Occupancy Sensor Gateway for BMS-Lighting Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous approaches to integrating building management systems (BMS) and lighting control systems face communication issues due to different protocols, requiring costly and time-consuming intermediary systems like Java Application Control Engine (JACE) for data exchange.
Innovation Solution
An occupancy sensing device with both a lighting control interface and a BMS interface enables direct data exchange between BMS and lighting control systems, translating data between disparate protocols without the need for higher-level communication layers, allowing for seamless operation even if the occupancy sensor fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data communication between BMS and lighting control system is carried out via a higher-level intermediary system, then communication between different protocols is enabled, but installation and setup become costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protocol translation function from the higher-level intermediary system and embeds it directly into the gateway device. This allows the gateway to communicate directly with both BMS and lighting control systems using their respective protocols, eliminating the need for complex multi-layer communication architecture while maintaining protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as a protocol mediator that translates between BMS protocols and lighting control protocols directly at the device level. This intermediary function is built into the gateway itself rather than relying on external higher-level systems, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling communication between different protocol domains.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a higher-level controller is used for communication between BMS and lighting control system, then protocol differences are bridged, but installation and commissioning time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is pre-configured with protocol translation capabilities and communication interfaces for both BMS and lighting control systems during manufacturing. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex on-site configuration and commissioning, allowing for rapid deployment and reducing installation time while maintaining full protocol adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct communication between BMS and lighting control system is implemented, then installation cost and time are reduced, but protocol incompatibility must be resolved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication interfaces and protocol translation functions into a single gateway device. This merging of BMS communication interface, lighting control interface, and protocol translation capability into one integrated device reduces the number of components needed, simplifies installation, and lowers overall system cost while handling protocol incompatibility internally.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for operating a building management system using a lighting control interface are described herein. One device includes an occupancy sensing component, a lighting control interface configured to connect the occupancy sensing device to a lighting control channel of a building, and a building management system (BMS) interface configured to connect the occupancy sensing device to a BMS channel of the building.