Distributed Building Control With LoRaWAN and Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building automation systems (BAS/BMS) face challenges such as high installation costs due to wired connections, difficulty in integrating wireless capabilities, conflicts between device-specific logic and centralized control, and data privacy issues for multiple tenants, leading to inefficiencies and reliability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A modular and distributed wireless monitoring and control system using LoRaWAN for low-power, long-range communication, with smart adapters translating between native protocols, enabling decentralized control logic and secure data segmentation for multi-tenant environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used in traditional building automation systems, then high bandwidth and high reliability are achieved, but installation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The building automation system uses wireless networks to transmit control signals and data between controllers, sensors, and actuators, eliminating the need for physical cable installation while maintaining system reliability and communication bandwidth.
2Ease of manufacture
If wireless capabilities are added to building automation devices, then installation cost is reduced, but coordination reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized wireless controller as an intermediary device that coordinates all wireless-connected building automation equipment. This controller manages communication protocols, handles data routing, and ensures reliable coordination between devices, thereby maintaining system reliability while enabling wireless installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device-specific control logic is enabled, then equipment operational flexibility is improved, but conflicts with centralized control occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control functionality into two layers: a centralized controller that manages overall building automation coordination, and device-level microcontrollers that execute specific operational logic. This segmentation allows equipment to maintain operational flexibility through local logic while the centralized controller ensures unified coordination, reducing control conflicts through hierarchical management.
4Ease of operation
If building operation data is transmitted over Internet protocol networks, then data accessibility is improved, but security configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal security framework where the centralized controller provides integrated security management for all building automation data transmissions. This framework includes built-in authentication, encryption, and access control mechanisms that work across all devices and protocols, enabling easy data accessibility over IP networks while eliminating the need for complex individual security configurations at each device level.
Data Source
AI summary
The implementations herein are generally directed to modular and distributed wireless monitoring and control systems for building automation networks (BAS/BMS). The disclosed systems address limitations of existing systems by utilizing a wireless network of nodes within a building to monitor parameters and control equipment. The system employs a long-range wireless area network (LoRaWAN) for communication, enabling low-power, long-range data transmission. Devices not natively configured for LoRaWAN can be integrated using smart adapters that translate between LoRaWAN and the devices' native protocols. The systems may be configured communicate with remote computing systems for data analysis, control logic updates, and integration with external data sources such as weather information.