EP4679625A1 - Wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire and lighting system - Google Patents

Wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire and lighting system

Info

Publication number
EP4679625A1
EP4679625A1 EP24187296.9A EP24187296A EP4679625A1 EP 4679625 A1 EP4679625 A1 EP 4679625A1 EP 24187296 A EP24187296 A EP 24187296A EP 4679625 A1 EP4679625 A1 EP 4679625A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wireless communication
communication module
housing
antenna
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP24187296.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Steffen Block
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Zumtobel Lighting GmbH Austria
Original Assignee
Zumtobel Lighting GmbH Austria
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zumtobel Lighting GmbH Austria filed Critical Zumtobel Lighting GmbH Austria
Priority to EP24187296.9A priority Critical patent/EP4679625A1/en
Publication of EP4679625A1 publication Critical patent/EP4679625A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/02—Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out ; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/40—Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/44—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna, e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspect

Definitions

  • the wireless communication module may be arranged on the outside surface of the housing facing the sky, i.e. on top of the housing of the street luminaire.
  • LEDs light emitting diodes
  • precipitation such as snow, ice etc.
  • Snow or ice may have a negative effect on the wireless communication ability of the wireless communication module, e.g. by causing attenuation (e.g. by reflection) of electromagnetic waves transmitted and/or received by the wireless communication module during the wireless communication.
  • heating elements in the form of electrical conductors could be arranged at the surface of a housing of the wireless communication module.
  • the wireless communication module such heating elements in the form of electrical conductors are not a good option, because the electrical conductors may form a Faraday cage preventing electromagnetic waves from an antenna inside the housing of the wireless communication module to pass through. This would prevent the initial function of the wireless communication module being the wireless communication.
  • the heating elements in the form of electrical conductors would have a greater negative effect on the wireless communication function of the wireless communication module compared to the presence of snow or ice on the top surface of the housing of the wireless communication module.
  • the antenna of the wireless communication module is used as a heating element, on one side the heat provided by the antenna (when operated as the heating element) may bring snow and ice to melt. This allows preventing or removing snow or ice accumulating on a housing of the wireless communication module and thus decreasing or preventing attenuation of the wireless communication using the antenna, especially of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the antenna, by the snow or ice. Since the antenna is used as the heating element, at the same time no Faraday cage is formed by separate heating elements, which would have a negative influence on the wireless communication using the antenna. Therefore, the wireless communication module is improved with regard to decreasing or preventing a negative effect of snow or ice on the wireless communication module.
  • the communication unit is configured to wireless communicate using radio signals. That is, the communication unit may be a radio communication unit.
  • a housing of the wireless communication module accommodates the heating unit and the communication unit, and the antenna is at least partly integrated in the housing and/or at least partly arranged on an surface of the housing.
  • Integrating at least a part of the antenna in the housing and/or arranging at least a part of the antenna on the surface (e.g. inside surface) of the housing allows heat being provided by the antenna when the antenna is operated as the heating element to be provided to the outside surface of the housing and, thus, causes snow and ice to melt away, when the snow and ice are present on the outside surface of the housing.
  • the passage “at least partly integrated” means “integrated or partly integrated”.
  • the passage “at least partly arranged” means “arranged or partly arranged”.
  • the housing of the wireless communication module may accommodate the antenna, the heating unit and the communication unit.
  • the antenna is arranged on an inside surface of the housing. That is, the surface of the housing, on which the antenna may be arranged, may be an inside surface.
  • an attachment part of the housing of the wireless communication module is configured to be attached on an outside surface of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire.
  • the antenna may be, outside the attachment part, at least partly integrated in the housing and/or at least partly arranged on the surface of the housing.
  • At least a part of the antenna is, inside the attachment part, at least partly integrated in the housing and/or arranged on an surface, optionally inside surface, of the housing.
  • the attachment part of the housing of the wireless communication module may be configured to be detachably attached on the outside surface of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in the installation state of the outdoor luminaire
  • the antenna is, at a part of the housing opposite to the attachment part, at least partly integrated in the housing and/or at least partly arranged on the surface of the housing.
  • the heating unit is configured to, in a heating state, operate the antenna as the heating element by providing an electrical current via an electrical path to the antenna, and the communication unit is configured to feed a signal to be transmitted by the antenna via the electrical path to the antenna.
  • the heating unit and communication unit are configured to provide the electrical current and the signal, respectively, via a common electrical path to the antenna.
  • the communication unit may be configured to modulate, in the heating state, the signal on the electrical current provided by the heating unit.
  • the communication unit comprises tuning means configured to compensate, in the heating state, the electrical current providable by the heating unit.
  • the heating unit and the communication unit are electrically connected with the electrical path.
  • the wireless communication module comprises a switch unit, and the heating unit and the communication unit are electrically connected via the switch unit with the electrical path.
  • the switch unit may be configured to in the heating state, allow the heating unit to provide the electrical current to the electrical path and prevent the communication unit from feeding the signal to the electrical path, and otherwise, allow the communication unit to feed the signal to the electrical path and prevent the heating unit from providing the electrical current to the electrical path.
  • the wireless communication module comprises a temperature sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on a housing of the wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the temperature.
  • the threshold for the temperature may be a temperature at which snow or ice may accumulate at a surface, such as the surface of the housing of the wireless communication module.
  • the wireless communication module comprises an optical sensor arranged inside a housing of the wireless communication module and configured to detect sunlight, the housing allowing the sunlight to pass through, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the sunlight detected by the optical sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the sunlight.
  • the wireless communication module comprises an infrared sensor arranged inside a housing of the wireless communication module and configured to detect infrared radiation, the housing allowing the infrared radiation to pass through, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the infrared radiation detected by the infrared sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation.
  • Snow or ice has an attenuating effect on infrared radiation and, thus, the thicker the layer of snow or ice on the housing (i.e. the greater the amount) the less infrared radiation may pass through the snow/ice and the housing to the inside of the housing and the less infrared radiation may be detected by the infrared sensor; and vice versa.
  • This allows determining whether snow or ice has accumulated on the outside of the housing of the wireless communication module and, thus, a time during which the antenna should be operated as the heating element in order to reduce, especially remove, the accumulation of snow and/or ice on the housing of the wireless communication module.
  • the threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna, optionally preventing the wireless communication.
  • the wireless communication module comprises an humidity sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on a housing of the wireless communication module and configured to detect humidity outside the housing, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the humidity.
  • the threshold for the amount of the humidity may be selected such that an amount of humidity equaling the threshold indicates that snow or ice may occur and, thus, may accumulate on the outside of the housing.
  • the threshold for the amount of the light or infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of light or infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna, optionally preventing the wireless communication.
  • This type of active detection i.e. radiating radiation and detecting an amount of the radiated radiation being reflected back by snow or ice
  • the wireless communication module is configured to control, in dependence of detection results of the sensor(s), at least one of an amplitude of the electrical current, a time during which the heating unit provides the electrical current and intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current.
  • the wireless communication unit may comprise a control unit for controlling function(s) of the wireless communication module, e.g. wireless communication function, operation of the antenna as heating element (i.e. heating function), etc., and components of the wireless communication unit, e.g. heating unit, communication unit, optional switch unit etc.
  • the control unit may be or may comprise at least one of a controller, microcontroller, processor, microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.
  • a lighting system comprising a housing of an outdoor luminaire that accommodates a light source, and a wireless communication module according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the outdoor luminaire is a street luminaire.
  • An attachment part of a housing of the wireless communication module is configured to be attached on an outside surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire.
  • the attachment part of the housing of the wireless communication module may be configured to be detachably attached on the outside surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in the installation state of the outdoor luminaire.
  • the lighting system according to the second aspect achieves the same advantages as the wireless communication module according to the first aspect.
  • FIGs. corresponding elements have the same reference signs.
  • the proportions and dimensions of the elements shown in the FIGs. do not represent the wireless communication module and outdoor luminaire to scale, but are merely chosen to describe the structure and function of the wireless communication module and outdoor luminaire.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communication module and a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the wireless communication module of FIG. 1 is an example of the wireless communication module according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the description of the wireless communication module according to the first aspect is valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 1 .
  • the lighting system of FIG. 1 is an example of the lighting system according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the description of the lighting system according to the second aspect is valid for the lighting system of FIG. 1 .
  • the wireless communication module 10 of FIG. 1 is a wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire 20. That is, the wireless communication module 10 may be arranged on an outside surface of the luminaire 20 in order to provide a wireless communication function to the luminaire 20, i.e. allowing the outdoor luminaire 20 to wirelessly communicate with outside entities, such as other luminaires.
  • an attachment part of a housing of the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached (optionally, detachably attached) on an outside surface 21a of a housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20, wherein the housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20 accommodates a light source (e.g.
  • the outdoor luminaire is optionally a street luminaire.
  • the housing 21 of the luminaire 20 comprising the light source 22 may be arranged by a pole 23 over ground such that the light source 22 emits light in the direction of the ground, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the dashed lines.
  • the shape of the wireless communication module 10 and outdoor luminaire 20 schematically shown in FIG. 1 is only by way of example and may be differently. That is, the wireless communication module 10 and the outdoor luminaire 20 is not limited to a specific shape.
  • the wireless communication module 10 comprises an antenna 11 for the wireless communication, a heating unit 12 that is configured to operate the antenna 11 as a heating element, and a communication unit 13 that is configured to wirelessly communicate using the antenna 11.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may counter, e.g. remove or prevent, ice or snow to accumulate on an outside surface of its housing, when being installed at the outdoor luminaire 20, especially on the outside surface 21a of the housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20. This allows, decreasing or preventing an negative effect of the ice and snow on the wireless communication of the wireless communication module 10, such as an attenuation by snow or ice of electromagnetic waves transmitted or received by the antenna 11.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise a control unit (not shown in FIG. 1 ) that may be or may comprise at least one of a controller, microcontroller, processor, microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.
