Modular system and method for communicating information between different protocols on a control network
OwnerEdward Hagueinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a BACnet Internetwork, a modular concept is implemented to permit interchangeable protocol conversion between a host protocol like logic-level BACnet MS/TP and another protocol or function by providing pluggable communications modules that avoid tedious software configuration.
Claims18
A BACnet Internetwork, comprising
- multiple controller devices communicating with each other according to at least two different protocols, and
- at least one micro-router configured to convert between logic-level BACnet MS/TP communications protocol and a second communications protocol, wherein each micro-router defines a replaceable communications module that includes a first connector configured to releasably engage with a complementary connector on a controller device, and a second connector, the micro-router being connectable to only one controller device via its first connector, and the controller device being configured as a BACnet MS/TP controller device in which communications between the micro-router and a CPU on the controller device take place according to logic-level BACnet MS/TP communications protocol.
A modular communications system for communicating data between a controller device, communicating data according to a first communications protocol, and a second controller device or BACnet network, communicating data according to a second communications protocol, comprising
- a communications module,
- an adaptor for receiving the communications module, and
- a first controller device, wherein the communications module and adaptor are configured to releasably engage each other by means of complementary connectors and are configured to communicate with each other according to logic-level BACnet MS/TP communications protocol.
A method of communicating between at least one first device connected to a first communications network and at least one second device in a BACnet Internetwork, comprising
- providing each of the at least one first devices with a dedicated micro-router, wherein each micro-router acts as a proxy for its first device by providing the MAC address for communications between its first device and any second device, and using only the BACnet Instance Number and BACnet Device Object Name of its first device for communications with said second device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.