WO2007140779A1 - Lighting system - Google Patents

Lighting system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007140779A1
WO2007140779A1 PCT/DK2007/000268 DK2007000268W WO2007140779A1 WO 2007140779 A1 WO2007140779 A1 WO 2007140779A1 DK 2007000268 W DK2007000268 W DK 2007000268W WO 2007140779 A1 WO2007140779 A1 WO 2007140779A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
monitoring unit
time
light sources
alert
time frame
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK2007/000268
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Henrik Vikelgaard
Original Assignee
Dong Energy Sales & Distribution A/S
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 Dong Energy Sales & Distribution A/S filed Critical Dong Energy Sales & Distribution A/S
Publication of WO2007140779A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007140779A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
    • H05B47/21—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection of two or more light sources connected in parallel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
    • H05B47/21—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection of two or more light sources connected in parallel
    • H05B47/22—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection of two or more light sources connected in parallel with communication between the lamps and a central unit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
    • H05B47/24—Circuit arrangements for protecting against overvoltage
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/20—Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
    • H05B47/25—Circuit arrangements for protecting against overcurrent

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a lighting system, and in particular to a road lighting system suitable for use where access to the lights is difficult or dangerous. 5.
  • the invention relates to a lighting monito ⁇ ng system and a method ot controlling lighting.
  • the lamps used in lighting heads of conventional road lights and in public areas have a limited, and variable, life span so there is inevitably a trade-off between replacing failed lamps to maximise road-user and personal safety / comfort and minimising the number of maintenance actions required in order to minimise cost 0 and disruption.
  • It is a known and cumbersome practise that the number of failed lamps within a given stretch of motorway is determined by a manual visual inspection.
  • many road lights are located in positions where it is difficult, dangerous or expensive to reach those lights.
  • lights located on the central reservation of motorways are difficult, dangerous and expensive to access, since extensive traffic management is required which can significantly disrupt normal traffic flow.
  • lamp is taken to mean any lamp, bulb, fluorescent lamp, neon light, Hg lamp, sodium street lamp, light emitting diode or light emitting diodes light source or any other source or sources of light suitable for adequate illumination of areas, e.g. in the evening and/or during night hours.
  • the above mentioned alerts are then contemplated to allow a person, such as a technician to react to any of the alerts and repair any damage or defect that is the source to the alarm.
  • the alarm may include an identification of the physical location of the source of the alarm.
  • a first aspect of the present invention is a lighting system comprising: a pair of power supply lines, a plurality of light sources connected to the pair of supply lines, a monitoring unit; and an alert receiving unit communicating with the monitoring unit, the pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, the supply line and the return line being connected to the plurality of light sources and through the monitoring unit, the pair of power supply lines providing electrical power to the plurality of light sources, the monitoring unit comprising a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across the pair of power supply lines, the monitoring unit comprising a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power provided to the plurality of light sources, the monitoring unit defining a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame, during the first time
  • time period and time frame is used interchangeably.
  • the plurality of light sources connected to the pair of supply lines may be distributed along a length of the supply lines.
  • the light sources may be of any of the types mentioned above.
  • the above mentioned first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame may be determined using a computer program stored in a memory device and executed on a processor in the device.
  • a first steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved.
  • the first time frame may be determined by continuously surveying conditions on the power supply line.
  • the monitoring unit may include an electrical inlet and a corresponding outlet where through the monitoring unit is connected to the power supply lines.
  • the power supply lines may pass through the monitoring unit.
  • the power supply lines may provide power to the plurality of light sources as well as to the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit may comprise a central processing unit receiving and processing signals from the various components.
  • the central processing unit may as well handle communication with the outside world.
  • the monitoring unit may further comprise communication units electrically connected to the central processing unit.
  • One or more memory units may further be provided to the monitoring unit in electrical connection to the central processing unit.
  • the central processing unit may comprise computer implementation of the method steps mentioned throughout the present specification.
  • the alert receiving unit mentioned is not necessary a part of the system, but may be a separate unit positioned in a remote location.
  • the voltage measuring circuit may be connected to the central processing unit and/or to other processing units.
