1. The LONWORKS® Platform: The Reality Behind the Myths

2. Market FUD FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt
Lies, misinformation, slander, inaccuracies
Used to support one alternative over another
The Controls Market is no exception
Don’t believe everything you hear
Search for reliable, accurate information
Question the source of the FUD
Why would they say that?

3. The Reality Behind the Myths
Echelon controls the LonTalk ® protocol
Reality
The LonTalk protocol is under the control of ANSI as CEA-709.1B and is available for download off the ANSI website
It is also an CEN (Europe), GB (China), IEEE, and SEMI standard
Echelon charges a royalty for every LonTalk device sold
Implementation of the LonTalk protocol is royalty free and is available from ANSI or CEN. Echelon currently administers the protocol’s unique 48-bit ID and charges implementers of the protocol an insignificant fee to manage the IDs
End-users, integrators, and manufacturers of devices do not pay any royalties for the use of the LonTalk protocol

4. The Reality Behind the Myths
The LonTalk protocol can only run on a Neuron® Chip
Reality
The LonTalk protocol can, and has been, ported to run on many Microprocessors including those from Loytec, Adept, Intel, Motorola, Toshiba, Cypress, and others
It evens runs on a Windows PC
The Neuron Chip is only available from Echelon
Echelon does not manufacture Neuron Chips. Currently they are available from Cypress Semiconductor and Toshiba
Echelon incorporates the Neuron Chip core into its Smart Transceivers

5. The Reality Behind the Myths
LNS® is a closed network operating system
Reality
LNS (LONWORKS Network Services) is an open network management and database structure
Anyone can implement an LNS application or Plug-in
LNS based applications and Plug-ins are available from dozens of sources
XML/Web Services will replace the need for LONWORKS at the device level
XML usually runs on Ethernet which is not designed to provide the services, performance, addressing, messaging types, security, or reliability required for control networks
There will be a need for a device level communication protocol for long into the foreseeable future

6. The Reality Behind the Myths
You must pay Echelon for every node installed on a LONWORKS network
Reality
You can install an entire LonWorks network without ever buying anything from Echelon
Echelon chose to provide a very low cost tool to the market and scale the cost based upon usage and, hence, making an extremely cost effective, scaleable tool set
Other manufacturers have developed competitive tools and have their own pricing structures that have no Echelon royalties
You can’t install a LONWORKS network without paying Echelon
Competitive products are available for all aspects of a LONWORKS network from transceivers, microprocessors, installation tools, to IP devices

7. The Reality Behind the Myths
BACNet has more installed devices than LONWORKS
Reality
LONWORKS installed base is approaching more than 100 Million devices
There are over 300,000 installed LON® projects around the world
See the Strata Resources white paper at for a comprehensive evaluation
Many BACnet installations are built on LonWorks devices
The claims in the Frost and Sullivan are accurate
The Frost & Sullivan report issued several years ago has been shown to be grossly inaccurate and misleading
Three of the country’s largest OEMs of LONWORKS products invalidated the Frost & Sullivan report in an open letter to their chairman

8. The Reality Behind the Myths
You must use a gateway to connect more than 128 LONWORKS devices in a network
Reality
LONWORKS networks can contain up to 32,385 devices on one domain with up to 248 domains per system in a flat, peer-to-peer network
No gateways or logically tiered architectures are required to scale a LONWORKS network
LONWORKS is only applicable to small networks
LonWorks is only applicable to large networks
LONWORKS networks can and have been scaled from 2 nodes to millions of nodes successfully with excellent performance and reliability
LONWORKS is too slow to monitor more than a few hundred points
With a good system architecture, a LONWORKS network can monitor and control tens of thousands of points efficiently and reliably

9. Now Here Are A Few More Realities
The LONWORKS installed base approaches 100 Million devices
And it continues to grow year after year!
There are over 300,000 installed LON projects around the world
In projects large and small – In buildings, factories, homes, trains…
There are thousands of LonWorks based products available
Check out the following product databases

10. More Information
For the most accurate, reliable, up to date information see: Or