly regulated and had a "substantial" increase in transmission reliability.

Communications in the SRD band, channel hopping and circuit design resulted in an exceptionally low mis-transmission rate. "Power-thrifty" overall design allowed a battery service life of five years in a detector. The SRD band also featured exclusive alarm channels for alarm systems. It was well organised and free of amateur radio and ISM (industrial, science, medical) applications.

Immunity to false alarms
He told the conference that Siroute wireless infra-structure was the first security system to feature bi-directional wireless communications and this allowed a "hitherto unmatched" level of immunity to false alarms from communications errors.