Building Automation Adapter Framework for Subsystem Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integration of subsystems into building automation systems is complex due to varying communication protocols and requires extensive knowledge and development time, especially for third-party subsystems.
Innovation Solution
A framework with a control center, adapter, and auto discovery component facilitates integration by generating object-oriented classes and programming types from an object model, allowing for easy mapping and communication between subsystems and the control center, using standardized web technologies like HTTP and SOAP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional integration techniques are used, then integration capability is achieved, but development time and complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines a standardized adapter framework with common communication protocols and integration patterns before actual subsystem integration is needed. This preliminary preparation of reusable components and templates significantly reduces development time when integrating new subsystems, as developers can leverage pre-built adapters rather than creating integration logic from scratch for each subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter framework is designed as a universal solution that can integrate multiple different subsystems through standardized interfaces. The framework provides multi-functional adapters that can handle various communication protocols (BACnet, OPC, ONVIF, etc.) and subsystem types, allowing a single framework to serve multiple integration purposes and reducing the need for subsystem-specific custom development.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional integration techniques are used, then subsystem connectivity is achieved, but required knowledge about building automation systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary adapter layer that sits between the building automation system and third-party subsystems. This adapter framework translates and mediates communication between different protocols and the core BAS, shielding developers from complex integration details. The adapter handles protocol translation, data mapping, and communication handshaking, reducing the knowledge required about building automation system intricacies while maintaining subsystem connectivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom integration components are developed, then specific subsystem requirements are met, but integration process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integration process into distinct, manageable components: a standardized adapter framework, protocol-specific translation layers, and configurable integration templates. This segmentation allows developers to address specific subsystem requirements by configuring or extending individual segments rather than developing custom integration components from scratch, thereby reducing overall integration process complexity while maintaining adaptability to specific requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a building automation system comprising a control center and an adapter for providing integration of subsystems. The adapter facilitates communications between the control center and a subsystem of the building automation system. A subsystem library of the control center receives an object model associated with the subsystem from the user interface. An extraction tool of the control center generates output information based on the object model. The control center is mapped to the adapter, so that a thing description may be communicated there between. The thing description includes a description of instances hosted by the adapter and representing the object model. An auto discovery component of the control center creates instances of the object model based on the thing description and addresses properties of the object model. The building automation system utilizes the instances and the addresses to manage the subsystem associated with the object model.