  • the signal from the voltage measuring circuit is preferably used for the monitoring of the lights.
  • the current measuring circuit may be connected to the central processing unit and/or to other processing units.
  • the signal from the current measuring circuit is preferably used for the monitoring of the lights.
  • the voltage and current measuring circuits preferably measures voltage and current on the supply line, which is connected to the plurality of lamps or light sources. Preferably power is supplied to all lamps or light sources of the plurality of light sources when the voltage and current is measured.
  • the first point of time is contemplated to represent the mentioned steady state situation in the first time period.
  • the second point of time is contemplated to represent the mentioned steady state situation in the second time period.
  • the central processing unit may comprise a scheme of specific periods or intervals defining when the two measurements are to be conducted.
  • the first interval may be measured only once, e.g. during setup or alternatively once within a specific interval, e.g. once each hour, once a day, once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once each month etc.
  • the second period may be defined periodically, i.e. the second measurement may be performed periodically, either with equally long intervals, or with varying intervals.
  • the measurements may be performed during the periods of time where the lights of the lighting system is lighted.
  • the alert messages may be generated in or by the central processing unit.
  • the messages may then be sent from the central processing unit to a communication unit transmitting the alert message further to a receiving station or unit, as described elsewhere.
  • the monitoring unit further determining a first time difference between the first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second points of time, and provided the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit generating a second alert message and the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the second alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the second alert message.
  • the monitoring unit defining a third time frame and a third point of time during the third time frame, during the third time frame a third steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, the monitoring unit defining a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during the fourth time frame, during the fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a second
  • the monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between the first and second power levels divided by the determined time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and provided the ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the fourth alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the fourth alert message.
  • the first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or the supply line being defective.
  • the third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, the supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
  • the first time frame being - identical to the third time frame and the second point of time being identical to the fourth point of time.
  • the electrical power being an AC power
  • the first and second voltage level and the first and second current levels are substantially AC levels.
  • the plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
  • the first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
  • the second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of the light sources being defective.
  • the monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
  • the alert receiving unit being a server.
  • the alert receiving unit being cellular phone.
  • the lighting system comprising two pairs of power supply lines and two of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
  • the lighting system comprising three pairs of power supply lines and three of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
  • the lighting system further comprising a plurality of the monitoring unit.
  • the communication unit sending the alert messages through the pair of power supply lines.
  • the communication unit sending the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
  • the alert messages are textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
  • the communication unit receiving commands through the pair of power supply lines.
  • the commands being instruction to switch on or off the plurality of the light sources.
  • the return line being common for two of the pair of power supply lines.
  • the return line being common for three of the pair of power supply lines.
  • the monitoring unit may define a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame. Measurements during the first time frame may be used for learning or recording how the impedance, in particular the resistance, of the supply lines develop over time. In particular the resistance caused by the light sources.
  • measurements during the first time frame represent the status of the light sources in that time frame or period. For example if all light sources at that time work properly, i.e. they all draw current to light up, the status from the first time frame then represents a set of error free and properly or correctly working light sources.
  • the status for the light sources is obtained by measuring the voltage over the lines powering the light sources and the current flowing through the lines. From these two factors, the total power consumption in the line may be determined. The power consumption can be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the resistance.
  • the start-up period may be called a learn session or period.
  • the monitoring unit measures at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit and measures at the same point of time, i.e. at the first point of time a first current level by means of the current measuring circuit.
  • the monitoring unit determines a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active, i.e. turned on during the first time frame or learn session.
  • the first load resistance is determined, and based on, the measured first voltage level and the measured first current level.
  • the power consumption in terms of the current be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the first load resistance.
  • the monitoring unit may define a second time frame and a second point of time during the second time frame in which measurements are to take place. Measurements performed during the second and later time frames may be used to determining how the impedance, in particular the resistance is of the light sources - and possible also including the resistance of the connection between the light sources - develop when powered, also during steady state situations.
