As building automation systems (BASs) continue to grow in size and complexity, reliable and secure BACnet routing is more important than ever. These systems often combine multiple BACnet communication technologies and require a reliable way to connect BACnet/IP, BACnet Ethernet, and BACnet MS/TP devices.
Contemporary Controls’ BASrouterSX is a high performance, multi network BACnet router designed to simplify integration and commissioning. Operating at the BACnet network layer, the router provides stand-alone, bidirectional routing between BACnet/IP, BACnet Ethernet (ISO 8802 3), and BACnet MS/TP networks. It routes BACnet messages without altering their content which allows devices on either side of the router to freely initiate communication, enabling seamless integration across mixed BACnet network types.
BACnet MS/TP networks may include slave devices which do not participate in token passing and cannot communicate directly on the bus without assistance. These devices are often legacy sensors or specialized controllers and would normally remain inaccessible to BACnet/IP supervisory systems.
The BASrouterSX addresses this challenge with MS/TP slave proxy support, allowing it to represent slave devices on the BACnet internetwork.
With automatic slave discovery, the router detects MS/TP slave devices and makes them visible for standard BACnet discovery, monitoring, and control, without the need for additional hardware or custom programming.
Once discovered, the BASrouterSX transparently manages communications, allowing BACnet/IP clients to read points, write values, and receive alarms or trends from MS/TP slave devices just like token-passing devices on the network.
In addition to slave proxy functionality, the BASrouterSX includes features designed for cybersecure BAS environments, including HTTPS encrypted web access and IP Allowlist controls.
Designed for medium to large BAS installations, the BASrouterSX supports up to 50 BBMD entries and 147 Foreign Device Registrations (FDRs), making it well-suited for distributed or multi subnet BACnet/IP networks. It includes advanced diagnostic tools, such as MS/TP frame capture for analysis with Wireshark®, to aid commissioning and troubleshooting.
The router’s optically isolated MS/TP port, flexible baud rate support, and selectable bias and termination further simplify installation while improving network reliability in the field.
Available in DIN-rail or panel-mount models, and optionally in a GSA-compliant version for U.S. government facilities, the BASrouterSX provides a standards based solution for integrating MS/TP slave devices, segmenting BACnet networks, and supporting secure routing across IP infrastructure.
