Virtual BMS Commissioning Workflow for Remote Secure Activation
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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 the building site is not physically 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 of building management products, with secure connections and real-time data exchange for configuration and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If on-site commissioning is performed using traditional BMS methods, then commissioning can be conducted with direct access to building equipment, but on-site labor requirements increase and commissioning cannot be performed when the building site is inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the building management system and building equipment in a simulated environment. This virtual model allows commissioning engineers to perform all commissioning activities remotely without physical access to the actual building, thereby enabling commissioning when the site is inaccessible while reducing on-site labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual commissioning server as an intermediary between the commissioning engineer and the actual building management system. This intermediary enables secure remote communication and control, allowing commissioning activities to be performed from any location while maintaining system security and integrity
2Productivity
If traditional commissioning methods are used, then direct control of building equipment is possible, but on-site presence is required and commissioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual commissioning server is designed to perform multiple functions: it simulates building equipment, provides a communication interface for remote access, enables commissioning activities, and serves as a secure gateway to the actual BMS. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single unified platform, reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary commissioning activities in the virtual environment before activating the actual building equipment. By completing configuration, testing, and validation in advance in the virtual model, the system accelerates the actual commissioning process and reduces on-site commissioning time
3Reliability
If remote commissioning is implemented, then on-site labor is reduced, but secure control transfer and data exchange infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual commissioning server acts as a secure intermediary that manages all communications between the commissioning engineer and the building management system. It implements authentication, authorization, and encrypted data exchange, providing reliable security without requiring complex point-to-point security configurations at each device level
Data Source
AI summary
A system for building management system commissioning on an application 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 host a building management system commissioning workflow on an application server; provide data indicating commissioning activities defined by the building management system commissioning workflow from the application server to a user device for display on a user interface; dynamically update a commissioning activity status of the commissioning activities in the building management system commissioning workflow hosted on the application server responsive to data received at the application server from at least one of the user device or a remote device at the building site communicatively connected to the application server; and initiate an automated action based on the commissioning activity status of the commissioning activities in the building management system commissioning workflow application.