BACnet/IP over 10BASE-T1L vs. BACnet/IP vs. BACnet MS/TP

 

A Practical Look at the Future of Building Automation Networks

Today, building automation systems are being asked to do much more than simply control HVAC equipment. Building owners want real-time data, remote access, energy analytics, indoor air quality monitoring, cloud connectivity, cybersecurity, and the ability to integrate systems across entire campuses.

These new requirements are placing greater demands on our control networks than ever before.

As ASI Controls continues to develop our next generation of products, including our 10BASE-T1L networking control solutions, one question continues to rise up:

What is the difference between BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, and BACnet/IP over 10BASE-T1L, and which one is the best choice for my future projects?

The answer can often depend on the unique application, but understanding the strengths and limitations of each communication method can help building owners, engineers, contractors, and system integrators make better long-term decisions.

BACnet MS/TP – The Industry Workhorse

For decades, BACnet MS/TP has been one of the most widely deployed building automation communication protocols. Running over RS-485 wiring, it has proven itself to be reliable, economical, and relatively simple to implement, as many successful buildings continue to operate on BACnet MS/TP networks today.

The technology can offer several advantages:

• Low installation cost
• Long communication distances
• Proven reliability
• Broad manufacturer support
• Easy interoperability

The challenge, however, is that BACnet MS/TP was developed during a time when buildings exchanged far less information than they do today.

As more devices are added to a network, communication performance can begin to suffer. Since BACnet MS/TP uses a token-passing architecture, every device must wait its turn to communicate. Therefore, as networks grow, its response times can increase, particularly when trending, graphics, analytics, and cloud applications are added.

For many buildings, BACnet MS/TP can still serve as a viable solution. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet modern data requirements with yesterday’s network architecture.

BACnet/IP – Bringing Ethernet into Building Automation

To address the performance limitations of field bus networks, the industry increasingly adopted BACnet/IP.

BACnet/IP leverages standard Ethernet technology to provide significantly greater bandwidth than traditional serial networks.

This communication protocol offers several important benefits:

• Faster communications
• Improved scalability
• Better integration with IT infrastructure
• Enhanced support for enterprise applications
• Easier remote access

BACnet/IP has become the preferred communication method for supervisory systems, front-end workstations, servers, and enterprise-level integrations.

However, traditional Ethernet was originally designed for simple office environments, not necessarily for field-level control devices distributed throughout large buildings.

One challenge is distance. Standard Ethernet is typically limited to approximately 100 meters between switches. As a result, large facilities often require additional network infrastructure, switches, power, and installation labor to reach remote mechanical rooms and equipment locations.

While BACnet/IP provides excellent performance, deploying Ethernet all the way to every field controller can increase both complexity and cost.

Enter 10BASE-T1L – Ethernet Designed for the Field

This is where things begin to get exciting.

10BASE-T1L is an optimized Ethernet technology specifically designed for industrial and building automation applications. Unlike traditional Ethernet, which requires four twisted wire pairs and is generally limited to 100 meters, 10BASE-T1L operates on just a single twisted pair or wires and can support communication distances approaching 1,000 meters.

From an engineering standpoint, this is a significant development.

For the first time, native Ethernet communications can now be deployed further over distances traditionally associated with RS-485 while maintaining the benefits of an IP-based network.

In more practical terms, this means BACnet/IP can now be extended directly into field-level devices without many of the limitations associated with traditional Ethernet infrastructure.

Why BACnet/IP over 10BASE-T1L Matters

The real value of BACnet/IP over 10BASE-T1L is not simply higher speed. The real value is architectural simplicity.

Historically, building automation systems often required multiple network layers, such as:

• BACnet MS/TP trunks
• Ethernet backbones
• Routers
• Gateways
• Protocol converters

Each additional layer adds cost, complexity, maintenance requirements, and potential points of failure.

What BACnet/IP over 10BASE-T1L offers is the opportunity to simplify these network architectures by extending Ethernet closer to the equipment being controlled.

The results can be:

• Reduced infrastructure requirements
• Fewer protocol conversions
• Simplified commissioning
• Easier troubleshooting
• Improved system visibility
• Better long-term scalability

Perhaps most importantly, technicians can interact with field devices as native IP devices rather than navigating through multiple layers of network translation.