  • the control unit may be arranged inside the housing of the wireless communication module 10.
  • the control unit may be a separate component or may be part of the heating unit 12 and/or communication unit 13.
  • the control unit may be configured to control function(s) of the wireless communication module 10, e.g. wireless communication function, operation of the antenna 11 as heating element (i.e. heating function), etc., and components of the wireless communication unit, e.g. heating unit 12, communication unit 13, optional switch unit 15 (see FIG. 3 ), optional switch unit 16 (see FIG. 3 ) etc.
  • the antenna 11 may comprise one or more electrically conducting elements that allow electrical current to flow through it and that heat up when electrical current flows through it. The greater the electrical current flowing through the antenna 11 the greater is the heat provided by the antenna and vice versa.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific antenna type.
  • the heating unit 12 may be configured to provide an electrical current, e.g. direct current, in order to operate the antenna 11 as a heating element.
  • the heating unit 12 may be configured to set or change the amount of heat provided by the antenna 11 by setting or changing the amount of electrical current flowing through the antenna 11 being operated by the heating unit 12 as the heating element.
  • the heating unit 12 may comprise or may be a current source configured to provide a variable current, e.g. variable direct current.
  • the heating unit 12 is not limited to a specific implementation form and, thus, may be implemented in any way for achieving its function describe herein.
  • the communication unit 13 may be configured to feed signals to the antenna 11 in order to be transmitted by the antenna 11 in the form of electromagnetic waves and obtain signals being received by the antenna 11 in the form of electromagnetic waves.
  • the aforementioned signals may be referred herein as "antenna signals".
  • the communication unit 13 is configured to feed radio signals to the antenna 11 in order to be transmitted by the antenna 11 in the form of radio waves and obtain radio signals being received by the antenna 11 in the form of radio waves.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be a radio communication module that is configured to communicate using radio signals and radio waves.
  • the length of the antenna 11 may be a multiple of half the wave length of the electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio waves) with which the wireless communication unit 10, especially the communication unit 13, is configured to wirelessly communicate.
  • the wireless communication module 10, especially the communication unit 13 and antenna 11, may be configured to wirelessly communicate according to any communication standard and protocol.
  • the wireless communication module 10, especially communication unit 13 and antenna 11, may be configured to wireless communicate according to at least one of wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, Zigbee etc.
  • WLAN wireless local area network
  • Bluetooth Zigbee etc.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific implementation of the communication unit 13.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific type of wireless communication.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached (i.e. installed) on the outdoor luminaire 20 such that it is electrically connected with the outdoor luminaire 20 in order to obtain and provide information from/to the outdoor luminaire 20 and, thus, allowing the outdoor luminaire 20 to wirelessly communicate using the wireless communication module 10 with outside.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be electrically supplied from the luminaire 20 when being attached to the luminaire 20.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise an electrical energy storage (optional rechargeable) for supplying its components with electrical energy.
  • the electrical energy storage may be a battery, optional rechargeable battery.
  • the wireless communication module 10 is not limited to a specific implementation form with regard to its electrical energy supply.
  • the wireless communication module 10 is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected with a socket on an outside surface of the outdoor luminaire (e.g. outdoor surface 21a of the housing 21 of the luminaire 20) in order to be attached (e.g. detachably attached) to the luminaire 20 and thereby provide a wireless communication function to the luminaire 20.
  • the socket may be a socket according to the Zhaga standard, i.e. a Zhaga socket.
  • the Zhaga standard is well known in the field of lighting and, thus, no further details are provided with regard thereto.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific way of mechanically and electrically connecting the wireless communication module 10 with the outdoor luminaire 20 when being attached to the outdoor luminaire 20.
  • the wireless communication module 10 and the housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20 accommodating the light source 22 may form a lighting system 100.
  • This lighting system 100 is an example of the lighting system according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the description of the lighting system 100 of the second aspect is valid for the lighting system 100 of FIG. 1 .
  • the outdoor luminaire 20 is a street luminaire, wherein the housing 21 accommodating the light source 22 is the head part of the street luminaire that is attached to a pole 23 of the street luminaire.
  • the outdoor luminaire may be a different outdoor luminaire type.
  • the street luminaire may be a different street luminaire type, e.g. a street luminaire where the housing 21 is attached by one or more cables over ground. That is, the present invention is not limited to a specific type of outdoor luminaire.
  • wireless communication module 10 is described in the following with regard to Figures 2 to 4 .
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1 .
  • the description of FIG. 1 is valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 2 and in the following mainly optional features of the wireless communication module of FIG. 2 are described.
  • a housing 10a of the wireless communication module 11 may accommodate the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13.
  • the antenna 11 may be integrated in the housing 10a, i.e. may be part of the housing.
  • the antenna 11 may be partly integrated in the housing 10a, i.e. a part of the antenna 11 may be integrated in the housing 10a (not shown in FIG. 2 ). That is, the antenna 11 may be at least partly integrated in the housing 10a.
  • the antenna 11 may be arranged on an surface of the housing 10a (not shown in FIG. 2 ). The surface may be an inside surface s2 of the housing 10a or an outside surface s1 of the housing 10a.
  • the antenna 11 may be arranged partly on the inside surface s2 and partly on the outside surface s1 of the housing 10a.
  • the antenna 11 may be partly arranged on the surface of the housing 10a, i.e. a part of the antenna 11 may be arranged on the surface of the housing 10a (not shown in FIG. 2 ). That is, the antenna 11 may be at least partly arranged on the surface of the housing 10a.
  • the antenna 11 may be partly integrated in the housing 10a and partly arranged on the surface (e.g. the inside surface s2 and/or outside surface s1) of the housing 10a. That is, the antenna 11 may be at least partly integrated in the housing 10a and/or at least partly arranged on the surface (e.g. inside surface s2 and/or outside surface s1) of the housing 10a.
  • an example of an attachment part p1 of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module is indicated by the dashed square.
  • the dimensions of the attachment part p1 is only by way of example and may be different.
  • the attachment part p1 of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached on an outside surface 21a of the outdoor luminaire 20 that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire 20.
  • the antenna 11 may be, outside the attachment part p1, at least partly integrated in the housing 10a (according to FIG. 2 the antenna optionally integrated in the housing 10a).
  • the antenna 11 may be, outside the attachment part p1, at least partly arranged on the surface (e.g.
  • the antenna 11 may be arranged at the housing 10a (e.g. integrated in the housing 10a and/or arranged on a surface of the housing 10a) at a part of the housing 10a that is different to the attachment part p1 of the housing 10a.
  • the shape of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module and the shape of the antenna 11 is only by way of example and, thus, may be implemented differently.
  • the heating unit 12 is configured to, in a heating state, operate the antenna 11 as the heating element by providing an electrical current via an electrical path 14 to the antenna 11.
  • the communication unit 13 is configured to feed a signal to be transmitted by the antenna 11 via the electrical path 14 to the antenna 11.
  • the antenna 11 is configured to transmit the signal (fed from the communication unit 13) in the form of electromagnetic waves, optionally radio waves.
  • the heating state of the wireless communication module 10 may be understood as an operation state during which the heating unit 12 operates the antenna 11 as the heating element so that heat provided by the operation of the antenna 11 as the heating element allows preventing or removing an accumulation of snow or ice on the outside surface s1 of the housing 10a. Since the antenna 11 provides as the heating element the heat this is performed at a part of the outside surface s1 of the housing 10a in a main direction of transmission of electromagnetic waves by the antenna 11, ensuring that the electromagnetic waves and, thus the wireless communication are not attenuated by snow or ice. That is, snow or ice is prevent or removed at the part of the housing 10a via which the wireless communication by the antenna 11 and, thus, the electromagnetic waves used for said wireless communication pass through.
  • the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13 are electrically connected with the electrical path 14. That is, the heating unit 12 may directly provide the electrical current to the electrical path 14 and, thus, via the electrical path 14 to antenna 11. Accordingly, the communication unit 13 may directly provide the signal (e.g. radio signal) to the electrical path 14 and, thus, via the electrical path 14 to the antenna 11. That is, the communication unit 13 may directly provide the signal to be wirelessly transmitted via the antenna 11 to the electrical path 14 and, thus via the electrical path to the antenna 11.
  • the signal e.g. radio signal
  • the communication unit 13 may feed signals (e.g. radio signals) to be transmitted by the antenna 11 in the form of electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio waves) via the electrical path 14 to the antenna 11, while the wireless communication module 10 is in the heating state (i.e. while the heating unit 12 provides via the same electrical path 14 the electrical current (e.g. direct current) to the antenna 1 for operating the antenna 11 as the heating element).
  • the communication unit 13 may comprise tuning means 13a configured to compensate, in the heating state, the electrical current providable by the heating unit 12. That is, the tuning means 13a are configured to compensate the electrical current depending on whether the heating unit operates the antenna 11 as the hating element and, thus, provides the electrical current, or not. As shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 3 An optional implementation with regard to how the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 23 may be coupled to the antenna 11 that is different to the optional implementation of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the attachment part p1 of the housing 10 may be configured to be mechanically and electrically connected with a socket on an outside surface of the outdoor luminaire 20.
  • the attachment part p1 of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached (i.e. installed) on the outdoor luminaire 20 such that it is electrically connected with the outdoor luminaire 20 in order to obtain and provide information from/to the outdoor luminaire 20 and, thus, allowing the outdoor luminaire 20 to wirelessly communicate using the wireless communication module 10 with outside.
  • the attachment may be a detachable attachment.
  • FIG. 3 shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1 .
  • the wireless communication module corresponds to the wireless communication module of FIG. 2 , wherein the heating unit and communication unit are differently electrically connected with the antenna compared to the implementation form of FIG. 2 .
  • the description of FIGs. 1 and 2 is correspondingly valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 3 and in the following mainly the differences of the wireless communication module of FIG. 3 compared to the wireless communication module of FIG. 2 are described.
  • the wireless communication module 10 comprises a switch unit 15.
  • the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13 are electrically connected via the switch unit 15 with the electrical path 14.
  • the switch unit 15 is configured to, in the heating state, allow the heating unit 12 to provide the electrical current to the electrical path 14 and prevent the communication unit 13 from feeding the signal to the electrical path 14. This is shown on the right side of FIG. 3 .
  • the switch unit 15 is configured to, in the heating state, electrically connect the heating unit 12 with the common electrical path 14 and disconnect the communication unit 13 from the common electrical path 14.
  • the switch unit 15 is configured to, otherwise (i.e.
  • the switch unit 15 is configured to, otherwise (i.e. when the heating state is not present), electrically connect the communication unit 13 with the electrical path 14 and disconnect the heating unit 12 from the electrical path 14.
  • the state of the wireless communication module 10 outside the heating state i.e. when the heating state is not present
  • the switch unit 15 is configured to electrically connect one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 with the electrical path 14 and, thus, the antenna 11 while disconnecting the other one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 from the electrical path and, thus, antenna 11. Which one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 is connected by the switch unit 15 with the electrical path 14 while the other one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 is disconnected by the switch unit 15 from the electrical path 14 depends on whether the heating state is present or not (i.e. whether the heating state or the communication state is present).
