Sources

Sources model data points that can be read, written, and trended. They typically represent devices or sensors that can be polled, but may also include cloud APIs, file-based data such as CSV imports, or purely virtual/calculated values.

Each source is defined by a specific source type, which determines the protocol or method used to communicate with it. The platform supports a range of built-in types, including BACnet, Modbus, and Jasper, as well as virtual and mock types for software-defined or simulated data. Custom types can also be implemented to support unique integration needs.

How points are read, written, and trended is defined by reusable source maps. A source map specifies the set of points, their addresses, data types, and other metadata required for operation. Source maps can also define calculated points that derive their values from other points, such as performing unit conversions, energy calculations, or aggregation logic.

Some source types support live data, providing near-real-time updates without requiring a full trend query. All sources support trending, enabling historical data storage for visualization, analysis, and export to external tools. Trend data can be processed using trend resampling to adjust time resolution or align with specific intervals.

By combining source types, source maps, calculated points, live data, and trending, the Novant platform provides a flexible and extensible model for acquiring, processing, and analyzing data from virtually any source.