Case Studies
Chipkin regularly works on challenging and innovative projects in the Data communication world. This has allowed us to gain a wide range of knowledge which has made us an invaluable asset to the industry.
See below for a list of Projects we have completed to help our everyday clients.
QuickServer integration of a Bakery Danfoss AK-255 Refrigeration to BMS over BACnet
March 2022 - Chipkin Driver development
A bakery had a series of refrigeration units using a Danfoss AK-255 Device which had a web interface that
produces an XML document.
The client wanted to read the values form the Danfoss devices downstream and export them as BACnet IP. Then
this BACnet would be connected to the Building Management System (BMS) and accessed through the HMI.
From here, the Client wanted to monitor the refrigerators and take actions based on different parameters. For
Example, when the cooling system was turned on, the lights would turn on as well as tracking for power
management and resource consumption.
To read the full case study, Click Here!
Using a FieldServer to read data off an API (using HTTP) and then serve it as BACnet/IP
October 2021 - Chipkin saved a customer!
A customer came to Chipkin
through our website's contact us form (www.chipkin.com) with an integration project for six
schools in California. In those schools, the client had a total of 120+ thermometers (in various
buildings on campus) installed. Each of these thermometers reported data points such as
temperature, setpoint (present value), schedule, etc.
To read the full case study, Click Here!
A Solution for an apartment complex HVAC energy consumption and cost allocation
October 2021 - Chipkin developed a new data logging driver named: DirectLV for a company on the
QuickServer and integrated it with BACnet IP
To keep the customer
anonymous, we replaced their name with “ABC Company”.
A customer managed a multi-building apartment complex. As a part of his job, he had to calculate individual tenants’ heating and cooling costs for each unit in each building, but the system he was working with only provided aggregate data on heating and cooling costs for the entire apartment complex. He was looking for a solution that would allow him to calculate the cost per building so that he could generate a monthly average cost for each tenant in each building.
To read the full case study, Click Here!
How Maximizing an Automation System Minimized Water Consumption
August 2021 - Minimized Water Consumption in irrigation!
In the dry, desert lands of the
Middle East, water is in extremely high demand but in very short supply. Though scarce, water is
a crucial resource for the health and well-being of people, food production, and economic
development – and that means irrigation is a must for agricultural, municipal, and industrial
purposes.
To read the full case study, Click Here!
BACnet on Segmented Networks using Chipkin's BBMD
January 2021 - Chipkin has a highly scalable solution for BACnet BBMD
A university has
several buildings. Each building has several BACnet/IP sensors in them. A central control
room that monitors all the buildings sensors using an HMI. The university has segmented the
buildings
into their own VLANs where each building has a different subnet. When the HMI tries to discover
the
BACnet/IP device across the university campus it sends out a IP/UDP broadcast.
The IP/UDP broadcasts are not routed through the NAT routers and HMI can not discover any of the other BACnet/IP devices on the different VLANs or sub networks.
The solution is to install and configure a BBMD device on each VLAN and ...
To read the full case study, Click Here!
Particle Counting: HACH Metone R4800 Particle Counter
August 2020 - Obtain count data. Control the counter!
The R4800 counters can be connected
in a RS485 trunk. The driver developed by Chipkin can communicate with
one or more counters. Our gateways support 2 (and in some cases more) trunks. The driver allows
remote
commands to the counter – Start , Stop, Auto , Manual , Standby. The driver allows a remote
client to read
and monitor the particle counts.
To read the full case study, Click Here!
Control of the Lutron System from a Rockwell PLC using Ethernet/IP
August 2020 - Chipkin saved a customer the other day!
A customer overlooked an integration
required to
complete
their project successfully. We provided a last-minute rapid response at a reasonable charge and
saved
the day. A new driver, ready for deployment within a week of the order!
Lutron’s systems are well designed from an integration point of view. There was no existing
solution for
control of the Lutron system from a Rockwell PLC using Ethernet/IP. That is where this new
driver comes in.
To read the full case study, Click Here!
