Cylon Controls Unitron Driver for Tridium Niagara

The Cylon Controls Unitron Driver for Tridium Niagara provides a comprehensive solution for integrating legacy Cylon Unitron building automation systems with modern Niagara-based platforms, enabling advanced building management while preserving existing controller investments.

A key advantage of the Unitron Driver is its exceptional cost-effectiveness for system modernization. Rather than requiring expensive controller replacements or network infrastructure upgrades, the driver leverages existing UC32.net TCP/IP capabilities to connect directly with Unitron controllers, enabling building operators to access all system functionality while gaining Niagara’s advanced analytics, visualization, and integration features. This approach significantly reduces retrofit costs compared to full controller replacement, with implementation possible within hours rather than weeks. The driver’s seamless integration allows existing Cylon front-end operations to continue unchanged, ensuring zero disruption to critical building systems during the transition.

The driver communicates using UC32.net protocol over standard TCP/IP networks, connecting directly to Unitron controllers via their built-in Ethernet interfaces. During initialization, the driver automatically discovers all accessible controllers including UC32 main controllers (ranging from 8 to 24 I/O points), compact UCU unitary controllers for specific applications, and specialized variants like UC32.netK models with enhanced networking capabilities. Point mapping preserves all controller metadata including original names, engineering units, alarm thresholds, and I/O assignments, ensuring seamless migration of operational data into the Niagara framework without manual reconfiguration.

Hardware I/O override capabilities provide direct control over physical inputs and outputs for maintenance and troubleshooting operations. Operators can override analog outputs for valve and damper positioning, digital outputs for equipment start/stop commands, and monitor all physical input states in real-time. These override functions integrate seamlessly with Niagara’s maintenance workflows, enabling technicians to perform system commissioning, equipment testing, and fault diagnosis through a unified interface while maintaining full audit trails of all override activities.

Cylon Controls, now part of ABB’s Building Automation division, established itself as a leading provider of intelligent building management systems with particular strength in energy management and optimization. Founded in Ireland, Cylon developed the Unitron platform as a highly flexible, programmable controller family designed for both simple zone control applications and complex building-wide automation systems. The company’s focus on open protocols and energy efficiency made their systems popular across Europe and internationally, with thousands of installations in commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. ABB’s 2020 acquisition of Cylon has strengthened the product line with enhanced connectivity options and integration with ABB’s broader electrification and automation portfolio.

If you’re managing a facility with Cylon Unitron controllers and seeking to modernize your building automation capabilities without the expense and disruption of controller replacement, Baudrate’s Unitron Driver for Tridium Niagara is the ideal solution. The driver enables various integration scenarios: replacing legacy Cylon workstations with Niagara’s modern web-based interface, integrating third-party systems and protocols into existing Unitron networks, or streaming building data to cloud platforms for advanced energy analytics and predictive maintenance. Our driver ensures reliable communication, preserves your existing investment, and unlocks the full potential of the Niagara platform for operational excellence. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your specific integration requirements, or contact us for a free trial to experience firsthand how the Unitron Driver can transform your building management operations while maximizing the value of your Cylon infrastructure.