What's Free Topology Technology?
Unlike bus wiring designs, in which all devices must connect directly to the main bus, our Free Topology (FT) twisted-pair technology lets installers use any type of networking topology — star, bus, daisy chain, loop, or a combination — to signal over copper wire. FT saves time and money, letting you branch a new wire from anywhere and reducing the amount of wire you need to install.
FT offers many advantages:
- Installers can choose the wiring method that best suits the installation, reducing planning time and allowing last-minute changes on site.
- If installers have been trained to use one wiring style for all installations, they can do so, saving retraining costs.
- Retrofit installations with existing wiring plants can be accommodated with minimal, if any, rewiring. This lets you adapt FT Smart Transceiver technology to both old and new projects.
- Free topology lets you expand FT Smart Transceiver systems in the future by simply tapping into the existing wiring where it's most convenient to do so. For installers, this reduces the time and expense of system expansion; for customers, it reduces the lifecycle cost of the free topology network.
Typical wiring topologies supported by Echelon's FT Smart Transceivers. (The actual termination circuit will vary by application.)