Smart Gateway Virtual Device Mapping for BMS Protocol Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems face challenges in interfacing with third-party devices that use proprietary communication protocols, requiring costly and complex software to communicate, which increases commissioning and maintenance time and limits functionality.
Innovation Solution
A smart gateway device with network interface circuits that detect and generate virtual devices on a BMS network, allowing seamless integration of non-compatible subsystems by creating virtual representations of physical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary communication protocols are used by third-party devices, then device functionality is preserved, but interface compatibility with BMS deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between third-party devices using proprietary protocols and the BMS network. The gateway translates communication protocols, enabling compatibility without modifying the original third-party devices, thus preserving their functionality while achieving interface compatibility with the BMS
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device changes communication parameters by implementing multiple protocol stacks (e.g., BACnet, Modbus, Proprietary protocols) and dynamically selecting/ translating between them. This allows the system to adapt to different communication standards while maintaining a unified BMS interface
2Ease of operation
If protocol translation software is implemented, then interface compatibility is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex translation logic in the BMS core system, the gateway creates virtual copies of third-party devices that emulate standard BMS device behavior. This simplifies the BMS software by treating all devices uniformly while the gateway handles the translation complexity independently
3Ease of manufacture
If gateway devices are used for integration, then ease of integration is improved, but system hardware complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed as a universal integration platform that can connect to multiple different proprietary protocols and BMS standards simultaneously. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized interface devices, reducing overall system hardware complexity while improving ease of integration
Data Source
AI summary
A device in communication with a first network associated with a building management system (BMS) includes one or more processing circuits configured to receive a new virtual device corresponding to one or more physical devices or systems and provide a mapping between the new virtual device and the physical devices or systems. Data points of the new virtual device correspond to data points of the physical devices or systems. The processing circuits are configured to receive data values for the data points of the physical devices or systems and update the data points of the new virtual device with the data values for the data points of the physical devices or systems. The new virtual device is configured to represent the physical devices or systems on the first network.