Neptronic AROB24T User manual

AROB-BACnet Guide_170920
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Universal Room Controller
AROB Series
BACnet Communication Module User Guide
AROB24T (Temperature sensor)
AROB24TH (Temperature and Humidity sensors)
AROB24TGH (Temperature, Humidity, and CO2 sensors)
AROB24TGVH (Temperature, Humidity, VOC, and CO2 sensors)
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AROB Series Universal Room Controller
BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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Contents
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................1
Pre‐requisites.................................................................................................................................................................1
AdvantagesofBACnet...................................................................................................................................................1
BACnetPropertiesConfiguration...................................................................................................................................2
ConfigurationOptions........................................................................................................................................................3
QuickSetup....................................................................................................................................................................3
ManualSetup.................................................................................................................................................................3
MACAddressandMax_Master.................................................................................................................................3
NetworkReset...............................................................................................................................................................4
DeviceObjectProperties...................................................................................................................................................5
ObjectTypesSupported.................................................................................................................................................6
OutofServiceProperty..................................................................................................................................................6
ObjectTableInformation...................................................................................................................................................7
AnalogInput(AI)............................................................................................................................................................7
AnalogOutput(AO)........................................................................................................................................................7
AnalogValue(AV)..........................................................................................................................................................8
BinaryInput(BI)...........................................................................................................................................................14
BinaryOutput(BO).......................................................................................................................................................14
BinaryValue(BV).........................................................................................................................................................14
MultiStateValue(MSV)...............................................................................................................................................18
Notes................................................................................................................................................................................22
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AROB Series Universal Room Controller
BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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Introduction
The AROB Series Controller BACnet Communication Module User Guide provides information about using the
controller with BACnet communications feature. The BACnet communication protocol for building automation and
control networks enables communication between client devices within a network. The controller provides a BACnet
network interface between BACnet client devices and Neptronic Controller series devices. It uses the BACnet Master
Slave/Token Passing (MS/TP) protocol at the BACnet MAC layer.
Pre-requisites
The BACnet communication user guide assumes that you are familiar with the concepts of BACnet and its
terminology.
Advantages of BACnet
BACnet enabled controllers have the following advantages:
 Quick Message Transmission. The controller uses a synchronous implementation for BACnet messages
making it quick and efficient. Each BACnet confirmed service request is answered quickly without using the
Reply Postponed frame. The MS/TP implementation is performed within Tusage_delay of 15 minutes to
ensure a Tusage_timeout value within 20 minutes.
 MS/TP Support. The controller supports a Full Master Node state machine for MS/TP. The Max_Master and
the instances are configured to the device object through BACnet WriteProperty service or the device's
Programming Mode. The MAC address and the MS/TP baud rate setting of 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and
76800 are also set through the BACnet Write Property service or the device's Programming Mode. In the
Programming mode, the device is configured through the device’s keypad. For more information about the
WriteProperty, refer to Table 3 - Object Types Supported.
 BIBB Support. The controller functions the same way as the B-ASC type profile server and supports the
specific BIBB as per their relevant definitions.
o DS-RP-B
o DS-RPM-B
o DS-WP-B
o DS-WPM-B
o DM-DCC-B
o DM-DDB-B
o DM-DOB-B
o DM-RD-B
 Object Support. The controller supports a fixed list of BACnet visible values, which appear as Present_Values
of various BACnet standard object types in addition to a device object. For more information, refer to Table 3 -
Object Types Supported.
 Alarms. The controller supports the indication of various alarm conditions through value changes in properties
of several objects. However, it does not generate BACnet event notifications.

