Multi-Interface BMS Gateway for Remote Cloud Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems (BMS) face challenges in enabling remote control and monitoring of devices that are not Internet-enabled or incapable of communicating over IP networks, limiting the ability to extend local control to remote access via the Internet.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device is introduced to bridge the gap between building networks and IP-based networks, facilitating communication via a wireless or wired MS/TP bus, and connecting to a cloud-based platform that processes building data and enables remote control and monitoring through a cloud-based hub and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If building equipment is made non-Internet-enabled to simplify device design and reduce costs, then device complexity and manufacturing costs decrease, but the ability to enable remote control and monitoring via Internet access is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between building equipment and the Internet. The gateway runs a cloud client that communicates with cloud services, enabling remote access to building equipment without requiring the equipment itself to be Internet-enabled. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple equipment design while providing remote access capabilities through the gateway mediator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If building equipment is equipped with Internet connectivity and IP communication capabilities to enable remote access, then remote control and monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device serves as an intermediary that handles all Internet connectivity and cloud communication functions. Building equipment only needs basic local network capabilities to communicate with the gateway, eliminating the need for complex Internet protocols and cloud client software in the equipment itself. This reduces device complexity while maintaining remote access capability.
3Productivity
If all building equipment is directly connected to the cloud platform to enable comprehensive monitoring and control, then remote management capability is improved, but system complexity and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple building equipment units are merged through a single gateway device that consolidates cloud communication functions. The gateway aggregates data from multiple equipment sources and maintains a single connection to the cloud platform, reducing overall system complexity and network traffic while enabling comprehensive remote management of all connected equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system (BMS) includes building equipment operable to affect a physical state or condition of a building and a gateway device configured to couple to the building equipment via a wireless master slave/token passing (MS/TP) bus or a wired MS/TP bus. The gateway device is configured to communicate building data to a cloud-based platform including a hub configured to receive the building data, a plurality of cloud applications, wherein the plurality of cloud applications are configured to receive the building data from the hub and process the building data to provide a building data output. The cloud-based platform is configured to communicate the building data output to and receive a command based on the building data output from at least one of a control application, an analytic application, or a monitoring application. The gateway device is further configured to operate according to the command.