Self-learning wireless thermostat that minimizes battery drain
A method of controlling signal transmission in a building control system including measuring a number of signal values associated with an environmental variable using a sensor of a wireless device, dynamically determining, by the wireless device, a noise threshold based on the number of signal values, combining a first signal value and a second signal value of the number of signal values using a mathematical relationship to determine a result associated with the first signal value and the second signal value, and periodically transmitting the first signal value from the wireless measurement device to a controller in response to the result exceeding the noise threshold.
1. A method of controlling signal transmission in a building control system, the method comprising:
measuring a plurality of signal values associated with an environmental variable using a sensor of a wireless measurement device;
dynamically determining, by the wireless measurement device, a noise threshold based on the plurality of signal values;
combining a first signal value and a second signal value of the plurality of signal values using a mathematical relationship to determine a result associated with the first signal value and the second signal value; and
periodically transmitting the first signal value from the wireless measurement device to a controller in response to the result exceeding the noise threshold;
wherein the environmental variable is related to air in a building.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the environmental variable comprises temperature, airflow, enthalpy, pressure, or humidity.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless measurement device is a thermostat.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless measurement device is a battery operated device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controller applies the first signal value as input to a control algorithm that operates to control the environmental variable.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the noise threshold is a dynamic noise threshold that changes over time based on subsequent measurements of the environmental variable, wherein the dynamic noise threshold models a level of signal noise present in the plurality of signal values over time.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the result is a difference between the first signal value and the second signal value.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the result is a ratio between the first signal value and the second signal value.
9. A wireless device, comprising:
a sensor configured to measure an environmental variable;
a wireless radio configured to wirelessly transmit a message; and
a processing circuit having a processor and memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processing circuit to:
receive, from the sensor, a plurality of signal values associated with the environmental variable;
dynamically determine a noise threshold based on the plurality of signal values;
combine a first signal value and a second signal value of the plurality of signal values using a mathematical relationship to determine a result associated with the first signal value and the second signal value; and
cause the wireless radio to transmit the first signal value in response to the result exceeding the noise threshold;
wherein the environmental variable a parameter associated with air.
10. The wireless device of claim 9 , wherein the wireless radio transmits the first signal value to a controller.
11. The wireless device of claim 10 , wherein the controller applies the first signal value as input to a control algorithm that operates to control the environmental variable.
12. The wireless device of claim 10 , wherein the parameter is related to temperature, air flow, or humidity.
13. The wireless device of claim 9 , wherein the wireless device is a thermostat.
14. The wireless device of claim 9 , wherein the wireless device is battery operated.
15. The wireless device of claim 9 , wherein the noise threshold is a dynamic noise threshold that changes over time based on subsequent measurements of the environmental variable, wherein the dynamic noise threshold models a level of signal noise present in the plurality of signal values over time.
16. The wireless device of claim 9 , wherein the result is a difference between the first signal value and the second signal value.
17. The wireless device of claim 9 , wherein the result is a ratio between the first signal value and the second signal value.
18. A building management system (BMS), comprising:
a controller configured to control an environmental variable of a building; and
a wireless device configured to:
measure a plurality of signal values associated with the environmental variable;
dynamically determine a noise threshold based on the plurality of signal values;
combine a first signal value and a second signal value of the plurality of signal values using a mathematical relationship to determine a result associated with the first signal value and the second signal value; and
transmit the first signal value to the controller in response to the result exceeding the noise threshold;
wherein the environmental variable is a temperature, airflow, enthalpy, pressure, or humidity.
19. The building management system (BMS) of claim 18 , wherein in response to receiving the first signal value from the wireless device, the controller is further configured to apply the first signal value as input to a control algorithm that operates to control the environmental variable of the building.
20. The building management system (BMS) of claim 18 , wherein the wireless device is a thermostat.