Building Control Relationship Mapping Using Sensor Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually defining relationships between building systems, such as air handling units and variable air volume devices, is tedious and error-prone, leading to system-wide inefficiencies and missed optimization opportunities for energy efficiency and control.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically define control relationships between building systems by activating control devices with test signals to generate sensor data, determining correlations using variance inflation factor or cross correlation, and storing these correlations for configuration and control purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual definition of relationships between building systems is used, then configuration accuracy can be achieved, but time consumption and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically discovering and defining relationships between building systems through test signal generation and correlation analysis. The system serves itself by autonomously identifying control relationships without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating time consumption and human errors while maintaining configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of defining relationships with an automated computational system. Test signals are generated and transmitted through building systems, sensor data is collected and analyzed using correlation algorithms (such as cross-correlation or variance inflation factor analysis) to automatically determine control relationships, substituting human manual configuration with automated signal processing and data analysis.
2Reliability
If manual configuration of building systems is performed, then system relationships can be established, but error rates increase and optimization opportunities are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically discovers and configures building system relationships through self-service mechanisms. By generating test signals, collecting sensor data, and performing correlation analysis, the system independently establishes accurate control relationships without manual intervention, thereby improving reliability while simultaneously improving ease of configuration through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring sensor data from building devices and using correlation analysis to verify and refine control relationships. This feedback loop ensures high reliability by validating system relationships through actual operational data while simplifying the configuration process through automated verification and adjustment.
3Productivity
If automated test signals are used to determine correlations, then configuration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual configuration procedures with automated signal processing systems. By using test signals and correlation algorithms (such as cross-correlation analysis or variance inflation factor methods), the system automatically determines control relationships, significantly improving configuration speed while managing complexity through standardized computational approaches rather than manual system understanding.
Data Source
AI summary
1. Systems and methods for automatically configuring source-load relationships in building systems are disclosed. A system can identify a first control device of a plurality of control devices of a building. The first control device can control at least one physical parameter of a space of the building. The system can identify a first building device of a plurality of building devices of the building. The first building device can measure the at least one physical parameter within the building. The system can determine that a relationship between the first control device and the first building device is undefined, and generate the relationship between the first control device and the first building device based on one or more correlations determined based on data provided by the plurality of control devices and sensor data captured by the plurality of building devices.