Title
Building Management Systems controller
Microprocessor digital controller for building management is more flexible
Technologies used

Microcontroller

Industrial sector (PRODCOM code)
    31 Electrical Equipment
Abstract
BMS controller Microprocessor digital controller for building management is more flexible

STEC Control, Lda., Portugal, was established in 1990 developing, producing, marketing and installing electronic equipment for Building Management Systems. The company has 3 employees with one involved in electronic design.

Building management systems (BMS) are aimed at all big buildings or households which need to have a simple and reliable way to control and monitor all aspects of its management. The future trend is to bring BMS to all building that are constructed. STEC has a 10% market share of the total Portuguese market, which has an annual value of 2,2 MEUR.

The company has only one type of product for which it has been using third party controllers from a British company with very limited features. Although these controllers present a good performance, cost is high and programmability very difficult for the common user. Software tools provided by the third party are very low-level and require a string expertise in these matters from the user side.

The new product is also based in a microprocessor device having all the features presented by the third party plus a communication network with distributed control. Through the use of this network and a PC software application, a Control Centre will be capable of monitoring most important activities in building management with a simple procedure.

For the successful conclusion of this project independent consultants were used. This was important due to the small number of people that work at STEC Control.

While cost advantage is achieved with a much more competitive controller, simplicity and flexibility is also added, withdrawing much of the usual engineering overhead during installation. The increment of these capabilities at STEC Control cost 40000 EUR and took 9 months. FUSE investment will be returned in a little over one year, with a ROI of 428%.

The experiment is of interest for companies that are entering into microelectronics and need to use a generic programmable logic controller with open architecture.
Company
STEC Control - Sociedade Técnica Electrónica Control, LDA.
Avenida do Brasil, 108 R/C Esq.
1700 LISBOA
PORTUGAL
Detailed information
You can also benefit from microelectronics

Microcontroller technology provided STEC Control - Sociedade Técnica Electrónica Control, LDA. with the means of improving its products and enhancing its market position. You can also achieve significant benefits by acquiring the right microelectronics technology and utilising it in your product or manufacturing process. You can get help from FUSE to realise this.

FUSE is a technology transfer programme, funded by the European Commission to stimulate the wider use of microelectronics technologies by European enterprises to increase their competitiveness and enhance their economic growth. The demonstrator described here is one of many examples in the public FUSE portfolio covering the whole spectrum of microelectronics technologies and spanning a wide range of applications and industry sectors.

FUSE provides you with:

  • Best practice in acquiring specific microelectronics technologies and conducting full development projects through the FUSE portfolio of real life demonstrator documents.
  • Local training and expert support to plan your innovation realistically and help you conduct your project successfully.

Further information and support relating to this and other demonstrators can be obtained from the addresses below.
Further information   Guiding Technology Transfer Node
For further information and support regarding this case study, please contact a Technology Transfer Node (TTN) in your region.
Homepage: http://www.fuse-network.com
INESC
Rue Alves Redol No 9-80
P-1000 Lisboa
Portugal