LON Communication

In recent inquiries, we have received requests for a radio communication circuit board for LON bus systems, with a required communication distance of approximately 200 meters and installation in industrial environments such as wagons and fixed stations.

This article explains:

  • What LON communication is
  • What an .xif file is
  • The challenges of making LON wireless
  • Key technical questions that must be clarified
  • Possible solution approaches

What Is LON Communication?

Local Operating Network (LON) is a distributed control networking protocol widely used in:

  • Building automation
  • Railway systems
  • Industrial control
  • HVAC systems
  • Vehicle control applications

LON is primarily designed for:

  • Real-time control data
  • Sensor and actuator communication
  • Distributed automation networks

It is not designed for high-bandwidth data like video transmission.

Is LON a Wireless Protocol?

No.

LON is traditionally a wired fieldbus system, commonly using physical layers such as:

  • TP/FT-10 (twisted pair free topology)
  • Power line
  • Fiber (in some cases)

When customers ask for a “LON radio communication board,” what they usually mean is:

A wireless bridge that connects two LON segments over RF.

This is technically called:

  • Wireless LON bridge
  • LON over RF
  • LON wireless extender

The key challenge is that the wireless link must behave as a transparent extension of the LON bus.

What Is an .xif File in LON Systems?

In many LON projects, customers mention the .xif file.

An .xif (External Interface File) defines:

  • Network variables (NVs)
  • Input/output variables
  • Configuration properties
  • Device interface structure

It is used by LON network management tools to understand how a node behaves.

Important clarification:

  • If you are building a LON node device, you must provide an .xif file.
  • If you are building a transparent wireless bridge, no .xif modification is required.

For most wireless extension projects, the goal is to keep the existing LON structure unchanged.

Key Technical Questions Before Designing a Wireless LON Solution

When evaluating a 200m wireless LON system, the following questions must be clarified:

1. Is 200 meters Line-of-Sight (LOS)?

  • Or are there metal wagons, buildings, or machinery between nodes?
  • Industrial environments significantly affect RF performance.

2. What LON Physical Layer Is Used?

  • TP/FT-10?
  • Another variant?

3. Is Real-Time Control Required?

LON systems are often used in control applications.
Latency and packet reliability are critical.

4. What Type of Data Is Transmitted?

  • Small sensor and control data only?
  • Any large payload?
  • Any video? (Typically not applicable for LON.)

5. Environmental Requirements

  • Temperature range?
  • Vibration?
  • EMC requirements?

These parameters determine whether the project is feasible and what wireless technology is appropriate.

Possible Technical Approaches

Based on typical industrial scenarios, there are two main approaches:

Option 1: LON + LoRa

Suitable for:

  • Low data rate
  • Non-real-time monitoring
  • Long-distance, low-power applications

Not ideal for:

  • Fast control loops
  • Strict real-time industrial control

Option 2: LON + IP Broadband Wireless Bridge (Recommended for Industrial Use)

In this approach:

LON → LON-to-Ethernet conversion → IP wireless transceiver → remote side → Ethernet-to-LON conversion

Advantages:

  • Stable broadband communication
  • Low latency
  • Industrial reliability
  • 200m+ easily achievable
  • Suitable for complex industrial environments

This solution keeps the LON protocol intact and acts as a transparent bridge.

Common Misunderstanding: Designing a “LON RF Board” From Scratch

Designing a native wireless LON board with full protocol support requires:

  • LON-certified stack implementation
  • Neuron chip integration
  • Full compatibility with existing LON management tools

This significantly increases development complexity and cost.

In most industrial retrofitting scenarios, a transparent wireless bridge approach is more practical and reliable.

Conclusion

When considering wireless LON communication over 200 meters, it is essential to:

  • Clearly define physical environment conditions
  • Understand whether real-time control is required
  • Determine if the goal is a wireless node or a transparent bridge
  • Evaluate RF interference and obstacles

A properly engineered wireless bridge solution can extend existing LON networks without modifying .xif files or disrupting system architecture.

If you are evaluating a similar project, feel free to share:

  • Your LON physical layer type
  • Required distance and environment
  • Data characteristics
  • Installation conditions

With clear technical parameters, a reliable solution can be designed.

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