Wireless Modbus using Phoenix RAD-900-IFS to DNP3 over Ethernet
July 2020 - In this project, the customer could not bring an Ethernet access point to the location where the power meters were installed. A wireless solution was required to meet his needs. In this application, the inconvenience of a location without a network drop was overcome using a wireless solution from Phoenix Contact. RS485 Modbus RTU power meters located in a location where running new conduit would have been expensive and possibly disruptive. The problem arises because you have limited choices when you install new power meters on existing equipment.
To read the full case study, Click Here!
Farenhyt Black Series FACP’s Add BACnet to win bid.
July 2020 - A customer had a problem – to sell panels to a large project they needed to provide a BACnet integration path. They needed a company to develop a solution so their (now winning) bid could be considered. Chipkin has completed a driver which communicates with Farenhyt Series Black Fire Panels. It connects to the printer port of the main panel. All addressed and system events can be processed. Each point in the fire system is mapped onto a BACnet object.
To read the complete case study, Click Here!
How to Diagnose and Solve BACnet MSTP Connection Problems on a FieldServer
May 2020 - If you are using a FieldServer and are having problems with a BACnet MSTP connection, you are not alone! At Chipkin, we see these connection problems all the time. In this case study, we explore 4 of the most common problems with BACnet MSTP Connections, and we then provide simple solutions on how to fix those problems. For example, if your FieldServer device is transmitting data, but not receiving any, it may be a wiring issue that can be fixed by switching the wires in the + and - terminals.
To read the complete case study, Click Here!
How to Use Your Phone to Connect with Modbus RTU/RS485
April 2020 - Here is the problem: There is no RS485 port on your phone (or most laptops), so how can you connect to a Modbus RTU/RS485 device? In this case study, we can show you solve this problem using your phone and a $10 product. The Chipkin Modbus Scanner App allows your phone to talk RS485 to ModbusRTU enabled devices. Establish a connection using the wiring and methods shown below - in this case study. Then, run the Chipkin Modbus Scanner. Set the IP Address to the IP address of the EE11/EW11. Connect the EE11/EW11 to the RS485 trunk. Make sure you have the baud rate set correctly in the module. Now simply poll as if you were using Modbus TCP but thanks to the converter module you are using ModbusRTU.
For this complete case study, Click Here!
Irrigation, Building Automation and Weather Data - Vaisala Weather Transmitters
October 2019 - Chipkin has completed a driver which communicates with Vaisala Weather Transmitters using the Vaisala Ascii protocol. The driver can read data from a trunk of 1 or more transmitters. Coupled with the Chipkin Weather Data Server which serves weather forecasting data you get even more opportunities to tune your system to minimize resource wasting and maximize efficiency. Chipkin have also complete drivers to popular irrigation systems like Hunter
For more details about Irrigation & Weather Data through Vaisala.. Click Here!
Integrating Remote Pumping and Storage into an Irrigation System
August 2019 - Irrigation System Automation is now possible! Many pump stations can be equipped with their own software and connection options for automation systems. If you need to suspend watering when there's a fire to conserve water or increase pump speeds when water levels are low, automation systems can do that. It is also possible to accept flow information from sensors connected separately to the automation system, and then issue commands to the controllers based on those inputs.
For more details about Irrigation System Automation.. Click Here!
Irrigation System Automation
August 2019 - How do I connect my irrigation Controller to other systems for pumping, flow control, fire, weather, soil and other sensors? A protocol gateway can allow your irrigation controller to monitor, respond to, or control 3rd party devices. The gateway does this by exposing the 3rd party status and command data in such a way that the irrigation controller can understand them.
For more details.. Click Here!
Integrating real-time weather into an Irrigation System
August 2019 - A Hunter ACC Controller can accept a Solar Sync sensor input to automatically adjust the irrigation delivered on a given day based on the sensor input. These add-on sensors adjust irrigation amounts automatically for local conditions in the controller using the Seasonal Adjustment feature to set percentages of the base runtime (100%) of each station.
