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VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 (2026)
An analytical study on communication protocols used in building management systems
Authors
Muhammed Sagar, Dr. E Ashitha
Abstract
Building Management
Systems (BMS) play a pivotal role in enhancing energy efficiency, operational
reliability, occupant comfort, and sustainability in modern buildings. At the
core of BMS functionality are communication protocols that enable seamless data
exchange between heterogeneous devices and subsystems. This paper presents an
analytical study of widely adopted communication protocols used in BMS,
including BACnet, Modbus, MS/TP, KNX, Lon Works, OPC, and emerging IP-based
protocols. A qualitative comparative framework is employed to evaluate these
protocols based on interoperability, scalability, security, cost, and
application suitability. The findings indicate that open protocols such as
BACnet and KNX offer superior interoperability and long-term scalability, while
Modbus and MS/TP remain cost-effective solutions at the field-device level.
However, protocol fragmentation, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and integration
complexity continue to challenge multi-vendor BMS deployments. The study
highlights the growing importance of IP-based and secure communication
frameworks and provides insights to assist designers and facility managers in
selecting appropriate protocols for future-ready smart building environments.
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Pages:266-272
How to cite this article:
Muhammed Sagar, Dr. E Ashitha "An analytical study on communication protocols used in building management systems". International Journal of Applied Review
, Vol 2, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 266-272
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