Smart Lighting implies lighting systems with automated control. As a rule, they use digital protocols. A control device and luminaires form a digital data transfer network.
Advantages of digital protocols
The main advantages of digital lighting control systems can include:
- a greater, compared to the use of analog protocols, signal transmission range
- a significantly larger number of functions that can be controlled
- when connecting several luminaires to one control bus, an individual address to each of them is possible
- creation of light scenes (Scenes)
- the possibility of a two-way data exchange, when the luminaire not only receives control signals but also transmits data about its status to the controller, which facilitates system maintenance
Digital protocols can be wired, wireless, or support both of these data transfer methods. Specific digital protocols will be considered in other articles.
A promising direction is the use of artificial intelligence for lighting control. Such a control system is capable of learning based on the user's actions and then itself changing lighting parameters depending on his habits. Besides this, the introduction of artificial intelligence allows the user to verbally, in spoken language, describe a sequence of changing lighting parameters.
What does "smart" lighting give to users?
First, additional conveniences and comfort. For example, lighting parameters can change in automatic mode depending on the time of day and day of the week. If we use a luminaire with a built-in motion sensor, not connected to the "smart" lighting system, then it will turn on only when you enter the room where it is installed. When using a "smart lighting" system, your trajectory of movement through the building is predicted and the luminaire will turn on in advance, which is much more comfortable.
Second, fundamentally new functions. Among them there is, in particular, biodynamic lighting (HCL). Third, an increase in energy efficiency. The "smart" system will automatically set the optimal level of illumination in the room, providing visual comfort and observance of established norms, but at the same time not increasing the electricity bills too much.
Integration with the "smart home"
The interaction of the "smart lighting" system with the "smart home" automation system gives a new level of comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. One example of such integration - after you have opened the gate to the house, the lighting in the hallway and on the path leading to the porch will turn on.
The "smart lighting" system can be a component of the "smart home": the protocols used in the "smart home" include commands for lighting control. The problem is that equipping every luminaire with a device capable of working with "smart home" protocols is still a very costly solution. Therefore, converters of the "smart home" protocol into the lighting control protocol are installed. If necessary, these devices can also have a function of conversion in the reverse direction. Luminaires with support for one of the lighting control protocols are cheaper and are represented on the market in a wider assortment than those capable of working with the "smart home" directly. Therefore, this method of integrating the lighting control system into the "smart home" has received the greatest distribution.