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BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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BACnet Properties Configuration
To establish communication on the network, and guarantee a unique ID of devices in a BACnet system, the following
properties may have to be configured.
Table 1 - BACnet Properties Configuration
Property Default
Value
Configuration
MAC Address 000
 Set to a unique address on the network between 000 and 254.
 The value can be set manually using the menu.
 The value can be set manually through the WriteProperty service to Device
Object.proprietary-property#1000 MSTP-Address.
 The values from 128-254 represent MS/TP non-token passing slave devices.
Device Instance Auto
 The controller automatically configures its device instance to 153,000 + MAC
address.
 The value can be set manually using the menu.
 The value can be set manually through the WriteProperty service to Device
Object.Object_Identifier.
 The device’s Object_Identifier is a combination of the Device Object_Type
(8) and the Device_Instance (0-4194302). Therefore its decimal or
hexadecimal representation tends to be incomprehensible.
 For example, the Device_Instance = 1000 has an equivalent
Object_Identifier of 0x020003E8 hexadecimal or 33555432 decimal.
Baud Rate 0 = Auto
 The controller configures its baud rate automatically by detecting the network
upon connection.
 The value can be set manually from the available values of (0) Auto, 9600,
19200, 38400, 57600, and 76800.
Max_Master 127
 Configure Max_Master value to increase network efficiency when there are
less than 127 devices on the network.
 The Max_Master value can be changed through the WriteProperty service to
Device Object.Max_Master.
For more information, refer to the MAC Address and Max_Master section.
Device Object.Object_Name Name of
the device
 Configure the name of the device through the WriteProperty service to Device
Object.Object_Name. For example, ARO24TGVH.
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BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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Configuration Options
The following Configuration options enable you to configure and run the BACnet features of the controllers quickly.
Quick Setup
Configure the controller for BACnet communication without programming.
1. Ensure that no other device on the network has a MAC address of 0 (the controller's default address).
2. Connect the controller to the network and power it up.
3. The controller automatically configures the baud rate and device instance allowing BACnet Property
Configuration through the Write Property service. See Table 1 - BACnet Properties Configuration.
4. Repeat the steps for each controller.
Manual Setup
Configure the controller for BACnet communication with programming.
1. Access Operation Mode (jumper set to RUN position).
2. Press and hold both function buttons for 5 seconds to access the Quick Access menu.
3. Enter the password, 637.
4. Follow the instructions to configure the MAC Address, MAX Master, Device Instance, and Baud Rate
manually.
5. Disconnect the power to the controller, connect the controller to the network, and connect the power again.
MAC Address and Max_Master
The MAC address must be unique on the entire MS/TP network. However, having a unique MAC address and a high
baud rate does not guarantee efficient operation of the controller and other MS/TP units on the MS/TP network. Some
MAC address and Max_Master combinations are more efficient than others. BACnet requires token-passing units to
occasionally “poll” for other masters based on the MAC address and Max_Master.
A poor combination of MAC addresses and Max_Master can lead to a slower network due to lost time polling for
masters that are not present. Unless there are 126 other units on the MS/TP network, the default Max_Master value of
127 is not the most efficient choice for the controller. The Max_Master default value of 127 was selected to ensure
that any master, specifically a BACnet client can be found when the controller is initially started.
Examples of MAC Address and Max_Master Configurations
The following are some of the examples to indicate the optimum combination of MAC address and Max_Master
configurations to ensure a quick and efficient output.
Example 1
 MAC=0. Max_Master=127
 MAC=1, Max_Master=127
This configuration is slow and inefficient because every time either unit is required to find another master unit, it has to
poll 126 units until it finds the right one to pass the token.
Example 2
 MAC=0. Max_Master=5
 MAC=1 to MAC=4 are not used
 MAC=5, Max_Master=5
This configuration is better than Example 1 but it is still not optimal. The Max_Master is set to the most efficient value,
but the gap between the two MAC addresses is high. Therefore, each unit must poll four units until it finds the right
one to pass the token.
Example 3
 MAC=0, Max_Master=1
 MAC=2, Max_Master=2

