Provisioning wireless mesh networks for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring wireless mesh networks for large HVAC systems is time-consuming and inefficient, especially as the number of roof-top units (RTUs) increases, due to the need for individual connection and potential communication range issues among RTUs, leading to delays and reduced network performance.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses temporary gateways to configure controllers within the network, allowing them to communicate and join a provisioned mesh network by identifying available wireless networks and propagating network credentials, thereby reducing setup time and improving throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual connection and configuration method is used for each RTU, then each controller can be properly configured to join the mesh network, but the setup time increases significantly as the number of RTUs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway controller as an intermediary device that already possesses network credentials and can communicate with both the provisioning device and other unconfigured controllers. Instead of directly configuring each controller individually, the system uses the gateway as a mediator to relay configuration information and propagate credentials throughout the mesh network, dramatically reducing setup time while ensuring complete configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway controller is pre-configured with network credentials before the provisioning process begins. This preliminary action allows the gateway to immediately assume its role as a configuration relay without requiring individual provisioning, enabling parallel configuration of multiple controllers simultaneously rather than sequential configuration.
2Area of stationary object
If controllers are distributed across large worksite areas, then coverage is improved, but communication range issues arise causing controllers to be out of range and unable to communicate with other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway controller serves as a communication intermediary that bridges the gap between controllers in different physical locations. Controllers that are out of direct wireless range can communicate through the gateway, which acts as a relay node. This extends the effective communication coverage across large worksite areas while maintaining reliable communication links.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical mesh network structure where the gateway controller forms an outer layer of communication infrastructure, and other controllers form inner layers that can communicate directly or indirectly through the gateway. This nested architecture allows controllers deep in the network to communicate by passing messages through intermediate nodes, effectively extending coverage to large areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large mesh network is configured with many controllers, then system coverage and capability are improved, but network performance degrades due to increased number of hops introducing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway controller acts as a central mediator that reduces the average number of hops required for communication across the mesh network. By positioning the gateway strategically and using it as a primary communication node, data packets can reach their destinations more quickly through the gateway rather than traversing multiple intermediate controller nodes, thereby improving network throughput while maintaining large system scale.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that includes a plurality of controllers that are each controller is configured to operate at least a portion of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The plurality of controllers are members of an unprovisioned mesh network. The system further includes a network provisioning device that is configured to establish a peer-to-peer connection with the controller. The device is further configured send a request to the controller to identify a wireless network that is in range of one or more controllers that are members of the unprovisioned mesh network and to obtain network credentials for the identified wireless network. The network device is further configured to send the network credentials to the controller to join a provisioned mesh network. The controller is configured to propagate the network credentials to other controllers within the unprovisioned mesh network.