IP based field bus networks enable the usage of common IP protocols for example for security or automatic configuration, on the field level. A drawback of this protocol deployment is the higher required network bandwidth due to enormous high level protocol overhead, especially on XML-based schemes. We investigate UPnP datagram size reduction on an experimental IP based field bus with Ethernet and wireless IEEE802.15.4 devices, for building automation and control applications. UPnP is used for configuration and operation. In order to reduce data rates, we suggest a transparent bidirectional XML/SOAP proxy for example on the Ethernet/IEE802.15.4 hub and on the wireless devices itself. The proxy uses cache-based tokenizing of the SOAP messages and feedback, eventually deflating subsequent similar messages by orders of magnitude.

The SARBAU project is a study on a highly self configuring building automation and control network using IP as field level protocol. UPnP will be used for device operation and control. The paper gives an overview on the SARBAU approach. Current work-in-progress including wired and wireless experimental device hardware is presented. A focus of this paper is "nearly automatic configuration". Using intelligent commissioning software and optional device localisation, we propose highly automated device commissioning and binding schemes.

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This paper discusses an architecture that aims to unify and simplify the supervision and control of networked devices in commercial building environments. To be adoptable for real-life applications, the technical key features of such an architecture are mainly derived from four high-level requirements:The system must add true user value, still be easy to use, work for a broad range of quite different devices and minimize the engineering costs. This results in a distributed, ad hoc capable and scalable hard-and software infrastructure with the ability to adapt to the context of use and goal-centric services provided by the numerous underlying devices of the heterogeneous building network. Preferably, standard mobile clients such as smartphones and PDAs act as control points providing a graphical end user interface generated on the fly. This text explores the different building blocks that make up such a system, elaborates topics that are currently under research and proposes a solution.