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BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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This is an incorrect configuration. The MAC=0 will never find MAC=2 because it will never poll for the master MAC
address=2.
Example 4
 MAC=0. Max_Master=3
 MAC=1, Max_Master=3
 MAC=2, Max_Master=3
 MAC=3, Max_Master=3
This is an efficient configuration as the units are numbered consecutively, and the MAX_Master is set to the most
efficient value. As a general guideline, the most efficient setup for an MS/TP network is one in which the units are
consecutively numbered starting at MAC address 0 and having Max_Master=the maximum MAC address in the
system. If consecutive numbering is not possible, then the next most efficient setup is one in which all units have
Max_Master=the maximum MAC address in the system.
Network Reset
Reset the controller through BACnet using the Reinitialize Device service. The Reinitialize Device service can be
accessed using the following password: nep.
The Reinitialize Device service has two types of reset such as:
 Warm Reset: The Warm Reset restarts the controller with actual configuration.
 Cold Reset: The Cold Reset restarts the controller with Factory configuration.
Warning: The Cold Reset erases the actual configuration when setting the MSTP address. Therefore, exercise
caution while performing a Cold Reset.
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BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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Device Object Properties
The following table lists all the BACnet properties supported for the device object. The W indicates that the property is
writable using the BACnet WriteProperty service.
Table 2 - Device Object Properties
Property Value Writable
Object_Identifier
 Programmable where the instance part of the Object_Identifier is in the range of
0-4194302
 The device instance must be unique system-wide
 The default value for the device instance=153000 (Vendor_Identifier*1000)
W
Object_Name AROB24TGVH, programmable up to 32 Bytes W
Description Programmable up to 32 Bytes (default: BACnet Unit Controller) W
Object_Type Device
System_Status Operational
Vendor_Identifier Always 153
Vendor_Name Always Neptronic
Model_Name Example, ARBGVH
Firmware_Revision currently, 1.06
Application_Software_Version currently, 1.27
Protocol_Version Always 1
Protocol_Revision Always 14
DataBase_Revision Default 0; incremented if Object Name, Object List, and/or device ID change
Max_APDU_Length_Accepted Always 480
Segmentation_Supported (3) = No Segmentation
APDU_Timeout 3000 W
Number_of_APDU_Retries Always 3
Protocol_Services_Supported
 readProperty
 readPropertyMultiple
 WriteProperty

writePropertyMultiple
 deviceCommunicationControl
 reinitializeDevice
 who-Has
 who-Is
Protocol_Object_Types_Supported
 analog-input
 analog-output
 analog-value

binary-input
 binary-output
 binary-value
 device
 multi-state-value
Object_List 167
Device_Address_Binding Always empty
Max_Master Programmable in the range of 1-127 (default: 127) W
Max_Info_Frames Always 1
Active_COV_Subscription Empty by default. COV subscription is not supported by the AROB Series Controllers
Property_List List of properties that exist within the object
Proprietary property #1000
 Programmable (default:0)
 Represents the MS/TP MAC address in the range of 0 to 254
 Values 128 to 254 represent MS/TP non-token passing slave devices
W
Proprietary property #1001
 Programmable (default: Auto)
 Represents the MS/TP Baud rate (unsigned type)
 Values are 0 (Auto), 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 76800
W
Proprietary property #1002
 Programmable (default: 15 minutes)
 Represents the period that an object in/out of service will automatically return to
normal. Range = 0-120 minutes (unsigned type)
 Writing 0 means no automatic return to normal
W
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BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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Object Types Supported
The following table lists all the BACnet properties supported for each object type. Most of the properties are locked.
The exception is Present_Value, which represents the dynamic operating values of the device, and the Status_Flag,
Event_State, and Reliability properties, which reflect the availability of the Present_Value. Unless otherwise specified,
properties are not changeable.
Table 3 - Object Types Supported
Object
Type Enabled Optional Properties
Supported
Writable Properties Notes
Note: Writable properties are different for some objects. Refer to the respective Object Table information to know the writable property for objects.
Analog
Input 
 Reliability
 Description
 Min_Present_Value
 Max_Present_Value
 Resolution
Out_of_Service

