Barionet 50 is latest Barix IP device for energy-efficient control, monitoring and automation in commercial and residential environments

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, December 14, 2009 — Barix AG, a pioneer in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, introduces the Barionet 50, a low-cost IP automation controller, monitoring device and visualization system now shipping for professional and home applications. A fully programmable network controller, the Barionet 50 is ideal for interfacing devices and real world I/O via IP with open, standards based monitoring and control platforms.

The Barionet 50 is a modular component that can operate standalone or in concert with other units, web servers and control systems. Professional applications include access control, machine data collection and environmental monitoring of everything from temperature to water pressure. Barionet devices use very low power (typically 1.2W with inactive relays) and are well-positioned for “green� applications such as energy metering, smart grid control and intelligent building management.

In many applications, the devices are used “as is� – reliable, low cost I/O and device servers. However, the fully programmable Barionet 50 can implement serial protocols, serve as the “intelligent� component in a data collection system, or take actions based on the provided data on the interfaces. This makes the Barionet 50 ideal as the core component of smaller automation systems, data logging installations and alerting applications.

“At $179 retail, the Barionet 50 is one of the least expensive and most intelligent, fully programmable control devices with serial and I/O capability on the market today,� said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “The device works as a generic I/O interface and device server for higher end systems out of the box. Barix also provides a free programming environment and example applications to those who want to customize the device and implement protocols and control algorithms. Furthermore, the built-in web server can serve user-specific pages, which can contain data generated by the control program or the various units.�

The Barionet 50 offers four logical inputs and four relays for interfacing to contact closures as well as RS-232 and RS-485 serial ports. Modbus/TCP, SNMP, ASCII and cgi protocols offer a choice for interfacing with the device, and its serial ports can be used as remote COM ports. Its “bigger brother,� the original Barionet, on the market since 2003 and used in thousands of locations worldwide, includes analog inputs and line voltage switching relays.

All Barix products are inexpensive, low-power devices that are scalable to the growth of the operation; offer reliability through a PC-FREE design with no moving parts; and serve as a flexible platform for integration into virtually any operation requiring audio transport and delivery. A green footprint is achieved with very low power requirements, high reliability and RoHS compliance. Barix also offers its programmable BCL standard open to all customers to easily tailor applications for specific needs. Local control, audio relay, and low-latency streaming are a few examples of custom programs using Barix’s BCL software environment.

About Barix AG (www.barix.com)

Barix AG, headquartered in Zurich Switzerland, specializes in research and development of state of the art IP based communication and control technology. Barix products are stand-alone and able to remotely connect worldwide over standard networks / Internet offering new and improved solutions to the professional audio distribution, communication and automation industry. Barix products provide solutions in audio over IP (audio distribution and monitoring, communication, security) and automation (remote controlling, monitoring and maintenance).