Lighting system for indoor cultivation applications and lighting luminaire thereof

Abstract

A luminaire for use in an indoor cultivation facility is provided. The luminaire includes a plurality of LED lamps, an LED driver circuit electrically coupled with the plurality of LED lamps, and a controller that sends a drive signal to the LED driver circuit to control operation of the plurality of LED lamps. The controller receives a digital control signal and an analog control signal, and is configured to determine whether the digital control signal is in a fault state to determine whether to use the digital control signal or the analog control signal to control the LED lamps. The controller additionally or alternatively includes a conversion module configured to receive an original control signal and generate a secondary analog control signal and a secondary digital control signal from the original signal.

Description

[0001] Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 118,985, filed November 30, 2020, entitled “Lighting System for Indoor Cultivation Applications and Lighting Fixtures Thereof,” and hereby incorporates by reference the entirety of that provisional patent application. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The apparatus described below relates generally to a lighting system for indoor cultivation applications. The lighting system includes a plurality of fixtures in communication with a remote control. BACKGROUND

[0004] Indoor cultivation facilities, such as greenhouses, include fixtures that provide artificial lighting for plants to promote growth. These fixtures typically include a plurality of LEDs controlled by a remote control on a zone basis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] Various embodiments will be better understood in connection with the following description, the

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lighting system including a plurality of primary fixtures and a plurality of secondary fixtures of one embodiment;

[0007] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating one of the primary fixtures of Figure 1 and certain secondary fixtures;

[0008] Figure 3 is a top isometric view of a fixture of one embodiment;

[0009] Figure 4 is a bottom isometric view of the fixture of Figure 3 ; FIG. 4 is a partial exploded top isometric view of the fixture of

[0010] Figure 5 is a partial exploded top isometric view of the fixture of Figure 3 ; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lighting system including a primary controller and a plurality of fixtures of another embodiment; and

[0011] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lighting system including a primary controller and a plurality of fixtures of another embodiment; and

[0012] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fixture of another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The embodiments are described in detail below in connection with the following drawings, in which: Figures 1-7 Figure 1 ​A lighting system 10 for an indoor cultivation facility such as a greenhouse is shown generally, and is shown to include a master controller (e.g., an automated greenhouse controller) 12 and a plurality of master luminaires 14 in signal communication with the master controller 12. Each master luminaire 14 can be in signal communication with a plurality of secondary luminaires 16. The master luminaires 14 and the secondary luminaires 16 can be arranged within the indoor cultivation facility and controlled by the master controller 12 to produce artificial light for stimulating the growth of plants and / or other vegetation disposed within the indoor cultivation facility. The master luminaires 14 and the secondary luminaires 16 can include LED luminaires, non-LED luminaires (e.g., HID or Xenon lamps), or some combination thereof.

[0014] Each master luminaire 14 and the secondary luminaires 16 connected thereto (e.g., "connected secondary luminaires 16") can define a respective lighting zone (Z1, Z2,..., Zn). Each lighting zone (Z1, Z2,..., Zn) can represent a different physical lighting location within the indoor cultivation facility. In one embodiment, the luminaires 14, 16 in each zone (Z1, Z2,..., Zn) can be physically separate from the luminaires 14, 16 of the other zones, such that each zone is responsible for lighting a different physical location within the indoor cultivation facility. In another embodiment, the luminaires 14, 16 of one zone (Z1, Z2,..., Zn) can be intermingled with the luminaires 14, 16 of the other zones, such that two or more zones cooperate with one another to light the same physical location within the indoor cultivation facility.

[0015] As will be explained in greater detail below, the master controller 12 can send raw control signals to each master luminaire 14 to control the dimming (e.g., lighting intensity) of the luminaires 14, 16 on a zone-by-zone basis. Referring now to Figure 2 The luminaires 14, 16 of zone Z1 are shown, and can be understood to represent the luminaires 14, 16 in the other zones. The master luminaire 14 can include a controller 18, an LED driver circuit 20 in communication with the controller 18, and an LED lamp 22 electrically coupled to the LED driver circuit 20. The controller 18 can include a conversion module 24, and can be communicatively coupled to the master controller 12 via a communication cable 26 that facilitates the sending of raw control signals to the controller 18.

