Battery-less Light Switch FSK Pairing Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart lighting systems face limitations in communication range and cost-effectiveness, particularly with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, which is not sufficient for controlling light sources across larger distances and is expensive, necessitating improved methods for wireless pairing of light switches and drivers.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system comprising a light switch with a binary switch, wireless transmitter, processor, and memory, and a light driver with a pairing switch, wireless receiver, and processor, where the light switch and driver use frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation to pair and control light sources, allowing for extended range communication and reduced costs by employing a mixed asymmetric solution with FSK and BLE technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is used for wireless communication in light switches, then smartphone control capability is improved, but communication range is limited and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication function is segmented into two parts: BLE technology in the light driver for smartphone control, and a separate low-cost wireless transmitter in the light switch for basic control commands. This segmentation allows each component to use the most appropriate technology for its specific function, extending overall system range while maintaining smartphone compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The light driver acts as an intermediary between the light switch and the smartphone. The light switch communicates with the light driver using simple wireless transmission, and the light driver handles BLE communication with the smartphone. This intermediary approach extends the effective communication range beyond what BLE alone can provide.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is used in light switches, then wireless control capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality levels of wireless technology are applied to different components based on their specific needs. The light driver, which requires smartphone connectivity, uses full BLE functionality. The light switch, which only needs to send simple control commands, uses a much simpler and cheaper wireless transmitter, reducing overall system cost while maintaining necessary functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light switch uses an inexpensive wireless transmitter that is sufficient for its basic control function. This cheaper component is paired with the more capable (and expensive) BLE-equipped light driver, creating a cost-effective asymmetric architecture where the higher-cost component compensates for the limitations of the lower-cost component.
3Length of stationary object
If FSK modulation is used for wireless communication, then communication range is extended and cost is reduced, but pairing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pairing process is simplified by having the light driver continuously advertise its presence and accept pairing requests without requiring complex initialization sequences. The light switch can immediately connect using pre-configured or automatically generated identifiers, eliminating the need for complex manual pairing procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and cost-effective wireless control of light sources across greater distances, improving communication range and reducing system costs by using FSK modulation for pairing and control commands, while maintaining compatibility with BLE for smartphone integration.
Implementation Method 1
the light switch and driver use frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation to pair and control light sources
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a lighting system can comprise a light source and a light switch. The light switch can comprise a binary switch, a wireless transmitter, a processor, and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a code identifying the light switch. A light driver can be coupled with the light source. The light driver can comprise a pairing switch, a wireless receiver, a processor, and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to pair with the light switch by receiving, from the pairing button, a first input indicating a start of a pairing mode, initiating the pairing mode based on the first input, and determining whether a message is received from the light switch within a first predetermined period of time.