Lighting System Positioning Using UWB and Ambient Light Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems face challenges in efficiently determining the physical positions of multiple luminaires and additional devices within an area, requiring manual commissioning that is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a communication unit for wireless distance measurement, such as UWB, and an ambient light sensor is used to determine distances to neighboring devices, allowing a control device to calculate their positions and perform commissioning without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual commissioning is used to determine physical positions of luminaires and devices, then position determination can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system devices automatically determine their own physical positions by performing wireless distance measurements to neighboring devices and using these measurements to calculate coordinates. This self-positioning capability eliminates the need for manual commissioning, significantly reducing commissioning time and costs while maintaining high position determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices perform distance measurements to neighboring devices automatically during system initialization or commissioning phases. By pre-establishing distance relationships between devices before full system operation, the system enables rapid position determination without requiring time-consuming manual intervention during normal operation.
2Extent of automation
If each luminaire and device is equipped with a wireless communication unit for distance measurement, then automatic position determination is enabled, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing wireless communication units in lighting systems for dual purposes: both for controlling lighting functions and for performing distance measurements to determine physical positions. This multi-functional use of existing components enables automatic commissioning without adding separate dedicated distance measurement devices, thereby avoiding increased device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses light intensity measurements as an intermediary to determine distances between devices. By measuring the intensity of light emitted by luminaires and detected by ambient light sensors, the system can calculate distances without requiring direct wireless communication between all device pairs, reducing the complexity of the communication infrastructure needed.
3Ease of operation
If wireless distance measurement is used to determine positions, then manual intervention is minimized, but additional sensors and communication capabilities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing ambient light sensors in lighting devices for dual purposes: both for standard lighting control functions and for determining distances to neighboring luminaires. This approach enables automatic position determination without requiring additional dedicated sensors, maintaining ease of operation while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from light intensity measurements to iteratively determine and refine distance calculations between devices. By continuously measuring light intensity and updating position information based on these measurements, the system achieves accurate automatic commissioning using existing sensor capabilities without requiring complex additional hardware.
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 precise location of luminaires and devices using wireless communication, reducing costs by minimizing the need for individual wireless communication units and allowing efficient mapping to a digital floor plan.
Implementation Method 1
The communication unit is configured for a wireless ultra wide band (UWB) communication that is configured for distance measurement
Implementation Method 2
the device is configured to determine, using a light intensity detected by an ambient light sensor, a distance to the luminaire
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for a lighting system comprising a communication unit configured for wireless communication configured for distance measurement, and an ambient light sensor is provided. The device is configured to receive a command instructing the device to determine a distance to neighboring device(s), and determine, using the communication unit, distance to neighboring device(s). The communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit to a control device the determined distance(s) from the device to the neighboring device(s). The communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit detection results of the sensor to the control device. Additionally or alternatively, the communication unit is configured to wirelessly receive information that a luminaire emits light, the device is configured to determine, using a light intensity detected by the sensor, a distance to the luminaire, and the communication unit is configured to wirelessly transmit, to the control device, the determined distance from the device to the luminaire.