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 building management system (BMS) controller, which 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.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless connectivity is added to existing BMS 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 processor chip with the existing BMS controller into a single integrated unit. The wireless communication processor chip includes a processor, memory, and wireless radio that are integrated with the controller's processing components, eliminating the need for separate external wireless communication devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated wireless communication processor chip is designed to handle multiple communication protocols (BACnet, JSON, Wi-Fi) and functions (data processing, wireless communication, network management) within a single device, making it a universal component that replaces multiple specialized components in traditional architectures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional wireless communications device or chip is added to existing networking components, then wireless connectivity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the wireless communication processor chip with the BMS controller, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate wireless communication devices, reducing component count, assembly steps, and overall manufacturing cost while maintaining wireless connectivity capability.
3Device complexity
If integrated wireless network processor chip is used, then device complexity is reduced, but processing capability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the wireless communication processor chip's processing capabilities with the BMS controller, combining their processing powers to handle protocol translation, data formatting, and wireless communication tasks simultaneously, thereby meeting increased processing requirements while maintaining reduced system complexity.
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 WiFi 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.