  • the switch unit 15 may comprise or be implemented by one or more semiconductor switches, such as one or more transistors.
  • the switch unit 15 is not limited to a specific implementation form and, thus, may be implemented by any means known in the art.
  • one terminal of the heating unit 12 may be electrically connected via the switch unit 15 with the electrical path 14 and, thus, one end of the antenna 11, and a second terminal of the heating unit 12 may be electrically connected via an additional switch unit 16 to the other end of the antenna 11, as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the switch unit 16 is configured to be in the conducting state during the heating state and in the non-conducting state otherwise (i.e. during the communication state).
  • This optional additional switch unit 16 for providing a closed circuit and, thus, current flow from the heating unit 12 to the antenna 11 may allow reducing or preventing a disturbance of the wireless communication of the communication unit 13 via the antenna by a remainder of electrical current flow after the heating state ended and the switch unit 15 disconnects the heating unit 12 from and connects the communication unit 13 to the antenna 11.
  • the optional additional switch unit 16 may comprise or be implemented by one or more semiconductor switches, such as one or more transistors.
  • the switch unit 16 is not limited to a specific implementation form and, thus, may be implemented by any means known in the art.
  • the switch unit 15 and the optional additional switch unit 16 may be controlled by the control unit of the wireless communication unit 10.
  • the wireless communication module 10 being in the heating state and, thus, the heating unit 12 operating the antenna 11 as the heating element may be controlled by the wireless communication module 10, especially its control unit, in dependence on detection results of one or more sensor(s) of the wireless communication module 10.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise a temperature sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10, and the wireless communication module 11 may be configured to be in the heating state in case a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the temperature.
  • the threshold for the temperature may be a temperature at which snow or ice may accumulate at a surface, such as the surface of the housing of the wireless communication module.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific type of temperature sensor and, thus, the temperature sensor may be implemented in any known way.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise an optical sensor arranged inside the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 and configured to detect sunlight, the housing 10a allowing the sunlight to pass through.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the sunlight detected by the optical sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the sunlight.
  • the threshold for the amount of the sunlight may be selected such that an amount of sunlight equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna 11, optionally preventing the wireless communication.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific type of optical sensor and, thus, the optical sensor may be implemented in any known way. The smaller the amount of the sunlight detected by the optical sensor the greater the amount of snow or ice and vice versa.
  • the optical sensor allows detecting ice on the outside surface of the house 10a.
  • the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit may be configured to, in case the amount of detected sunlight is greater than or equal to the threshold, determine that ice is present on the surface and, thus, adapt the heating state accordingly. For example, at least one of the following may be done: the amplitude of the electrical current provided by the heating unit 12 may be increased, the time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current may be increased and intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current in the heating state, may be made shorter (i.e. the electrical current may be provided more often).
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise an infrared sensor arranged inside the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 and configured to detect infrared radiation, the housing 10a allowing the infrared radiation to pass through.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the infrared radiation detected by the infrared sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation.
  • the threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna 11, optionally preventing the wireless communication.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific type of infrared sensor and, thus, the infrared sensor may be implemented in any known way.
  • the infrared sensor allows detecting ice on the outside surface of the house 10a.
  • the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit may be configured to, in case the amount of detected infrared radiation is greater than or equal to the threshold, determine that ice is present on the surface and, thus, adapt the heating state accordingly.
  • the amplitude of the electrical current provided by the heating unit 12 may be increased, the time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current may be increased and intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current, may be made shorter (i.e. the electrical current may be provided more often).
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprises an humidity sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 and configured to detect humidity outside the housing 10.
  • the humidity may be relative humidity.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the humidity.
  • the threshold for the amount of the humidity may be selected such that an amount of humidity equaling the threshold indicates that snow or ice may occur and, thus, may accumulate on the outside of the housing 10a.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific type of humidity sensor and, thus, the humidity sensor may be implemented in any known way.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise a radiator 17 for radiating radiation of at least one of light and infrared radiation and a sensor 18 for detecting the radiation, which are arranged in the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 such that the radiation radiated by the radiator 17 is reflectable by snow or ice 200 onto the sensor 18 for detecting the radiation when the snow or ice is present on an outside surface of the housing 10a, the housing 10a allowing the radiation to pass through.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the radiation detected by the sensor 18 for radiation is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of radiation.
  • the threshold for the amount of the light or infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of light or infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice 200 that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna 11, optionally preventing the wireless communication.
  • the present invention is not limited to a specific type of radiator 17 and sensor 18 for detecting the radiation of the radiator and, thus, the radiator 17 and sensor 18 for detecting the radiation of the radiator may be implemented in any known way. The greater the amount of light or infrared radiation detected by the sensor 18 for radiation the greater the amount of snow or ice and vice versa.
  • the wireless communication module 10 optionally comprises at least one of the temperature sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, the humidity sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18.
  • the wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit may be configured to control, in dependence of detection results of the sensor(s), at least one of an amplitude of the electrical current providable by the heating unit 12 to the antenna 11, a time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current and intervals, with which the heating the heating unit provides the electrical current.
  • the wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit may be configured to evaluate the detection results of the sensor(s) to estimate an amount of snow or ice on the outside surface of the housing 10a.
  • the wireless communication module 13, optional its control unit may be configured to control the amplitude of the electrical current providable by the heating unit 12 to the antenna 11 such that the greater the amount of snow or ice the greater the electrical current and vice versa.
  • the wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit may be configured to control the time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current such that the greater the amount of snow or ice the greater the time (i.e. the longer the time) during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current and vice versa.
  • the time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current may be the time during which the wireless communication module 10 is in the heating state or a part of said time.
  • the wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit may be configured to control the intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current such that the greater the amount of snow or ice the shorter the intervals (i.e. the more often the electrical current is provided in the heating state) and vice versa.
  • the intervals may be achieved by switching the switch unit 15 between its two states wherein in one state the switch unit 15 connects the heating unit 12 with the electrical path 14 and in the other state the switch unit 15 connects the communication unit 13 with the electrical path 14.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise the humidity sensor and at least one of the temperature sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18.
  • the wireless communication module 10 optionally its control unit, determines based on the detection results of the at least one of the temperature sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18 that snow or ice is present on the outside surface of the housing 10a and thus the wireless communication module is to be in the heating state, e.g. is to be switched to the heating state, the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, may evaluate the detection result of the humidity sensor.
  • the wireless communication module is configured such that, in case the detection result of the humidity sensor indicates that the amount of humidity is smaller than the threshold for the humidity, the wireless communication module does not start or switch to the heating state (although the detection results of the at least one other sensor indicates that this should be done). Namely, in case the amount of humidity is smaller than the threshold, snow or ice cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a or cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a in an amount effecting the wireless communication (depending on how the threshold is set).
  • the wireless communication module 10 may comprise the temperature sensor and at least one of the humidity sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18.
  • the wireless communication module 10 optionally its control unit, determines based on the detection results of the at least one of the humidity sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18 that snow or ice is present on the outside surface of the housing 10a and thus the wireless communication module 10 is to be in the heating state, e.g. is to be switched to the heating state, the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, may evaluate the detection result of the temperature sensor.
  • the wireless communication module 10 is configured such that, in case the detection result of the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is greater than the threshold for the temperature, the wireless communication module 10 does not start or switch to the heating state (although the detection results of the at least one other sensor indicates that this should be done). Namely, in case the amount of temperature is greater than the threshold, snow or ice cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a or cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a in an amount effecting the wireless communication (depending on how the threshold is set).
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to obtain detection result(s) of sensor(s), such as one or more of the above described sensors, from outside (e.g. from the outdoor luminaire on which the wireless communication module 10 may be attached), and be in the heating state depending on the detection result(s) and perform the heating state depending on the detection results(s).
  • the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to obtain control information from outside (e.g. from the outdoor luminaire on which the wireless communication module 10 may be attached) and is in the heating state depending on the obtained control information and performs the heating state depending on the control information.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may obtain information, such as detection result(s) of one or more sensors and/or control information, via its antenna 11.
  • the wireless communication module may control the heating state depending on locally determined parameters, such as temperature, current time, current day of the week etc.
  • the wireless communication module e.g. its control unit, may obtain information for controlling the heating state from outside, e.g. from the internet. Such information may comprise amount of precipitation within a certain time period, weather forecast, current time, day of the week etc.
  • the wireless communication module 10 may switch the switch unit 15 between its two states in order to achieve the intervals, with which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1 .
  • the description of FIG. 1 is valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 1 .
  • the heating unit and communication unit of the wireless communication module of FIG. 4 may be implemented, especially electrically connected with the antenna, as described with regard to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 .
  • the description of FIGs. 2 and 3 may be valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 4 , especially its heating unit and communication unit.
  • the invention proposes a wireless communication module with an antenna, wherein the antenna has two functions.
  • a first function of the antenna is the wireless communication, i.e. transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio waves).
  • a second function of the antenna is the function of an heating element for heating the housing of the wireless communication module in order to prevent snow or ice accumulating on the outside surface of the housing, which accumulation can attenuate the wireless communication via the antenna.

