Building Management Systems (BMS) commonly rely on the BACnet protocol to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). However, when additional sensors or actuators are required to optimize performance and reduce energy consumption, the limitations of a fully wired BACnet network become apparent.

In such cases, a wireless, long-range, and low-power protocol such as LoRaWAN offers a flexible and cost-effective alternative. LoRaWAN can be easily integrated with BACnet, enabling seamless communication between new devices and existing infrastructure.

For this workshop, we will focus on the LoRaBAC (LoRa–BACnet) solution, a simple, free and open-source application based on Node-RED. The demonstration will use 30 LoRaWAN thermostatic valves, provisioned on The Things Stack Network Server. Both LoRaBAC and The Things Stack will run directly on the controller.

This approach is compatible with all LoRaWAN end-devices, all gateways, and the major LoRaWAN network servers.

Agenda
Introduction to LoRaWAN–BACnet interfaces.

Presentation of LoRaBAC, a free and open-source LoRaWAN to BACnet interface.

Hands-on: register a thermostatic valve on the network server.

Hands-on: read BACnet objects created by the interface (room temperature, valve setpoint).

Hands-on: write BACnet objects (setpoint) to send a new target temperature to the LoRaWAN valve.

Resources
Webinar: LoRaWAN to BACnet Interfaces – Sylvain Montagny : https://youtu.be/LRaT3Jc7xrs

Latest version of LoRaBAC (GitHub repository) : https://github.com/SylvainMontagny/LoRaBAC

Free LoRaWAN eBook : https://www.univ-smb.fr/lorawan/en/free-book/