  • measurements during the second time frame represent the status of the light sources at the time of an operating or functioning system, e.g. an operating lighting system. Due to wear, poor electrical connections, a "red burner” light source, flickering light sources, lamps that never reach operating temperature due to an internal error or malfunction, etc it is possible that fewer light sources work properly or correctly, i.e. they draw less than the expected correct current, e.g. less than the current measured in the first time frame or other previous time frames.
  • the status from the second time frame then represents a set of light sources having a faulty light source.
  • subsequent measurements may detect further faulty light sources.
  • the monitoring unit may measure at the second point of time a second voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit as used before. Moreover, the monitoring unit measures at the second point of time a second current level by means of the same current measuring circuit used to measure during the first time frame.
  • the monitoring unit may determine a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being powered and active during the second time frame.
  • the second load resistance is based on the second voltage and current level.
  • the monitoring unit may comprise information about the first and second load resistance from the measured voltages and current at two different time intervals, e.g. the load resistance from the learn session and another load resistance from a later period.
  • the latter may include errors or defects on the light sources powered.
  • the monitoring unit may compute the difference between the first and second load resistance, and in case the difference exceeds a specific threshold, e.g. if the difference is too large which could represent an increase in the load resistance between the two time frames, e.g. due to a non connected or blown bulb in a light source, the monitoring unit generates a first alert message. Subsequently, the monitoring unit sends or transmits, e.g. by means of a SMS, the first alert message through means of the communication unit to the alert receiving unit.
  • a specific threshold e.g. if the difference is too large which could represent an increase in the load resistance between the two time frames, e.g. due to a non connected or blown bulb in a light source
  • the difference may indicate an increased load resistance, it may be due to an open circuit and / or circuit parts leading to that too small current runs. If the difference exceeds a specific threshold it may additionally be due to a poor connection to or among light sources, or due to that one, two, three, etc light sources do/does not draw current since it or they have one or more malfunctions.
  • the alert receiving unit may act, e.g. by breaks a power line or more power lines and /or provides another alert message.
  • an alert message may be provided by means of a pictogram indicating a malfunctioning light source or light sources, a text message or in the form of one or more LED being powered, e.g. on a panel in which the LEDS are mounted close to a supporting text.
  • alert messages each may indicate one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light . _ sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources is defect or is malfunctioning, or the supply line or even the return line is somehow defective, e.g. wrongly connected or misconnected.
  • the monitoring unit may further determine the time difference between the first and second point of time. This is used to determine the relative load resistance change over time, and is expressed as a ratio of the load resistance change over time. It is computed as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second point of time.
  • the ratio of the load resistance change over time reveals as compared to difference between the first and second load resistance whether the load resistance changes rapidly up and down. Since the first and second load resistance in both cases expresses a steady state situation for the light sources a resistance change - in e.g. ohm/sec - for an increasing load resistance and a decreasing load resistance as well indicate a malfunction somehow among the light sources and/or in the circuitry and lines connecting the light sources.
  • a rapidly decreasing load resistance may indicate a short circuit and / or that a current erroneously, e.g. due to moist, water, etc., runs to ground instead of running properly back in the return line from the supply line.
  • a rapidly increasing load resistance could indicate that e.g. a circuit of the return line and the supply line somewhere has a burnt over connection, a burnt off igniter, poor or missing connection and / or that a filament of a bulb of a light source is off.
  • the monitoring unit In all cases when the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit then generates a second alert message.
  • the communication unit e.g. the modem embedded in the monitoring unit sends the second alert message to the alert receiving unit.
  • the alert receiving unit acts accordingly, i.e. it presents an alert or alarm or does something to avoid further errors, e.g. switches off a power line or power lines etc.
  • the alert or alarm in the form of an alert message may e.g. be provided by means of a pictogram on a display or a screen, where the pictogram indicates a malfunctioning light source or light sources or a malfunctioning circuitry.
  • the message is e.g. provided in the form of a text message or in the form of LEDS being powered.
  • the monitoring unit may be setup or configured to combine the computations which resulted in respective first, second and third alert messages, if e.g. all three are determined it may indicate severe faults in light sources powered.
  • the monitoring unit in a street light application may be a street light station, alternatively a lighting controller or a client.
  • the alert receiving unit may be a server or a cellular phone.