If "Out_of_Service" is true, Present_Value and Status_Flag
become writable properties. Refer to Out of Service Property
section on page 6 for more information.
 The object will automatically return to Normal after a
programmable period. Refer to Proprietary property #1002 of
Device Object in Table 2 - Device Object Properties.
Analog
Value 
 Reliability
 Description
 Present_Value
 Out_of_Service
 Refer to Out_of_Service Property section on page 6 for more
information.
 The object will automatically return to Normal after a
programmable period. Refer to Proprietary property #1002 of
Device Object in Table 2 - Device Object Properties.
Analog
Output 
 Description
 Reliability
 Min-Pres-Value
 Max-Pres-Value
 Resolution
Present_Value
Binary
Input 
 Reliability
 Active_Text
 Inactive_Text
 Description
Out_of_Service

If "Out_of_Service" is true, Present_Value and Status_Flag
become writable properties. Refer to Out_of_Service Property
section on page 6 for more information.
 The object will automatically return to Normal after a
programmable period. Refer to Proprietary property #1002 of
Device Object in Table 2 - Device Object Properties.
Binary
Value 
 Reliability
 Active_Text
 Inactive_Text
 Description
Present_Value .
Binary
Output 
 Description
 Reliability
 Inactive-text
 Active-text
Present_Value
Device 
 Max_Master
 Max_Info_Frame
 Description
 active-cov-
subscriptions
 #1000 (MSTP addr)
 #1001 (Baud rate)
 #1002 (Time out)
 Apdu_Timeout
 Object_Identifier
 Object_Name
 Max_Master
 Description
 Apdu_Timeout
 #1000
 #1001
 #1002
Multi-
State
Value

 Description
 Reliability
 State_Text
Present_Value
Out_of_Service Property
Neptronic controllers offer the use of the Out_of_Service writable property. When the value of this property is set to
True, it disconnects the object from the physical input, enabling you to input other values. This is useful for special
applications or while troubleshooting. For example, you can ignore the temperature read from a sensor and input the
desired temperature value to perform specific tests.
For security reasons, a timeout will set the Out_of_Service property back to False after 15 minutes. This value can be
modified to between 0 and 120 minutes (For more information, see proprietary property #1002 in Table 2 - Device
Object Properties).