[0016] Each of the supplemental fixtures 16 can include a controller 28, an LED driver circuit 30 in communication with the controller 28, and an LED light 32. Each controller 28 can include an analog communication module 34 and a digital communication module 36. The supplemental fixtures 16 can be communicatively coupled to one another and to the master controller 12 by a plurality of communication cables 38. Each communication cable 38 can include an analog signal line 40, a digital transmit signal line 42, and a digital receive signal line 44. The analog communication modules 34 of each of the supplemental fixtures 16 can be communicatively coupled together in series via the analog signal lines 40 with the conversion module 24. The digital communication modules 36 of each of the supplemental fixtures 16 can be communicatively daisy-chained together via the digital transmit signal lines 42 with the conversion module 24. The digital receive signal lines 44 can provide a return communication path for transmission of data, e.g., from the fixtures 14, 16 to the master controller 12. It should be understood that the communication cables 38 can interface with a communication port (not shown) disposed on each of the master fixture 14 and the supplemental fixtures 16. In one embodiment, the communication cables 26, 38 can comprise Cat-6 cables. It should be further understood that the series connection between the analog communication modules 34 and the daisy-chain connection between the digital communication modules 36 can be accomplished by internal wiring within the supplemental fixtures 16.

[0017] An original control signal can be transmitted from the master controller 12 to the master fixture 14 in order to control the intensity of the LED light 22, 32. The original control signal can be routed to the controller 18 of the master fixture 14, which is capable of controlling the LED light 22 to achieve the intensity requested by the original control signal. The original control signal can also be routed to the conversion module 24, which is capable of simultaneously generating an analog version of the original control signal (e.g., a supplemental analog control signal) and a digital version of the original control signal (e.g., a supplemental digital control signal), both of which are capable of controlling the LED light 32 of the supplemental fixtures 16 to achieve the intensity requested by the original control signal.

[0018] The supplemental analog control signal can be transmitted from the conversion module 24 to each of the analog communication modules 34 along the analog signal lines 40 of the communication cables 38. Each of the analog communication modules 34 can be configured to control the LED light 32 associated therewith to achieve the intensity requested by the supplemental analog control signal. Each of the analog communication modules 34 can be configured to amplify the analog version of the control signal to compensate for any degradation that can occur during transmission to each of the supplemental fixtures 16.

[0019] Auxiliary digital control signals can be transmitted from conversion module 24 to each digital communication module 36 along digital transmission signal line 42 of communication cable 38. Each digital communication module 36 can be configured to facilitate control of its associated LED 32 to achieve the intensity required by the auxiliary digital control signals. Due to the nature of the transmission of auxiliary digital control signals along digital transmission signal line 42 and the daisy-chaining between digital communication modules 36, the digital signals may reach each auxiliary luminaire 16 without amplification. In one embodiment, each auxiliary luminaire 16 may have a unique address (e.g., an IP address). In such an embodiment, the auxiliary digital control signals may include unique instructions (e.g., data packets) for the LED 32, enabling the intensity of each LED 32 of the auxiliary luminaire 16 in a specific area to be controlled independently.

[0020] Auxiliary analog control signals and auxiliary digital control signals can be sent to each auxiliary luminaire 16, thereby providing redundancy for the auxiliary luminaire 16. If the transmission of either the auxiliary analog control signal or the auxiliary digital control signal is interrupted for any reason (e.g., due to internal component failure, external signal interference, or failure of one of the analog signal line 40 or the digital transmission signal line 42), then the controller 28 can use another auxiliary control signal to operate the auxiliary luminaire 16, thereby maintaining the overall integrity of the lighting system 10 until the communication system is repaired. In one embodiment, the auxiliary digital control signal can be a master mode for controlling the auxiliary luminaire 16. In such an embodiment, when both the auxiliary digital control signal and the auxiliary analog control signal are present at the auxiliary luminaire 16, the auxiliary digital control signal can control the intensity of the LED 32. However, for one or more auxiliary luminaires 16, if the auxiliary digital control signal is interrupted for any reason, then the auxiliary analog control signal can control the intensity of the LED 32 that can no longer receive the auxiliary digital control signal.

