Smart Gateway for BMS Network Integration Using Virtual Device Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems (BMS) face challenges in interfacing with third-party devices that use proprietary communication protocols, leading to increased commissioning, maintenance, and monitoring times due to incompatibility with the main BMS network, requiring costly software and hardware for integration and often providing limited functionality.
Innovation Solution
A smart gateway device is introduced to facilitate communication between BMS networks and non-compatible third-party networks by detecting physical devices, generating virtual devices on the BMS network, and polling data points to expose them, allowing seamless integration and monitoring without additional programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If protocol translation devices are implemented, then network compatibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements virtual device representations that create simplified copies or proxies of third-party devices within the BMS network. Instead of directly managing complex protocol translation for each physical device, the system creates virtual device objects that represent third-party devices, allowing the BMS to interact with them through standardized interfaces. This copying approach reduces the apparent system complexity while maintaining compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional software and hardware are deployed for integration, then compatibility is improved, but integration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops universal gateway components and protocol translation platforms that can interface with multiple different proprietary protocols through a single standardized interface. Rather than deploying separate specialized hardware and software for each third-party device, the system uses multi-functional gateway devices that can translate various protocols, reducing the total quantity of integration resources required.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed setup procedures are required for interface devices, then integration precision is improved, but commissioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated device discovery and configuration capabilities where the gateway and BMS system automatically detect third-party devices, identify their protocols, and configure the appropriate translation parameters without requiring manual intervention. The system performs self-service configuration by automatically establishing communication parameters and mapping data points, thereby maintaining integration precision while dramatically reducing commissioning time.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart gateway device for providing communications between multiple networks associated with a building management system (BMS). The device includes a first network interface circuit in communication with a first network associated with a building management system (BMS). The device further includes a second network interface circuit in communication with a second network associated with a subsystem of the BMS, wherein the second network is not compatible with the first network. The second network interface circuit is configured to detect a physical device associated with the second network, and to receive a data packet associated with the physical device. The data packet is transmitted to the first network interface circuit. The first network interface circuit is configured to receive the data packet and to generate a virtual device based on the received data packet. The virtual device is configured to represent the physical device on the first network.