For more details.. Click Here!
Case Study: Automating Inventory Management - Modbus TCP to HTTP
May 2019 - We have been asked to help a customer integrate their Modbus TCP data automatically from the drives and have it sent directly to the File Maker system using HTTP requests in real time. Prior to this fix they were keeping track of their inventory and job data manually, but now it filters through automatically without the worry of incorrect data from user-error.
For more details.. Click Here!
PLC controls for Honeywell HUS CCTV System
A Honeywell DCS and Fire & Gas Monitoring system were used to operate and monitor the plant and provide for human safety. Honeywell were unable to provide an interface between the controls and the CCTV system. Chipkin developed a driver which allows any protocol to drive cameras to preset positions based on operation data.
For more details.. Click Here!
Xprotect CCTV Gateway
Chipkin developed a custom driver for the XProtect CCTV System. This allows any remote system to send event / command strings to the Xprotect system to drive the system to a particular state. For example, it would allow a building control system to drive a particular camera to a particular preset location and focus. This general purpose gateway for Xprotect was applied to an automation project where automation was controlled by the Autotronica PLC system which uses ModbusTCP. Thus, the project allows the Autoronica PLCs to drive selected cameras to selected presets.
For more details.. Click Here!
Case Study: Developing New Protocol Gateways for EKM Metering
Chipkin, with the support of EKM, has developed a custom driver for the EKM V.3 and V.4 Meters. This allows any remote system to read operational and energy data from the meters and serve this data to foreign systems using commonly used protocols such as Modbus, BACnet, Rockwell, GE, Omron, JCI and many more. This makes it easy to integrate EKM Metering products into almost all Building Automation Systems.
For more details.. Click Here!
Case Study: Interview with Peter Chipkin
We had an interview with Peter Chipkin about security issues, BACnet ISAC, driverless cars, and cyberattacks. Peter is the president of Chipkin Automation Systems Inc. and has many years of experience in automation, network security, and protocol knowledge.
To read the interview in full... Click Here!
Case Study: Lochinvar - Implement Modbus and BACnet on Android
Lochinvar is using an Android based controller with an Ubuntu Linux tool chain. Chipkin developed a Linux application using c and c++. This app was integrated into the boiler controller tool chain. The purpose of the app is to provide server-side support for Modbus and BACnet for the boiler controller. The app connects to the Lochinvar database (on the same controller) and exchanges information to allow it to serve operational data to remote Modbus and BACnet automation systems and to accept commands from remote systems.
For an in-depth look at the solution we provided... Read More!
Case Study: How to Configure a Protocol Gateway
When you have a Modbus TCP Energy Meter and a BACnet/IP Building Management System, how do you get them to work together? Since they speak their own unique 'language' you need a gateway to convert the data because the protocols are different. The messages are formatted differently and data is addressed in different ways. This case study shows the process in which we go through in order to make that happen.
Check out the presentation we put together... English Version... Spanish Version
Case Study: BACnet IP and COSM
A client's site consists of several sensors and power meters located in a remote location. Currently, the client has the sensors behind a firewall and does not have access to them without physically traveling to the remote site in order to view the information. This Current process of accessing the information is a hassle for the customer as it is time-consuming and costly. Every time they need access to the data, they have to send someone over to the remote site to manually retrieve it.
We have been asked to help the customer find a way to gain access to the sensors' and power meters' information directly from their office through an HMI... Read More!
Case Study - BACnet implementations
Chipkin Automation Systems (Chipkin) has developed over 50 protocol drivers for various gateways and are recognized as leaders in their field with special recognition with BACnet.
When a company manufacturers a sensor/device/system they need to provide methods for remote monitoring and control. That typically requires them to implement communication protocols based on the type of customers who purchase their products... Read More!
Case Study - Barrington Replacement - Stanford Research Institute (SRI)
The goal of this project is to replace the entire Barrington System in a cost-effective, production effective and resource effective way. This will be done by slowly removing the LanStar's replacing them with a gateway that connects the Microstars to a new BACnet enabled building management system... Read More!