[0021] Depending on the configuration of the main controller 12, the original control signal may include analog signals (e.g., 0-10VDC, 0-20VDC, 4-20mA, 0-20mA) or digital signals (e.g., RS-485, ModBus, BacNET, CamNET, ASCII). The controller 18 can be configured to detect whether the original control signal is analog or digital. If the original control signal is analog, the controller 18 can generate an auxiliary analog control signal by presenting the original control signal as an auxiliary analog control signal, and the conversion module 24 can generate an auxiliary digital control signal by converting the original control signal from analog to digital. If the original control signal is digital, the controller 18 can generate an auxiliary digital control signal by presenting the original control signal as an auxiliary digital control signal, and the conversion module 24 can generate an auxiliary analog control signal by converting the original control signal from digital to analog-to-digital. In one embodiment, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the conversion module 24 of the main lighting fixture 14 may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 46 and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 48. The ADC 46 facilitates the conversion of the original control signal from an analog signal to a digital signal. The DAC 48 facilitates the conversion of the original control signal from a digital signal to an analog signal. When the original control signal is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal, the digital information transmitted by the digital signal (i.e., addressing information) may be lost.

[0022] In one embodiment, the original control signal generated by the main controller 12 may be an LED-compatible signal capable of directly controlling the intensity of LEDs 22 and 32. In such an embodiment, the controller 18 may be configured to detect whether the original control signal is a compatible signal. In another embodiment, the original control signal generated by the main controller 12 may be an incompatible signal that cannot directly control the intensity of LEDs 22 and 32 (e.g., when luminaires 14 and 16 are LED luminaires and have been retrofitted to a main controller compatible only with non-LED types of lights (e.g., HID lights). The controller 18 may be configured to detect whether the original control signal is compatible with luminaires 14 and 16.

[0023] If controller 18 determines that the original control signal is compatible with lighting fixtures 14 and 16, the original control signal can be directly sent to lighting fixtures 14 and 16 as an auxiliary analog control signal or an auxiliary digital control signal (depending on whether the original control signal is analog or digital). For example, when the original control signal is analog and is determined to be compatible with lighting fixtures 14 and 16, controller 18 can directly send the original control signal as an auxiliary analog control signal to lighting fixtures 14 and 16 (e.g., sent along analog signal line 40). When the original control signal is digital and is determined to be compatible with lighting fixtures 14 and 16, controller 18 can directly send the original control signal as an auxiliary digital control signal to lighting fixtures 14 and 16 (e.g., sent along digital transmission signal line 42).

[0024] If controller 18 determines that the original control signal is incompatible with luminaires 14 and 16 and therefore cannot be directly controlled by luminaires 14 and 16, controller 18 can be configured to convert (e.g., translate) the original control signal into an LED-compatible control signal for generating auxiliary analog and digital control signals. The relationship between the incompatible original control signal sent by master controller 12 and the LED-compatible control signal sent by controller 18 can be a function of the respective signaling protocols used by master controller 12 and each of luminaires 14 and 16. For example, master controller 12 may conform to the HID / xenon protocol, which generates a 1-10VDC analog signal for changing the dimming of the associated HID / xenon lamp between 0% and 100% intensity. However, luminaires 14 and 16 may require a 1-8VDC analog signal. In such an instance, controller 18 can be configured to generate a 1-8VDC LED-compatible control signal based on the dimming intensity requested by the original control signal from master controller 12.

