A Reference Architecture for IoT-Enabled Smart Buildings

Abstract

The management and analytics of big data generated from IoT sensors deployed in smart buildings pose a real challenge in today’s world. Hence, there is a clear need for an IoT focused Integrated Big Data Management and Analytics framework to enable the near real-time autonomous control and management of smart buildings. The focus of this paper is on the development and evaluation of the reference architecture required to support such a framework. The applicability of the reference architecture is evaluated by taking into account various example scenarios for a smart building involving the management and analysis of near real-time IoT data from 1000 sensors. The results demonstrate that the reference architecture can guide the complex integration and orchestration of real-time IoT data management, analytics, and autonomous control of smart buildings, and that the architecture can be scaled up to address challenges for other smart environments.

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“…This architecture consists of multiple layers, including a data-management and -visualization layer, which is tasked with handling the collection, storage, and visualization of data [18]. Furthermore, an integrated framework for big data management and analysis is required to efficiently enable real-time data control and management, as demonstrated in the research study [19].…”

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“…IoT integration in smart buildings has created new possibilities for tracking, managing, and improving a variety of building systems. Some of the key IoT technologies employed in smart buildings include sensors, actuators, communication protocols, and data analytics (Bashir, M.R., Gill, A.Q. & Beydoun, G., 2022).…”

Assessment of the challenges influencing the adoption of smart building technologies

“…of ownership of smart buildings is unclear or relatively forecasted as a high investmentGhansah et al (2020) 18The lack of motivational regulations on choice and implementation of smart buildingsBashir et al (2022) 19The lack of provision of insights into capabilities of smart building impacts (positive or negative) to policymakersGhansah et al (2021) 20The insufficient basis of stating users' needs and requirementsGhaffarianhoseini et al (2016) 21The difficulty of forecasting the selected systems' cycles of upgradeability and the changes of their technologiesBibri (2021) 22 Smart buildings are not self-sufficient; there are performance risks based on dependability on specific energy sources (no power, no smartness)Pramanik et al (2019) G2 Challenges pertaining to the design phase The lack of descriptive guidelines for the design of different systems in smart buildings Alsolami, (2022); El-Motasem et al (2021) The technological lack of systems integration and interoperability capabilities Da Xu et al (2014) The lack of available visions for principal directions for design thinking of smart buildings Alanne and Sierla (2022) The lack or absence of authoritative action plans to manage the design process of smart building projects Sathesh and Hamdan, (2021); El-Motasem et al (2021); Da Xu et al (2014) The lack of measures to maintain the privacy and data security of users Sathesh and Hamdan, (2021); Da Xu et al (2014) The lack of regulations to maintain the privacy and data security of users El-Motasem et al (2021), Salkuti, (2021) The complexity of the design process Salkuti, (2021); Da Xu et al (2014) The inability of specifying qualified and quality local manufacturers Li et al (2020) The lack of distinguishing between the smartness requirements of owners, users, operators, and facility managers Pašek and Sojková, (2018); AlMuharraqi et al (2022); Attoue et al (2018) (Continued on following page)…”

“…understanding of the basis of design responsiveness of occupational health and safety precautionary measures from a technological point of viewEjidike and Mewomo, (2023);Bashir et al (2022);Ibrhem et al (2020) 11The lack of specification of protection ratings and testing of systems, materials, and componentsGhaffarianhoseini et al (2016); Gadakari et al (2014); Bibri, (2021) G3 Challenges pertaining to the installation and commissioning phase Smart building projects are subject to scope variations that result in an excessive increase of budgets allocated Alsolami, (2022); El-Motasem et al (2021) Smart building projects are subject to variations that result in an excessive increase of time allocated AlMuharraqi et al (2022); Alsolami, (2022); Alanne and Sierla, (2022); Aguilar et al (2021) The lack of logistical support/logistical challenges for procuring smart systems Belani et al (2014); El-Motasem et al (2021); Ibrhem et al (2020) The lack of experience in testing smart behaviors and systems El-Motasem et al (2021); AlMuharraqi et al (2022) The lack of well-trained labor that can work on smart buildings El-Motasem et al (2021) The lack of systems' compatibility with domestic utilities and national information and communication technologies and services Balta-Ozkan et al (2013) The lack of expertise, support services, and skills for installation and commissioning Alfalouji et al (2023) The high costs of devices and installations Alfalouji et al (2023); Taktak, (2016) The requirement of high cash flow and financing for smart building projects Saad et al (2022); Gadakari et al (2014); Ejidike and Mewomo, (2023) G4 Challenges pertaining to the operation and maintenance phase The operations and maintenance costs (OPEX) are relatively high compared to regular buildings Pašek and Sojková, (2018); Belani et al (2014); El-Motasem et al (2021) The absence of operations and maintenance teams during early project phases means a lot of risks evolve during the operation and maintenance phase Pašek and Sojková, (2018); Belani et al (2014); El-Motasem et al (2021) The need to reduce replacement cycles of systems Salkuti (2021) The need to reduce replacement cycles of systems Aguilar et al, (2021); Bibri, (2021); Bashir et al (2022) The lack of skilled and specialized maintenance and operation technicians Pramanik et al (2019); Alfalouji et al (2023); De Groote et al (2017) The lack of ensured guaranties and warranties Saad et al, (2022); Alsolami, (2022); El-Motasem et al (2021); AlMuharraqi et al (2022) There is a continuous change in operation and maintenance requirements, which affects systems' effectiveness Ghaffarianhoseini et al (2016); Belani et al (2014) There is a continuous change in users' lifestyles and behaviors Belani et al (2014); Zhenxing et al (2009) Reliability (smart building systems must aim to be robust) Da Xu et al, (2014); Da Xu et al (2014); Zhenxing et al (2009); Sathesh and Hamdan, (2021) 10 The changing demand for security that affects systems' effectiveness Ghaffarianhoseini et al (2016); Da Xu et al (2014) 11 The changing functional requirements for controlling and monitoring capabilities Fabi et al (2017a), Balta-Ozkan et al (2013) 12 The social implications of the accessibility of smart technologies (e.g., elderly use of technologies, gender requirements) Balta-Ozkan et al (2013), Hoy, (2016), Salkuti (2021) 13The lack of understanding of human-smart systems interactions and behaviors (involvement of virtual reality, augmented reality, and responsive intelligibility)Belani et al (2014);Ghansah et al (2021) …”