Building Management Bus Auto-Discovery via 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 manual intervention or pre-configured discovery commands, especially when devices do not provide their own equipment models.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a master-slave token passing protocol with active node tables and device list generators allows for automatic detection and integration of new devices by monitoring changes in the active node table, generating device lists, and creating equipment models based on point objects that provide information about the devices, even if they do not provide their own models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual intervention or pre-configured discovery commands are used for device integration, then device integration can be achieved, but the system complexity and user intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic device discovery where the BMS autonomously detects new devices on the communications bus without requiring user intervention or pre-configured discovery commands. The active node table automatically updates when new devices are detected, and the system self-configures by generating device lists and equipment models based on the detected devices' point objects
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains an active node table that is continuously updated with device information before actual device integration is needed. This preliminary monitoring and tracking of node changes enables the system to be ready for immediate integration when new devices are added, eliminating the need for manual configuration at the time of device addition
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices do not provide their own equipment models, then device compatibility may improve, but the ability to interact with and manage devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses point objects as an intermediary mechanism to exchange information between the BMS and devices that do not provide their own equipment models. The point objects contain essential device information and parameters that enable the BMS to interact with and manage these devices effectively, serving as a standardized interface layer
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates equipment models by copying and utilizing the point objects provided by devices. When a device does not provide its own equipment model, the BMS creates a representative model based on the device's point objects, preserving the necessary information for device management and interaction
3Ease of operation
If automatic device discovery is implemented without discovery mode or discovery commands, then ease of operation improves, but the reliability of device detection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of the active node table with automatic detection of node changes. This feedback mechanism ensures that when new devices are added to the communications bus, the system reliably detects the change through the updated node table and triggers appropriate integration actions, maintaining detection reliability without requiring active discovery commands
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.