HVAC controller with integrated wireless network processor chip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building automation and control networks require additional hardware and complexity due to the use of sensor actuator (SA) buses for wireless connectivity, increasing costs and configuration complexity.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a wireless network processor chip within a controller that includes a wireless radio, processor, and memory, enabling wireless data communications without the need for external processing or communication components, using protocols like BACnet and JSON for communication with BMS devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless connectivity is added to existing network architecture using additional wireless communications device or chip, then wireless communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wireless communication functionality with the existing network processor chip by integrating a wireless communication interface directly into the chip. This merging eliminates the need for separate wireless communication devices or chips, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining wireless communication capability. The integrated approach allows the network processor chip to handle both wired and wireless communications through a single component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SA bus hardware components are used for wireless connectivity, then communication functionality is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wireless communication functionality into the network processor chip, eliminating the need for separate SA bus hardware components. This integration reduces the number of discrete hardware elements required while maintaining full communication functionality. The network processor chip with integrated wireless interface handles all communication tasks through a unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the wireless communication interface from traditional separate wireless communication devices and integrates it directly into the network processor chip. This extraction and integration approach eliminates the need for external processing or communication components, simplifying the overall hardware architecture while preserving wireless communication capabilities.
3Reliability
If additional external processing or communication components are used, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication functions (wired and wireless) into a single network processor chip with integrated wireless interface. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining communication reliability through the unified architecture. The integrated design eliminates potential failure points associated with multiple separate components and their interconnections.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.