Logical Model for Building Device Configuration Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing complex network views for sites with multiple devices is challenging, particularly in the Tridium Niagara AX framework, where building technicians face difficulties in creating and deploying job configurations efficiently due to the complexity of physical and network hierarchies.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves creating a logical model of a building using a hierarchical structure that is independent of physical device locations, allowing users to organize entities and deploy configurations through a job manager, which includes selecting Vantage system nodes, importing BACnet points from micro/macro servers, and customizing dashboards and gadgets, ultimately simplifying the user interface and reducing commissioning time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a detailed physical and network hierarchy is used to represent all devices, then the system provides complete device information, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the complex device hierarchy into two separate views: a physical view showing the network hierarchy and a logical view showing the building structure. This segmentation allows users to access complete device information through the physical view while navigating through the simplified logical view, thus maintaining information completeness while reducing interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The logical model acts as an intermediary between the user and the physical device hierarchy. It provides a simplified representation of building structures and devices that is independent of physical locations, allowing users to interact with the system through an intuitive logical structure while the underlying physical hierarchy remains intact for complete device management.
2Ease of operation
If a logical model independent of physical locations is created, then the user interface becomes more intuitive, but the mapping to physical devices becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a logical dimension to the existing physical hierarchy by creating a parallel logical model that represents building structures and devices. This logical model is organized by building, floor, room, and device logic rather than by network hierarchy, providing an intuitive interface while the system maintains and manages the mapping between logical and physical dimensions in the background.
3Reliability
If comprehensive device configurations are managed, then the system provides complete control, but the commissioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating the logical model and establishing the mapping between logical and physical views during the initial setup. This preliminary configuration work reduces the time required for commissioning while ensuring that complete device configurations are maintained, as the framework is pre-established for managing all devices systematically.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach for managing a job that may provide a logical model of one or more structures as a configuration for deployment to, for instance, one or more site controllers. A job may be newly created, an existing job, or a remote job. A portal may be established for connection to a relevant job station. A physical view and a network node may be established for showing the physical and network views. The relevant job station may incorporate configurations that support a workbench, a dashboard and gadgets.