Smart Controller for Alternative Energy Protocol Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alternative energy equipment, such as power inverters, often do not support standard building automation system protocols like BACnet, and while some may use Modbus, they are not directly compatible with building automation networks, making it difficult to monitor and control them through conventional BAS systems.
Innovation Solution
A smart communications controller with an equipment port connected to alternative energy equipment and autoconfiguration objects that automatically detect and adapt to various communication protocols, allowing the system to generate protocol-specific control signals for the equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If alternative energy equipment uses non-standard communication protocols (e.g., proprietary protocols), then the equipment can be controlled in real-time with millisecond precision, but the equipment cannot be directly interfaced with building automation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication controller as an intermediary device between the alternative energy equipment and the building automation system. This controller supports multiple communication protocols including Modbus, BACnet, and proprietary protocols, enabling it to translate and bridge communications between equipment using different protocols. The controller acts as a mediator that allows real-time control of equipment while simultaneously providing compatibility with standard building automation systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual classification and pre-configuration of communication protocols is performed, then compatibility with building automation systems is achieved, but the system complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication controller incorporates automatic protocol detection capability that allows it to self-configure by identifying the communication protocol used by connected equipment without requiring manual classification or pre-configuration. The controller automatically detects whether equipment uses Modbus, BACnet, or proprietary protocols and configures itself accordingly, eliminating the need for complex manual setup while maintaining full compatibility with building automation systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported through separate controllers, then compatibility with various equipment is improved, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication controller is designed as a universal multi-functional device that supports multiple communication protocols (Modbus, BACnet, and proprietary protocols) within a single controller. This eliminates the need for separate controllers for different protocol types, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad compatibility with various alternative energy equipment. The single controller can adapt to work with equipment using any of the supported protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart communications controller for alternative energy equipment includes an equipment port connected to the alternative energy equipment and a plurality of autoconfiguration objects. Each of the autoconfiguration objects is configured to perform a protocol testing process for a particular communications protocol. The protocol testing process includes automatically determining whether the communications protocol is used by the alternative energy equipment connected to the equipment port. The smart communications controller further includes an autoconfiguration manager configured to cause the autoconfiguration objects to iteratively perform their protocol testing processes until the communications protocol used by the alternative energy equipment is identified. The smart communications controller further includes an equipment controller configured to use the identified communications protocol for the alternative energy equipment to generate protocol-specific control signals for the alternative energy equipment.