Address Extending Unit for Environmental Control Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network communication systems in environmental control systems are limited by a predetermined number of addresses, which restricts the number of communication nodes that can be effectively addressed, especially in large systems or those incorporating additional sensors like temperature and CO2 sensors.
Innovation Solution
An address extending unit is coupled with control units and components to treat existing addresses, establishing unique treated addresses through mathematical manipulation, such as adding values or factors, allowing for an increased number of addresses without requiring physical redesign of the network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a predetermined number of addresses is used for network communication, then the system structure remains simple and manageable, but the number of addressable components is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the address values through mathematical operations. The address extending unit treats existing address values by adding predetermined factors or multiplying by extension factors, transforming limited address values into extended address values. This allows the system to address more components without changing the physical address structure or hardware configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The address extending unit serves as an intermediary between the control unit and the components. It receives limited address values from the control unit, processes them through mathematical operations, and outputs extended address values that can uniquely identify more components. This intermediary layer enables address expansion without requiring changes to the control unit or the network infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If the network infrastructure is redesigned to accommodate more addresses, then more components can be addressed, but the cost and implementation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically redesigning the network infrastructure, the patent creates a virtual copy or transformation of the address space through mathematical operations. The address extending unit processes existing address values to generate extended addresses, effectively copying and transforming the address namespace without requiring physical hardware changes. This approach maintains the original network infrastructure while achieving address expansion.
3Quantity of substance
If the network infrastructure is redesigned to accommodate more addresses, then more components can be addressed, but system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically redesigning network infrastructure with a computational approach. Instead of installing additional hardware or reconfiguring physical connections, the system uses mathematical operations in software/firmware to extend the address space. This substitution eliminates the need for costly hardware modifications while achieving the same goal of addressing more components.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for treating addresses employed in an environmental control network that involves at least one control unit communicating with a plurality of components, each respective component of the plurality of components having an address selected from a predetermined number of address values, includes: an address extending unit coupled with the at least one control unit and with at least one coupled component of the plurality of components. The address extending unit treats each address for each coupled component to establish a respective unique treated address for each coupled component. The at least one control unit identifies each respective component by the respective treated address.