CA2950632C

CA2950632C - Dual 0-10v/dali streetlighting controller

Info

Publication number: CA2950632C
Application number: CA2950632A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ken CARTMILL; Shawn Winters
Original assignee: LED Roadway Lighting Ltd
Current assignee: LED Roadway Lighting Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-23
Filing date: 2016-01-25
Publication date: 2017-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-25
Also published as: WO2016115642A1; CA2950632A1

Abstract

A streetlight controller for a streetlight is provided. An isolation section coupled to a receptacle of the streetlight for receiving a control signal that is either 0-10V dimming signal or a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal. A processor is connected to the isolation section, the processor detects if the control signal is a 0-10V dimming signal or DALI dimming signal and generates a control output to a light driver of the streetlight based on the detected control signal.

Description

2 TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to streetlight controllers and in particular to dimming controllers for streetlight fixtures.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There is a new mechanical interface for streetlight controls called ANSI C136.41. A receptacle for streetlight fixtures is defined where there are two contact pads, one is a positive dimming contact, and one is a negative dimming contact, for interfacing with an external controller to control dimming of the light fixture. The dimming contacts can be wired to either 0-10V or Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALITM) such as defined in IEC 62386, however, this leads to the challenge that a streetlight manufacturer has to select if the driver will be wired to the receptacle for DALI or 0-10y at time of manufacture, even though it does not know if a the future controller applied to the streetlight will be DALI or 0-10V.

[0003] Accordingly, an apparatus, system and method that enable an interchangeable dimming control of streetlights remain highly desirable.

=
SUM MARY
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of streetlight control, the method comprising: detecting at a processor a dimming control signal from a receptacle of an light emitting diode (LED) streetlight fixture; determining at the processor if the dimming control signal is a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal by detecting a DALI interrupt in the dimming control signal; converting by the processor the DALI
dimming signal when a DALI interrupt is detected to a control output to control an LED light driver of the streetlight fixture; otherwise generating by the processor a pulse width modular (PWM) driver signal to an isolation section coupled to the receptacle wherein the isolation section provides a 0-10y analog dimming signal to an analog to digital convertor (ADC) of the processor in response to the PWM driver signal and the processor converts the dimming control signal from the 0-10V
analog dimming signal to the control output to control an LED light driver of the streetlight fixture.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a streetlight controller for a streetlight comprising: an isolation section coupled to a receptacle of the streetlight for receiving a control signal from the receptacle that is either 0-10V
dimming signal or a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal the isolation section comprising: a DALI
circuit coupled to the control signal for processing DALI signals in the received control signal; and an isolation circuit coupled to the control signal having a transformer driven by a PWM driver signal and providing an analog output signal; and a processor connected to the isolation section, the processor for detecting if the control signal is a DALI dimming signal, where upon detecting a DALI
interrupt from the DALI circuit from the isolation section, DALI dimming signals are processed by the processor to generate a control output to a light emitting diode (LED) light driver of the streetlight otherwise the processor converts the control signal to the 0-10V
dimming signal by generating the PWM driver signal for the isolation circuit and receives an analog output 0-10V
dimming signal from the isolation circuit with an analog to digital converter (ADC) wherein the processor generates a control output to the LED light driver of the streetlight based on the detected control signal.
- 1a -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram a streetlight controller with 0-10V and DALI
interfaces;
FIG. 2 shows a system diagram of a 0-10V/DALI controller;
FIG. 3 shows a data flow diagram of 0-10V/DALI selection;
FIG. 4 shows a method of automatic detection 0-10V and DALI interfaces; and FIG. 5 shows another method of automatic detection 0-10V and DALI interfaces.

[0005] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] Embodiments are described below, by way of example only, with reference to Figs. 1-5.

[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of streetlight control, the method comprising detecting a dimming control signal at a streetlight fixture; determining if the dimming control signal is a 0-10V dimming signal or a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal; and converting the dimming control signal to a control output to control a light driver of the streetlight fixture based upon a determined type of the dimming control signal.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a streetlight controller for a streetlight comprising an isolation section coupled to a receptacle of the streetlight for receiving a control signal that is either 0-10V dimming signal or a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal; and a processor connected to the isolation section, the processor for detecting if the control signal is a 0-10V dimming signal or DALI dimming signal and generating control output to a light driver of the streetlight based on the detected control signal.

