Knowledge-based Requirement-Engineering of building automation systems by means of Semantic Web technologies

Abstract

Modern building automation systems consist of up to 30,000 components (e.g. sensors, actuators, and controllers). Additionally, different assembly sections of the automation system, e.g. heating, ventilation, and lighting, are integrated in such a building automation system. Besides this complexity, engineering standards and aspects of energy efficiency are to be considered within the Requirement-Elicitation phase. Therefore, modelling of the requirements for decentralized building automation systems, which are to be planned, requires a huge effort. The software support is on a low level within today's Requirement-Engineering phase. This allows to optimize the engineering process in building automation. The whole engineering process can benefit from an "intelligent" softwarebased Requirement-Engineering. Within this paper, the authors propose a solution for a knowledge-based RequirementEngineering software by means of Semantic Web technologies.

Ontology-based validation of plant models

“…1). To ensure the correct interplay of the components, various requirements and parameters have to be considered in engineering [4], e.g. the maximum rotational motor speed.…”

Risk minimization in modernization projects of plant automation — A knowledge-based approach by means of semantic web technologies

“…This KBS has the potential to fulfill the second requirement mentioned in Section 2. For further information we refer [14].…”

“…Therefore, the Jess inference for the JAVA platform has been integrated in the C# platform. The software code of the interface module has been implemented independently of special KBS applications, as shown in [14], where CAEX acts as interface for class and factual knowledge, and RIF as interface for the rule knowledge. The interview module, explanation module, and knowledge acquisition module are dependently implemented to the application "software assistance system for risk minimization".…”

A semantic Requirement Ontology for the engineering of building automation systems by means of OWL

“…The new approach of a semi-automated RE differs from today's elicitation of requirements in its application of an 'intelligent' software tool [17] which has been developed within the AUTEG Project. This RE tool supports the planner during the elicitation of requirements and solves the above mentioned problems as far as possible.…”

“…Examples are the proposal of suitable requirements (a constant light control-controller 'calls for' an illuminance sensor) within the first part of the software, or the identification of redundancies within the second part of the software. Further information about this requirement engineering tool can be retrieved from [17].…”