Building Automation Architecture for Auto-Configuring Mixed Protocol Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building automation systems (BAS) are inflexible and labor-intensive, requiring extensive customization and manual programming for each installation, and struggle with integration of diverse components and protocols, leading to high costs and complexity, especially when dealing with legacy systems and multiple vendor systems.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically extensible and automatically configurable BAS architecture that uses an enterprise server engine to establish communications and automatically configure control devices, allowing integration of legacy and next-generation components without recompilation, and supports multiple protocols and vendor systems through a dynamic protocol support mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardwired systems and proprietary communication standards are used, then system robustness and customization for particular installations are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication architecture that supports multiple communication protocols (BACnet, LonWorks, Modbus, HTTP, XML) within a single system framework. The engine can dynamically load and execute protocol-specific code modules, allowing the system to function with diverse communication standards without requiring separate hardwired installations for each protocol, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic code loading and execution capabilities, where communication protocol handlers and device drivers can be loaded, unloaded, and updated at runtime without system reconfiguration or recompilation. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different installation requirements on-the-fly, reducing the need for complex pre-planning and hardwiring while maintaining robust communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive customization and manual programming are performed for each installation, then system adaptability to specific buildings is improved, but installation time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic device discovery and configuration capabilities that perform preliminary system setup actions automatically. When a device is added to the network, the engine automatically discovers the device, identifies its type and capabilities, loads appropriate protocol handlers, and configures communication parameters without requiring manual programming. This preliminary automated action significantly reduces installation time while maintaining full adaptability to different building requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-configuration through automatic device identification and protocol detection. Devices automatically register themselves with the engine, which then autonomously determines the appropriate communication protocol and configures the system accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual programming and customization, reducing installation labor while preserving system adaptability to various building automation requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy systems and multiple vendor systems are integrated, then system compatibility and interoperability are improved, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an intermediary engine that acts as a mediator between diverse communication protocols and the central control system. The engine loads protocol-specific code modules that translate and standardize communications from legacy systems and multiple vendor devices into a unified internal format. This intermediary approach enables seamless integration of BACnet, LonWorks, Modbus, and other protocols without requiring complex point-to-point integration, thereby improving interoperability while managing integration complexity through centralized protocol handling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If system components are upgraded or expanded, then system functionality and capabilities are improved, but reconfiguration effort and system downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic code loading and hot-swapping capabilities that allow system components, protocol handlers, and device drivers to be updated, added, or removed at runtime without system shutdown or reconfiguration. When new devices or protocols are introduced, the engine dynamically loads the appropriate code modules and integrates them into the running system. This dynamic approach enables continuous operation during upgrades, eliminating reconfiguration downtime while maintaining full system extensibility.
5Ease of operation
If Internet-based accessible systems are implemented, then user accessibility and remote management are improved, but system security and data protection challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an intermediary architecture where the engine acts as a secure gateway between the Internet-based user interface and the building automation subsystems. All external communications pass through the engine, which validates requests, authenticates users, and filters data transmissions. This intermediary layer enables remote web-based access and mobile device connectivity while maintaining system security by preventing direct access to control devices and blocking malicious traffic, thus addressing security concerns while preserving ease of remote operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A building automation system (BAS) architecture is disclosed. The BAS comprises, in one embodiment, an architecture comprising a communication network and having a dynamic extensibility capability and an automatic configuration capability; an engine communicatively coupled to the communication network; and at least one control device communicatively coupled to the communication network, the control device being known or unknown to the engine. The engine can be adapted to selectively implement the dynamic extensibility capability to establish communications with and to control both known and unknown control devices. The engine can be further adapted to selectively implement the automatic configuration capability to determine at least one characteristic of both known and unknown control devices. A method of adding a control device to a building automation system (BAS) by dynamically extending and automatically configuring an architecture of the BAS is also disclosed.