  • the communication unit may transmit or send the above mentioned alert message through means of the pair of power supply lines, e.g. by superimposing a communication signal in the sinus wave of 50 or 60 cycles per second.
  • the communication unit may alternatively or additionally send the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via a GSM network for example by means of a text message, e.g. as an SMS or MMS message.
  • a text message e.g. as an SMS or MMS message.
  • the communication unit may receive commands from the alert receiving unit through means of the one or two of the pair of power supply lines or by means of a textual message, e.g. a SMS message.
  • the implemented way of communicating forth and back between the alert receiving unit and the monitoring unit is chosen to be identical.
  • the commands may be instructions to the monitoring unit to switch on or off one, two, three, etc or all of the light sources connected to the monitoring unit.
  • the invention comprises a lighting monitoring system comprising: a monitoring unit and an alert receiving unit, the monitoring unit comprising a communication unit communicating with the alert receiving unit, the monitoring unit having two pairs of connectors constituting a pair of input connectors and a pair of output connectors, the pair of input connectors being connectable to a pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, the pair of power supply lines providing electrical power, the pair of output connectors being connectable to a plurality of light sources, the pair of power supply lines providing an electrical power to the plurality of light sources through the monitoring unit, the monitoring unit comprising a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across the pair of power supply lines across the pair of input connectors or across the pair of output connectors, the monitoring unit comprising a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power provided to the plurality of light sources, the current flowing between one of the pair of input connectors and one of the pair of output connectors, the monitoring unit defining
  • the monitoring unit further determining the time difference between the first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second points of time, and provided the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit generating a second alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the second alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the second alert message.
  • the monitoring unit defining a third time frame and a third point of time during the third time frame, during the third time frame a third steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, the monitoring unit defining a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during the fourth time frame, during the fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a second
  • the monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between the first and second power levels divided by the determined time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and provided the ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the fourth alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the fourth alert message.
  • the first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or the supply line being defective.
  • the third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, the supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
  • the first time frame being identical to the third time frame and the second point of time being identical to the fourth point of time.
  • the electrical power being an AC power
  • the first and second voltage level and the first and second current levels being substantially AC levels.
  • the plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
  • the first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
  • the second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of the light sources being defective.
  • the monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
  • the alert receiving unit being a server.
  • the alert receiving unit being a cellular phone.
  • the monitoring unit having two pairs of input connectors and two pairs of output connectors for connecting two pairs of power supply lines to respective two of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
  • the monitoring unit having three pairs of input connectors and three pairs of output connectors for interconnecting three pairs of power supply lines to respective three of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
  • the communication unit sending the alert messages through the pair of power supply lines.
  • the communication unit sending the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
  • the alert messages being textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
  • the communication unit receiving commands through the pair of power supply lines.
  • the received commands being instructions to switch on or off the plurality of the light sources.
  • the invention comprising a method of controlling a lighting system comprising: a pair of power supply lines, a plurality of light sources, a monitoring unit, and an alert receiving unit communicating with the monitoring unit, the method comprising the steps of: providing the pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, connecting the supply line and the return line to the plurality of light sources through the monitoring unit, providing electrical power to the plurality of light sources by means of the pair of power supply lines, providing a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across the pair of power supply lines in the monitoring unit, providing a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power provided to the plurality of light sources in the monitoring unit, defining in the monitoring unit a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame and achieving during the first time frame a first steady state situation for the plurality of light sources, measuring in the monitoring unit at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, measuring in
  • the method further comprising determining by the monitoring unit the time difference between the first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second points of time, and provided the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level generating by the monitoring unit a second alert message, sending by the communication unit the second alert message to . the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the received second alert message.
  • the method further comprising defining in the monitoring unit a third time frame and a third point of time during the third time frame, during the third time frame a third steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, measuring in the monitoring unit at the third point of time a third voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, measuring in the monitoring unit at the third point of time a third current level by means of the current measuring circuit, determining in the monitoring unit a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, defining in the monitoring unit a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during the fourth time frame, during the fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, measuring in the monitoring unit at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, measuring in the monitoring unit at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of
  • the monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference - between the first and second power levels divided by the determined time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and provided the ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the fourth alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the fourth alert message.
