Building Automation Device Identification via Network Probing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In IoT device networks, especially in building automation systems, device configuration and documentation often become incomplete or incorrect due to varying conventions among contractors and inadequate updates, leading to misconfigured or undocumented devices, which can result in inefficiencies and errors in controlling equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a management entity probes the device network to identify devices and their configurations by reading data from connection points, sending specific commands to control equipment, and receiving responses to accurately determine device types and configurations, thereby updating the data store with precise information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual configuration and documentation methods are used by multiple contractors, then device installation can be completed, but configuration accuracy and documentation completeness deteriorate due to varying conventions and inadequate updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing devices to automatically self-identify and self-document their configurations. The management entity automatically probes devices, retrieves their configurations, and updates documentation without requiring manual intervention from contractors, thereby eliminating human error while maintaining installation productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where the management entity periodically probes devices to verify configuration accuracy. When configuration changes occur or devices are replaced, the system automatically detects these changes through probe responses and updates documentation accordingly, ensuring documentation completeness without manual intervention
2Measurement precision
If automated probing and identification methods are implemented, then configuration accuracy improves, but system complexity increases due to additional management entities and probe mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The management entity serves multiple functions: it acts as a configuration management system, a documentation system, a device probe mechanism, and an update coordinator all in one. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving high configuration accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The management entity serves as an intermediary between devices and the documentation system. Rather than devices directly communicating with documentation systems or requiring complex peer-to-peer verification, the management entity mediates all configuration queries and updates, simplifying the overall system architecture while ensuring accurate configuration management
3Loss of information
If continuous device probing and verification are performed, then documentation completeness improves, but network traffic and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous probing, the system uses periodic action by triggering probe operations only when specific events occur, such as device installation, device replacement, or configuration changes. This event-driven approach ensures documentation completeness is maintained while avoiding unnecessary continuous probing that would waste processing time and network bandwidth
Data Source
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AI summary
Discovering devices and device configurations. A method includes sending a request to a device to obtain a data value from the device. The method further includes, in response, receiving the data value from the device. The method further includes, based on the received data value, identifying one or more device identifications for the device. The method further includes, using the one or more identifications, sending commands for equipment potentially connected to the device. The method further includes, receiving one or more responses to the commands. The method further includes, based on the one or more responses, concretely identifying the device