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Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless communication module (10) for an outdoor luminaire (20), optionally street luminaire. The wireless communication module (10) comprises an antenna (11) for the wireless communication, a heating unit (12) that is configured to operate the antenna (11) as a heating element, and a communication unit (10) that is configured to wirelessly communicate using the antenna (11). In addition, a lighting system (100) is provided. The lighting system comprises a housing (21) of an outdoor luminaire (20), optionally street luminaire, that accommodates a light source (22), and such a wireless communication module (10). An attachment part (p1) of a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be attached on an outside surface (21a) of the housing (21) of the outdoor luminaire (20) that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire (20).

Description

  • The present invention relates to a wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire, optionally street luminaire, and to a lighting system comprising a housing of an outdoor luminaire and such wireless communication module.
  • An outdoor luminaire, such as a street luminaire, may comprise a wireless communication module allowing the outdoor luminaire to wireless communicate with other entities, such as one or more other outdoor luminaires of which at least one outdoor luminaire is arranged within a wireless communication range of the outdoor luminaire. The wireless communication module may be arranged on an outside surface of a housing of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in the installation state of the outdoor luminaire. Such outside surface may be referred to as top surface of the outdoor luminaire. That is, the wireless communication module may be arranged on the top surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire. For example, in case the outdoor luminaire is a street luminaire comprising a housing, which accommodates a light source (e.g. one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)) and which may be arranged over ground (e.g. the street) by a pole, the wireless communication module may be arranged on the outside surface of the housing facing the sky, i.e. on top of the housing of the street luminaire.
  • Thus, precipitation, such as snow, ice etc., may accumulate on the wireless communication module being arranged on the top surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire. Snow or ice may have a negative effect on the wireless communication ability of the wireless communication module, e.g. by causing attenuation (e.g. by reflection) of electromagnetic waves transmitted and/or received by the wireless communication module during the wireless communication.
  • For preventing snow or ice to accumulate on the top surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire and, thus, cover the wireless communication module being arranged on the top surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire, heating elements in the form of electrical conductors could be arranged at the surface of a housing of the wireless communication module. For the wireless communication module, such heating elements in the form of electrical conductors are not a good option, because the electrical conductors may form a Faraday cage preventing electromagnetic waves from an antenna inside the housing of the wireless communication module to pass through. This would prevent the initial function of the wireless communication module being the wireless communication. Thus, the heating elements in the form of electrical conductors would have a greater negative effect on the wireless communication function of the wireless communication module compared to the presence of snow or ice on the top surface of the housing of the wireless communication module.
  • Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication module that is improved with regard to decreasing or preventing a negative effect of snow or ice on the wireless communication module. It is in particular an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication module for being arranged on the top surface of a housing of an outdoor luminaire, the wireless communication module allowing a wireless communication regardless of whether precipitation, such as snow or ice, is present on the top surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire.
  • These and other objects, which become apparent upon reading the following description, are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.
  • According to a first aspect of the invention, a wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire is provided. The outdoor luminaire is optionally a street luminaire. The wireless communication module comprises an antenna for the wireless communication, a heating unit that is configured to operate the antenna as a heating element, and a communication unit that is configured to wirelessly communicate using the antenna.
  • Since the antenna of the wireless communication module is used as a heating element, on one side the heat provided by the antenna (when operated as the heating element) may bring snow and ice to melt. This allows preventing or removing snow or ice accumulating on a housing of the wireless communication module and thus decreasing or preventing attenuation of the wireless communication using the antenna, especially of the electromagnetic waves radiated by the antenna, by the snow or ice. Since the antenna is used as the heating element, at the same time no Faraday cage is formed by separate heating elements, which would have a negative influence on the wireless communication using the antenna. Therefore, the wireless communication module is improved with regard to decreasing or preventing a negative effect of snow or ice on the wireless communication module.
  • Optionally, the communication unit is configured to wireless communicate using radio signals. That is, the communication unit may be a radio communication unit.
  • Optionally a housing of the wireless communication module accommodates the heating unit and the communication unit, and the antenna is at least partly integrated in the housing and/or at least partly arranged on an surface of the housing.
  • Integrating at least a part of the antenna in the housing and/or arranging at least a part of the antenna on the surface (e.g. inside surface) of the housing allows heat being provided by the antenna when the antenna is operated as the heating element to be provided to the outside surface of the housing and, thus, causes snow and ice to melt away, when the snow and ice are present on the outside surface of the housing.
  • The passage "at least partly integrated" means "integrated or partly integrated". The passage "at least partly arranged" means "arranged or partly arranged". Alternatively, the housing of the wireless communication module may accommodate the antenna, the heating unit and the communication unit. Optionally, the antenna is arranged on an inside surface of the housing. That is, the surface of the housing, on which the antenna may be arranged, may be an inside surface.
  • Herein, the terms "outside surface" and "outer surface" may be used as synonyms, and the terms "inside surface" and "inner surface" may be used as synonyms.
  • Optionally, an attachment part of the housing of the wireless communication module is configured to be attached on an outside surface of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire. The antenna may be, outside the attachment part, at least partly integrated in the housing and/or at least partly arranged on the surface of the housing.
  • This has the advantage, that heat being provided by the antenna when the antenna is operated as the heating element is provided to an outside surface of the wireless communication module, on which snow and ice may accumulate. That is, heat loss in the direction of the attachment part of the housing of the wireless communication module may be reduced.
  • Optionally, at least a part of the antenna is, inside the attachment part, at least partly integrated in the housing and/or arranged on an surface, optionally inside surface, of the housing. The attachment part of the housing of the wireless communication module may be configured to be detachably attached on the outside surface of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in the installation state of the outdoor luminaire
  • Optionally, the antenna is, at a part of the housing opposite to the attachment part, at least partly integrated in the housing and/or at least partly arranged on the surface of the housing.
  • Optionally, the heating unit is configured to, in a heating state, operate the antenna as the heating element by providing an electrical current via an electrical path to the antenna, and the communication unit is configured to feed a signal to be transmitted by the antenna via the electrical path to the antenna.
  • This allows a common electrical path to be used for providing electrical current to the antenna in order to operate the antenna as the heating element, and feeding the signal to be transmitted to the antenna in order to use the antenna for the wireless communication of the signal (i.e. performing the function of wireless communication by the wireless communication module).
  • In other words, the heating unit and communication unit are configured to provide the electrical current and the signal, respectively, via a common electrical path to the antenna. The communication unit may be configured to modulate, in the heating state, the signal on the electrical current provided by the heating unit.
  • Optionally, the communication unit comprises tuning means configured to compensate, in the heating state, the electrical current providable by the heating unit.
  • This allows decreasing or compensating an effect of the electrical current providable by the heating unit on the wireless communication using the antenna of the wireless communication module and, thus, has a positive effect on the function of wireless communication of the wireless communication module.
  • Optionally, the heating unit and the communication unit are electrically connected with the electrical path.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module comprises a switch unit, and the heating unit and the communication unit are electrically connected via the switch unit with the electrical path. The switch unit may be configured to in the heating state, allow the heating unit to provide the electrical current to the electrical path and prevent the communication unit from feeding the signal to the electrical path, and otherwise, allow the communication unit to feed the signal to the electrical path and prevent the heating unit from providing the electrical current to the electrical path.
  • This allows preventing an impact of the electrical current, which providable by the heating unit to the antenna, on the signal being fed by the communication unit to the antenna for being wirelessly communicated by the antenna. That is, this allows preventing the heating function of the antenna (when being operated by the heating unit as the heating element) to have an effect on the wireless communication function of the antenna.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module comprises a temperature sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on a housing of the wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the temperature.
  • This allows determining whether an accumulation of snow or ice is possible on the wireless communication module and, thus, a time during which the antenna should be operated as the heating element in order to prevent an accumulation of snow and/or ice on the housing of the wireless communication module. The threshold for the temperature may be a temperature at which snow or ice may accumulate at a surface, such as the surface of the housing of the wireless communication module.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module comprises an optical sensor arranged inside a housing of the wireless communication module and configured to detect sunlight, the housing allowing the sunlight to pass through, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the sunlight detected by the optical sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the sunlight.
  • Snow or ice has an attenuating effect on sunlight and, thus, the thicker the layer of snow or ice on the housing (i.e. the greater the amount) the less sunlight may pass through the snow/ice and the housing to the inside of the housing and the less sunlight may be detected by the optical sensor; and vice versa. This allows determining whether snow or ice has accumulated on the outside of the housing of the wireless communication module and, thus, a time during which the antenna should be operated as the heating element in order to reduce, especially remove, the accumulation of snow and/or ice on the housing of the wireless communication module. The threshold for the amount of the sunlight may be selected such that an amount of sunlight equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna, optionally preventing the wireless communication.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module comprises an infrared sensor arranged inside a housing of the wireless communication module and configured to detect infrared radiation, the housing allowing the infrared radiation to pass through, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the infrared radiation detected by the infrared sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation.
  • Snow or ice has an attenuating effect on infrared radiation and, thus, the thicker the layer of snow or ice on the housing (i.e. the greater the amount) the less infrared radiation may pass through the snow/ice and the housing to the inside of the housing and the less infrared radiation may be detected by the infrared sensor; and vice versa. This allows determining whether snow or ice has accumulated on the outside of the housing of the wireless communication module and, thus, a time during which the antenna should be operated as the heating element in order to reduce, especially remove, the accumulation of snow and/or ice on the housing of the wireless communication module. The threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna, optionally preventing the wireless communication.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module comprises an humidity sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on a housing of the wireless communication module and configured to detect humidity outside the housing, and the wireless communication module is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the humidity.
