Standard motor interface
The Standard Motor Interface ( SMI ) is a uniform building automation interface for controlling electronic drives for blinds or shutters with a bus topology, for example .
In building automation, as in the automotive sector, more and more specialized sub-bus systems are being used, which are then coupled with a more generic bus system if required. Examples of further, specialized bus systems would be DALI for lighting control and KNX for cross-functional bus networking.
history
- The SMI working group was founded in 2001, and on October 24th seven companies agreed to develop the uniform interface
- In 2002 the specification and technology was developed
- In 2003 the first prototypes were presented and a certification and registration process for SMI products was introduced
- 2004 Presentation of the first SMI drives at a trade fair (light + building)
- 2005 First (small) test projects are realized
- 2006 Presentation of some SMI actuators for various bus systems
- 2007 Expansion of the SMI interface for extra-low voltage drives with 24 V DC
- 2008 Large reference projects, such as the new Opera in Oslo, are completed and published.
properties
Distances of up to 350 meters between control and drive are possible. A normal 5-core power cable can be used for cabling (with PE, N, L as well as the SMI-specific I + and I-), whereby I + and I- are protected against polarity reversal. The possibility of parallel connection and simultaneous individual addressing of up to 16 drives (which is only possible with conventional drives by taking special measures) makes it easy to reduce total costs, even if an SMI tubular motor is around 100 - 150 euros more expensive than a conventional one The engine is (as of 2013).
With standard commands, functions can be implemented that are not so easily possible with conventional drives. Examples are the precise approach to positions, the feedback of the current position and diagnosis. Manufacturer-specific command extensions can be seamlessly integrated. By standardizing the telegrams, it is easy to mix different manufacturers on the SMI bus.
For commissioning, a special commissioning mode is integrated in the SMI protocol, which allows the motors to be controlled using normal pushbutton switches, so that no special hardware or software is required here. For example, manufacturers of sun protection systems do not require any special SMI knowledge. The easyMonitor program is offered free of charge by the SMI Group for detailed diagnostics.
In order to guarantee the compatibility of the SMI products with one another, all products that are to be marked with the SMI logo must be certified. A positive certification can be found on the SMI Group homepage.