[0025] Several examples of generating auxiliary analog and digital control signals from the original control signal will now be described. For the purposes of these examples, the auxiliary analog control signal may include a 0-10VDC analog signal, and the auxiliary digital control signal may include an RS-485 signal. Both signals facilitate dimming of luminaires 14 and 16 between 0% and 100% intensity to achieve the intensity required by the original control signal. In the first example, the original control signal may be a compatible analog signal. When the original control signal is sent to controller 18, controller 18 is able to route the original control signal directly to auxiliary luminaire 16 as an auxiliary analog control signal. Controller 18 is also able to (via ADC 46) convert the original control signal from an analog signal into an auxiliary digital control signal, which is then routed to auxiliary luminaire 16. In the second example, the original control signal may be a compatible digital signal. When the original control signal is sent to controller 18, controller 18 is able to route the original control signal directly to auxiliary luminaire 16 as an auxiliary digital control signal. Any instructions (or other data) provided by the original control signal can be sent to the auxiliary luminaire 16 via an auxiliary digital control signal. The controller 18 can also (via DAC 48) convert the original control signal from a digital signal into an auxiliary analog control signal, which is then routed to the auxiliary luminaire 16. In a third example, the original control signal may be an analog signal incompatible with luminaires 14 and 16. When the original control signal is sent to the controller 18, the controller 18 can convert the original control signal into an LED-compatible analog control signal, which is routed to the auxiliary luminaire 16 as an auxiliary analog control signal. The controller 18 can also (via ADC 46) convert the LED-compatible analog control signal from an analog signal into an auxiliary digital control signal, which is then routed to the auxiliary luminaire 16. In a fourth example, the original control signal may be a digital signal incompatible with luminaires 14 and 16. When the original control signal is sent to controller 18, controller 18 is able to convert the original control signal into an LED-compatible digital control signal, which is routed to auxiliary luminaire 16 as an auxiliary digital control signal. Any instructions (or other data) provided by incompatible original control signals can also be provided to auxiliary luminaire 16 via auxiliary digital control signals. Controller 18 is also able to convert LED-compatible digital control signals (via DAC 48) from digital signals into auxiliary analog control signals, which are then routed to auxiliary luminaire 16.

[0026] It should be understood that although the main controller 12 is described as being configured to control the dimming of luminaires 14, 16 using the original control signals, the main controller 12 is capable of using the original control signals to control any of a variety of other appropriate operating characteristics (e.g., timing and / or color mixing) in accordance with the principles and details described above. It should also be understood that although three auxiliary luminaires are shown, any number of auxiliary luminaires can be networked with each main luminaire 14. In one embodiment, the main luminaire 14 can be configured to communicate with up to 2000 auxiliary luminaires 16.

[0027] exist Figures 3-5 The image shows an example of a general lighting fixture 50 (hereinafter referred to as "the fixture"), which may include a housing 52, a first lighting module 54, and a second lighting module 56. Figure 4 ), and hanger assembly 58. Housing 52 may include lamp support portion 60 and controller support portion 62 adjacent to lamp support portion 60. Lamp support portion 60 can define lighting socket 64 ( Figure 3 ) and window 66 located under lighting socket 64 ( Figure 4 First lighting module 54 and second lighting module 56 Figure 2 The light socket 64 can be arranged in the window 66 and can be configured to emit light through the window 66, which will be described in more detail below.

[0028] like Figure 5 As shown, housing 52 may include a main frame 72 and a cover member 74 covering the main frame 72, the cover member 74 being attached to the main frame 72 by any of the following methods: welding, bonding, a releasable tab (not shown), fasteners (not shown), or a variety of other suitable permanent or releasable fastening devices. The main frame 72 may include a bottom lighting wall 76 defining a window 66. Figure 5 As shown, the main frame 72 may include a bottom controller wall 78 and a plurality of side walls 80, which cooperate with each other to define a controller socket 82. Figure 5 As shown, the cover member 74 may include a cover portion 84 that covers the controller socket 82. The bottom controller wall 78, the side wall 80, and the cover portion 84 may form at least a portion of the controller support portion 62 of the housing 52.

[0029] Now for reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 A heat sink 90 may be disposed on each of the first lighting module 54 and the second lighting module 56, and the heat sink 90 may be configured to dissipate heat from the first lighting module 54 and the second lighting module 56. Referring now to... Figure 5A controller 92 may be arranged in the controller socket 82, and the controller 92 may be configured to power and control the first lighting module 54 and the second lighting module 56 according to the principles and methods described herein. Figure 3 As shown, the cover portion 84 of the cover member 74 can cover the controller socket 82 and the controller 92. The cover portion 84 can serve as a heat sink for the controller 92 to facilitate heat dissipation from the controller 92.