  • In the case of precipitation, e.g. snow or ice, there is a minimum humidity present. This allows determining whether it is possible that snow or ice has accumulated on the outside of the housing of the wireless communication module and, thus, a time during which the antenna should be operated as the heating element in order to reduce, especially remove, the accumulation of snow and/or ice on the housing of the wireless communication module. For example, in case no snow or ice is possible due to a too low humidity, there is no need of the antenna being operated as the heating element to counter snow or ice. The threshold for the amount of the humidity may be selected such that an amount of humidity equaling the threshold indicates that snow or ice may occur and, thus, may accumulate on the outside of the housing.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module comprises a radiator for radiating radiation of at least one of light and infrared radiation and a sensor for detecting the radiation, which are arranged in a housing of the wireless communication module such that the radiation radiated by the radiator is reflectable by snow or ice onto the sensor for detecting the radiation when the snow or ice is present on an outside surface of the housing, the housing allowing the radiation to pass through. The wireless communication module may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the radiation detected by the sensor for radiation is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of radiation.
  • Snow or ice has an reflecting effect on radiation, such as light and infrared radiation and, thus, the thicker the layer of snow or ice on the housing (i.e. the greater the amount) the greater the light or infrared radiation being reflected by the snow/ice and the more light or infrared radiation may be detected by the sensor; and vice versa. This allows determining whether snow or ice has accumulated on the outside of the housing of the wireless communication module and, thus, a time during which the antenna should be operated as the heating element in order to reduce, especially remove, the accumulation of snow and/or ice on the housing of the wireless communication module. The threshold for the amount of the light or infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of light or infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna, optionally preventing the wireless communication. This type of active detection (i.e. radiating radiation and detecting an amount of the radiated radiation being reflected back by snow or ice) may be performed irrespective of whether sunlight is present or not and, thus, also during the night. Therefore, this allows determining whether ice or snow is present on the outside surface of the housing at night, when there is not sunlight, or at very cloudy days, when there is only little sunlight.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module is configured to control, in dependence of detection results of the sensor(s), at least one of an amplitude of the electrical current, a time during which the heating unit provides the electrical current and intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current.
  • The wireless communication unit may comprise a control unit for controlling function(s) of the wireless communication module, e.g. wireless communication function, operation of the antenna as heating element (i.e. heating function), etc., and components of the wireless communication unit, e.g. heating unit, communication unit, optional switch unit etc. The control unit may be or may comprise at least one of a controller, microcontroller, processor, microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.
  • In order to achieve the wireless communication module according to the first aspect of the invention, some or all of the above described optional features may be combined with each other.
  • According to a second aspect of the invention, a lighting system is provided. The lighting system comprising a housing of an outdoor luminaire that accommodates a light source, and a wireless communication module according to the first aspect of the invention. Optionally, the outdoor luminaire is a street luminaire. An attachment part of a housing of the wireless communication module is configured to be attached on an outside surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire.
  • The attachment part of the housing of the wireless communication module may be configured to be detachably attached on the outside surface of the housing of the outdoor luminaire that faces the sky in the installation state of the outdoor luminaire The above description with regard to the wireless communication module according to the first aspect of the invention is correspondingly valid for the lighting system according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • The lighting system according to the second aspect achieves the same advantages as the wireless communication module according to the first aspect.
  • In order to achieve the lighting system according to the second aspect of the invention, some or all of the above described optional features may be combined with each other.
  • All steps which are performed by the various entities described in the present application as well as the functionalities described to be performed by the various entities are intended to mean that the respective entity is adapted to or configured to perform the respective steps and functionalities.
  • In the following, the invention is described exemplarily with reference to the enclosed figures (FIGs.), in which
    • FIG. 1
    shows an example of a wireless communication module and a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention;
    FIG. 2
    shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1;
    FIG. 3
    shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1; and
    FIG. 4
    shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1.
  • In the figures (FIGs.), corresponding elements have the same reference signs. The proportions and dimensions of the elements shown in the FIGs. do not represent the wireless communication module and outdoor luminaire to scale, but are merely chosen to describe the structure and function of the wireless communication module and outdoor luminaire.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communication module and a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. The wireless communication module of FIG. 1 is an example of the wireless communication module according to the first aspect of the invention. The description of the wireless communication module according to the first aspect is valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 1. The lighting system of FIG. 1 is an example of the lighting system according to the second aspect of the invention. The description of the lighting system according to the second aspect is valid for the lighting system of FIG. 1.
  • The wireless communication module 10 of FIG. 1 is a wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire 20. That is, the wireless communication module 10 may be arranged on an outside surface of the luminaire 20 in order to provide a wireless communication function to the luminaire 20, i.e. allowing the outdoor luminaire 20 to wirelessly communicate with outside entities, such as other luminaires. For example, an attachment part of a housing of the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached (optionally, detachably attached) on an outside surface 21a of a housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20, wherein the housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20 accommodates a light source (e.g. one or more LEDs) of the outdoor luminaire 20 (for providing the light emission of the outdoor luminaire) and the outside surface 21a of the housing 21 of the luminaire 20 faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor luminaire is optionally a street luminaire. In this case, the housing 21 of the luminaire 20 comprising the light source 22 may be arranged by a pole 23 over ground such that the light source 22 emits light in the direction of the ground, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the dashed lines.
  • The shape of the wireless communication module 10 and outdoor luminaire 20 schematically shown in FIG. 1 is only by way of example and may be differently. That is, the wireless communication module 10 and the outdoor luminaire 20 is not limited to a specific shape. On the right side of FIG. 1 the components of the wireless communication module 10 are shown. The wireless communication module 10 comprises an antenna 11 for the wireless communication, a heating unit 12 that is configured to operate the antenna 11 as a heating element, and a communication unit 13 that is configured to wirelessly communicate using the antenna 11.
  • Thus, the wireless communication module 10 may counter, e.g. remove or prevent, ice or snow to accumulate on an outside surface of its housing, when being installed at the outdoor luminaire 20, especially on the outside surface 21a of the housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20. This allows, decreasing or preventing an negative effect of the ice and snow on the wireless communication of the wireless communication module 10, such as an attenuation by snow or ice of electromagnetic waves transmitted or received by the antenna 11.
  • The wireless communication module 10 may comprise a control unit (not shown in FIG. 1) that may be or may comprise at least one of a controller, microcontroller, processor, microprocessor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The control unit may be arranged inside the housing of the wireless communication module 10. The control unit may be a separate component or may be part of the heating unit 12 and/or communication unit 13. The control unit may be configured to control function(s) of the wireless communication module 10, e.g. wireless communication function, operation of the antenna 11 as heating element (i.e. heating function), etc., and components of the wireless communication unit, e.g. heating unit 12, communication unit 13, optional switch unit 15 (see FIG. 3), optional switch unit 16 (see FIG. 3) etc.
  • The antenna 11 may comprise one or more electrically conducting elements that allow electrical current to flow through it and that heat up when electrical current flows through it. The greater the electrical current flowing through the antenna 11 the greater is the heat provided by the antenna and vice versa. The present invention is not limited to a specific antenna type. The heating unit 12 may be configured to provide an electrical current, e.g. direct current, in order to operate the antenna 11 as a heating element. The heating unit 12 may be configured to set or change the amount of heat provided by the antenna 11 by setting or changing the amount of electrical current flowing through the antenna 11 being operated by the heating unit 12 as the heating element. That is, the electrical energy of the electrical current providable by the heating unit 13 flowing through the antenna 11 is converted due to a resistance of the antenna 11 to thermal energy so that the antenna 11 is operated as a heating element providing heat. The greater the amount of electrical current the greater the thermal energy and, thus, heat provided by the antenna 11 being operated as the heating element by the provision of the electrical current and vice versa. The heating unit 12 may comprise or may be a current source configured to provide a variable current, e.g. variable direct current. The heating unit 12 is not limited to a specific implementation form and, thus, may be implemented in any way for achieving its function describe herein.
  • The communication unit 13 may be configured to feed signals to the antenna 11 in order to be transmitted by the antenna 11 in the form of electromagnetic waves and obtain signals being received by the antenna 11 in the form of electromagnetic waves. The aforementioned signals may be referred herein as "antenna signals". Optionally, the communication unit 13 is configured to feed radio signals to the antenna 11 in order to be transmitted by the antenna 11 in the form of radio waves and obtain radio signals being received by the antenna 11 in the form of radio waves. That is, the wireless communication module 10 may be a radio communication module that is configured to communicate using radio signals and radio waves. The length of the antenna 11 may be a multiple of half the wave length of the electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio waves) with which the wireless communication unit 10, especially the communication unit 13, is configured to wirelessly communicate. The wireless communication module 10, especially the communication unit 13 and antenna 11, may be configured to wirelessly communicate according to any communication standard and protocol. For example, the wireless communication module 10, especially communication unit 13 and antenna 11, may be configured to wireless communicate according to at least one of wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, Zigbee etc. The present invention is not limited to a specific implementation of the communication unit 13. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of wireless communication.
  • The wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached (i.e. installed) on the outdoor luminaire 20 such that it is electrically connected with the outdoor luminaire 20 in order to obtain and provide information from/to the outdoor luminaire 20 and, thus, allowing the outdoor luminaire 20 to wirelessly communicate using the wireless communication module 10 with outside. Optionally, the wireless communication module 10 may be electrically supplied from the luminaire 20 when being attached to the luminaire 20. The wireless communication module 10 may comprise an electrical energy storage (optional rechargeable) for supplying its components with electrical energy. For example, the electrical energy storage may be a battery, optional rechargeable battery. The wireless communication module 10 is not limited to a specific implementation form with regard to its electrical energy supply.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module 10 is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected with a socket on an outside surface of the outdoor luminaire (e.g. outdoor surface 21a of the housing 21 of the luminaire 20) in order to be attached (e.g. detachably attached) to the luminaire 20 and thereby provide a wireless communication function to the luminaire 20. For example, the socket may be a socket according to the Zhaga standard, i.e. a Zhaga socket. The Zhaga standard is well known in the field of lighting and, thus, no further details are provided with regard thereto. The present invention is not limited to a specific way of mechanically and electrically connecting the wireless communication module 10 with the outdoor luminaire 20 when being attached to the outdoor luminaire 20.
