LED Irradiance Control via Stored Calibration Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In horticultural applications, manually characterizing light sources for irradiance is time-consuming and requires repeated characterization when light source components are replaced or changed, as each light source has unique irradiance characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A horticultural lighting system that includes LED arrays with stored calibration data, a controller, and a computing device to determine and apply pulse width modulation (PWM) settings for each color channel to achieve desired irradiance levels, based on pre-measured total light output and irradiance maps, allowing for automatic conversion of user-input irradiance values into PWM settings or current values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual characterization of light sources is performed, then irradiance measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-characterizing each LED module's irradiance properties during manufacturing and storing this data in lookup tables. This allows the system to skip time-consuming manual measurements during operation, as the characterization data is already available from prior manufacturing-stage measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital model (lookup table) that represents the physical light source's irradiance characteristics. Instead of repeatedly measuring the actual physical LED module, the system copies its behavior through pre-measured data that can be quickly referenced during operation.
2Measurement precision
If manual characterization is performed for each light source, then irradiance control precision is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically selecting appropriate LED modules and determining their PWM settings based on stored lookup table data. The controller autonomously performs calculations and adjustments without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining precision while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with an electronic computational system. Instead of physically measuring and adjusting each light source manually, the system uses electronic lookup tables and automated PWM control to achieve the same precision with greater ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If repeated characterization is performed when light sources are replaced, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but productivity and system responsiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-characterizing LED modules during manufacturing before they are installed in the grow light system. This allows rapid replacement and immediate use of new modules without requiring time-consuming re-characterization, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while improving system productivity and responsiveness.
4Stability of the object's composition
If individual LED module control is implemented, then irradiance distribution uniformity is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the grow light system into individually controllable LED modules, each with its own lookup table and PWM control. This allows precise control of each module's irradiance output to achieve uniform distribution across the grow area, while the modular approach keeps control complexity manageable through standardized interfaces.
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
This approach simplifies the setup and operation of horticultural lighting systems by eliminating the need for manual characterization, ensuring consistent irradiance across lighting fixtures with different light output characteristics, and allowing for quick adjustment to changes in plant bed geometry or light source configuration.
Implementation Method 1
each of the one or more lighting fixtures includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) array
Implementation Method 2
determining, for each of the one or more lighting fixtures, a pulse width modulation (PWM) setting of the first color channel such that each of the one or more lighting fixtures irradiate the plant bed at the desired irradiance
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations disclosed herein includes a method for operating lighting fixtures in horticultural applications. The method may include receiving a user input of a desired irradiance for a first color channel of one or more lighting fixtures that irradiates a plant bed, in which each of the one or more lighting fixtures comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) array, determining, for each of the one or more lighting fixtures, a PWM setting of the first color channel such that each of the one or more lighting fixtures irradiate the plant bed at the desired irradiance based on calibration data stored in each of the one or more lighting fixtures, and applying, to each of the one or more lighting fixtures, the determined PWM setting of the first color channel.