Building Automation Bus Data Packet Segmentation and Dynamic Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Building automation bus systems face significant data transmission challenges, particularly when transmitting large data sets, leading to increased bus load and potential transmission failures due to overloading, resulting in repeated data packets and increased data traffic.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dividing large data sets into smaller data packets, with the control unit waiting for response signals after each transmission attempt before sending the next packet, and dynamically adjusting delay times based on previous transmission success or errors to manage bus load effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large data sets are transmitted as single data telegrams, then transmission efficiency is improved, but bus load increases causing transmission failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides large data sets into multiple smaller data packets before transmission. Each packet is transmitted separately as an individual data telegram, preventing bus overload while maintaining efficient data transfer. The segmentation allows the system to transmit large amounts of data without exceeding bus capacity limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic transmission of data packets with dynamic delay intervals between them. This periodic action allows the bus to process each packet sequentially without overload, and the dynamic adjustment of intervals optimizes transmission efficiency while preventing transmission failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If transmission retry attempts are increased, then data reliability is improved, but bus load and data traffic increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata traffic volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting data into smaller packets, the patent reduces the volume of data that needs to be retransmitted upon failure. Only the failed packet needs to be resent rather than the entire data set, significantly reducing redundant data traffic while maintaining transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by implementing retry mechanisms only for failed packets rather than retransmitting complete data sets. This selective approach maintains reliability for critical data while minimizing unnecessary data traffic from retry attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If delay time between packets is increased, then bus load is reduced, but transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebus load managementVSAvoidtotal transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the delay time between packet transmissions based on bus load conditions and transmission success. The delay is not fixed but adapts in real-time, extending when bus load is high and reducing when conditions are favorable, thereby optimizing both reliability and transmission time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from transmission results to adjust delay intervals. Successful transmissions trigger reduced delays, while failures or bus overload conditions trigger increased delays. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically optimize the balance between bus load management and transmission speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2741453B1Method for operating a bus device of a building automation device, and corresponding configuration device and computer program product
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP2741453B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The method involves attaching a bus apparatus (14) to a building installation bus (12). A record (18) is divided into multiple data packets (22) by a control unit (20), and the data packets are successively provided to a terminal circuitry (17). The data packet is delayed according to receiving of a reply signal (26) around an adjustable delay time duration (T). The delay time duration is adjusted in dependence of the received response signal. The delay time duration is increased, if transmission error has occurred during transmission of a last provided data packet.