[0030] Figure 6 An alternative embodiment of a lighting system 110 for indoor cultivation facilities (e.g., greenhouses) is shown, which differs from the one described above in many respects. Figure 1 The lighting system 10 shown is similar to or the same as the one described. For example, lighting system 110 may include a main controller 112 and a plurality of luminaires 116 that communicate with the main controller 112. The plurality of luminaires 116 may define independent lighting areas (e.g., Figure 1 Z1, Z2, ..., Zn (as shown in the diagram).

[0031] Each lamp 116 can be used in many ways with Figure 2 The auxiliary lighting fixtures 16 shown are similar or identical. For example, each lighting fixture 116 may include a controller 128, an LED driver circuit 130 communicating with the controller 128, and an LED lamp 132 electrically coupled to and powered by the LED driver circuit 130 (e.g., via a PWM signal or a 1-9VDC signal). The controller 128 may be configured to send drive signals (e.g., 0-10VDC signals) to the LED driver circuit to control the operation of the plurality of LED lamps 132. The controller 128 may include an analog communication module 134 and a digital communication module 136. The analog communication module 134 and the digital communication module 136 can be configured to simultaneously receive analog control signals and digital control signals from an upstream source (e.g., one of the main controller 112 or the luminaire 116, depending on the position of the luminaire 116 relative to the main controller 112), and respectively send the analog control signals and digital control signals to a downstream electronic device (e.g., an adjacent luminaire 116), so as to perform analog and digital communication simultaneously between the main controller 112 and the luminaire 116, which will be described in further detail below.

[0032] The main controller 112 can be configured to communicate with the luminaire 116 via simultaneous analog and digital control signals (e.g., dual-mode communication) to control the dimming (e.g., illumination intensity) of the luminaire 116. The main controller 112 may include an analog communication module 113 and a digital communication module 115, which are responsible for communicating with the luminaire 116 via analog and digital signals, respectively. The analog communication module 113 and digital communication module 115 can be communicatively coupled to the analog communication module 134 and digital communication module 136 of the first of the plurality of luminaires 116 via a communication cable 137, which includes an analog signal line 139, a digital transmit signal line 141, and a digital receive signal line 143. The analog communication module 134 and digital communication module 136 of the luminaire 116 can be communicatively coupled to each other via multiple communication cables 138, each communication cable 138 including an analog signal line 140, a digital transmit signal line 142, and a digital receive signal line 144.

[0033] The analog communication modules 134 of the luminaire 116 can be communicatively connected in series via analog signal lines 140 and communicate with the analog communication module 113 of the main controller 112 via analog signal lines 139. Analog signal lines 139 and 140 can cooperate to define an analog bus for the main controller 112 and the luminaire 116. The digital communication module 136 of the luminaire 116 can be communicatively daisy-chained (e.g., in parallel) via digital transmit signal lines 142 and digital receive signal lines 144, and communicate with the digital communication module 115 of the main controller 112 via digital transmit signal lines 141 and digital receive signal lines 143. Digital transmit signal line 142 provides a transmission path for sending data from the main controller 112 to the luminaire 116, while digital receive signal line 144 provides a return path for sending data from the luminaire 116 to the main controller 112, thus enabling bidirectional communication between the main controller 112 and the luminaire 116. Digital transmit signal line 141 and digital receive signal line 143, as well as digital transmit signal line 142 and digital receive signal line 144, can cooperate with each other to define a digital bus for the main controller 112 and the luminaire 116. It should be understood that communication cables 137, 138 can interface with communication ports (not shown) arranged on the main controller 112 and the luminaire 116. In one embodiment, communication cables 137, 138 may include Cat-6 cables. It should be understood that the series connection between analog communication modules 113, 134 and the daisy-chain connection between digital communication modules 115, 136 can be achieved through internal wiring within the luminaire 116.

[0034] The main controller 112 can simultaneously generate analog control signals and digital control signals via analog communication module 113 and digital communication module 115, respectively. Both analog and digital control signals are capable of independently controlling the LEDs 132 of the luminaire 116 to substantially the same intensity. The analog control signals can be sent from analog communication module 113 to each analog communication module 134 of the luminaire 116 (e.g., along an analog bus). Each analog communication module 134 can be configured to amplify the analog control signals to compensate for any degradation that may occur during the transmission of the analog control signals to each luminaire 116.