  • the first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or the supply line being defective.
  • the third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, the supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
  • the first time frame being identical to the third time frame and the second point of time being identical to the fourth point of time.
  • the electrical power being an AC power
  • the measured first and second voltage level and the measured first and second current levels being substantially AC levels.
  • the plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
  • the first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
  • the second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of the light sources being defective.
  • the monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
  • the alert receiving unit being a server.
  • the alert receiving unit being a cellular phone.
  • the method of controlling a lighting system applying two pairs of power supply lines and respective two of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
  • the method of controlling a lighting system applying three pairs of power supply lines and respective three of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
  • the method of controlling a lighting system applying a plurality of the monitoring unit.
  • the method of controlling a lighting system sending by the communication unit the alert messages through the pair of power supply lines.
  • the method of controlling a lighting system sending by the communication unit the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
  • the alert messages being textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
  • the method of controlling a lighting system receiving by the communication unit commands through the pair of power supply lines.
  • the received commands being instructions to switch on or off the plurality of the light sources.
  • fig. 1 is a system overview of an alert receiving unit and three monitoring units and examples of the communication there between
  • fig. 2 is a block diagram of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 3 is another block diagram of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 4 is a block diagram of a CAN bus connection of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 5 is a diagram of protection of the CAN bus connector of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 6 is a diagram of a modem of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 7 is a detailed block diagram of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 8 is a temperature sensor input circuit of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 9 is a electrical power detection diagram of the monitoring unit
  • fig. 10 is a diagram of the protection circuit for the electrical power supplied, fig.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram of electrical power conversion into current and voltage signal levels
  • fig. 12 is a diagram of band passJilter_filtering the electrical power supplied
  • fig. 13 is a schematic showing the band pass filter characteristic
  • fig. 14 is a schematic showing a current transformer
  • fig. 15 is a schematic showing a current filter
  • fig. 16 is a schematic showing a current filter with low gain
  • fig. 17 is a schematic showing a current filter with high gain
  • fig. 18 is a schematic showing relay outputs
  • fig. 19 is an AD converter block diagram
  • fig. 20 is an AD converter circuit diagram
  • fig. 21 is a controller block diagram
  • fig. 22 is a diagram showing use of the controller
  • fig. 23 is a power supply block diagram
  • fig. 24 is a diagram showing implementation of the power supply.
  • the invention as will be discussed in the following may equally well be applied in an airport, e.g. for the lights on the runways or for the airport building.
  • the invention may be applied for light-sources applied to lit up supermarket stores and storage areas as well. It may be applied for other building complexes such as apartments e.g. for staircases or other access areas, where for maintenance or for security reasons there is a need to know if a light source or more light sources has/have malfunction.
  • an application of light sources may be diode lights in a green house use to enhance growth of plant, alternatively or additionally light of different wave length may be use to warm up the greenhouse. Furthermore light from various light source may also be applied to provide warm to animals e.g. in a farm.
  • fig. 1 is a system overview of an alert receiving unit and three monitoring units and examples of the communication there between.
  • the communication between the alert receiving unit and any monitoring unit is handled by means of a build in communication unit, e.g. a modem integral to the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 is a device measuring on one, two or three 230V AC lines used for lighting, e.g. street light. It measures on the power line or lines, and can detect if one or more bulbs of e.g. the street light just has blown or e.g. was blown the day before.
  • the monitoring unit 30 is measuring the voltage and current, and calculates the resistance on the one, two or three 230V AC lines, and the power used. In general, depending on the changes on the resistance and power over time, the monitoring unit 30 can detect if one or more bulbs has/have blown or is/are defective.
  • the monitoring unit 30 is typical in Europe supplied by a 230V AC line, alternatively the monitoring unit 30 is in USA supplied by a 110V AC line.
  • a communication unit e.g. a GSM modem is used. Data is send to a phone number predefined in the modem. It is also possible for the user to control the monitoring unit 30 through this data channel.