[0009] The ANSI C136.41 interface for streetlight receptacles allows either 10y or DALI dimming interfaces to be utilized. However the associated light fixture needs to be pre-configured for the specific interface. The light fixtures can accept lighting control modules such as light sensors, motion sensors, wireless control modules, photo electric (PE) sensors or environmental sensors. In order to avoid having to pre-configure a fixture, an intelligent controller is provided that allows either DALI or 0-10V (or 1-10y) controllers to be used with a fixture without pre-configuring. The controller, or daughter board, or driver provides automatic detection of the controller type and operates accordingly based on the signals coming across the DIM-'- and DIM- lines of the ANSI 0136.41 receptacle. The control signals can be provided from a control interface or device such as a sensor or streetlight control system. The control interface may be a wireless interface receiving commands for controlling the light driver.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of controller with 0-10V and DALI
interfaces. The controller 150 which may be implemented in a daughter board of a main controller, integrated in a controller, or integrated in a power supply.
The controller 150 is provided to interface between a receptacle and a power supply of a streetlight. The receptacle 100 has pads DIM+ 102 and DIM- 104 for interfacing with photo control cell or control interface which is inserted into the interface 100.
The connections from the receptacle are provided to a controller 150. An isolation circuit and signal conditioning section 152 is connected to common input connector and provides the isolation for both 0-10V and DALI control signals. An auto detection circuit 154 consists of a microcontroller; detects which control signals that are connected to DIM+ 102 and DIM- 104 contact points. DIM output controlling section (0-10y) 156 generates the reference analog voltage based on detected control signals (0-10y or DALI) which is provided to light driver 160. The controller 150 may alternatively be incorporated in the light driver or part of a control module.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of interfaces of a 0-10V/DALI
streetlight controller. The controller has a processor or micro controller unit (MCU) 210, an input isolation section 230 for receiving a control signal, and 0-10V
generation section 240 for controlling light driver 260. The input isolation section 230 has a DALI transmit and receive circuit 232 which provides optical isolation of the control signal. The DALI interface requires isolation, which can be achieved using an opto-coupler. The DALI TX/RX circuit 232 interfaces with the DALI
stack 216 executed on the processor 210. An isolation transformer used for 0-10V
signal 222 of the input isolation circuit 230. DALI signal is detected using a receive pin of micro controller using DALI stack. 0-10y interface signal is detected with help of PWM 214 and ADC module 212 connected to 0-10V coupled to an isolator 234.

[0012] For driving the 0-10V input, the input voltage, i.e., 0-10V is passed through a transformer which is driven by a 100 KHz PWM 214. This transformer steps down the 0-10V input voltage to almost around 1.2V (for 10V) which is in turn given to the ADC pin 212 of the processor 210. If DALI data is detected, then 100KHz PWM 214 is not generated, and therefore will not drive the transformer which in turn will not give any voltage reading on the ADC pin 214, thus indicating that the board is operating in DALI mode.

[0013] In the auto detection of DALI or 0-10V, the DALI Tx/Rx circuit is continuously monitored by the processor 210 for valid DALI signal. If valid DALI
signal is captured, then the mode is fixed to DALI mode and the 100 KHz PWM

generation is stopped. If valid DALI data is not captured, then the mode is switched to 0-10V mode and the 100 KHz PWM 214 is generated continuously.

[0014] 0-10V generation circuit 240 provides 0-10V using PWM 218 which may be part of the processor 210. The PWM 218 is converted to analog voltage and can be fed-back to processor 210 to provide a closed-loop system. This closed loop enables the processor 210 to understand whether required output is generated, otherwise it adjusts the duty cycle. The corresponding output is generated based on dimming input. The PWM 218 converts control output to analog voltage using digital to analog converter (DAC) 238 which drives the light driver 240. If control signal is DALI, the control output is mapped to DALI Arc levels. If its 0-10y input, the control output output will be mapped to input voltage. The control output may be an analog voltage or a digital command or voltage level for controlling the driver.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a dataflow diagram of the controller. An input 310 is received by the processor 210. The DALI tx/rx circuit 232 passes the control signal to the processor 210 if a DALI signal is present by detecting a DALI interrupt service routine 320. If a DALI signal is detected return DALI communication can be provided 322 back to the command source. If a DALI signal is not detected PWM
driver generates an 100KHZ PWM 326 to drive the transformer in isolator 234 to generate a voltage reading on the ADC pin 212 via ADC driver 324, thus indicating that operation is 0-10y dimming. The DALI command or the voltage reading can then be converted by DAC 330 to LED driver 340.

[0016] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 for automatic detection of 0-10V and DALI interfaces. The system is initialized (402) on start-up of the controller, hardware change or power failure. If a DALI interrupt is detected (YES at 404) the received data is checked for DALI data (YES at 406) then the controller is set for DALI mode (408). Received DALI commands are then processed (410). Control or query commands can be responded to (412) and the received DALI dimming level can be mapped as per arc level to control level for the LED driver (422) by generating PWM output. If DALI data is not received (NO at 406) the data is processed as long as an interrupt it received (404). If a DALI interrupt is not received (NO at 404) 0-10V dimming mode is utilized (414). PWM output is generated (416) to drive a transformer to allow voltage which can then be read at ADC pin (418). The received voltage is mapped to PWM output setting (420) to generate a PWM output (422) and converted by DAC to an analog level to control voltage to adjust the output of the LED driver. Although an analog output is described a digital output may be utilized by a light driver. If digital output is utilized the DALI or 0-10V level would be mapped to a digital value which would be provided to the light driver. The driver may be an light emitting diode (LED) based driver or any light driver which accepts a 0-10V or PWM input for dimming if a daughter board is used to interface with the controller.

