Virtualized Building Control Panels Using Private 5G Network Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire, security, and access panels are hardware-based, limiting scalability for control and analytics, and require isolated network connections to ensure latency and reliability, which restricts the addition of expanded features and introduces security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 5G network with on-premise core and network slicing to create dedicated, low-latency, high-reliability subnetworks for each system, enabling virtualization of control panels and edge computing, allowing for scalable, secure, and redundant communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-based control panels with isolated network connections are used, then latency and reliability requirements are met, but scalability for control and analytics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of control panel functions through network slices. Each network slice contains virtualized control panel instances that replicate the functionality of physical panels, enabling multiple panels to share the same physical infrastructure while maintaining isolated, reliable communication channels for each slice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single physical dimension (hardware panels) to multiple virtual dimensions (network slices). By implementing network slicing, the system creates multiple independent virtual networks within a single physical network infrastructure, allowing simultaneous isolation and scalability.
2Reliability
If isolated network connections are implemented for control panels, then bandwidth consistency is maintained, but network scalability and feature expansion are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the physical network infrastructure universal by designing it to support multiple functions simultaneously. The same physical network resources are shared across multiple network slices, each serving different control panel functions, thereby eliminating the need for separate physical networks for each function while maintaining bandwidth consistency within each slice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the physical network into multiple virtual network slices, where each slice provides isolated bandwidth guarantees. This segmentation allows the network to serve multiple purposes with different bandwidth requirements while maintaining consistency within each segment, resolving the contradiction between isolation and scalability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hardware-centric panel architecture is used, then system stability is maintained, but sensor network scalability for control and analytics is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware-centric architecture with a virtualized software-based architecture. By substituting physical control panels with virtual instances running on network infrastructure, the system maintains stability through proven virtualization technologies while gaining the scalability needed for expanded sensor networks and analytics capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for virtualizing a security panel, fire panel, and/or access panel using 5G network slices are described herein. One on-premise virtualized building control panel system device, includes a processor, memory, having instructions stored therein that are executable by the processor to provide a fifth generation (5G) network core to a building in which the device is located, establish a first network slice that defines a first subnetwork slice, the first subnetwork slice having a defined bandwidth and only communicating data and instructions relating to building control functions, and communication connections to communicate instructions and data between the control panel system device and 5G base stations and building sensing devices within the building.