HVAC Mesh Connectivity for Unit-Level Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems lack the ability to provide wireless connectivity and remote control at the unit level, especially in commercial or large-scale residential settings, and often require individual connections between building management systems and individual units, complicating installation.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network architecture is implemented using data transfer units (DTUs) that form a wireless mesh network, allowing communication between HVAC units and remote devices, translating between different communication protocols, and incorporating connectivity devices for non-communicating units to enable seamless data transmission and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual connections between BMS and HVAC units are implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless mesh network is introduced as an intermediary communication infrastructure between HVAC units and the BMS. This mesh network comprises multiple wireless communication nodes that relay data packets, enabling reliable communication without requiring direct individual connections between each HVAC unit and the BMS. The mesh topology provides multiple communication paths, enhancing reliability while reducing installation complexity.
2Ease of operation
If wireless mesh network is implemented, then ease of operation and installation are improved, but loss of information may increase due to protocol translation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Protocol translation nodes are implemented within the wireless mesh network to convert between different communication protocols (e.g., BACnet, Modbus, proprietary protocols). These intermediary nodes maintain data integrity by accurately translating messages while preserving essential information, allowing HVAC units with different protocols to communicate reliably through the unified mesh network infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If remote device communication is enabled, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication nodes in the mesh network are designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols (BACnet, Modbus, proprietary protocols, and remote device protocols). Each node can translate between different protocols, allowing a single unified network infrastructure to support diverse communication requirements without requiring separate dedicated systems for each protocol type.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing wireless connectivity to HVAC systems via a mesh network. Particularly, a connectivity architecture is provided that forms a seamless wireless mesh network of connected HVAC systems. For example, HVAC systems may be in communication with a plurality of DTUs that form the mesh network. The DTUs communicate with the HVAC systems and also communicate with remote devices. A dedicated gateway device may also be provided in the mesh network to communicate with the remote devices. This architecture allows a user to remotely interact with such systems via a remote device (for example to view status information for the systems, provide commands to adjust the operation of the systems, etc.). Likewise, a building management system (BMS) (or other type of automated system) may wirelessly communicate with such systems to perform similar functions, but in an automated manner.