Building Bus Equipment Discovery Using Active Node Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems (BMS) face challenges in automatically discovering new devices on communications buses and integrating them without requiring manual intervention or pre-configured discovery modes, especially when these devices do not provide their own equipment models.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a BMS that uses active node tables to monitor for new devices on communications buses, automatically generates equipment models for devices that do not provide their own, and interacts with them using a master-slave token passing protocol, allowing for seamless integration and control without user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual intervention or pre-configured discovery modes are used for device integration, then device integration can be achieved, but the system complexity and time required for integration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic device discovery where the BMS automatically detects new devices on the communications bus, retrieves their equipment models, and integrates them without requiring manual intervention or pre-configured discovery modes. The active node table automatically updates when new devices are detected, and the system autonomously generates device lists and user interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are required to provide their own equipment models, then integration accuracy is improved, but devices without pre-configured models cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores equipment models in advance in the active node table, which is updated when new devices are detected on the communications bus. This preliminary preparation of device information allows the BMS to quickly and reliably integrate new devices without requiring manual configuration or discovery commands.
3Productivity
If discovery commands are sent to new devices, then device identification can be achieved, but the communication protocol complexity and interaction overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses active node tables that automatically detect and report new devices on the communications bus. When a new device is detected, the table change counter is incremented, triggering automatic reading of the updated table to identify the new device. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual discovery commands while maintaining fast integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system includes a communications bus, and devices coupled to the communications bus. The devices are coupled to the communications bus and configured to communicate on the communications bus using a master-slave token passing protocol. A first one of the devices has an active node table stored therein. The active node table includes multiple nodes. Each node represents one of the devices participating in a token passing ring used to exchange information among the devices via the communications bus using the master-slave token passing protocol. The first device is configured to monitor the active node table for new nodes and to identify a new device communicating on the communications bus in response to a determination that the active node table includes a new node.