Semantic Building Automation Configuration Across Multiple Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building automation systems face challenges in integrating and configuring heterogeneous devices due to differences in protocols and technologies, leading to complex and error-prone integration processes, requiring excessive time and effort, and lacking automated gateway configuration.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for semantic-based planning, engineering, and commissioning of building automation systems using a unified semantic model that automatically generates configurations for multiple technologies, such as KNX, BACnet, and ZigBee, by transforming a function-based device specification into protocol-specific configurations, enabling inter-protocol interaction and reducing manual mapping needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual gateway configuration and protocol translation is used, then heterogeneous devices can be integrated into the building automation system, but the integration process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a semantic model as an intermediary layer between heterogeneous devices and the building automation system. This semantic model provides a unified representation that mediates between different protocols (KNX, BACnet, ZigBee) and the control system, eliminating the need for manual protocol translation and gateway configuration. The semantic model acts as a universal mediator that enables direct integration of diverse devices without complex adaptation layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal semantic model that can represent multiple device types and protocols through a single unified framework. This semantic model serves multiple functions: it can represent devices from different protocols, enable cross-protocol communication, and provide a common configuration interface. The semantic model's universal structure allows it to handle various device functionalities (sensors, actuators, controllers) through consistent representation, eliminating the need for protocol-specific integration approaches.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple protocol-specific tools are used for planning and engineering, then each protocol can be configured accurately, but excessive time and effort is required to learn and use these tools
Solution Approach 1:
The semantic model provides a universal planning and engineering interface that works across all protocols simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate tools for KNX, BACnet, and ZigBee, the semantic model enables a single tool to handle all protocols through its unified representation framework. The semantic model's universal structure allows engineers to plan and configure systems using one consistent methodology, eliminating the need to learn multiple protocol-specific tools while maintaining configuration accuracy through the model's rigorous semantic definitions.
3Reliability
If manual gateway configuration is performed, then protocol translation can be achieved, but the process is error-prone and leads to system failures
Solution Approach 1:
The semantic model serves as a reliable intermediary that eliminates manual gateway configuration errors. By representing all devices and communication in a unified semantic framework, the model prevents the configuration errors that occur during manual protocol translation. The semantic model's structured representation ensures that device interactions are correctly defined through semantic relationships rather than manual protocol mapping, significantly reducing system failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The semantic model enables automatic configuration and validation of device interactions without manual intervention. The model's inherent semantic structure allows the system to self-validate configurations, ensuring correctness without requiring expert manual review. This self-service capability reduces both configuration errors and the expertise level required for system deployment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If protocol-specific planning tools are used, then technology-specific configurations can be created, but incompatibility exists between these tools for digital information exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The semantic model creates a universal information exchange framework that enables compatible digital communication between all planning tools. By representing all device information in a unified semantic structure, the model allows different tools to exchange information without loss or incompatibility. The semantic model's standardized representation serves as a common language that all tools can understand, enabling seamless information exchange while maintaining technology-specific configuration capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for semantic-based planning, engineering, and commissioning a project in a building or home automation system, using multiple technologies/protocols of devices including sensors, actuators and control devices, the method being based on a semantic based model having an automatic configuration generation for specific technologies/protocols from a function-based device specification, the method including the following multiple transformation steps: calculating/creating a configuration for a specific protocol/technology using a mapping complex or structure of rules or processing instructions that takes into account the semantic-based model, technology models, heuristics, and/or technology constraints of the devices; generating an internal model of the building automation system with communication objects as an output of the automatic created configuration calculation; transforming the internal model, depending on a targeted technology/protocol, in order to create either application programming interface (API) calls or a format for a mandatory tool, and downloading the created configuration into the building automation devices.