Barrington MicroSTAR and LanSTAR Systems Integration

Intro to Barrington MicroSTAR/LanSTAR Systems Integration

Barrington Systems was a company that created the LanStar and MicroSTAR control units. The company closed down in 2007 and ceased all support operations.  If you have a Barrington system that needs integration or monitoring, Chipkin has solutions for you. These solutions allow remote monitoring and control by exposing the Barrington data using the protocol of your choice such as Modbus, BACnet, Rockwell, XML, Web and dozens more. See below for some options:

  1. By talking directly to the LanStar we can read and write points in the MicroStar’s (including Set Points and virtual DO’s associated with a MicroStar). This communication does not interfere with any existing connections to the LanStar as it has 4x ports for connections of this type. Thus you can retain any Scada or Software already talking to the LanStar. One gateway can talk to one LanStar and all its MicroStar’s. These systems have been well tested at a major computer chip manufacturing facility located in California. Choose this solution if you want to retain the LanStar because you don’t want to re-write the logic and scheduling programmed into the LanStar.
  2. If you don’t need to retain the LanStar OR if your LanStar has failed then CAS have a solution that can talk directly to the MicroStar’s. One gateway can connect to one / two trunks of MicroStar’s and read/write data. This solution allows you to read write the ai,ao,bi,bo and counter data.
  3. Finally, what happens if you have a system with LanStar’s and you cannot ‘interfere’ with the system. CAS have a snoop solution. We connect to the trunk that connects the LanStar’s to the MicroStar’s and listen. We never transmit. Thus we do not interfere with the communications in any way – adding no load to the bandwidth. Since the LanStar continuously reads data from each MicroStar, our gateway will see all the data from each MicroStar on a regular basis. This data can be mapped onto other protocols so you can use it to animate graphics, keep logs and trends and monitor the MicroStar data.

These solutions have been deployed successfully by customers as well as being tested by CAS engineers using LanSTAR and MicroSTAR devices in CAS’s lab.

QuickServers for MicroSTAR/LanSTAR

The MicroSTAR/LanSTAR QuickServer (QS) is a high-performance, fully configurable, and cost-effective protocol gateway for integrating many Barrington MicroSTAR/LanSTAR System.

The LanSTAR Gateway comes enhanced (500 points) and connects to RS232 ports. The MicroSTAR Gateway comes either basic or enhanced (250, 500 points). Chipkin knows this protocol to source code level. We offer expert support (Level 1,2) and configuration from day 1.

MicroSTAR/LanSTAR FieldServer gateways are available for over 150+ different protocol conversions. Take a look at our complete list. Or, please Contact Us for a free consultation or quote.

Multiport Gateway for MicroSTAR/LanSTAR

The FS-B3510 is one of the FS-X30 Series FieldServers designed to meet the needs of any system integrator.

The FS-B30 Series brings together the powerful FieldServer driver library with state-of-the-art gateway design. It supports 1,000 points which can be updrageded to 10,000 points allowing it to easily handle just about anything with no slowdown in performance.

Chipkin provides MicroSTAR/LanSTAR gateways for a wide number of conversions. Please Contact Us for a free consultation.

MicroSTAR Block Diagram

LanSTAR Block Diagram

MicroSTAR/LanSTAR Datasheets, Manuals and other resources

MicroSTAR/LanSTAR has a large number of products and applications. See below for some resources:


MicroSTAR/LanSTAR FAQ

Q: What is the Supported Point Count?

  • A: A maximum of 640 points can be defined per interface.

Q: What is the maximum number of Barrington Microstars on a trunk?

  • A: 16 when connected to a Lanstar. When connected to our gateway, the number is limited only by the number of switches used to set the board address. ie. no theoretical limit.

Q: What data can be obtained from a Microstar?

  • A: Each device has 4x AO, 4x AI, 4x DI, 4x DO and 4x Counters. The devices can be daisy chained on a RS485 network.

Q: What are the different points of a fieldserver microstar device?

  • A: Each device has 4x AO, 4x AI, 4x DI, 4x DO and 4x Counters. The devices can be daisy chained on a RS485 network.

Q: Can Setpoints and Virtual IO be used with the Barrington Microstar gateway?

  • A: No. These points exist in the Lanstar and not on the microstar.

Q: How many devices can the JCI interface handle?

  • A: The interface will handle up to 16 Microstars on each of up to two trunks.

Description of the MicroSTAR/LanSTAR Driver

The LanSTAR driver is used to exchange data between a FieldServer and a ‘MicroSTAR’ devices by polling the LanStar they are connected to. When this driver is used the gateway must be connected to 1 of the 4 ports on the Lanstar.

The MicroSTAR driver is used to exchange data between a FieldServer and a ‘MicroSTAR’ devices. They are also commonly known as ‘Barrington MicroSTAR’ devices. For this driver to work, the LanStar must be removed as the gateway becomes the master on the trunk of Microstars

BACnet for Field Technicians (Free!)

Learning about BACnet? Want to update your BACnet knowledge? This free EBook will guide you through basic and advanced BACnet topics.

You can purchase a hardcopy of this book from Amazon or you can download the BACnet for Field Technicians for free from our website.

FREE CAS BACNET EXPLORER WITH THE PURCHASE OF A BACNET GATEWAY!

Purchase a FieldServer or CAS Gateway from us that contains any BACnet protocol and we will help you test and document the BACnet interface by providing a free full license to the CAS BACnet Explorer and a hard copy of the BACnet booklet.

The USB key and booklet ships with the product.

Thanks for choosing Chipkin’s protocol gateways, data clients, and integration services to meet your building and industrial automation requirements!

Chipkin™ is a building and industrial automation protocol expert. We develop, configure, install and support gateways (protocol converters), data loggers and remote monitor and controlling applications. Founded in October 2000, Chipkin provides expert solutions for converting BACnet®, Modbus®, and LonWorks®—to name just a few—and enabling interfaces for HVAC, fire, siren, intercom, lighting, transportation and fuel systems. The high-quality products we offer (including those from other vendors) interface with Simplex™, Notifier™, McQuay™, GE™ and many others—so you can rest assured that we will select the most appropriate solution for your application.

With Chipkin you are buying a solution. Our configuration expertise in this field combined with free BACnet and other tools ensure your success; and our customer support via phone, e-mail, and remote desktop tools means that we’re there when you need us. Chipkin is a small responsive company, and we live or die by the quality of our service—and with offices in two-time zones—we can provide support when you need it. Give us a call now!

Customer Support

Chipkin is proud to provide support for the products we sell. For technical support, sales, and customer service, please contact us at 1 (866) 383-1657

Contact Us

Contact us via phone (+1 866-383-1657) or leave a detailed message below for sales, support, or any other needs

*Required Field
*Required Field
I'd like to receive the newsletter. *Check email for confirmation.
*Required Field
8:00am - 12:00pm 12:00pm - 5:00pm