Avalon Engineering is a LonWorks Independent Developer. Avalon engineers have been working with LonWorks technology since 1993. Consider Avalon Engineering LonWorks product development when considering LonWorks!

Why Networks?

Very simply, network based distributed control systems can:

• Reduce installation time and cost
• Improve performance
• Add flexibility and new capabilities
• Reduce development time and manufacturing costs
• Reduce time to market

Control networks have been implemented in thousands of applications to cut cost by eliminating wiring, improving performance, and adding functionality and features without increasing manufactured unit cost. Choosing the right network technology can also substantially reduce development cost. Case histories have indicated that time to market can be cut in half.

Why Inter-Operability?

First, what is inter-operability? This term is used to describe the ability of multiple products from multiple manufacturers to create a single cohesive operational control system without customization or unusual effort. "Plug-and-play" is the battle cry of manufacturers promoting inter-operability.

Inter-operability of various products is an advantage to the end user. It allows competitive bidding for equivalent control systems. It avoids the increased cost and dependencies involved in strictly proprietary systems. It allows future expansion without replacement of the system. It allows flexibility in the configuration of the system.

Inter-operability is a threat to vendors of older, established, closed, proprietary systems. It is an opportunity for both old and new vendors of components suitable for integration into systems. Most significantly, inter-operability will be demanded by customers and end users to give them maximum flexibility, cost effectiveness, and freedom to choose from multiple vendors. Well established manufacturers of control systems are recognizing the market demand for inter-operable systems, and responding with "open" systems.

LonWorks® provides a cost effective technology that allows OEMs to offer their products to an established, broad market of system integrators and end users. The system integrators are basing their systems on LonWorks technology in order to provide their customers a cost effective solution that allows maximum flexibility, versatility, and expandability. The end users are demanding LonWorks to avoid being locked into a proprietary sole-sourced system.

The high degree of inter-operability supported by LonWorks means system integrators and end users can incorporate new OEM products with minimum installation overhead and minimum support requirements. For more information on Solutions Using LonWorks Technology, visit www.echelon.com/solutions.

Why Avalon?

Avalon's engineers have been working with LonWorks technology since 1993. Avalon Engineering has experience with hardware and software design for Neuron based and host processor based nodes and systems. Avalon has experience with network management, self installation schemes, LonMark certification, and authoring of LonMark functional profiles. Avalon's president is a past LonMark task group leader.

For OEMs & Engineers

If you are a designer with microprocessor hardware and/or C software experience who wants a quick technical review of LonWorks, check our Design Engineer's Primer on LonWorks.