A Practical Migration Strategy

One common misconception those new to10BASE-T1L often have is believing it requires entirely replacing existing systems in order to implement, but that is not the approach we recommend.

The reality is that BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP, and BACnet/IP over 10BASE-T1L will coexist for many years. Every building has unique requirements, existing infrastructure, and budget constraints.

The most successful projects will likely be hybrid systems that leverage the strengths of each technology.

Existing BACnet MS/TP networks can continue operating effectively, and existing BACnet/IP remains an excellent choice for supervisory systems and enterprise connectivity.

10BASE-T1L can then be strategically introduced into these networks to provide long-distance Ethernet connectivity where it delivers the greatest value.

This phased approach allows building owners the ability to modernize their systems without abandoning previous investments.

Looking Ahead

At ASI Controls, we see 10BASE-T1L as one of the most significant advancements in building automation networking in many years.

It combines many of the benefits that engineers appreciate about RS-485 networks (distance, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness) with the performance, flexibility, and connectivity advantages of Ethernet.

As we continue developing our next-generation of 10BASE-T1L building automation solutions, our goal is simple: to provide practical control products that improve performance, reduce complexity, and help our customers transition confidently into the future.

The building automation industry is evolving rapidly. Data requirements continue to increase. Remote access is becoming essential. Integration between systems is expanding. The networks that support these systems must evolve as well.

BACnet MS/TP helped build our industry, and BACnet/IP transformed connectivity.

Now, BACnet/IP over 10BASE-T1L offers an exciting opportunity to combine the best aspects of both technologies into a simpler, more scalable, and more future-ready network architecture.

The future of building automation is not about replacing everything overnight. It is about creating smarter pathways forward. That is exactly what we are working toward at ASI Controls.

To learn more about 10BASE-T1L networking, BACnet integration, and the next generation of building automation controllers, visit ASI Controls and follow our ongoing series of technical articles, videos, and product announcements.

 

Demystifying 10BASE-T1L: Clearing Up Common Misconceptions to Unlock Innovation

As Single Pair Ethernet begins to further enter the building automation conversation, 10BASE-T1L continues to draw lots of attention, and with it, a fair amount of misunderstanding.

For some system designers and integrators, the first reaction is often skepticism:

“Isn’t it expensive?”
“Doesn’t it require specialized installers?”
“Isn’t Cat5 still cheaper and easier?”

Concerns like these are understandable. Ethernet has been utilized in building designs for decades, and new physical layers naturally invite comparison to familiar infrastructure.

However, when you take a closer look at how 10BASE-T1L is actually deployed, many of these common assumptions quickly fall away.

In reality, 10BASE-T1L was designed specifically to simplify connectivity at the edge of building networks, often making installations easier and more cost-effective than traditional Ethernet approaches.

Let’s break down a few of the most common misconceptions:

Misconception #1: 10BASE-T1L Is Expensive

At first glance, 10BASE-T1L might appear more expensive than traditional Ethernet because it requires a specialized physical layer or media converters to integrate into building use.

However, focusing only on the electronics overlooks where most network costs actually occur: installation labor and cabling infrastructure.

When these factors are considered, the economics begin to shift.

Traditional Ethernet Installation

Running standard Cat5e or Cat6 typically involves:

• Four twisted pairs
• RJ-45 connectors
• Certification tools and testing procedures
• Trained technicians performing precise crimping and termination

Even small mistakes during termination can require rework or cable replacement.

10BASE-T1L Installation

10BASE-T1L simplifies this process dramatically:

• Only one twisted pair
• Often uses simple two-wire connectors
• No complex RJ-45 termination
• Less cable bulk in conduit

For installers already working with 18–22 AWG control wiring, such as RS-485 (BACnet), or FT (LonWorks) cables, installation of 10BASE-T1L can often look very familiar. Instead of running structured/regimented IT cabling, many deployments feel more like traditional field wiring for sensors and controllers. The result is often lower installation complexity, especially in large buildings.

Misconception #2: It Requires Specialized Cabling

Another common assumption is that 10BASE-T1L requires proprietary cable.

