I/O Bus Segment Addressing via Topology Fingerprint Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for addressing I/O-Modules in Building Automation Systems are costly and inefficient, often requiring electromechanical decoders, extra hardware, or manual configuration, leading to waste and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatically addressing I/O-Modules using pregiven topology data and branch connection units, which discover and assign segment addresses based on engineered and physical topology data, utilizing Single Pair Ethernet for communication and distance measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electromechanical address keys are used for I/O-Module addressing, then addressing capability is provided, but cost increases and waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddressing capabilityVSAvoidwaste of address keys

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic self-addressing through the commissioning tool that discovers I/O-Modules and assigns addresses autonomously without requiring manual configuration or physical address keys, thereby eliminating waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical electromechanical address key system is replaced with a digital/software-based addressing system where addresses are assigned through automated communication between the commissioning tool and I/O-Modules via the I/O-Bus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If commissioning tools with extra hardware (Bluetooth, NFC, USB) are used for addressing, then addressing capability is provided, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddressing capabilityVSAvoidextra hardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The I/O-Bus serves multiple functions: it is used both for data communication between controller and I/O-Modules and for the commissioning process, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware like Bluetooth, NFC, or USB interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The commissioning communication channel is merged with the operational I/O-Bus, allowing the same physical infrastructure to serve both commissioning and runtime functions, thereby reducing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual addressing configuration is used, then addressing capability is provided, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddressing capabilityVSAvoidcommissioning speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller pre-configures segment addresses and topology data before I/O-Module commissioning, enabling rapid automatic addressing without manual intervention during the commissioning phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Simplifies commissioning, reduces costs, and eliminates the need for manual intervention by automating the addressing process, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

The pregiven segment topology data and the physical segment topology data comprise type information about the I/O-Modules and/or the branch connection modules, and the method comprises the step of automatically determining the physical segment topology data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4651457A1Efficient addressing of detached i/o-modules and i/o-bus segments

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG

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AI summary

The addressing of I/O-Modules (I/O) of a Building Automation System shall be simplified. Therefore, there is provided a method of automatically addressing a plurality of I/O-Modules (I/O) of an I/O-Module arrangement being connected to a controller (BAC), the I/O-Modules (I/O) being arranged serially in a first I/O-Bus segment (1) and at least a separate second I/O-Bus segment, each I/O-Bus segment (1, 2) including a branch connection unit (BCC, BCN) and at least one of the I/O-Modules (I/O), the branch connection units(BCC, BCN) of the first and second I/O-Bus segments (1, 2) are interconnected, the method includes the steps of providing pregiven topology data (engineered data) of the I/O-Module arrangement, the pregiven topology data includes for each I/O-Bus segment: a segment address and respective segment topology data, wherein the segment topology data includes an address of the controller or the respective branch connection unit and each I/O-Module (I/O) of the respective I/O-Bus segment, automatically discovering physical segment topology data (fingerprint) by the controller (BAC) in the first I/O-Bus segment (1) and by the respective branch connection module (BCC) in the second I/O-Bus segment (2) and automatically addressing all I/O-Modules with the respective segment address in accordance with the pregiven topology data, only if the physical segment topology data of each I/O-Bus segment (1, 2) corresponds to the respective segment topology data of the pregiven topology data.