  • The wireless communication module 10 and the housing 21 of the outdoor luminaire 20 accommodating the light source 22 may form a lighting system 100. This lighting system 100 is an example of the lighting system according to the second aspect of the invention. Thus, the description of the lighting system 100 of the second aspect is valid for the lighting system 100 of FIG. 1. According to the example of FIG. 1, the outdoor luminaire 20 is a street luminaire, wherein the housing 21 accommodating the light source 22 is the head part of the street luminaire that is attached to a pole 23 of the street luminaire. This is only by way of example and, thus, the outdoor luminaire may be a different outdoor luminaire type. The street luminaire may be a different street luminaire type, e.g. a street luminaire where the housing 21 is attached by one or more cables over ground. That is, the present invention is not limited to a specific type of outdoor luminaire.
  • Further information on the wireless communication module 10, especially optional implementation forms and features, are described in the following with regard to Figures 2 to 4.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1. The description of FIG. 1 is valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 2 and in the following mainly optional features of the wireless communication module of FIG. 2 are described.
  • As shown in FIG. 2, a housing 10a of the wireless communication module 11 may accommodate the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13. As further shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 11 may be integrated in the housing 10a, i.e. may be part of the housing. Optionally, the antenna 11 may be partly integrated in the housing 10a, i.e. a part of the antenna 11 may be integrated in the housing 10a (not shown in FIG. 2). That is, the antenna 11 may be at least partly integrated in the housing 10a. Alternatively, the antenna 11 may be arranged on an surface of the housing 10a (not shown in FIG. 2). The surface may be an inside surface s2 of the housing 10a or an outside surface s1 of the housing 10a. Optionally, the antenna 11 may be arranged partly on the inside surface s2 and partly on the outside surface s1 of the housing 10a. Optionally, the antenna 11 may be partly arranged on the surface of the housing 10a, i.e. a part of the antenna 11 may be arranged on the surface of the housing 10a (not shown in FIG. 2). That is, the antenna 11 may be at least partly arranged on the surface of the housing 10a. For example, the antenna 11 may be partly integrated in the housing 10a and partly arranged on the surface (e.g. the inside surface s2 and/or outside surface s1) of the housing 10a. That is, the antenna 11 may be at least partly integrated in the housing 10a and/or at least partly arranged on the surface (e.g. inside surface s2 and/or outside surface s1) of the housing 10a.
  • In FIG. 2 an example of an attachment part p1 of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module is indicated by the dashed square. The dimensions of the attachment part p1 is only by way of example and may be different. The attachment part p1 of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached on an outside surface 21a of the outdoor luminaire 20 that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 11 may be, outside the attachment part p1, at least partly integrated in the housing 10a (according to FIG. 2 the antenna optionally integrated in the housing 10a). In addition or alternatively, the antenna 11 may be, outside the attachment part p1, at least partly arranged on the surface (e.g. inside surface s2 and/or outside surface s1) of the housing 10a. In other words, the antenna 11 may be arranged at the housing 10a (e.g. integrated in the housing 10a and/or arranged on a surface of the housing 10a) at a part of the housing 10a that is different to the attachment part p1 of the housing 10a.
  • Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 11 may be, at a part of the housing 10a opposite to the attachment part p1, at least partly integrated in the housing 10a. In addition or alternatively, the antenna 11 may be, at a part of the housing 10a opposite to the attachment part p1, at least partly arranged on the surface (e.g. inside surface s2 and/or outside surface s1) of the housing 10a. In other words, the antenna11 may be arranged at the housing 10a (e.g. integrated in the housing 10a and/or arranged on a surface of the housing 10a) at a part of the housing 10a that is opposite to the attachment part p1.
  • The shape of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module and the shape of the antenna 11 is only by way of example and, thus, may be implemented differently.
  • Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 12 is configured to, in a heating state, operate the antenna 11 as the heating element by providing an electrical current via an electrical path 14 to the antenna 11. This is valid for any implementation form of the antenna 11 especially irrespective of whether the antenna 11 is integrated in the housing 10a or arranged on the surface of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10. The communication unit 13 is configured to feed a signal to be transmitted by the antenna 11 via the electrical path 14 to the antenna 11. In response thereto, the antenna 11 is configured to transmit the signal (fed from the communication unit 13) in the form of electromagnetic waves, optionally radio waves.
  • The heating state of the wireless communication module 10 may be understood as an operation state during which the heating unit 12 operates the antenna 11 as the heating element so that heat provided by the operation of the antenna 11 as the heating element allows preventing or removing an accumulation of snow or ice on the outside surface s1 of the housing 10a. Since the antenna 11 provides as the heating element the heat this is performed at a part of the outside surface s1 of the housing 10a in a main direction of transmission of electromagnetic waves by the antenna 11, ensuring that the electromagnetic waves and, thus the wireless communication are not attenuated by snow or ice. That is, snow or ice is prevent or removed at the part of the housing 10a via which the wireless communication by the antenna 11 and, thus, the electromagnetic waves used for said wireless communication pass through. The part of the housing 10a via which the wireless communication occurs allows electromagnetic waves to pass through, e.g. is made of material(s) allowing electromagnetic waves to pass through. The present invention is not limited to a specific housing 10a and, thus, any type of housing 10a that is suitable for a wireless communication may be used.
  • As shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13 are electrically connected with the electrical path 14. That is, the heating unit 12 may directly provide the electrical current to the electrical path 14 and, thus, via the electrical path 14 to antenna 11. Accordingly, the communication unit 13 may directly provide the signal (e.g. radio signal) to the electrical path 14 and, thus, via the electrical path 14 to the antenna 11. That is, the communication unit 13 may directly provide the signal to be wirelessly transmitted via the antenna 11 to the electrical path 14 and, thus via the electrical path to the antenna 11.
  • In the implementation form of FIG. 2, the communication unit 13 may feed signals (e.g. radio signals) to be transmitted by the antenna 11 in the form of electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio waves) via the electrical path 14 to the antenna 11, while the wireless communication module 10 is in the heating state (i.e. while the heating unit 12 provides via the same electrical path 14 the electrical current (e.g. direct current) to the antenna 1 for operating the antenna 11 as the heating element). Therefore, the communication unit 13 may comprise tuning means 13a configured to compensate, in the heating state, the electrical current providable by the heating unit 12. That is, the tuning means 13a are configured to compensate the electrical current depending on whether the heating unit operates the antenna 11 as the hating element and, thus, provides the electrical current, or not. As shown in FIG. 2, the tuning means 13a are part of the communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 may be configured to feed via the tuning means 13a the signals to the electrical path 14 and, thus, to the antenna 11. The present invention is not limited to specific tuning means 13a and, thus, any type of tuning means 13 may be used. Optionally, the communication unit 13 may comprise modulation means (not shown in FIG. 2) for modulating the signal to be transmitted by the antenna 11 (may be referred to as antenna signal herein) on the electrical current provided by the heating unit 12 for operating the antenna as the heating element. In the example of FIG. 2, the whole heating circuit comprising the heating unit 12 and the electrical path 14 are considered for designing the antenna 11 used for the wireless communication.
  • An optional implementation with regard to how the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 23 may be coupled to the antenna 11 that is different to the optional implementation of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3.
  • The attachment part p1 of the housing 10 may be configured to be mechanically and electrically connected with a socket on an outside surface of the outdoor luminaire 20. The attachment part p1 of the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be attached (i.e. installed) on the outdoor luminaire 20 such that it is electrically connected with the outdoor luminaire 20 in order to obtain and provide information from/to the outdoor luminaire 20 and, thus, allowing the outdoor luminaire 20 to wirelessly communicate using the wireless communication module 10 with outside. The attachment may be a detachable attachment.
  • FIG. 3 shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1. The wireless communication module corresponds to the wireless communication module of FIG. 2, wherein the heating unit and communication unit are differently electrically connected with the antenna compared to the implementation form of FIG. 2. The description of FIGs. 1 and 2 is correspondingly valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 3 and in the following mainly the differences of the wireless communication module of FIG. 3 compared to the wireless communication module of FIG. 2 are described.
  • According to the example of FIG. 3, the wireless communication module 10 comprises a switch unit 15. The heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13 are electrically connected via the switch unit 15 with the electrical path 14. The switch unit 15 is configured to, in the heating state, allow the heating unit 12 to provide the electrical current to the electrical path 14 and prevent the communication unit 13 from feeding the signal to the electrical path 14. This is shown on the right side of FIG. 3. In other words, the switch unit 15 is configured to, in the heating state, electrically connect the heating unit 12 with the common electrical path 14 and disconnect the communication unit 13 from the common electrical path 14. Further, the switch unit 15 is configured to, otherwise (i.e. when the heating state is not present), allow the communication unit 13 to feed the signal (to be transmitted by the antenna 11) to the electrical path 14 and prevent the heating unit 12 from providing the electrical current to the electrical path 14. This is shown on the left side of FIG. 3. In other words, the switch unit 15 is configured to, otherwise (i.e. when the heating state is not present), electrically connect the communication unit 13 with the electrical path 14 and disconnect the heating unit 12 from the electrical path 14. In the example implementation form of FIG. 3, the state of the wireless communication module 10 outside the heating state (i.e. when the heating state is not present) may be referred to as communication state as during this state the communication unit 13 and, thus, the wireless communication module 10 is allowed to wirelessly communicate using the antenna 11. Thus, the switch unit 15 is configured to electrically connect one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 with the electrical path 14 and, thus, the antenna 11 while disconnecting the other one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 from the electrical path and, thus, antenna 11. Which one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 is connected by the switch unit 15 with the electrical path 14 while the other one of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 is disconnected by the switch unit 15 from the electrical path 14 depends on whether the heating state is present or not (i.e. whether the heating state or the communication state is present).
  • The switch unit 15 may comprise or be implemented by one or more semiconductor switches, such as one or more transistors. The switch unit 15 is not limited to a specific implementation form and, thus, may be implemented by any means known in the art.
  • Optionally, one terminal of the heating unit 12 may be electrically connected via the switch unit 15 with the electrical path 14 and, thus, one end of the antenna 11, and a second terminal of the heating unit 12 may be electrically connected via an additional switch unit 16 to the other end of the antenna 11, as shown in FIG. 3. In this optional case, the switch unit 16 is configured to be in the conducting state during the heating state and in the non-conducting state otherwise (i.e. during the communication state). This optional additional switch unit 16 for providing a closed circuit and, thus, current flow from the heating unit 12 to the antenna 11 may allow reducing or preventing a disturbance of the wireless communication of the communication unit 13 via the antenna by a remainder of electrical current flow after the heating state ended and the switch unit 15 disconnects the heating unit 12 from and connects the communication unit 13 to the antenna 11. The optional additional switch unit 16 may comprise or be implemented by one or more semiconductor switches, such as one or more transistors. The switch unit 16 is not limited to a specific implementation form and, thus, may be implemented by any means known in the art.
  • The switch unit 15 and the optional additional switch unit 16 may be controlled by the control unit of the wireless communication unit 10.
  • Regardless of how the antenna 11 is implemented and how the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13 are connected via the common electrical path 14 to the antenna 11, the wireless communication module 10 being in the heating state and, thus, the heating unit 12 operating the antenna 11 as the heating element may be controlled by the wireless communication module 10, especially its control unit, in dependence on detection results of one or more sensor(s) of the wireless communication module 10.
