Hierarchical Controller Logic for Selective Sub-Structure Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for configuring and updating controller programming are time-consuming, especially over low bandwidth channels, as they require compiling and downloading the entire control program for minor edits, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of hierarchical controller logic organized in a tree structure allows for incremental updates of sub-structures within the controller logic, enabling only changed sub-structures to be downloaded, reducing communication time and allowing continuous operation of building components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire control program is compiled and downloaded to implement minor edits, then the controller programming is updated completely, but the communication time is excessive especially over low bandwidth channels
Solution Approach 1:
The control program is divided into multiple compilable units or modules that can be compiled and downloaded independently. When a minor edit is needed, only the affected module is compiled and transferred, rather than the entire program, significantly reducing communication time over low bandwidth channels while maintaining complete update reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing a complete program download for every update, the system performs partial downloads by transmitting only the specific modules that require updates. This partial action approach maintains programming reliability while minimizing the time and bandwidth consumed by unnecessary data transmission.
2Reliability
If the entire control program is re-downloaded for minor edits, then the updated programming is ensured, but the efficiency of configuring and managing controller systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control program is segmented into independent modules that can be individually managed, compiled, and downloaded. This segmentation enables configuration efficiency by allowing technicians to update only specific modules rather than reconfiguring entire systems, while maintaining reliability through structured module validation and integration.
Solution Approach 2:
Modules are pre-compiled and validated before being deployed to the controller. This preliminary action ensures that only verified, error-free modules are transmitted and installed, maintaining programming reliability while improving configuration efficiency by eliminating the need for complete system re-validation after updates.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller that is configured to control operation of a building component may be programmed using a programming tool to build a controller logic that utilizes sub-structures organized within a hierarchal tree, which may then be downloaded to the controller. The controller is operated via the controller logic such that the controller controls operation of the building component. The programming tool may subsequently be used to update one or more of the sub-structures. The one or more updated sub-structures may be downloaded to the controller while not downloading one or more of the sub-structures that were not updated. The method includes continuing to control operation of the building component using the controller logic that now includes the one or more updated sub-structures.