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Controller Area Network (CAN) technology is at the heart of Borer’s latest access control solution.

December 2001

Borer Data Systems is set to revolutionise security systems in the commercial sector with a new high speed, networked approach utilising CAN (Controller Area Network) Technology.

CAN Announcing the new development, Borer Data Systems MD Robert Chapman says, “This is a major advance for security access control and alarm monitoring. CAN technology allows us to design lower-cost solutions which are high on security, flexibility, reliability and above all, far easier to install and maintain than traditional network security solutions”.

The simple 4 wire (2 Data, 2 Power) CAN-Bus has many advantages over conventional systems. For example, less cable with fewer terminations is required so installation is both simple and fast. Additionally, power supplies can be shared so a single power supply can power several doors / devices, giving significant cost savings.

The Borer CAN-Bus allows up to 63 devices (door access readers, attendance terminals, alarm monitors) to be connected to a single controller. ’Plug and Play’ technology ensures devices can be installed onto a Borer CAN network without special programming and with the minimum of fuss. A CAN network is easily configured for either star or daisy chain topology, with the advantage that existing data cable or new CAT5 structured cabling can be utilised.

With data transmission rates of up to 1Mbit/s the Borer CAN network is up to 100 times faster than traditional solutions. For example a card access transaction is which conforms to the ISO 11898 Standard for serial data communications, is widely used in automotive, control and automation systems providing reliable, high-speed data transmission.

Borer has applied these strengths by developing CAN based systems for building access control and alarm monitoring applications which significantly improve system performance and bring major savings in installation time and system costs.

Processed in 4 thousandths of a second in contrast to the industry norm of a quarter of a second. Fast communications provides a high degree of system flexibility and gives room for expansion. It also accommodates new technology applications - such as biometrics “fingerprint readers” - unrealistic with current Industry standards.

In contrast to conventional systems where card readers only communicate with a central controller, the CAN protocol allows any devices on the network to talk to any other device. Borer CAN devices have a degree of local intelligence with all messages being received by all devices on the network. In this way, the detection of a fire alarm by an input device can cause all or selected access readers on the network to release doors – even if the main CAN Controller is not connected. In case a number of devices attempt to access the network simultaneously all messages are prioritised so the highest priority message will always take precedence over other data.

Borer’s CAN network based system is designed and manufactured in the UK. Borer Data Systems has developed the Borer CAN network using the latest chip technology and communications standards, applying experience gained in over 25 years of providing security solutions.

Having successfully run trial systems over 3 years in real world applications, CAN has been proven to provide affordable and reliable solutions with the flexibility required for demanding corporate security applications.