Internet of things enabled data acquisition framework for smart building applications

With the networks of sophisticated sensors and devices, building systems have the potential to serve as the infrastructure that provides essential data for the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart city paradigm. However, current building systems lack intersystem connectivity or exposure to the more extensive networks of IoT devices. In this paper, the authors propose an IoT-enabled data acquisition framework that utilizes low-cost computers, sensors modules, developed software agents, and the existing building Wi-Fi network to establish a central facility database. A system prototype is developed for collecting and integrating facility data, and a case study on a university campus is conducted to demonstrate the proposed framework. The potential use cases enabled by the central facility database, the integration of building information modeling (BIM) standards and building system data protocols, a vision for future smart cities, and the challenges are also discussed. This research concludes that the proposed framework is effective in using IoT devices and networks to establish a cost-effective, platform-neutral, scalable, and portable building data acquisition system for smart building innovations.