What is Project Sandstar?
Project Sandstar is an open-source initiative aiming to change how we manage smart buildings. It merges Project Haystack (data standardization), Sedona Framework (control programming), and optionally SkySpark (analytics) to enable seamless device communication across manufacturers.
Key Features
- Hardware agnostic. Control logic is independent of specific hardware.
- Web-based programming. Visual browser-based development eliminates the need for complex desktop software.
- Seamless interoperability. Simplified integration of diverse building systems.
Benefits
- Easier integration — coordinated optimization across systems.
- Customization — tailored building automation solutions without vendor lock-in.
- Potential for AI optimization — data collection and analytics enable AI-driven management.
What is Sedona Framework?
Sedona Framework is a robust and easily accessible solution for smart device development. This open-source, component-based framework uses visual assembly and configuration rather than scripting. It's well-suited for resource-constrained building automation devices with IP-based networking capabilities.
What is Project Haystack?
Project Haystack functions as a semantic metadata standard, providing a consistent vocabulary for diverse building system data points. Haystack tags add context — distinguishing temperature, occupancy, or equipment status. This standardization enables seamless data exchange across Building Automation Systems, energy management platforms, and analytics tools, breaking communication silos and enabling advanced analytics.
What is the origin of the name "Project Sandstar"?
Brian Frank developed the Sedona Framework in Sedona, Arizona. I always imagined him standing on the sand, looking at the stars, symbolizing future technology. Stars also reference the "needle in a haystack" concept — a fitting metaphor for finding signal in building data.
How did Project Sandstar begin?
I met Ken Sinclair from Automated Buildings on a Florida job site. Sinclair recommended I connect with Solidyne and Baha Erturk. During a Chicago visit, I introduced them to Tridium and the Sedona Framework, resulting in the PNT-1 thermostat.
Solidyne became a Tridium dealer. I eventually became a Tridium OEM and SkySpark distributor, teaching commissioning agents about data management and analytics.
Adem Erturk introduced me to the BeagleBone Green — an open-source Debian device. A SkySpark customer's air compressor monitoring project required historical data collection and analytics. Using Solidyne's SAM controllers, I ran SkySpark for 30 devices with minimal RAM (under $9K parts cost). One-year ROI exceeded $46K; air compressor leaks were detected within three weeks.
Erturk provided source code for my R&D development.
I studied BeagleBone ports, electronics protocols (GPIO, I2C, UART, SPI), and device tree models — abstraction layers eliminating recompilation for different pin configurations.
Armed with an understanding of electronics protocols and open hardware, I planned further development.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I'll share how Project Haystack and Sedona Framework integration actually came together.
Originally published on Medium — March 31, 2024.