Decentralized Building Data Server with Fieldbus Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing building system architecture with a central server system is prone to communication overload, data loss, high maintenance costs, and inefficiencies in information exchange between clients and fieldbus lines, particularly with a large number of mobile devices and during power failures.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized GST data server system with integrated memory and routing functions, allowing clients to access fieldbus information directly from distributed servers, reducing the load on central servers and enhancing communication efficiency through caching and security mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a central server system is used to manage building information, then information management and storage is simplified, but communication overload occurs when multiple clients access the system simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized server system into multiple distributed server units (first server unit, second server unit, etc.), each capable of independently providing building information to clients. This segmentation eliminates the communication bottleneck of a single central server by distributing the information provision load across multiple independent nodes in the fieldbus network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gateway is used to connect the fieldbus system to the server PC, then protocol conversion is achieved, but data loss may occur when the gateway or communication path fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables server units to directly access and provide information from the fieldbus network without requiring a gateway intermediary. The server units themselves perform the information retrieval and provision functions, eliminating the single point of failure represented by the gateway and its communication paths.
3Device complexity
If a central server PC is used to store and manage building information, then information access is centralized, but high maintenance costs and energy consumption are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single energy-consuming central server PC with multiple distributed server units that operate independently on the fieldbus network. Each server unit consumes significantly less energy than a full central server, and the distributed architecture eliminates the need for high-performance hardware centralized in one location.
4Loss of information
If all information is read from the building system when the server PC is initialized, then complete information is available, but high communication load is placed on the fieldbus level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables server units to access and cache building information proactively before client requests occur. By pre-loading and storing information locally in the distributed server units, the system prepares data in advance, eliminating the need for high-load fieldbus communication during server initialization or peak access periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for use in a building system (1), wherein the building system (1) comprises a field bus, which is designed with at least one field bus line (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.n), to which at least one bus device (3, 3.1) is connected, wherein at least one client (5, 5.1, 5.n) can access the field bus by means of a data network (4) superordinate to the building system (1). The device has a network connection (11) for communicating with the data network (4), the device (10) has at least one field bus connection (12) for communicating with the field bus, the device is designed to provide information from the field bus to clients (5, 5.1, 5.n), which are logically connected to the device (10) by means of the data network (4), and the device (10) has an internal memory (13), which contains an at least partial process image of the field bus line (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.n) connected to the field bus.