In reality, the technology was designed to run over a simple single twisted-pair copper wire, including wiring commonly found in building automation environments.

For many retrofit scenarios, existing cabling can sometimes be reused, such as:

• Spare twisted pairs in multi-pair control cables
• Existing RS-485 BACnet building automation wiring
• Industrial 4-20 mA instrumentation cables

This flexibility can dramatically reduce the need for new cable pulls within retrofit projects.

For older buildings where conduit space is limited or difficult to access, this simplified wiring becomes a major advantage.

Misconception #3: It Requires New Installation Training

Because 10BASE-T1L is Ethernet-based, some assume it requires deep IT networking expertise.

In practice, however, the opposite is often true.

From a networking standpoint, 10BASE-T1L still carries standard Ethernet frames and IP traffic. Once connected to the network through switches or media converters, the traffic behaves exactly like any other Ethernet device.

From a wiring standpoint, installers are often working with simpler two-wire connections for 10BASE-T1L rather than multi-pair RJ-45 terminations.

For many technicians familiar with building automation or industrial control systems, the wiring process is actually more intuitive than structured Ethernet cabling.

Misconception #4: Traditional Ethernet Can Already Do Everything

Traditional Ethernet certainly works well for backbone networks and high-bandwidth devices. But it was never optimized for long-reach field connectivity.

Standard 100BASE-TX Ethernet has practical limits:

• 100 meter cable length
• Multiple intermediate switches required for longer distances
• Higher power consumption
• Larger cable bundles

10BASE-T1L was designed specifically to solve these problems.

With reach up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) over a single pair, it allows Ethernet to extend further across a building without requiring intermediate networking hardware.

This is particularly valuable for devices located in:

• Mechanical rooms
• Rooftop equipment
• Parking structures
• Distributed I/O panels
• Long building corridors

Instead of adding switch after switch, a building network can now simply extend outward.

Misconception #5: It’s Only for Industrial Applications

While 10BASE-T1L has roots in industrial networking, its characteristics align extremely well with building automation.

Commercial building systems share many of the same requirements:

• Long distances between devices
• Large numbers of sensors and controllers
• Simple wiring requirements
• Low power consumption

As buildings continue transitioning toward IP-based control architectures, technologies like 10BASE-T1L allow Ethernet to reach the same field-level devices that previously required proprietary fieldbuses.

In other words, it helps unify building systems on a common networking foundation.

Looking at the Full System Cost

When comparing traditional Ethernet installations to 10BASE-T1L, it’s easy to focus on component pricing alone.

But real project costs usually come from:

• Cable pulling labor
• Conduit space
• Termination time
• Network switch infrastructure
• Maintenance and troubleshooting

By reducing cable complexity, extending reach, and simplifying installation, 10BASE-T1L can often reduce the total cost of deployment.

A Technology Designed for the Edge of the Network

10BASE-T1L isn’t trying to replace traditional Ethernet in server rooms or network closets. Rather, it was created to extend Ethernet all the way to the devices at the edge of the building.

Sensors, controllers, actuators, and other distributed control equipment are often located hundreds of meters away from network infrastructure. Therefore, running traditional Ethernet to every device simply is not practical.

Single Pair Ethernet optimizes building automation by allowing those devices to join the same network without the complexity and obstacles faced with traditional structured cabling.

Conclusion

As with any emerging technology, early conversations around 10BASE-T1L often include a mix of facts and assumptions.

However, once you look beyond the surface, many common concerns, such as cost, installation complexity, or training, turn out to be less significant than expected.

In many building automation environments, 10BASE-T1L can actually simplify network deployment while extending Ethernet further across a building than ever before.

Rather than replacing traditional Ethernet, it complements it, creating a practical path for bringing IP connectivity to the true edge of modern building networks.

At ASI Controls, we understand that technologies like 10BASE-T1L will play an important role in the continued evolution of building automation, and we are working diligently to develop high-performance cost-effective control solutions centered around making Single Pair Ethernet integration seamless for your next projects. By combining long-reach connectivity with standard Ethernet networking, system designers will gain new flexibility in how their building systems are designed and deployed.

