Lighting Network Backup Path for Luminaire Control Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central management systems for lighting networks can be impractical in situations where primary communication and control paths are disrupted, necessitating an alternative communication/control path to ensure continuous operation and meet energy savings and regulatory targets.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that monitor both primary and alternative communication networks, prioritize commands, and execute applications to control luminaires, where the alternative network maintains priority for a predetermined period, ensuring continuous operation even when the primary network is unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized management system uses a primary communication network for controlling luminaires, then control and monitoring can be centralized, but the system becomes vulnerable to disruptions and blockages in the primary network path
Solution Approach 1:
The communication path is segmented into multiple independent networks (primary and alternative), allowing the system to divide its communication routes so that failure in one segment does not compromise the entire system. The controller can switch between primary and alternative networks independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares an alternative communication network in advance as a backup path. This cushioning measure ensures that when the primary network fails, a pre-established alternative path is available to maintain control and monitoring operations.
2Reliability
If the system monitors both primary and alternative communication networks and prioritizes commands, then reliability is improved during network disruptions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on network availability. It can switch between monitoring only the primary network under normal conditions and monitoring both primary and alternative networks when disruptions occur, optimizing the balance between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes priority rules and command buffering mechanisms in advance. When commands are received, the controller pre-determines their priority level and buffers them appropriately, so that during network transitions, commands are executed in the correct sequence without requiring complex real-time decision-making.
3Reliability
If commands from the alternative communication network are maintained for a predetermined period, then control reliability is improved during network transitions, but response time to new commands may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains commands for a predetermined period (excessive action) to ensure reliability, but this is applied selectively only when needed during network transitions. During normal operation, the system responds immediately to commands without unnecessary buffering, minimizing time loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention discloses an alternative communication and control path (270) that can by-pass a primary communication and control line (140) and control luminaires (110) of an illumination network. By creating the alternative back-up path (270), it is possible to still communicate and control network elements in cases when the primary communication and control path is unavailable or when direct control of individual or a plurality of luminaries is desired. Prioritization of commands received over the primary and alternative network is provided. In one aspect of the invention, this alternative path may provide for a direct interface for demand response utility programs for specialized control of the luminaires of the illumination network.