Barix Barionet 1000 Universal I/O Device Server

Brings Linux open source programmability allowing developers to freely customize IP control and automation applications for commercial environments

The Barionet 1000 from Barix is the latest member of the company’s universal programmable input/output (I/O) device family for IP-based control and automation applications. In contrast to other Barionet devices that use the proprietary Barix ABCL programming language, the Barionet 1000 device server is programmable in Linux using the Open WRT framework. It is also the first Barionet device to integrate wireless support and a USB port for emerging control and automation connectivity needs.

device serverThe Barionet is a universal, versatile network-to-real-world interface. It works as a reliable intermediate between host based data collection and control applications. The device provides a variety of interfaces such as contact closure, analog, and serial. The host interface supports multiple industry-standard protocols. For special applications, which require local intelligence, it can be programmed to run custom protocols, compact data, or make local decisions.

From simple remote I/O monitoring to standalone HVAC management solutions with web control interface and e-mail alarming, the Barionet is an affordable, reliable solution.

The Barionet 1000’s positioning as a Linux Open WRT platform device addresses the need for open source control, and provides systems integrators and OEMs with a clean slate to program the device server for almost any control or automation application desired. To maximize the Barionet 1000’s programmable useful features and operational flexibility, it is equipped with wireless connectivity and a USB interface alongside standard Barionet features, including relay closures, and digital and analog I/Os.

Barix customers have turned to Barionet technology for programmable I/O to control, automate, and monitor critical systems in facilities. While the Barionet 50 and 100 remain available for those that enjoy the many available firmware solutions for those products, the Barionet 1000 offers a new level of freedom for programmers and systems integrators.

“The Barionet 1000’s Linux Open WRT platform allows customers with development power, or Barix working under their direction, to make this device do exactly what they need it to accomplish,” said Reto Brader, Barix’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The beauty of this device is that it has real computational power inside. You can develop the program in Linux Open WRT and load it onto the Barionet 1000, and the device can make software-defined decisions on its own.”

The Barionet 1000 is suited for a range of control and automation-based programmable functions. These include access and door control; contact closure monitoring, environmental monitoring, alarming, and logging; failover switching; motion detection and security camera control; photovoltaic power management; and temperature monitoring, logging, and HVAC control.

“Our goal in offering an open source Barionet is to open this technology to the wide range of people who know how to program in Linux,” said Brader. “Meanwhile, because it’s a Barix product, the Barionet 1000 is built upon a proven hardware platform that is straightforward, robust, and reliable. There’s no advantage to self-programming I/O devices using a Linux software platform if the hardware isn’t reliable for a 24/7/365 application.”

Physically, the Barionet 1000 has two USB host ports, one 10/100 Ethernet port, one DB9 RS-232 serial port, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4Ghz wireless connectivity, and is IPv6 capable. Requiring a 9-30 VDC power supply, it is built into a classic Barionet Din-Rail case with two relay outputs, four open collector (digital) outputs, and has eight contact closure inputs—four of which are analog capable. The Barionet 1000 also comes with 16M flash and 64M DRAM, and an interface for a Dallas 1-wire 18DS20 temperature sensors, which further simplify wiring needs by eliminating “home runs”.

The Barionet 1000 device server is suited to support multi-device deployments, with one single Linux Open WRT software package being used to program them all. “After all, if you are going to take the time to write customer software for an I/O applications it only makes sense to spread the effort across many devices for a variety of needs,” Brader said.

The Barix Professional Services team is available to work with Barionet 1000 customers. “We will be able to tell you if it will be faster and more cost-effective for us to do the work for you, or if your own people can do it themselves,” said Brader. “Both options are available to ensure every customer is happy with the results.”

Barix will debut the Barionet 1000 programmable I/O device server at ISE 2017, where the company will exhibit at Stand 8-N270 from February 7-10 at the RAI Exhibition and Conference Center in Amsterdam.