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Aida Controller

Aida Controller is an operational technology (OT) on-premises server designed for comprehensive building management and automation. It provides a robust, scalable solution for controlling and monitoring various building systems through a unified platform.

Overview​

Aida Controller serves as the central hub for building automation, offering seamless integration with multiple building management systems. It operates as a standalone server that can be deployed on-premises at individual sites or buildings, providing local control and data aggregation capabilities.

Architecture​

Aida Controller uses a distributed, hybrid architecture that combines robust on-premises control with centralized cloud management. Each site runs its own Dockerized controller, ensuring local automation, device integration, and resilience even if cloud connectivity is lost. The cloud-based Aida Platform aggregates data from all controllers, provides a unified dashboard, and enables third-party integrations. Secure APIs and modern protocols (HTTPS, MQTT, CoAP, BACnet IP) ensure interoperability and security across all layers.

For a detailed breakdown of all components, data flows, and security considerations, see the full architecture document.

Aida Architecture

Core Features​

Building Management Modules​

  • Lighting Control and Automation - Intelligent lighting management with scheduling, occupancy detection, and energy optimization
  • Shade Control and Automation - Automated shade control for natural light management and energy efficiency
  • Fault Managed Power (FMP) Control and Automation - Advanced power management with fault detection and automated responses
  • HVAC Control and Automation - Comprehensive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning control
  • Sensor Data - Real-time data collection and monitoring from various building sensors

Communication Protocols​

Aida Controller supports multiple industry-standard protocols for maximum compatibility:

  • HTTP/HTTPS - RESTful API endpoints for web-based integration
  • MQTT/MTTS - Lightweight messaging for IoT device communication
  • CoAP - Constrained Application Protocol for resource-constrained devices
  • BACnet IP - Building Automation and Control Networks for HVAC and building automation

Data Management​

  • PostgreSQL Database - Robust, scalable data storage for historical data, configurations, and real-time information
  • API Aggregation - Unified API that consolidates features and data from all connected systems

Architecture​

Controller vs Platform​

Aida Controller (This Repository):

  • On-premises server for single site/building management
  • Lightweight dashboard and configuration frontend UI
  • Primary interface for local building operators
  • Connects to Aida Platform for centralized management

Aida Platform (Cloud Application):

  • Cloud-based application managing multiple sites
  • Centralized dashboard for multi-site operations
  • Connects to multiple Aida Controllers
  • Provides enterprise-level features and analytics

Integration Flow​

Aida Platform (Cloud)
    ↕ HTTPS API
Aida Controller (On-Premises)
    ↕ Multiple Protocols
Building Systems (Lighting, HVAC, Sensors, etc.)

Technology Stack​

  • Backend: Python
  • Database: PostgreSQL
  • Frontend: Lightweight web-based dashboard
  • Communication: HTTP/HTTPS, MQTT/MTTS, CoAP, BACnet IP
  • Deployment: Docker container on-premises server

Getting Started​

Prerequisites​

  • Docker and Docker Compose
  • PostgreSQL 12+ (can be containerized or external)
  • Network access for protocol communication
  • Appropriate hardware for your building size and complexity

Installation​

Aida Controller runs in a Docker container for easy deployment and management.

# Clone the repository
git clone <repository-url>
cd aida_controller

# Build and start the container
docker-compose up -d

# View logs
docker-compose logs -f

[Additional installation instructions will be added based on the specific implementation]

Configuration​

[Configuration details will be added based on the specific implementation]

API Documentation​

The Aida Controller provides a comprehensive REST API for:

  • System configuration and management
  • Real-time data access
  • Historical data retrieval
  • Device control and automation
  • Integration with Aida Platform

[API documentation will be added based on the specific implementation]

Project Structure​

For a detailed overview of the directory layout and organization, see the project structure document.

License​

This project is licensed under the terms of the MIT License.

Support​

For support and documentation, please refer to the Aida Platform documentation or contact your system administrator.

Note: This is the Aida Controller component. For cloud-based multi-site management, see the Aida Platform documentation.