Case Study - Barrington replacement at Berkeley Lab
The goal of this project is to replace the entire Barrington System in a cost-effective, production effective and resource effective way. This will be done by slowly replacing the LanStar's with new BACnet based controllers.
As a 1st phase, the gateways convert the data to BACnet/IP. This allows a new HMI to be developed (and tested). Then new controllers can be programmed to perform the work the LanStar's did and then the LanStar's will be removed and the new controllers will talk directly to the trunks of MicroStar's... Read More!
Case Study - EOS Lightmedia Gateway
Chipkin developed a custom driver for EOS Lighmedia to allow them to send control messages to Building Automation Systems using protocols like BACnet, Modbus, Rockwell … over 120 protocols.
This general-purpose gateway for EOS was applied to a lighting control project in Edmonton in spring 2018 where the EOS system sends command messages to the Douglas Lighting BACnet enabled lighting control system... Read More!
Case Study - Fire System Skill Set
Chipkin Automation Systems Inc. has developed drivers for a number of gateways including for major brand protocol gateway companies.
We have more experience with a wider variety of fire alarm panel protocols than any other single device... Read More!
Case Study - Modbus to C3.co.uk Automated Callout System
The industrial automation system at an Oil Refinery in Kuwait is the source of almost all operational data. It knows the state of the plant, the process and equipment. It knows if a tank is empty, a motor has been left in manual or if there has been a pressure drop that is unusual. In legacy systems, all this information is fed to the control room and there humans assess it and make callout decisions. In this project we provide an interface between the control system and the automated digital telephony system. Thus, the DCS is able to call out a person or a crew, or even call he fire and emergency services and report specific alarm / event information. All this without human intervention and thus leaving the humans free to focus on other issues. Read More!
Case Study - Modbus to Honeywell Universal Surveillance (HUS) CCTV for a Refinery
In this project we provide an interface between the control system and the automated digital telephony system. Thus, the DCS is able to call out a person or a crew, or even call he fire and emergency services and report specific alarm / event information. All this without human intervention and thus leaving the humans free to focus on other issues. (It should be noted that the total system also includes an interface to the CCTV system, which drives cameras to presets based on operational conditions.) Read More!
Case Study - Princess Cruises
To implement a functional life safety system for less than then $300,000 our customer was quoted by a major Building Automation company.
To do so without major installation work.
To do so without interfering with the operation of the ship... Read More!
Case Study - Raybased Self Configuring BACnet Server for Advanced Building Automation
Chipkin implements the CAS BACnet stack on an Ubuntu Linux box for the customer. The implementation is in the form of an application which on its client side, reads data from connected RAYBASED devices using Json over HTTP. This data is used to self-configure and launch a BACnet IP Server allowing remote monitoring and control of the RAYBASED system... Read More!
Case Study - RS232 Splitting - Hot Standby - Fire Alarm Monitoring.pdf
Monitor Fire Alarm System events to the Building Automation System for remote monitoring and other applications. The customer requires hot standby system... Read More!
Case Study - Wireless Modbus using Phoenix RAD-900-IFS to DNP3 over Ethernet - Case Study
Running new conduit and cable was impossible, but getting the data was essential.
In this application, the inconvenience of a location without a network drop was overcome using a wireless solution from Phoenix Contact. RS485 ModbusRTU power meters located in a location where running new conduit would have been expensive and possibly disruptive... Read More!
Case Study - XML and QuickServers
Different protocols address data objects differently. That is why you can't take a message from one protocol and automatically convert it to a message in another protocol. Modbus would through up its hands in despair if you asked it for Mutli_State_Input(19001) from Device 389001. BACnet has no idea what a Holding Register is. This is why gateways need configuration a map that maps data objects of the one protocol to data objects in another protocol... Read More!
Case Study - Fortune 100 Company - Wireless and Bluetooth gateway
Mobile Phone (Android and IOS) application and wireless and Bluetooth device for HVAC equipment cable free, quick, easy field work... Read More!