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BACnet Communication Module User Guide
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Object Table Information
The AROB Series controllers use the following BACnet object tables, categorized by their ID. The type is the BACnet Object type; the instance is the BACnet Object.
Together, the type and instance form the BACnet Object_Identifier for an object according to the following C-language algorithm:
 object_identifier=(unsigned long)((unsigned long)type<<22)+instance
The object ids are available based on the App Profile (Application Profile) selected.
All object ids are available for App Profile, 0 = No Profile (manual configuration).
Analog Input (AI)
Table 4 - Object Table Information: Analog Input (AI)
ID Name Description W? Notes
Factory
AI.3 Status AI 1 m V
Represents the sensor reading value on analog input 1 in millivolts.
Status AI 1 m V is only available for App Profile, 0 = No Profile (manual
configuration).
Read Only 0 to 10,000 millivolts, Resolution 1mV
AI.4 Status PCB Temp m V Represents the temperature of the printed circuit board in millivolts. Read Only 0 to 3,300 millivolts, Resolution 1mV
AI.5 Status Micro Temp m V Represents the measured temperature of the on-board microprocessor in
millivolts. Read Only 0 to 3,300 millivolts, Resolution 1mV
Analog Output (AO)
Table 5 - Object Table Information: Analog Output (AO)
ID Name Description W? Notes
Integrator
AO.1 Status AO.1 Status value that represents the modulation percentage of analog output 1
based on demand.
Present Value
Relinquish Default 0% to 100%, Resolution 1%
AO.2 Status AO.2
Status value that represents the modulation percentage of analog output 2
based on demand. Status AO.2 is only available for App Profile, 0 = No Profile
(manual configuration).
Present Value
Relinquish Default 0% to 100%, Resolution 1%
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Analog Value (AV)
Table 6 - Object Table Information: Analog Value (AV)
ID Name Description W? Notes
Integrator
AV.1 User Cooling Setpoint
Configuration value used to set the actual user cooling setpoint of the zone in
the operation mode. The cooling setpoint values are restricted by the
temperature deadband and the heating setpoint.
Present Value 32°F to 257°F or 0°C to 125°C (AV.2 + AV.91 to 257°F/125°C),
Resolution 0.2°F/0.1ºC
AV.2 User Heating Setpoint
Configuration value used to set the actual user heating setpoint of the zone in
the operation mode. The heating setpoint values are restricted by the
temperature deadband and the cooling setpoint.
Present Value 32°F to 257°F or 0°C to 125°C (32°F/0°C to AV.1 - AV.91),
Resolution 0.2°F/0.1°C
AV.3 User Dehumidification Setpoint
Configuration value that represents the dehumidification setpoint of the zone in
the operation mode set by the user, based on relative humidity. The
dehumidification setpoint value is restricted by the humidity deadband and the
humidification setpoint. The User Dehumidification Setpoint requires a
functioning humidity sensor installed.
Present Value 0% RH to 100% RH (AV.4 + AV.92 to 100% RH),
Resolution 0.1% RH
AV.4 User Humidification Setpoint
Configuration value used to set the actual user humidification setpoint of the
zone in operation mode. The humidification setpoint values are restricted by the
humidity deadband and the dehumidification setpoint. The User
Humidification Setpoint requires a functioning humidity sensor installed.
Present Value 0% RH to 100% RH (0% RH to AV.3 - AV.92),
Resolution 0.1% RH
AV.5 User Cooling Unocc Setpoint
Configuration value used to set the actual user cooling setpoint of the zone in
unoccupied operation mode. The unoccupied cooling setpoint values are
restricted by the temperature deadband and unoccupied heating setpoint. Only
appears if MSV.18 or MSV.19 is set to OCC or NSB.
Present Value 32°F to 257°F or 0°C to 125°C (AV.6 + AV.91 to 257°F/125°C),
Resolution 0.2°F/0.1°C
AV.6 User Heating Unocc Setpoint
Configuration value used to set the actual user heating setpoint of the zone in
unoccupied operation mode. The unoccupied heating setpoint values are
restricted by the temperature deadband and unoccupied cooling setpoint. Only
appears if MSV.18 or MSV.19 is set to OCC or NSB.
Present Value 32°F to 257°F or 0°C to 125°C (32°F/0°C to AV.5 - AV.91),
Resolution 0.2°F/0.1°C
AV.7 User CO2 Setpoint
Configuration value that represents the user CO2 setpoint in parts per million
(PPM) at which the outside air damper opens or shuts proportionally to allow
the fresh air into the zone. The User CO2 Setpoint requires a functioning CO2
sensor installed.
Present Value 0 to 2,000 PPM, Resolution 1 PPM
AV.8 User VOC Setpoint
Configuration value that represents the setpoint value that is compared with the
concentrations of odorous substances and gases in the room air measured by
the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) sensor in parts per billion (PPB). The
fan or the air damper actuator is activated or deactivated to improve the air
quality. The User VOC Setpoint requires a functioning VOC sensor installed.
Present Value 0 to 1,000 PPB, Resolution 1 PPB
AV.9 Status CO2 level
Represents the status of the carbon dioxide sensor (CO2). This is the value
read by the CO2 sensor in parts per million (PPM). The Status CO2 level
requires a functioning CO2 sensor installed.
Out_of_Service 0 to 2,000 PPM, Resolution 1 PPM
AV.10 Status Temp level Represents the internal temperature sensor reading. Out_of_Service -40°F to 257°F or -40°C to 125°C, Resolution 0.2°F/0.1°C
AV.11 Status Humidity level Represents the humidity sensor reading. The Status Humidity level requires a
functioning humidity sensor installed. Out_of_Service 0% RH to 100% RH, Resolution 0.1%
AV.13 Status VOC Level Represents the VOC sensor reading. The Status VOC Level requires a
functioning VOC sensor installed. Out_of_Service 0 to 1,000 PPB, Resolution 1 PPB
AV.14 Status Outdoor Temp level Represents the outdoor temperature. Only appears if MSV.18 is set to OAT
Sensor. Out_of_Service -40°F to 257°F or -40°C to 125°C, Resolution 0.2°F/0.1°C