LED Lighting RF Antenna Layout Using Power Cable Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED based lighting devices, especially those used outdoors, face challenges in ensuring effective Radio Frequency (RF) signal quality due to the need for additional cabling and metal casings that obstruct RF signal passage, making them less suitable for outdoor use.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves separating the LED board and driver board, with the antenna on the LED board and the RF module on the driver board, superimposing the RF signal on the LED current conveyed between them, using the interconnect cable for both LED current and RF signal transmission, and employing electromagnetic interference filters and capacitors to manage signal interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the LED board and driver board are integrated in a metal casing, then the device structure is compact, but the RF signal quality deteriorates due to obstruction by the metal casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure compactnessVSAvoidRF signal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lighting device into separate LED board and driver board, with the antenna positioned on the LED board away from metal obstructions. This segmentation allows the RF signal to be transmitted from a location with clear signal passage, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and RF signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If additional cabling is added for RF signal transmission, then the RF signal quality can be maintained, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRF signal qualityVSAvoidcabling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the interconnect cable serve dual functions: transmitting both LED current and RF signal. By superimposing the RF signal on the LED current carrier, the same cable infrastructure is used for both power/control and communication, eliminating the need for separate RF cabling and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the LED current transmission function and RF signal transmission function into a single interconnect cable. The RF signal is superimposed on the LED current, merging two separate signal paths into one physical medium, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining RF signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the antenna is placed on the driver board near the metal casing, then the device structure is simplified, but the RF signal passage is obstructed by the metal casing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidRF signal passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antenna from the metal casing by placing it on the LED board, physically separated from the driver board and metal obstructions. This spatial segmentation ensures clear RF signal passage while maintaining structural simplicity through the modular board design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If separate cabling is used for LED current and RF signal, then the signal interference is reduced, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidcabling quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The interconnect cable is designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously: LED current transmission and RF signal transmission. By superimposing the RF signal on the LED current carrier, the patent eliminates the need for separate cabling, reducing material quantity while maintaining signal quality through frequency separation and filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the need for additional cabling, enhances RF signal quality, and lowers costs by using existing LED traces as antennas, thereby creating a robust and cost-effective LED lighting device suitable for outdoor use.

Implementation Method 1

superimposing the RF signal on the LED current such that the RF signal is conveyed over the interconnect cable to the antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal superposition:

Data Source

PatentEP3994960B1A light emitted diode, LED, based lighting device as well as a corresponding LED board and a driver board

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

An LED based lighting device capable of Radio Frequency communication, said LED based lighting device comprising a driver board comprising a mains input connector, an LED output connector and an LED driver, wherein said LED driver is arranged for receiving a mains power supply, via said mains input connector, and for providing an LED current to an at least one LED, via said LED output connector, an LED board comprising an LED input connector, an antenna and said at least one LED, an interconnect cable connecting said driver board to said LED board via said LED output connector and said LED input connector, wherein said driver board further comprises an RF module arranged for generating an RF signal and for superimposing said generated RF signal on said LED current such that said RF signal is conveyed over said interconnect cable to said antenna.