[0035] Digital control signals can be sent from digital communication module 115 to each digital communication module 136 of luminaire 116 (e.g., along a digital bus). Due to the nature of the transmission of digital control signals along the daisy-chain connection between the digital bus and digital communication module 136, the digital control signals may not require amplification to reach each luminaire 116. In one embodiment, each luminaire 116 may have a unique address (e.g., an IP address). In such an embodiment, the digital control signals may include unique instructions (e.g., data packets) for each luminaire 116, which allow independent control of the light intensity of the LEDs 132 of each luminaire 116.

[0036] Analog and digital control signals can be simultaneously sent to each luminaire 116 to provide redundancy for controlling the intensity of the LED 132 at each luminaire 116. In one embodiment, the digital control signal can be the master signal responsible for controlling the intensity of the LED 132 at each luminaire 116, while the analog control signal can be a backup signal. In such an embodiment, when both the digital and analog control signals are capable of controlling the LED 132 (i.e., neither the digital nor analog control signals are faulty), the digital control signal can be responsible for controlling the intensity of the LED 132. However, if the digital control signal fails for some reason and therefore cannot control the LED 132, then the analog control signal can be used to control the intensity of the LED 132. Thus, as long as the digital control signal can control the LED 132 and no failure occurs, the intensity of the LED 132 is controlled by the digital control signal, while the analog control signal is ignored.

[0037] When choosing between analog and digital control signals to operate LED 132, each luminaire 116 can operate independently of the others. Details of the operation of one of the luminaires 116 when selecting between analog and digital control signals to control the intensity of LED 132 will now be described, but this luminaire should be understood to also represent… Figure 6The remaining luminaires 116 are shown. For the purposes of this specification, digital control signals can be understood as the main control signals used by controller 128 to control LED lamps 132, while analog control signals can be considered as auxiliary or backup control signals used by controller 128 only when digital control signals fail and therefore cannot control LED lamps 132.

[0038] The luminaire 116 can only use either a digital control signal or an analog control signal to control the intensity level (e.g., dimming intensity) of the LED 132 at a given time; therefore, it cannot control the LED 132 based on both signals simultaneously. When a digital control signal is selected to control the LED 132, the controller 128 can be configured to convert the digital control signal into a drive signal, which is then sent to the LED driver circuit 130 to control the LED 132. When an analog control signal is selected to control the LED 132, the controller 128 can be configured to convert the analog control signal into a drive signal, which is then sent to the LED driver circuit 130 to control the LED 132. The drive signal can be converted into a format capable of controlling the intensity of the LED 132 (e.g., a 0-10VDC signal) and includes a dimming request provided by the digital or analog control signal.

[0039] The controller 128 can select between a digital control signal and an analog control signal based on whether a fault has occurred in the digital control signal. Thus, the controller 128 can be configured to determine whether a fault exists in the digital control signal. If no fault exists, the controller 128 can use the digital control signal to control the LED 132 (e.g., by converting the digital signal into a drive signal, as described above). If a digital control signal fault exists, the controller 128 can use an analog control signal to control the LED 132 (e.g., by converting the analog signal into a drive signal, as described above).

