Powerline Communication Control for LED Lighting Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The adoption of solid state lighting systems, particularly LED lighting, is hindered by complex dimming control requirements, which necessitate additional control wiring and significant installation costs due to the need for separate control wiring from conventional AC power lines.
Innovation Solution
A powerline communication control system that uses a master controller with a lighting control processor and a power distribution system interface to superimpose lighting unit command outputs onto the power distribution system, allowing for control of LED lighting units via existing AC power lines, eliminating the need for separate control wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control wiring (0-10V dimmers, DALI, DMX/RDM) is added to lighting installation, then dimming control capability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power transmission and communication functions into a single wiring infrastructure. Powerline communication technology is used to modulate control signals onto the existing AC power lines, eliminating the need for separate control wiring. The master controller superimposes control commands on the power distribution system, and slave controllers extract these commands from the same power lines, merging two previously separate functions into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing AC power wiring is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both electrical power and communication signals simultaneously. The power distribution system serves dual purposes: delivering power to lighting fixtures and transmitting dimming control commands. This universal use of infrastructure reduces installation complexity while maintaining full dimming control capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate control wiring is installed for LED lighting control, then lighting control precision is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power and control functions into a single wiring system, allowing existing power lines to carry both electrical power and dimming control signals. This eliminates the need for separate control wiring installation, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining precise digital dimming control through powerline communication protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dimming controls are added to existing lighting installation, then lighting control functionality is improved, but additional wiring costs and retrofitting complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the existing power distribution infrastructure to provide control functionality without requiring additional wiring or retrofitting. The power lines that already serve the lighting installation are utilized for both power delivery and control signal transmission, allowing the system to service itself using existing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines control functionality with the existing power distribution system by superimposing modulated control signals on the AC power lines. This approach adds lighting control capability to existing installations without requiring separate control wiring or complex retrofitting, as the same infrastructure carries both power and control functions.
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 efficient and cost-effective dimming control of LED lighting systems by utilizing existing powerlines for communication, reducing installation time and costs, and providing a scalable solution for controlling multiple lighting units.
Implementation Method 1
Powerline communication systems, often called powerline carrier communication systems, enable systems to carry data on a conductor that is also used for electric power transmission
Implementation Method 2
a power distribution system interface connected to a power distribution system for superimposing the lighting unit command outputs onto the power distribution system and a power signal present thereon as a lighting command signal
Implementation Method 3
a command receiving interface connected from the power distribution system for receiving the lighting command signal, separating the lighting command signal from the power signal
Data Source
AI summary
A powerline communication control system for controlling a lighting unit, such as an LED lighting unit, including a master controller for receiving lighting unit control inputs from a lighting controller and generating corresponding lighting unit command outputs in a lighting system command format and transmission mode and superimposing the lighting unit command outputs onto the power distribution system and at least one lighting slave unit for receiving the lighting command signal, separating the lighting command signal from the power signal and for providing lighting unit control commands to the at least one lighting unit to control illumination thereof, entirely within a modem embedded into a microcontroller.