Technology

The primary objective of EEBUS is to define a universal, machine-readable and interoperable standard. For this reason, EEBUS technology is designed to harmonize with various protocols and transmission channels. Only through this consistent approach can different technologies merge to form a customer solution.

System Architecture

In order to guarantee maximum flexibility, the EEBUS architecture is based on the SGAM architecture model. The EEBUS offers solutions for the following layers

Function
Layer

Use Case Specifications
The customer benefit

Information
Layer

SPINE Specification
Smart Premises Interoperable Neutral Message Exchange

Communication Layer

SHIP Specification
Smart Home IP

Communication Stack

Clean architecture – a clear separation of layers. The following figure shows an overview of the layers and solutions used.

SHIP – Your Transport

SHIP describes the standardized transport of data over IP. In addition, SHIP provides mechanisms for setting up a secure network. A SHIP device can communicate with any SHIP device within the same network.

SHIP Message

The SHIP Message Exchange (SME) protocol enables secure connection and efficient communication between the devices

Web Sockets

Standards-based WebSockets protocol enables continuous communication from a cloud application to physical devices
(RFC 6455)

TLS

A standard for secure IP communication for highest security and trust level concept
(RFC 5246)

mDNS

Multicast-DNS is used via UDP to send messages to all participants for network setup
(RFC 6762)

DNS-SD

DNS Service Discovery scans an EEBUS network for available devices and services
(RFC 6763)

UDP/TCP

EEBUS is based on the worldwide standards for IP communication. UDP is used to find SHIP devices and TCP for data communication
(RFC 793)

SPINE – Your Toolbox

SPINE is a toolbox of modular elements to enable the realization of any use case today and in the future. The toolbox contains a collection of data classes that can be exchanged on various technological platforms, communication and transmission channels.

SPINE Resources

The SPINE resources describe the device model and the message content itself as data models (class descriptions) and application rules.

SPINE Protocol

The SPINE protocol describes the format of a SPINE datagram as well as rules and descriptions for connecting SPINE devices such as identification of supported use cases or determination of the address of a function.

Your Application

The respective application completes the EEBUS communication stack with the use case. Our use case specifications are “manuals” on how to use the modular and universal SPINE toolbox to implement a concrete solution with a tailored customer benefit. In this way, EEBUS provides an interoperable and expandable, but at the same time backward compatible, interface.

Which EEBUS use cases a device supports can be queried via a “Use Case Discovery” from any device in the EEBUS network. New use cases can be uploaded via device update and found accordingly. The following use cases are available or under development.

Go to Use Cases

Specifications

The EEBUS specifications are available free of charge and can be used without any license costs.
You will find the following specifications in the current version in the download area

SHIP
SPINE
E-Mobility Use Case Collection
Grid Connection Point Use Case
Inverter Use Cases
HVAC Use Cases

to the download area

Our use case portfolio is continuously extended by our member companies. Use cases under development will only be included in our documentation after successful system validation through a plugfest. Please note that we can only provide so-called snapshot versions to our members to support their product development process.

„Make your device talk EEBUS”

EEBUS specifies the language of energy using the SHIP, SPINE and Use Case specifications. Bosch Software Innovations and KEO Connectivity provide a simple implementation of the EEBUS interface via their software products for EEBUS integration.

Bosch IoT Gateway Software

Bosch IoT Gateway Software is a platform-independent, edge-computing middleware that has already been deployed on more than 40 types of gateway devices. Its rich set of open APIs and development tools makes it easy to develop and operate local applications on the gateway, providing autonomy and intelligence at the edge – even without an internet connection.

Bosch IoT Gateway Software is based on Java and the OSGi modular framework, which enables software to be installed and updated on the fly. Bosch IoT Gateway Software provides out-of-the-box support for most connectivity protocols, including EEBUS SHIP incl. the EEBUS SPINE data model.

Device Stacks, Test- and Developer Tools by KEO

KEO GmbH is specialized in services that cover all important aspects in the world of EEBUS. With series-proven EEBUS software stacks, KEO connects energy-relevant devices from all industries with energy management and the building with the grid.

The solution portfolio includes EEBUS solutions from the RTOS stack developed for the automotive industry to various LINUX solutions to the cloud area.

The standard-compliant and optimized APIs offer very easy access to SPINE data classes as well as to preconfigured EEBUS use cases. In addition, KEO offers validation and test soft equipment for EEBUS implementations.