[0040] A fault condition can be understood as any inconsistency in the digital control signal that prevents the signal from effectively and correctly controlling the LED 132. In one embodiment, the controller 128 can determine the presence of a fault condition in the digital control signal based on the presence of the digital control signal at the digital communication module 136. In such an embodiment, if the controller 128 determines that a digital control signal is present at the digital communication module 136 (i.e., no fault condition exists), then the controller 128 can use the digital control signal as the basis for the drive signal to control the LED 132. If the controller determines that no digital control signal is present at the digital communication module 136 (i.e., a fault condition exists), then the controller 128 can use an analog control signal as the basis for the drive signal to control the LED 132. In another embodiment, the controller 128 can determine the presence of a fault condition in the digital control signal based on the strength of the digital control signal at the digital communication module 136. In such an embodiment, the controller 128 can detect the signal strength and compare it with a predetermined threshold. If the signal strength of the digital control signal is higher than the predetermined threshold (e.g., 90%) (i.e., no fault condition exists), then the digital control signal is sufficiently strong, and the controller 128 can use the digital control signal as the basis for the drive signal to control the LED 132. If the signal strength of the digital control signal is below a predetermined threshold (i.e., a fault condition exists), then the digital control signal is too weak, and the controller 128 can use an analog control signal as the basis for the drive signal to control the LED 132. In another embodiment, the controller 128 can determine whether a fault condition exists in the digital control signal based on the integrity of the digital control signal at the digital communication module 136. In such an embodiment, the controller 128 can detect the error rate of the signal and compare it with a predetermined threshold. If the error rate of the digital control signal is below the predetermined threshold (e.g., 1%) (i.e., no fault condition exists), then the digital control signal is sufficiently accurate, and the controller 128 can use the digital control signal as the basis for the drive signal to control the LED 132. If the error rate of the digital control signal is above the predetermined threshold (i.e., a fault condition exists), then the digital control signal is too inaccurate, and the controller 128 can use an analog control signal as the basis for the drive signal to control the LED 132. It should be understood that the controller 128 can determine the fault condition based on any of a plurality of suitable additional or alternative criteria, and multiple criteria can be used simultaneously. It should also be understood that by using redundant digital and analog signals, luminaire 116 is less prone to communication failures and is therefore more stable than conventional LED luminaires.

[0041] Figure 7 An alternative embodiment of luminaire 214 (e.g., a general-purpose luminaire) is shown, which differs from the above-described luminaire in many respects. Figure 1 and Figure 2The main luminaire 14 and auxiliary luminaire 16 shown are similar or identical. For example, luminaire 214 may include a controller 228, an LED driver circuit 220 communicating with the controller 228, and an LED lamp 222 electrically coupled to the LED driver circuit 230. The controller 228 may include a conversion module 224, which includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 246 and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 248. The controller 228 may also include an analog communication module 234 and a digital communication module 236.

[0042] Controller 218 may include all the features of controllers 18, 28, 118 described above, and may be selectively programmed (e.g., remotely programmed) to allow luminaire 214 to be used as a switching luminaire (e.g., main luminaire 14) or a direct-through luminaire (e.g., auxiliary luminaire 16 or luminaire 116).

[0043] The embodiments and examples described above are given for illustrative purposes. This description is not exhaustive and does not constitute a limitation on the forms described. Various modifications can be made based on the above teachings. Some of these modifications have been discussed herein, and others will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. These embodiments were chosen and illustrated to illustrate various embodiments. Of course, the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, and those skilled in the art can use the invention in any number of applications and equivalent devices. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims. Furthermore, with respect to any claimed and / or described method, whether or not the method is illustrated in conjunction with a flowchart, it should be understood that, unless the context otherwise specifies or requires, any express or implied order of steps performed during the execution of the method does not mean that these steps must be performed in the presented order; rather, these steps may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

Claims

1. A lamp for indoor cultivation facilities, the lamp comprising: Multiple LED lights; An LED driver circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of LEDs; as well as A controller that communicates with the LED driver circuit and is configured to send drive signals to the LED driver circuit to control the operation of the plurality of LEDs, the controller comprising: A digital communication module configured to receive digital control signals from a remote signal source and transmit those signals to downstream electronic devices; and An analog communication module is configured to receive analog control signals from the remote signal source simultaneously with digital control signals, and to transmit the analog control signals to the downstream electronic device, wherein: The controller is configured to determine whether a fault condition exists in the digital control signal; When the fault condition does not exist, the controller converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When a fault condition exists, the controller converts the analog control signal into a drive signal.

2. The lighting fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to determine whether the digital control signal is in a fault state based on whether a digital control signal is present at the digital communication module; When a digital control signal is present at the digital communication module, the controller converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When there is no digital control signal at the digital communication module, the controller converts the analog control signal into a drive signal.

