Virtual Building Management Commissioning for Remote Control Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building management systems (BMS) face challenges in efficient commissioning processes, requiring on-site labor and being inaccessible when physical sites are not available, which hinders remote and secure commissioning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual commissioning method using a virtual server connected to a building management system controller and a remote commissioning system, allowing for the transfer of control and data exchange securely via virtual private network connections, enabling real-time or near-real-time data transfer and configuration of building equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional on-site commissioning methods are used, then commissioning personnel can directly access and configure building equipment, but on-site labor requirements increase and remote commissioning becomes inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the building management system on a remote server that replicates the functionality and data structure of the physical system. This virtual model allows commissioning personnel to interact with and configure building equipment remotely through the virtual environment, eliminating the need for physical on-site presence while maintaining full commissioning capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual building management system acts as an intermediary layer between the remote commissioning personnel and the physical building equipment. It receives commissioning data from remote users, processes it through the virtual model, and translates it into appropriate commands for the physical system, enabling secure and accurate remote configuration without direct physical access
2Productivity
If virtual commissioning is implemented, then remote commissioning capability is improved and on-site labor is reduced, but system complexity increases due to virtual server and network infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual building management system is designed to perform multiple functions within a single unified platform: it serves as a communication gateway, a configuration interface, a data processing center, and a control system all in one virtual environment. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, reducing overall complexity despite the added virtualization layer
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual system is designed to dynamically adapt to different commissioning scenarios and building configurations. It can flexibly create and manage virtual models for different building types, equipment configurations, and commissioning phases, allowing the system to optimize its structure and resources based on specific project requirements rather than requiring a fixed complex architecture for all cases
3Adaptability or versatility
If control is transferred to virtual building management system, then remote control capability is improved, but security risks may increase due to network connections
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual building management system serves as a secure intermediary that mediates all control operations between the remote user and the physical equipment. It implements authentication, authorization, and encryption protocols to verify user identities, validate control commands, and protect data transmission, thereby enabling remote control capability while maintaining robust security controls
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary security validations and authentication checks before allowing any control operations to proceed. It pre-establishes secure communication channels, validates user credentials, and authorizes control permissions in advance, ensuring that only verified and authorized commands reach the physical equipment, thus preventing unauthorized access and control
Data Source
AI summary
A system for virtual commissioning of a building management system includes one or more memory devices configured to store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive, at a virtual server, product installation data from a building management system controller installed at a building site via a first connection, the product installation data corresponding to a product installation at the building site; receive, commissioning data from the remote commissioning system via a second connection; configure one or more products installed at the building site to be controlled by the virtual building management system on the virtual server; and selectively transfer control of the one or more products installed at the building site from the virtual building management system hosted at on the virtual server to the building management system controller installed at the building site.