 

ASI Controls has announced an agreement with Charlotte, NC-based, PointGuard Analytics, to offer advanced building analytics to ASI’s line of system and VAV controllers. The partnership marks an expansion of ASI Controls’ effort to provide deeper insight into building system performance.

ASI Analytics, powered by PointGuard, delivers on-demand intelligence into building systems and visualizes opportunities to reduce operating costs through predictive maintenance. The aim is to give service providers and building managers an at-a-glance view of their building status and help to identify opportunities for long-term capital expenditure reduction and energy savings.

ASI will begin offering ASI Analytics as a two-tiered annual subscription program beginning in August 2021 and will announce additional information about the platform soon.

ASI Controls has added the ability to back up a controller via SD card as a new feature to ASIC/3 controllers running firmware version 3.5 or later. When the controller starts up the device’s configuration will be automatically saved to the SD card and update as changes are saved in ASI Visual Expert.

If an SD card-compatible device requires replacement, a technician only needs to install the card from the original controller in the new controller, power up the device, and then hold the service button for ten seconds. This will load the last saved .ASI file to the new controller.

ASI will begin shipping ASIC/3 controllers with SD cards in the next few weeks.

Please contact techsupport@asicontrols.com with any questions.

 

As you may be aware, the ongoing pandemic has created a global shortage of semiconductors that has affected many industries. As a result, we have been advised by our suppliers to expect longer than normal lead times and modest price increases on select ACI and Niagara products. We’re doing our best to absorb some of the cost increases and mitigate lead times as much as we can. We advise that you please plan your projects accordingly. Please contact sales@asicontrols.com with any questions.

ACI and Niagara price increases will go into effect on August 1.

ASI will honor current pricing on all ACI and Niagara projects through September 1 on any project registered in ASI University. 

Niagara products affected – JACE 8000 – Edge 10 – I/O Modules – Expansion Modules – ACI products affected

Price increases

• A/DLP Series Pressure Transmitters
• A/MLP2 Series Pressure Transmitters
• A/TT100, A/TTM100, A/TT1K, and A/TTM1K Series Temperature Transmitters
• A/FLS Series Freeze Stats
• A/GP Series Pressure Transmitters
• AFS Series Pressure Switches

Products with extended lead times

• AFS pressure switches: 2-3 weeks
• Averaging sensors (flexible and copper): 3-4 weeks
• RH/TEMP combination sensors: 5-6 weeks
• Temp transmitters: 5-6 weeks
• NIST devices: 7-8 weeks

Systems Associates Inc. uncouples a high-end hotel from a massive central BAS System 

Each year more than 50 million people visit Las Vegas to gamble, relax, and enjoy the city’s entertainment. In this desert oasis, daily temperatures can fluctuate between the 60s to over 100 degrees in a matter of hours. These constantly shifting conditions are why Las Vegas is home to some of the world’s largest conditioned spaces.

The Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is one of these spaces— with more than 51,000 square feet of lobbies, entertainment, conference facilities, hotel rooms, and private condos. The building is one of six structures in City Center, now called Aria a complex spanning an entire city block. In its original design, a single massive central plant provided utilities to this behemoth of structures while a central BAS system provided control of the entire complex.

Early in 2020, Hilton Hotels, owner of the Waldorf Astoria, received notification from Aria they would be uncoupled from the complex’s central building automation system in March. From now on, they would purchase utility water from Aria but otherwise would have to manage the building on their own. Hilton needed a fast, reliable solution, or the Waldorf Astoria’s critical HVAC systems would shut down.

They turned to Systems Associates Inc. of Bowling Green, Ohio.

Systems Associates had just three months to design, plan, and implement a new BAS system. With several options at their disposal, they chose ASI Controls.

Fast, Straightforward Implementation was critical

Aria had a date set in stone where they would pull the plug. After that, the hotel would be dead in the water. To add complexity, the Waldorf Astoria closed for the COVID-19 outbreak early in the project. This provided a limited window to complete the installation without hotel guests on the property. At the same time, it left a sense of uncertainty around finishing the work before the reopening.

