Building management system with containerization for a generic gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems (BMS) face challenges in seamlessly integrating and controlling diverse building equipment across different communication protocols and networks, limiting remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A BMS architecture that includes a gateway device capable of executing MS/TP and cloud communication containers, enabling communication between building equipment and a cloud-based platform, and automatically discovering and generating equipment models to facilitate data collection and control signals across various protocols like MS/TP, BACnet, and Modbus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gateway device executes multiple communication containers to support diverse protocols, then adaptability to different building equipment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is segmented into multiple independent communication containers, each responsible for a specific protocol (MS/TP, BACnet, Modbus, cloud protocols). This modular architecture allows the gateway to support diverse protocols without monolithic complexity, as each container can be independently developed, deployed, and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed as a universal platform capable of executing multiple types of communication containers simultaneously. This multi-functional design enables a single gateway to interface with various building equipment protocols and cloud platforms, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each protocol.
2Ease of operation
If automated equipment discovery and model generation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time during initial setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device performs preliminary automated discovery and model generation actions during initial equipment connection. By automatically scanning the network, identifying equipment, and generating communication models without manual intervention, the system prepares the integration framework in advance, reducing the time required for subsequent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment discovery and model generation process is self-service oriented, where the gateway autonomously performs discovery tasks, retrieves equipment information, and generates communication models without requiring operator input. This automation improves ease of operation by eliminating manual configuration steps.
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.