Reverse Bridge Lighting Control for Synchronous-Asynchronous DALI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems face challenges in integrating devices from different vendors and maintaining synchronization between synchronous and asynchronous networks, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A lighting control system with a reverse bridge that enables full bidirectional communication between synchronous and asynchronous networks, allowing devices from different vendors to be integrated without the need for continuous status information collection, and simplifying the bridge's role by translating commands and replies efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reverse bridge is used to connect synchronous and asynchronous networks, then device integration from different vendors is enabled, but status information consistency between networks becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse bridge acts as an intermediary device that translates between synchronous DALI protocol and asynchronous IP-based protocols. It mediates communication between devices on different networks, enabling integration while maintaining protocol compatibility and data consistency through controlled translation operations.
2Reliability
If continuous status information collection is performed by the bridge, then data synchronization between networks is improved, but bridge complexity and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous status information collection, the system employs periodic polling where the application controller queries status information at scheduled intervals. This periodic action reduces the processing burden on the bridge while maintaining adequate data synchronization between synchronous and asynchronous networks.
Solution Approach 2:
Devices on the asynchronous network independently respond to queries by providing their status information when requested. The bridge simply forwards queries and replies without needing to actively collect or manage status information continuously, reducing bridge complexity while maintaining data synchronization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bridge translates and forwards all commands and replies, then full bidirectional communication is achieved, but data transfer time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse bridge implements feedback mechanisms where devices on the asynchronous network respond to queries with status information. This feedback-based communication allows efficient data transfer by only transmitting necessary information when requested, reducing unnecessary data transfer time while maintaining full bidirectional communication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting control system (1) comprises at least one input device (2) configured to provide user-derived, status and/or environmental information to the lighting-control system responsive to a query command (10a) and/or at least one control gear (3) configured to provide power to one or more light sources and to provide status information to the lighting-control system responsive to a query command (10a). Further, it comprises an application controller (4) configured to receive the user-derived and/or environmental information or the status information, and configured to issue a query command (10a) in order to obtain the information or depending on the information obtained. There is further provided a reverse bridge (5), which is configured to communicate with the application controller (2) via a wired network bus (6) operated using a synchronous network protocol, which may conform with IEC 62386-101. The reverse bridge (5) is further configured to communicate with the at least one input device (2) and/or the control gear (3) via a network (7) operated using an asynchronous network protocol, which may conform with IEC 62386-104. The reverse bridge (5) is configured to enable bidirectional communication between the application controller (4) and the at least one input device (2) and/or the control gear (3).