Systems Associates leveraged ASI Controls’ ASIC/3 line of programmable BACnet controllers to provide an expedient solution. ASI Controls designed its ASIC/3s to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of non-ASI controllers and sensors. This allowed Systems Associates to integrate a range of third-party components. The result is a truly customized solution.

“The ASIC/3 line gave us the flexibility to integrate third party sensors, frequency drives, and BTU meters. Their Ballrooms had a sprinkling of building pressure transducers and CO2 sensors that were also necessary to integrate into the VAV controls,” David Clover, vice president of Systems Associates’ controls division said.

Flexibility to meet the building’s unique needs

Hilton tasked Systems Associates with designing a controls solution for the lobby spaces, spas, ballrooms, back of house, eight flat-plate exchanger systems, as well as six pool heating exchangers. Systems Associates utilized twenty-five ASIC/3-9540 programmable system controllers to provide top-level management of core building systems and nearly two hundred ASIC/3-6115 programmable VAV controllers to provide terminal control in individual spaces.

ASI’s ASIC/3-6115 VAV controllers allowed Systems Associates to program nuanced custom sequences for each VAV box. Control was then routed via BACnet MS/TP to the ASIC/3-9540 controllers and managed through Systems Associates CONTROLIQ front-end.

“All of the top-level ASI Controllers are running BACnet protocol MS/TP routing,” Clover said. “We utilized third party BACnet routers to isolate strings of VAV boxes in order to allow more frequent polling and logging of data.”

Lower hardware costs and a lower cost of ownership

As with any project, material costs can weigh heavily on profits. Systems Associates offers multiple controls line to its customers. After comparing the levels of functionality, reliability, and hardware costs, ASI was the clear winner.

“The [lower] expense of ASI versus some of the others was tantamount,” Clover said.

ASI Controls have the lowest total cost of ownership because it engineers products to be reliable and higher quality. It uses superior components and assembles the majority of its controls products domestically. It also sources accessories, such as Belimo actuators and ACI Sensors, from respected manufacturers. Plus, ASI offers an industry-leading five-year warranty on its controllers.

Everything’s under control

Through working with ASI, Systems Associates completed the massive project in just three months. They removed the previous BAS system, installed new controllers, remodeled enclosure, and installed a new front-end without any major issues.

“This ranks up there as one of the bigger projects in our thirty-plus year history—and in record time too,” Clover said. “At this point, there’s not a mechanical system in the building that’s not under our control.”

 

Niagara AX will reach its end of life in 2021. ASI strongly recommends upgrading early to ensure a smooth transition to N4 and mitigate risk. After the end of life date, the manufacturer will no longer provide support to AX users.

As AX is phased out, incentives are available for resellers who wish to upgrade any current AX projects now. Tridium is offering a 20% discount on legacy AX JACE upgrades until December 15, 2020.

2020 JACE TRADE-UP INITIATIVES – Americas and EMEA Region

This initiative will run until December 15, 2020. Customers that take advantage of this opportunity will receive a 20% discount when replacing legacy AX JACEs. Any AX JACEs purchased after January 1, 2017, are eligible for an additional 10% discount.

• Trade-Up Program for America: For ordering information, licensing details, and FAQs, view the overview presentation or program brochure.
• Trade-Up Programme for EMEA: View the program brochurefor more information.

2020 JACE TRADE-UP INITIATIVES – Americas and EMEA Region

This initiative will run until December 15, 2020. Customers that take advantage of this opportunity will receive a 20% discount when replacing legacy AX JACEs. Any AX JACEs purchased after January 1, 2017, are eligible for an additional 10% discount.

• Trade-Up Program for America: For ordering information, licensing details, and FAQs, view the overview presentation or program brochure.
• Trade-Up Programme for EMEA: View the program brochure for more information.

All incentives will be available for a limited time. Please contact sales@asicontrols.com for more information on how to take advantage of them.

On August 1 ASI began shipping all IntelliFront appliances with version 5.0.

IntelliFront 5 contains a host of enhancements and new features including a new DB builder, new host app, updated connectors, workflow improvements, and bug fixes. A new template creation wizard also makes integrating controllers faster and easier, further reducing configuration time for systems integrators and OEMs. Version 5 also eliminates the reliance on Flash.

