The Domatic Solution

Solution Overview

The Domatic solution starts with a new way to wire up a building's fixtures, that makes them automatically connected. The PowerHub manages the fixtures 24/7 and runs applications installed by the building manager. The PowerHub synchronizes data to the Domatic Cloud whenever a connection is available, where the system is managed, and APIs are available to integrate with other customer systems.

Low-Voltage DC Bus

The Domatic system starts with a low-voltage 2-conductor DC bus that meets the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC) Class 2 power source, as well as other low-voltage standards around the world. It allows arbitrary wiring topologies, so fixtures can share wires that deliver power to them. But the bus isn't just carrying power; it also carries a 240 Mbps data channel on the same power wires. On this data channel, it sends standard IP packets, allowing devices on the bus to communicate with each other using standard networking protocols such as IP, TCP, UDP, DHCP, mDNS, and HTTP.

The Domatic Power Hub

The Domatic bus is managed by the Domatic PowerHub, our "edge" device that is always-on, highly available, and on-premises. The PowerHub is responsible for delivering power to fixtures, managing the network, running applications, and connecting to the Domatic Cloud. It features 10 Class 2-compliant ports for powering up to 1000W of fixtures, and multiple PowerHubs can be connected to support higher power requirements and additional redundancy.

The PowerHub can also monitor the presence of a power signal, making it easy to detect a loss of power to support emergency egress pathway lighting. Any light fixture on the system can be designated to stay on during a power outage to light stairwells, hallways, and lobbies, while non-essential loads are turned off to ensure egress requirements are met.

Domatic-Enabled Fixtures

Domatic-enabled fixtures connected to the bus receive up to 100W of power and communicate with the PowerHub over the same wires.

In a reflection of USB, fixtures are designed to support device classes that allow the PowerHub to provision, manage, update, and control them without special "drivers." Domatic defines fixture classes for lighting, ventilation, switches, sensors, meters, door access, window shades, touchscreens, cameras, speakers, HVAC elements, and more.

Failed or damaged fixtures are automatically detected by the system, and staff can be alerted to repair issues via email or SMS. And because Domatic is a low-voltage system, fixtures can be easily replaced by regular maintenance staff without having to turn off a breaker. As soon as the PowerHub detects a replacement for a failed fixture, it assigns it the appropriate role, and normal operation resumes.

A complete record of a fixture's activity is recorded in the data warehouse, so manufacturers can receive vital feedback on its performance throughout its lifecycle.

The Domatic Cloud

Domatic PowerHubs connect through the building network to the Domatic Cloud. Data within each PowerHub is synchronized to the cloud whenever a connection is available, and the system tolerates periods of internet downtime robustly. This ensures that you can always expect your typical fixtures to work normally, even if there's a network disruption.

The Domatic Cloud aggregates and organizes all of the hubs for a building. It provides a portal for building managers to monitor every aspect of the system. Anomalies with fixtures or hubs are managed as faults, and building managers can subscribe to notifications when faults occur. Faults are triggered by any unexpected state in the system, such as a fixture failure, meter and sensor readings beyond expected thresholds, or wiring issues. All events in the system are logged to the data warehouse, providing a complete record of building behavior that supports the generation of insights and auditing of activity.

Fixture Development Kit

Domatic streamlines the enablement of fixtures by offering driver devices that are an easy drop-in replacement for the AC/DC adapter a fixture would normally incorporate. Domatic also offers these drivers as reference designs, providing manufacturers with easy starting points to create their own Domatic-compatible drivers and fixtures.

The Domatic PowerNode is a sophisticated, tiny device that encapsulates all the technology necessary for a fixture to connect to the Domatic network, allowing the fixture manufacturer to focus on what their product does best. The PowerNode has many useful I/O interfaces for communicating with hardware and can run microcode written by the fixture maker, making it easy to add intelligence to the device.

Application Development Kit

In addition to managing the fixtures on the network and delivering power, the PowerHub runs third-party applications built using our Application Developer Kit (ADK), which we offer to developers. These applications can implement smart algorithms for energy efficiency, coordinate building controls, and even serve user interfaces to touchscreen devices connected to the network.

Applications run within safe boundaries on the system, are updated by the system, and can be cleanly uninstalled when desired, much like applications on smartphones. This reduces concerns for building managers when trying out an application.

While application developers can write their applications in a wide variety of ways, the ADK provides a head start in the form of a JavaScript-based application environment with samples that support common scenarios, including serving a web-based user interface to wall-mounted touchscreens on the Domatic network.

Domatic Cloud API

The Domatic Cloud supports APIs to integrate Domatic with other building management systems and can host third-party applications as well. APIs offer managed access to data in the data warehouse under the control of building management.

Domatic provides building blocks for third-party applications to support the creation of native phone applications on behalf of customers, making it easy to create branded experiences for occupants, allowing them to open doors, manage HVAC, or otherwise interact with the system as desired by building administrators.