  • The wireless communication module 10 may comprise a temperature sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10, and the wireless communication module 11 may be configured to be in the heating state in case a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the temperature. The threshold for the temperature may be a temperature at which snow or ice may accumulate at a surface, such as the surface of the housing of the wireless communication module. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of temperature sensor and, thus, the temperature sensor may be implemented in any known way.
  • The wireless communication module 10 may comprise an optical sensor arranged inside the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 and configured to detect sunlight, the housing 10a allowing the sunlight to pass through. The wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the sunlight detected by the optical sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the sunlight. The threshold for the amount of the sunlight may be selected such that an amount of sunlight equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna 11, optionally preventing the wireless communication. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of optical sensor and, thus, the optical sensor may be implemented in any known way. The smaller the amount of the sunlight detected by the optical sensor the greater the amount of snow or ice and vice versa. The optical sensor allows detecting ice on the outside surface of the house 10a. Thus, the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, may be configured to, in case the amount of detected sunlight is greater than or equal to the threshold, determine that ice is present on the surface and, thus, adapt the heating state accordingly. For example, at least one of the following may be done: the amplitude of the electrical current provided by the heating unit 12 may be increased, the time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current may be increased and intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current in the heating state, may be made shorter (i.e. the electrical current may be provided more often).
  • The wireless communication module 10 may comprise an infrared sensor arranged inside the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 and configured to detect infrared radiation, the housing 10a allowing the infrared radiation to pass through. The wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the infrared radiation detected by the infrared sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation. The threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna 11, optionally preventing the wireless communication. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of infrared sensor and, thus, the infrared sensor may be implemented in any known way. The smaller the amount of the infrared radiation detected by the infrared sensor the greater the amount of snow or ice and vice versa. The infrared sensor allows detecting ice on the outside surface of the house 10a. Thus, the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, may be configured to, in case the amount of detected infrared radiation is greater than or equal to the threshold, determine that ice is present on the surface and, thus, adapt the heating state accordingly. For example, at least one of the following may be done: the amplitude of the electrical current provided by the heating unit 12 may be increased, the time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current may be increased and intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current, may be made shorter (i.e. the electrical current may be provided more often).
  • The wireless communication module 10 may comprises an humidity sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 and configured to detect humidity outside the housing 10. The humidity may be relative humidity. The wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the humidity. The threshold for the amount of the humidity may be selected such that an amount of humidity equaling the threshold indicates that snow or ice may occur and, thus, may accumulate on the outside of the housing 10a. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of humidity sensor and, thus, the humidity sensor may be implemented in any known way.
  • As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication module 10 may comprise a radiator 17 for radiating radiation of at least one of light and infrared radiation and a sensor 18 for detecting the radiation, which are arranged in the housing 10a of the wireless communication module 10 such that the radiation radiated by the radiator 17 is reflectable by snow or ice 200 onto the sensor 18 for detecting the radiation when the snow or ice is present on an outside surface of the housing 10a, the housing 10a allowing the radiation to pass through. The wireless communication module 10 may be configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the radiation detected by the sensor 18 for radiation is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of radiation. The threshold for the amount of the light or infrared radiation may be selected such that an amount of light or infrared radiation equaling the threshold indicates an amount of snow or ice 200 that has an attenuating effect on the wireless communication using the antenna 11, optionally preventing the wireless communication. The present invention is not limited to a specific type of radiator 17 and sensor 18 for detecting the radiation of the radiator and, thus, the radiator 17 and sensor 18 for detecting the radiation of the radiator may be implemented in any known way. The greater the amount of light or infrared radiation detected by the sensor 18 for radiation the greater the amount of snow or ice and vice versa.
  • In other words, as outlined above, the wireless communication module 10 optionally comprises at least one of the temperature sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, the humidity sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18.
  • The wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit, may be configured to control, in dependence of detection results of the sensor(s), at least one of an amplitude of the electrical current providable by the heating unit 12 to the antenna 11, a time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current and intervals, with which the heating the heating unit provides the electrical current. For example, the wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit, may be configured to evaluate the detection results of the sensor(s) to estimate an amount of snow or ice on the outside surface of the housing 10a. The wireless communication module 13, optional its control unit, may be configured to control the amplitude of the electrical current providable by the heating unit 12 to the antenna 11 such that the greater the amount of snow or ice the greater the electrical current and vice versa. In addition or alternatively, the wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit, may be configured to control the time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current such that the greater the amount of snow or ice the greater the time (i.e. the longer the time) during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current and vice versa. The time during which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current may be the time during which the wireless communication module 10 is in the heating state or a part of said time. In addition or alternatively, the wireless communication module 10, optional its control unit, may be configured to control the intervals, with which the heating unit provides the electrical current such that the greater the amount of snow or ice the shorter the intervals (i.e. the more often the electrical current is provided in the heating state) and vice versa. In case the heating unit 12 and the communication unit 13 are connected to the electrical path 14 according to the example of FIG. 3, the intervals may be achieved by switching the switch unit 15 between its two states wherein in one state the switch unit 15 connects the heating unit 12 with the electrical path 14 and in the other state the switch unit 15 connects the communication unit 13 with the electrical path 14.
  • For example, the wireless communication module 10 may comprise the humidity sensor and at least one of the temperature sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18. In case the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, determines based on the detection results of the at least one of the temperature sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18 that snow or ice is present on the outside surface of the housing 10a and thus the wireless communication module is to be in the heating state, e.g. is to be switched to the heating state, the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, may evaluate the detection result of the humidity sensor. Optionally the wireless communication module is configured such that, in case the detection result of the humidity sensor indicates that the amount of humidity is smaller than the threshold for the humidity, the wireless communication module does not start or switch to the heating state (although the detection results of the at least one other sensor indicates that this should be done). Namely, in case the amount of humidity is smaller than the threshold, snow or ice cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a or cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a in an amount effecting the wireless communication (depending on how the threshold is set).
  • The same applies for the temperature sensor. For example, the wireless communication module 10 may comprise the temperature sensor and at least one of the humidity sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18. In case the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, determines based on the detection results of the at least one of the humidity sensor, the optical sensor for detecting sunlight, the infrared sensor, and the radiator 17 and sensor 18 that snow or ice is present on the outside surface of the housing 10a and thus the wireless communication module 10 is to be in the heating state, e.g. is to be switched to the heating state, the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, may evaluate the detection result of the temperature sensor. Optionally the wireless communication module 10 is configured such that, in case the detection result of the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature is greater than the threshold for the temperature, the wireless communication module 10 does not start or switch to the heating state (although the detection results of the at least one other sensor indicates that this should be done). Namely, in case the amount of temperature is greater than the threshold, snow or ice cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a or cannot occur on the outside surface of the housing 10a in an amount effecting the wireless communication (depending on how the threshold is set).
  • In addition or alternatively, the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to obtain detection result(s) of sensor(s), such as one or more of the above described sensors, from outside (e.g. from the outdoor luminaire on which the wireless communication module 10 may be attached), and be in the heating state depending on the detection result(s) and perform the heating state depending on the detection results(s). In addition or alternatively, the wireless communication module 10 may be configured to obtain control information from outside (e.g. from the outdoor luminaire on which the wireless communication module 10 may be attached) and is in the heating state depending on the obtained control information and performs the heating state depending on the control information. Optionally, the wireless communication module 10 may obtain information, such as detection result(s) of one or more sensors and/or control information, via its antenna 11.
  • Optionally, the wireless communication module, e.g. its control unit, may control the heating state depending on locally determined parameters, such as temperature, current time, current day of the week etc. In addition or alternatively, the wireless communication module, e.g. its control unit, may obtain information for controlling the heating state from outside, e.g. from the internet. Such information may comprise amount of precipitation within a certain time period, weather forecast, current time, day of the week etc.
  • In case of the implementation form of the connection of the heating unit 12 and communication unit 13 with the electrical path 14 via the switch unit 15 of FIG. 3, the wireless communication module 10, optionally its control unit, may switch the switch unit 15 between its two states in order to achieve the intervals, with which the heating unit 12 provides the electrical current.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of an implementation form of the wireless communication module of FIG. 1. The description of FIG. 1 is valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 1. The heating unit and communication unit of the wireless communication module of FIG. 4 may be implemented, especially electrically connected with the antenna, as described with regard to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The description of FIGs. 2 and 3 may be valid for the wireless communication module of FIG. 4, especially its heating unit and communication unit.
  • The implementation form of FIG. 3 has the advantage compared to the implementation form of FIG. 2 that the design of the antenna for the wireless communication does not need to consider the heating unit 12 as during the wireless communication the switch unit 15 disconnects the heating unit 12 from the electrical path 14 and, thus, from the antenna 11. The switch unit 15 may connect the heating unit 12 to the antenna 11 in case the antenna is to be operated as the heating element for removing snow or ice from the outside surface of the housing of the wireless communication module 10.
  • In the light of the above, the invention proposes a wireless communication module with an antenna, wherein the antenna has two functions. A first function of the antenna is the wireless communication, i.e. transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio waves). A second function of the antenna is the function of an heating element for heating the housing of the wireless communication module in order to prevent snow or ice accumulating on the outside surface of the housing, which accumulation can attenuate the wireless communication via the antenna.
  • In the claims as well as in the description the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous implementation.