Why upgrade?

IntelliFront’s new framework supports new objects, better tuning policies, and discovery via open standards such as BACnet. An additional update to Modbus has now made it easier to map registers to create points. With this upgrade IntelliFront moves to Haystack 4.0, the most current open IoT standard. This new build supports new definitions, taxonomy, ontology, and query enhancements. IntelliFront 5 works with a host of connectors including BACnet IP, Modbus IP, Modbus RTU, OPC, UA, nHaystack, SQL, XML,  JSON, and many others.

The new DB Builder is much faster in IntelliFront 5 with a new user interface designed to optimize workflows for faster configuration. It now supports multiple trees that show organized project information by application; including graphics, programs, connectors, and schedules. New tools allow for drag-and-drop creation of records to create relationships, to Clone, use Tag bundles, to apply Templates, add Histories, add Alarms, and do Conversions.

IntelliFront 5 has been completely revised to work independently outside of a project and security has been revamped to allow for stronger passwords and improved user management functionality. J2 Innovations created an IT Hardening Guide to help IT professionals implement IntelliFront securely.

What if I still have version 4.5?

ASI will continue to support version 4.5 for as long as possible. Due to the deprecation of Flash this year, version 4.5 will no longer work. We strongly encourage everyone with 4.5 projects to upgrade as soon as possible. Our IntelliFront 5 upgrade page in our Partner Portal provides detailed information.

There is no cost to upgrade to IntelliFront 5 if you have an active maintenance agreement in place which was purchased during the last 12 months.  Those without an active agreement or with an agreement beyond the 12-month window can upgrade once the annual maintenance fee has been paid for the period the license was not under the agreement. Contact sales@asicontrols.com to upgrade.

Edit

As an essential business, ASI Controls continues to operate under guidelines from the CDC and the State of California. Most of our staff are now working remotely with only minimal staff reporting to our office to assemble and ship orders. We’re continuing to fulfill orders according to our shipping policy. While most products are unaffected, some may incur longer than normal lead times. Please contact sales@asicontrols.com with any questions or concerns.

 

ASI Controls has officially released its IntelliFront 5 building automation software platform. IntelliFront provides monitoring, control, scheduling, alarming, visualization, integration, and analytics capabilities designed for rapid deployment and flexible integration for a host of use cases.

IntelliFront 5 was designed in concert with J2 Innovations to be more open, fast, and secure than its predecessors. It builds on previous versions with a host of enhancements and new features including a new DB builder, new host app, updated connectors, workflow improvements, and bug fixes. IntelliFront 5 aims to streamline project integration timeframes for system integrators and OEMs while providing a robust and extensible framework for users to customize the system to their needs.

 IoT ready

The new IntelliFront 5 framework supports all major protocol standards including BACnet IP, Modbus IP/RTU, OPC, SNMP, nHaystack, SQL, EnOcean, and others allowing for broad integration and application across disparate building systems. With this upgrade, IntelliFront moves to Haystack 4.0, the most current open IoT standard that uses tagging to automate the configuration process. It also features new objects, better tuning policies, and discovery via open standards such as BACnet. An additional update to Modbus has now made it easier to map registers to create points.

Faster than ever

The new DB Builder is much faster in IntelliFront 5 with a new user interface designed to optimize workflows for faster configuration. It now supports multiple trees that show organized project information by application; including graphics, programs, connectors, and schedules. New tools allow for drag-and-drop creation of records to create relationships, to Clone, use Tag bundles, to apply Templates, add Histories, add Alarms and do Conversions. IntelliFront 5 can also allow for the auto-generated configuration of an entire project from a spreadsheet.

Secure yet flexible

IntelliFront 5 has been completely revised to work independently outside of a project and security has been revamped to allow for stronger passwords and improved user management functionality. Extensive API documentation is available to allow for enhanced customization.

In anticipation of the end of support for Flash in 2020, IntelliFront 5 has eliminated the need for Flash in its user interface.

ASI Controls offers IntelliFront 5 as a front-end option for all its system integrations. Contact sales@asicontrols.com or 925-866-8808 to learn more or locate a system integrator.