Multi-Interface Gateway for Remote BACnet MS/TP Building Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems (BMS) face challenges in enabling remote control and monitoring of devices that are not Internet-enabled or unable to communicate over IP networks, limiting the ability to access and manage building functions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device is introduced to bridge building networks with IP-based networks, facilitating communication via a wireless or wired MS/TP bus, and a cloud-based platform is used to process and control building data, allowing for remote access and management of building equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If building equipment is made Internet-enabled with IP network communication capability, then remote access and control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between legacy building equipment (without IP capability) and the IP-based cloud platform. The gateway translates BACnet MS/TP protocol communications to IP-based communications, enabling remote access without modifying the original building equipment. This resolves the contradiction by providing remote access capability through an external mediator rather than embedding IP functionality directly in the building equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gateway device is introduced to bridge legacy equipment with IP networks, then compatibility and remote access are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols (BACnet MS/TP and IP-based protocols) and perform multiple functions including data translation, protocol conversion, and cloud platform communication. This universal design allows a single device to bridge different protocol domains, improving adaptability while consolidating complexity into one dedicated component rather than requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Productivity
If cloud-based platform is used for data processing, then remote monitoring and control are improved, but network dependency and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the gateway device with cloud platform connection parameters, authentication credentials, and data transmission protocols during installation. This preliminary setup enables the gateway to immediately begin translating and transmitting data to the cloud platform without requiring real-time configuration or negotiation, thereby reducing initial connection latency and improving remote management efficiency from the outset.
Data Source
AI summary
A building management system (BMS) includes building equipment operable to affect a physical state or condition of a building and a gateway device configured to couple to the building equipment via a wireless master slave/token passing (MS/TP) bus or a wired MS/TP bus. The gateway device is configured to communicate building data to a cloud-based platform including a hub configured to receive the building data, a plurality of cloud applications, wherein the plurality of cloud applications are configured to receive the building data from the hub and process the building data to provide a building data output. The cloud-based platform is configured to communicate the building data output to and receive a command based on the building data output from at least one of a control application, an analytic application, or a monitoring application. The gateway device is further configured to operate according to the command.