  • An extra CAN port is added for service use. A technician can used this port instead of using the modem connection.
  • the alert receiving unit may be a server and is denoted 40, whereas the three monitoring units each individually is denoted 30.
  • the monitoring unit 30 may be seen as a client served by the server.
  • the network of the alert receiving unit 40 and monitoring units 30 is build as a distributed master slave network with the server as master. However, this does mean that the slave or the monitoring unit 30 may perform their own task for longer periods without communicating with the master, server or the alert receiving unit. SMS messaging is e.g. chosen as communication form and/or medium.
  • the monitoring units 30 each is provided with a communication unit 32 (see figure 2), which e.g. is a GSM modem.
  • the communication unit 32 communicates, i.e. sends e.g. alert messages and receives commands through a pair of power supply lines 14, which supplies the monitoring unit 30 and on which lines the monitoring unit 30 measures the voltage across and current flowing through the lines.
  • alert receiving unit 40 may be a server and the monitoring unit 30 may be a client.
  • the alert receiving unit 40 communicating with a plurality of monitoring units 30 may be considered as a network.
  • the monitoring unit or units 30 communicate(s) with the alert receiving unit 40, e.g. the server system through a protocol converter, i.e. the communication unit as denoted 32 in figure 2.
  • the communication medium between the server system and the monitoring unit or units 30 is/are transparent, why a new communication medium easily can be implemented by simply exchanging the communication unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 communicates via a CAN network to the communication unit 32.
  • the network is build as a distributed master slave network with the server as master and the client as the slave. SMS messaging is in a preferred embodiment of the invention chosen as communication medium, why the communication unit 32 is equipped with a GSM modem.
  • the communication unit is transparent for the server, i.e. the alert receiving unit 40. -
  • the network is addressed with the actual phone number and the CAN ID for the unit.
  • the protocol for the system implements the Physical Layer the Data Link Layer and the Application Layer.
  • the other layers of the OSI model as well known in the art is not discussed for the application.
  • the physical layer carrying the communication between the server 40 and the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30 is based on SMS messaging in the first generation of the system.
  • the Data Link layer handles all acknowledging between the server 40 and the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30.
  • All packages from the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30 to the server 40 need to be acknowledged by the server 40. If acknowledge has not been received in 2 minutes the package is transmitted once again. This is repeated 3 times before the package is flushed.
  • the sending unit is responsible for retransmission and keeps track on the different acknowledges.
  • All server requests initiates a response from the requested unit, why an acknowledge is not necessary.
  • the server 40 also retransmits packages on no response 3 times with 2 minutes interval.
  • the Application layer handles the protocol conversion from server messages to CAN packages and vice versa. This is done due to the fact that a CAN package only carries e.g. 8 bytes of data.
  • All server messages is repacked in the communication unit 30 and in the receiving unit 40 or server 40.
  • the application layer handles the address checking and generation when sending and receiving server messages.
  • the communication unit 32 flushes messages from other phone numbers than these of the server system. Equally, all messages from the monitoring unit 32 is send to a specific phone number.
  • All messages between the server 40 and the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30 are transferred as raw binary data or ASCII characters. All numbers is presented by means of little endian except timestamps or points of time, which is presented by means of big endian.
  • a server message should not be deleted before an acknowledgement or a response has been received. If this ack or response has not been received within 2 minutes the server message is retransmitted.
  • An alarm- message has priority over a response-message, therefore if an alarm occurs and response on a request is to be sent, the response is deleted and the alarm is transmitted instead.
  • There are no message-queue if a request-message is received before the last one is handled the last request is not processed. The following commands are applied:
  • Response includes status for all inputs, outputs and calculations.
  • Multilamp and singlelamp fails indicate that two or more light sources and one light source, respectively possibly have a fail.
  • the communication between the alert receiving unit 40, e.g. the server and the monitoring unit 30, e.g. the client is implemented:
  • Unit responds with serv4 message.
  • Unit Request from server to unit, to operate ON/OFF relay according to STATUS. Unit replies with serv ⁇ message.
  • Learn function is active while a new request is initiated, message is acknowledged, and the learn session continued.