[0017] The controller described may be implemented as a standalone component or integrated in a daughter card of a controller, a controller or in an driver. The control signals provided to the driver may be an analog voltage or may be a digital command or level mapped to a light output of the driver.

[0018] Figure 5 shows a method (500) automatic detection 0-10V and DALI
interfaces. A dimming control signal is determined at a streetlight fixture (502). It is then determined if the dimming control signal is a 0-10V dimming signal or a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal (504). The dimming control signal is converted to a control output to control a light driver of the streetlight fixture based upon the determined type of the dimming control signal (506).

[0019] Each element in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as hardware, software/program, or any combination thereof.
Software codes, either in its entirety or a part thereof, may be stored in a computer readable medium or memory (e.g., as a ROM, for example a non-volatile memory such as flash memory, CD ROM, DVD ROM, Blu-rayTM, a semiconductor ROM, USB, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk). The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as partially compiled form, or in any other form.

[0020] It would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the system and components shown in Figures 1-5 may include components not shown in the drawings. For simplicity and clarity of the illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, are only schematic and are non-limiting of the elements structures. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of streetlight control, the method comprising:
detecting at a processor a dimming control signal from a receptacle of an light emitting diode (LED) streetlight fixture;
determining at the processor if the dimming control signal is a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal by detecting a DALI interrupt in the dimming control signal;
converting by the processor the DALI dimming signal when a DALI interrupt is detected to a control output to control an LED light driver of the streetlight fixture;
otherwise generating by the processor a pulse width modular (PWM) driver signal to an isolation section coupled to the receptacle wherein the isolation section provides a 0-10V analog dimming signal to an analog to digital convertor (ADC) of the processor in response to the PWM
driver signal and the processor converts the dimming control signal from the 0-10V analog dimming signal to the control output to control an LED light driver of the streetlight fixture.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein DALI commands are mapped to an arc level which is converted to the control output to be provided to the light driver.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein a pulse width modulator (PWM) provides a control signal to a transformer to allow the dimming control signal to be received by the ADC.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the control signal is mapped to a control output and provided to the LED light driver.

5. The method of claim 2 or 4 wherein the control output is generated by a PWM and converted by a digital to analog converter (DAC) and provided to the light driver.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a receptacle providing the control signal is an ANSI C136.41 interface capable of receiving 0-10V or DALI control devices.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 or 6 wherein the light driver accepts a 0-10V or PWM input for dimming.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a receptacle providing the dimming control signal has pads two or more dimming pads.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the PWM driver signal is at approximately 100 KHz.

10. A streetlight controller for a streetlight comprising:
an isolation section coupled to a receptacle of the streetlight for receiving a control signal from the receptacle that is either 0-10V dimming signal or a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) dimming signal the isolation section comprising:
a DALI circuit coupled to the control signal for processing DALI signals in the received control signal; and an isolation circuit coupled to the control signal having a transformer driven by a PWM driver signal and providing an analog output signal; and a processor connected to the isolation section, the processor for detecting if the control signal is a DALI dimming signal, where upon detecting a DALI interrupt from the DALI circuit from the isolation section, DALI
dimming signals are processed by the processor to generate a control output to a light emitting diode (LED) light driver of the streetlight otherwise the processor converts the control signal to the 0-10V
dimming signal by generating the PWM driver signal for the isolation circuit and receives an analog output 0-10V dimming signal from the isolation circuit with an analog to digital converter (ADC) wherein the processor generates a control output to the LED light driver of the streetlight based on the detected control signal.

11. The streetlight controller of claim 10 further comprising:
a dimmer output controlling section for converting the 0-10V or DALI control signal to a control output to control the light driver.

12. The streetlight controller of claims 10 or 11 wherein DALI commands are mapped by the processor to an arc level which is converted to the control output to be provided to the light driver.

13. The streetlight controller of claim 10 wherein the isolation circuit further comprises a transformer.

14. The streetlight controller of claim 13 wherein the control signal is mapped to a control output and provided to the light driver.

15. The streetlight controller of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the control output is generated by a PWM and converted by a digital to analog converter (DAC) and provided to the light driver.

16. The streetlight controller of claim 15 wherein the PWM driver signal is approximately 100 KHz.

17. The streetlight controller of any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the receptacle is an ANSI C136.41 interface capable of receiving 0-10V or DALI
control devices.

18. The streetlight controller of any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the receptacle provides two or more dimming pads for connecting to the 0-10V
or DALI control devices.

19. The streetlight controller of any one of claims 11 to 18 wherein the light driver accepts a 0-10V or PWM input for dimming.