Wireless Adapter Serial Interface Lighting Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting control systems, both wired and wireless, are costly due to the need for specialized circuitry and power conditioning, and they limit communication interfaces, restricting functionality such as energy monitoring and ballast health detection.
Innovation Solution
A wireless adapter system that receives control signals, generates control commands, and communicates via a serial interface with the power supply, leveraging existing power and conditioning circuitry to reduce costs and enhance communication capabilities, including energy monitoring and ballast health detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless control systems use mains power conditioning and converter circuits, then wireless control capability is enabled, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply device provides power to the wireless adapter using its own internally-generated regulated DC power, eliminating the need for the adapter to have independent mains power conditioning circuitry. The adapter leverages the power supply's existing power conversion capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply device serves dual functions: it both powers the lighting load and provides power to the wireless adapter through its regulated DC output. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power conditioning in the adapter.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless control devices are deployed in-line with mains power, then control functionality is achieved, but additional safety components and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless adapter acts as an intermediary device that communicates with the power supply via a serial interface. This serial communication pathway allows control functionality without requiring the adapter to be directly in-line with mains power, thereby eliminating the need for safety components like relays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized circuitry is added to support phase-cutting and 0-10V signaling, then control signal compatibility is improved, but ballast cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The serial interface enables bidirectional communication between the wireless adapter and the power supply processing device. This allows the adapter to send control commands and receive feedback about the power supply's capabilities and status, enabling flexible control without specialized hardwired circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from fixed analog control signals (phase-cut, 0-10V) to digital serial communication. This parameter change in the communication interface allows for more flexible and programmable control capabilities without requiring specialized analog circuitry in the power supply.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, for wirelessly controlling a power supply device that controls a load. A wireless adapter includes a wireless communication device that receives transmissions from a wireless controller, a serial interface for a serial data connection to a power supply processing device integrated in the power supply device, an adapter processing device that receives the control signals the wireless communication device outputs, generates the control commands from the control signals, and outputs the control commands to the serial interface to cause the power supply processing device to control power provided to the load in a manner specified by the control commands, and an adapter power circuit that receives regulated direct current (DC) power from the power supply device and is powered from the regulated DC power received, and provides power to the wireless communication device and the adapter processing device.