Claims (15)

  1. A wireless communication module (10) for an outdoor luminaire (20), optionally street luminaire, wherein the wireless communication module (10) comprises
    - an antenna (11) for the wireless communication,
    - a heating unit (12) that is configured to operate the antenna (11) as a heating element, and
    - a communication unit (13) that is configured to wirelessly communicate using the antenna (11).
  2. The wireless communication module (10) according to claim 1, wherein
    - a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10) accommodates the heating unit (12) and the communication unit (13), and
    - the antenna (11) is at least partly integrated in the housing (10a) and/or at least partly arranged on an surface (s1, s2) of the housing (10a).
  3. The wireless communication module (10) according to claim 2, wherein
    - an attachment part (p1) of the housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be attached on an outside surface (21a) of the outdoor luminaire (20) that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire (20), and
    - the antenna (11) is, outside the attachment part (p1), at least partly integrated in the housing (10a) and/or at least partly arranged on the surface (s1, s2) of the housing (10a).
  4. The wireless communication module (10) according to claim 3, wherein
    - the antenna (11) is, at a part of the housing opposite to the attachment part (p1), at least partly integrated in the housing (10a) and/or at least partly arranged on the surface (s1, s2) of the housing (10a).
  5. The wireless communication module (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein
    - the heating unit (12) is configured to, in a heating state, operate the antenna (11) as the heating element by providing an electrical current via an electrical path (14) to the antenna (11), and
    - the communication unit (13) is configured to feed a signal to be transmitted by the antenna (11) via the electrical path (14) to the antenna (11).
  6. The wireless communication module (10) according to claim 5, wherein
    - the communication unit (13) comprises tuning means (13a) configured to compensate, in the heating state, the electrical current providable by the heating unit (12).
  7. The wireless communication module (10) according claim 5 or 6, wherein
    - the heating unit (12) and the communication unit (13) are electrically connected with the electrical path (14).
  8. The wireless communication module (10) according to claim 5, wherein
    - the wireless communication module (10) comprises a switch unit (15),
    - the heating unit (12) and the communication unit (13) are electrically connected via the switch unit (15) with the electrical path (14),
    - the switch unit (15) is configured to
    - in the heating state, allow the heating unit (12) to provide the electrical current to the electrical path (14) and prevent the communication unit (13) from feeding the signal to the electrical path (14), and
    - otherwise, allow the communication unit (13) to feed the signal to the electrical path (14) and prevent the heating unit (12) from providing the electrical current to the electrical path (14).
  9. The wireless communication module (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein
    - the wireless communication module (10) comprises a temperature sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10), and
    - the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be in the heating state in case a temperature detected by the temperature sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the temperature.
  10. The wireless communication module (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein
    - the wireless communication module (10) comprises an optical sensor arranged inside a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10) and configured to detect sunlight, the housing (10a) allowing the sunlight to pass through, and
    - the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the sunlight detected by the optical sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the sunlight.
  11. The wireless communication module (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein
    - the wireless communication module (10) comprises an infrared sensor arranged inside a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module and configured to detect infrared radiation, the housing (10a) allowing the infrared radiation to pass through, and
    - the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the infrared radiation detected by the infrared sensor is smaller than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the infrared radiation.
  12. The wireless communication module (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein
    - the wireless communication module (10) comprises an humidity sensor arranged at least partly in and/or at least partly on a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10) and configured to detect humidity outside the housing (10a), and
    - the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of the humidity.
  13. The wireless communication module (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein
    - the wireless communication module (10) comprises a radiator (17) for radiating radiation of at least one of light and infrared radiation and a sensor (18) for detecting the radiation, which are arranged in a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10) such that the radiation radiated by the radiator (17) is reflectable by snow or ice (200) onto the sensor (18) for detecting the radiation when the snow or ice (200) is present on an outside surface of the housing (10a), the housing (10a) allowing the radiation to pass through, and
    - the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be in the heating state in case an amount of the radiation detected by the sensor (18) for radiation is greater than or equal to a threshold for the amount of radiation.
  14. The wireless communication module (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein
    - the wireless communication module (10) is configured to control, in dependence of detection results of the sensor(s), at least one of an amplitude of the electrical current, a time during which the heating unit (12) provides the electrical current and intervals, with which the heating unit (12) provides the electrical current.
  15. A lighting system (100) comprising
    - a housing (21) of an outdoor luminaire (20), optionally street luminaire, that accommodates a light source (22), and
    - a wireless communication module (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein
    - an attachment part (p1) of a housing (10a) of the wireless communication module (10) is configured to be attached on an outside surface (21a) of the housing (21) of the outdoor luminaire (20) that faces the sky in an installation state of the outdoor luminaire (20).
EP24187296.9A 2024-07-09 2024-07-09 Wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire and lighting system Pending EP4679625A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24187296.9A EP4679625A1 (en) 2024-07-09 2024-07-09 Wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire and lighting system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24187296.9A EP4679625A1 (en) 2024-07-09 2024-07-09 Wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire and lighting system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4679625A1 true EP4679625A1 (en) 2026-01-14

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ID=91898461

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24187296.9A Pending EP4679625A1 (en) 2024-07-09 2024-07-09 Wireless communication module for an outdoor luminaire and lighting system

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EP (1) EP4679625A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3042918A (en) * 1960-12-23 1962-07-03 Gen Electric Antenna ice clearing system
US6445349B1 (en) * 1999-02-17 2002-09-03 Msx, Inc. Satellite antenna heating system powered by a storage capacitor
WO2014173852A1 (en) * 2013-04-23 2014-10-30 Koninklijke Philips N.V. A lighting device and luminaire comprising an antenna
WO2023052277A1 (en) * 2021-09-28 2023-04-06 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Radar sensor, protective cover for a radar sensor, vehicle with at least one radar sensor and method for heating at least one protective cover
WO2024052030A1 (en) * 2022-09-09 2024-03-14 Valeo Vision Lighting module having a flexible guide sheet with integrated antenna

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3042918A (en) * 1960-12-23 1962-07-03 Gen Electric Antenna ice clearing system
US6445349B1 (en) * 1999-02-17 2002-09-03 Msx, Inc. Satellite antenna heating system powered by a storage capacitor
WO2014173852A1 (en) * 2013-04-23 2014-10-30 Koninklijke Philips N.V. A lighting device and luminaire comprising an antenna
WO2023052277A1 (en) * 2021-09-28 2023-04-06 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Radar sensor, protective cover for a radar sensor, vehicle with at least one radar sensor and method for heating at least one protective cover
WO2024052030A1 (en) * 2022-09-09 2024-03-14 Valeo Vision Lighting module having a flexible guide sheet with integrated antenna

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