Abstract: Computer based methods and systems for characterizing the energy use of multiple different building massing configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer based method involves specifying a set of parameters for a building massing configuration, calculating a normalized energy use index for multiple different building massing configurations that meet the specified set of parameters, wherein the normalized energy use index for each of the multiple different building massing configurations is normalized against a reference energy use index of a reference building, ranking the multiple different building massing configurations by the respective normalized energy use indexes, and selecting at least one of the different massing configurations for display on a graphical user interface according to the ranking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for realizing a complex building system are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize computer-based techniques to rapidly explore large numbers of pattern matching scenarios on a scale which heretofore has not been attempted. In an embodiment, the computer-based technique performs large-scale pattern matching operations to find the best match between functional patterns and spatial patterns. For example, with reference to a particular building system, the technique involves operational modeling to identify the types and volumes of services to provide (functional patterns) and to characterize the physical relationships between the services (e.g., adjacency preferences), along with establishing libraries of three dimensional spaces (spatial patterns), in the form of room and department libraries and building massing configuration libraries.

Abstract: Computer based methods and systems for evaluating different building designs are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method involves generating a first set of different building massing configurations using a shape grammar, storing the generated first set of different building massing configurations in a building massing library, reducing the first set of different building massing configurations according to a parameter search to form a second set of different building massing configurations, the second set being a subset of the first set, and using the second set of different building massing configurations to evaluate an aspect of a building system.

Abstract: Computer based methods and systems for evaluating different building designs are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method involves generating a first set of different building massing configurations using a shape grammar, storing the generated first set of different building massing configurations in a building massing library, reducing the first set of different building massing configurations according to a parameter search to form a second set of different building massing configurations, the second set being a subset of the first set, and using the second set of different building massing configurations to evaluate an aspect of a building system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for realizing a complex building system are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize computer-based techniques to rapidly explore large numbers of pattern matching scenarios on a scale which heretofore has not been attempted. In an embodiment, the computer-based technique performs large-scale pattern matching operations to find the best match between functional patterns and spatial patterns. For example, with reference to a particular building system, the technique involves operational modeling to identify the types and volumes of services to provide (functional patterns) and to characterize the physical relationships between the services (e.g., adjacency preferences), along with establishing libraries of three dimensional spaces (spatial patterns), in the form of room and department libraries and building massing configuration libraries.

Abstract: Computer based methods and systems for characterizing the energy use of multiple different building massing configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer based method involves specifying a set of parameters for a building massing configuration, calculating a normalized energy use index for multiple different building massing configurations that meet the specified set of parameters, wherein the normalized energy use index for each of the multiple different building massing configurations is normalized against a reference energy use index of a reference building, ranking the multiple different building massing configurations by the respective normalized energy use indexes, and selecting at least one of the different massing configurations for display on a graphical user interface according to the ranking.

Abstract: A hardware-based rate control engine is designed to allow credits to be accumulated over multiple time-slices up to a maximum credit limit. The rate control engine is also allowed to dispatch packets up to a maximum drain rate during each time-slice as long as sufficient credits are available. Allowing credits to accumulate over multiple time slices allows unused bandwidth to be saved during times of little or no traffic and used when the subsequent traffic bursts arrive. Additionally, limiting the maximum drain rate puts a cap on how fast the saved bandwidth can be consumed by subsequent traffic bursts. The rate control settings can be adapted in response to a characteristic, or characteristics, of the traffic flow. For example, one group of settings of a traffic flow can be used for bursty traffic, while a different group of settings can be used for smooth traffic.

Abstract: A packet-based traffic forwarding system with a plurality of contending queues. Each queue has an allocated bandwidth and an associated borrow vector. When a first queue does not consume all of its allocated bandwidth, the borrow vector associated with a second queue is checked to determine whether the second queue is permitted to use the unconsumed allocated bandwidth of the first queue. If the second queue has packets to forward, the second queue forwards the packets using the unconsumed allocated bandwidth of the first queue.

Abstract: A hardware-based rate control engine is designed to allow credits to be accumulated over multiple time-slices up to a maximum credit limit. The rate control engine is also allowed to dispatch packets up to a maximum drain rate during each time-slice as long as sufficient credits are available. Allowing credits to accumulate over multiple time slices allows unused bandwidth to be saved during times of little or no traffic and used when the subsequent traffic bursts arrive. Additionally, limiting the maximum drain rate puts a cap on how fast the saved bandwidth can be consumed by subsequent traffic bursts. The rate control settings can be adapted in response to a characteristic, or characteristics, of the traffic flow. For example, one group of settings of a traffic flow can be used for bursty traffic, while a different group of settings can be used for smooth traffic.

Abstract: A packet-based traffic forwarding system with a plurality of contending queues. Each queue has an allocated bandwidth and an associated borrow vector. When a first queue does not consume all of its allocated bandwidth, the borrow vector associated with a second queue is checked to determine whether the second queue is permitted to use the unconsumed allocated bandwidth of the first queue. If the second queue has packets to forward, the second queue forwards the packets using the unconsumed allocated bandwidth of the first queue.