The "Last Mile" in Lighting Control

The first method that usually comes to mind is a wired connection. Predominantly in both outdoor and indoor lighting scenarios, the most common standard employed is DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). This standard was brought to life by the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) of the United Kingdom and first made its debut in 2000. This approach is suitable when you can establish a wire connection between the gateway and the luminaire, and the distance permits it—ranging from 300 meters to 500 meters per DALI line. Its primary advantage is undeniable reliability. In practical applications, QULON DALI gateways shine, especially in tunnel lighting and on sports fields.

The first method that usually comes to mind is a wired connection. Predominantly in both outdoor and indoor lighting scenarios, the most common standard employed is DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). This standard was brought to life by the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) of the United Kingdom and first made its debut in 2000. This approach is suitable when you can establish a wire connection between the gateway and the luminaire, and the distance permits it—ranging from 300 meters to 500 meters per DALI line. Its primary advantage is undeniable reliability. In practical applications, QULON DALI gateways shine, especially in tunnel lighting and on sports fields.

The next solution that merits discussion is PLC (Power Line Communication). This technology is a marvel, allowing for data to be sent overpower networks. It ingeniously uses power lines for dual purposes: transmitting power and carrying signals. With PLC, you can achieve data transmission up to 3 kilometers along power cables, all without laying any additional wires. Just like the DALI standard, the hallmark of PLC is also its reliability, thanks to the dedicated nature of this data transmission network which remains inviolate. For implementation, the QULON Simpline gateways coupled with Simpline Node luminaire controllers have been found effective.

However, a word of caution: while PLC is revolutionary, potential interference issues can arise. If there are other consumers on the line apart from luminaires, they might inadvertently interfere with data transmission. A workaround for this is the use of filters that can integrate these consumers without disruptions. Ideal settings for employing PLC are roads solely dedicated to lighting or urban locales with previously laid infrastructure. When applied correctly and judiciously, PLC stands out as a highly effective and trustworthy method. This reliability is further amplified when using the specialized, low-speed protocol, Simpline, custom-made for outdoor lighting.

The third notable solution for outdoor lighting control is the use of the ISM radio channel. This method operates within the widely accessible ISM frequency range. Specifically, it uses 868 MHz in Europe and 915 MHz in the United States.

ISM stands for Industrial, Scientific, and Medical - a frequency range tailored for such applications.

Implementation

In practice, gateways like the LiTouch Base Station are installed as base stations on the designated object. Concurrently, luminaires are equipped with LiTouch Node controllers.

Planning and Challenges

Like other radio methods, the ISM radio channel requires careful frequency planning. Factors such as landform relief, residential density, and building heights are crucial for optimal base station placement. This method, however, is not immune to interference.

The Role of LiTouch

To counter potential issues, the LiTouch standard is utilized. Crafted specifically for outdoor lighting, its attributes include low speed, maximum range, and unique relay capabilities. A major benefit of this method is its ability to facilitate data transmission between luminaire controllers, enabling the development of interactive control systems.

Ideal Use Cases

This method is commonly used in environments like low-rise residential areas, parks, parking lots, oil terminals, and wherever motion sensors are integral.

Building on the foundation of the ISM radio channel is the LoRa (Long Range) standard. Introduced by the French company Cycleo in 2009, this technology later became the backbone for the development of LoRaWAN (LoRa Wide Area Network) after Cycleo's acquisition by Semtech.

Understanding LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN represents an open standard designed for long-range wireless networks. Its primary goal? To transmit data from Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Birthed from the need for low-speed, low-power, wide-area wireless networks, LoRaWAN promises expansive coverage coupled with prolonged battery life. It's particularly optimized for devices that communicate sporadically and primarily run on battery power.

Operational Specifics with LoRa

For operations aligning with the LoRa standard, LoRa Node controllers are pivotal, largely due to their tailored application requirements. One of their primary functions is to act as network operators. However, it's crucial to note that we utilize these controllers exclusively in zones where the LoRa network is pre-established and fully operational. Moreover, obtaining permissions from network operators is a prerequisite for employing them for outdoor lighting control.

The fourth method in our exploration of data transmission solutions is leveraging public networks, specifically, the GSM networks.

How It Works

By employing operator base stations as gateways, we integrate the GSM Node to function as the luminaire controller. This method stands out for its simplicity and is applicable wherever GSM operator networks are accessible.

Challenges

While the GSM method boasts its convenience, it's not without its challenges. The most prominent hurdles include the fees associated with data traffic for each device and the limitations in achieving high-speed performance with sensors – at least until 5G networks are comprehensively rolled out.

Optimization Techniques

To ensure cost-effectiveness, we adopt specially crafted data transmission protocols. Moreover, we fine-tune polling intervals and leverage our extensive experience in collaborating with global operators to streamline the process.

So, which method to choose? It all depends on the specific location and project requirements. There's no universal method that can be applied everywhere. Managing a city's lighting system is an individual project that requires zoning. Central streets may require one approach, while the neighborhood, intersections, and parks may require different strategies. This tailored approach allows you to design a reliable and efficient system that suits your specific needs.