3. The lighting fixture as described in claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to determine whether a fault condition exists in the digital control signal based on the signal strength of the digital control signal at the digital communication module. When the signal strength of the digital control signal is higher than a predetermined threshold, the controller converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When the signal strength of the digital control signal is lower than a predetermined threshold, the controller converts the analog control signal into a drive signal.

4. The lighting fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to determine whether a fault condition exists in the digital control signal based on the error rate of the digital control signal at the digital communication module. When the error rate of the digital control signal is below a predetermined threshold, the controller converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When the error rate of the digital control signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller converts the analog control signal into a drive signal.

5. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1, wherein the analog control signal includes a 0-10 VDC signal, and the digital control signal includes an RS-485 signal.

6. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the analog communication module is configured to amplify the analog control signal.

7. A lighting system for indoor cultivation facilities, the lighting system comprising: The main controller is configured to generate analog and digital control signals; as well as Lighting fixtures, including: Multiple LED lights; An LED driver circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of LEDs; and A controller that communicates with the LED driver circuit and is configured to send drive signals to the LED driver circuit to control the operation of the plurality of LEDs, the controller comprising: A digital communication module that communicates with the main controller to receive digital control signals and is configured to send those digital control signals to downstream luminaires; and An analog communication module communicates with the main controller to receive analog control signals simultaneously with digital control signals, and is configured to send the analog control signals to the downstream luminaires, wherein: The controller of the luminaire is configured to determine whether there is a fault state in the digital control signal; When the fault condition does not exist, the controller of the lamp converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When a fault condition exists, the controller of the lamp will convert the analog control signal into a drive signal.

8. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein: The controller of the lamp is configured to determine whether there is a fault in the digital control signal based on whether there is a digital control signal at the digital communication module; When a digital control signal is present at the digital communication module, the controller of the lamp converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When there is no digital control signal at the digital communication module, the controller of the lamp will convert the analog control signal into a drive signal.

9. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein: The controller of the lamp is configured to determine whether there is a fault in the digital control signal based on the signal strength of the digital control signal at the digital communication module; When the signal strength of the digital control signal is higher than a predetermined threshold, the controller of the lamp converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When the signal strength of the digital control signal is lower than a predetermined threshold, the controller of the lamp will convert the analog control signal into a drive signal.

10. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein: The controller of the luminaire is configured to determine whether there is a fault in the digital control signal based on the error rate of the digital control signal at the digital communication module; When the error rate of the digital control signal is below a predetermined threshold, the controller of the lamp converts the digital control signal into a drive signal; and When the error rate of the digital control signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller of the lamp will convert the analog control signal into a drive signal.

11. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the analog control signal includes a 0-10 VDC signal and the digital control signal includes an RS-485 signal.

12. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the analog communication module is configured to amplify the analog control signal.

13. A luminaire for indoor cultivation facilities, the luminaire comprising: Multiple LED lights; An LED driver circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of LEDs; as well as A controller, which communicates with the LED driver circuit and is configured to send drive signals to the LED driver circuit to control the operation of the plurality of LEDs, includes a conversion module configured to receive a raw control signal from a remote signal source and generate auxiliary analog control signals and auxiliary digital control signals from the raw control signal for transmission to downstream electronic devices. The controller is configured to detect whether the original control signal is an analog signal or a digital signal; When the original control signal is an analog signal, the controller is configured to present the original control signal as an auxiliary analog control signal, and the conversion module is configured to convert the original control signal into an auxiliary digital control signal; and When the original control signal is a digital signal, the controller is configured to present the original control signal as an auxiliary digital control signal, and the conversion module is configured to convert the original control signal into an auxiliary analog control signal.

14. The luminaire of claim 13, wherein the conversion module comprises: An analog-to-digital converter that facilitates the conversion of raw control signals from analog signals into auxiliary digital control signals; as well as A digital-to-analog converter that facilitates the conversion of raw control signals from digital signals into auxiliary analog control signals.

15. The luminaire of claim 13, wherein the auxiliary analog control signal includes a 0-10 VDC signal, and the auxiliary digital control signal includes an RS-485 signal.

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