  • Unit Request from server to unit, setting threshold level for Power Alarms. Unit responds with serv13 message.
  • Alarm messages from module to server send when voltage is detected low on an active line.
  • Monitoring unit units 30 are registered manually at the server. Only the phone number and the CAN ID are used as the identification.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 is provided with or in electrical connection with a communication unit - denoted 32 - equipped with a GSM modem.
  • a communication unit - denoted 32 - equipped with a GSM modem To and through the monitoring unit 30 one or more sets of power supply lines 14 is/are provided.
  • three sets of AC power supply lines 14 are provided, denoted R, S and T.
  • two sets of AC power supply lines 14 are provided or only one set of AC power supply lines 14 is provided.
  • the corresponding common return line is not shown. It may alternatively be the case that the return line is not common, or it is common for two or three sets of power supply lines.
  • the electrical power supply provides electrical power, e.g. 230 V or 110 VAC power to - as an exemplary embodiment to a string of 6 light sources 16, typically the light sources are connected in parallel along the pair of the two supply lines.
  • any other connection e.g. a series connection of two or more light sources are equally well possible, moreover the series connection may be combined with one or more parallel couplings of light sources.
  • the AC electrical power may alternatively be a DC power or a combination of the
  • the monitoring unit 30 may be supplied with a light sensor which controls a relay to make it possible to switch on the light sources 16 during evening and night hours.
  • a temperature sensor may be provided.
  • Fig. 3 is another block diagram of the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 has a build in / integral communication unit 32 denoted "modem".
  • the modem 32 communicates with the monitoring unit 30 by means of a CAN bus as well known in the art.
  • the modem 32 is provided with an internally generated 5 VDC of the monitoring unit 30.
  • Figure 5 shows how the CAN bus is protected, e.g. against overvoltage.
  • Fig. 3 further illustrates the monitoring unit comprising a central processing unit.
  • the central processing unit may be any type of microprocessor or microcontroller.
  • the central processing unit executes computer implementations of the methods described in the present specification.
  • the central processing unit communicates with an I/O device, which handles input and output from other units or measuring equipment, e.g. such as voltage and current measuring circuits.
  • the modem 32 shown in Fig. 3 communicates with external devices, such as the alarm-receiving unit described elsewhere.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a CAN bus connection of the monitoring unit. It shows a block diagram of the CAN bus connection of the monitoring unit 30.
  • the protection circuit denoted “protection” can be seen in the next figure.
  • the CAN bus connection is connected to the integral communication unit 32 denoted “modem” of the monitoring unit 30.
  • Light diodes "3 x LED” are applied to show status information from the modem.
  • the CAN block is used for converting data from a SPI bus to a CAN bus.
  • the SPI bus is used for communication between the communication unit 32, e.g. a modem and the CAN controller.
  • a protection circuit must be placed on its outputs. This circuit must protect against incorrect wire connections, ESD and over current.
  • Fig. 5 is a diagram of protection of the CAN bus connector of the monitoring unit 30. The figure shows how the CAN bus of the monitoring unit 30 from figure 3 is protected. D25 and D26 each works as an over voltage protection in connection with the coil L5 on the CAN bus lines: CANH and CANL.
  • CAN bus connector To protect the CAN bus connector against ESD, two protection diodes are used. If a spike larger than 9V, the diodes is clamping to OV. To remove common-mode noise a filter is used. The CAN connector is used for service purpose. The service employee can connect to this port, instead of communication to the monitoring unit 32 by using a GSM modem.
  • CAN bus signals Before the CAN bus signal can be used, they have to be converted to logic level signals. A CAN driver may do this.
  • a CAN controller To convert the CAN protocol to a SPI protocol, a CAN controller must be used. The CAN controller is supplied by the same 4VDC supply as the modem. This is done to ensure that the CAN controller and the Modems I/O's have the same voltage level. 5VDC supply the rest of the system.
  • the modem is used for wireless communication between the monitoring unit 30 and the alert receiving unit 40, e.g. a GSM server.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram of a modem of the monitoring unit.
  • the modem 32 is an example of the communication unit of the monitoring unit 30.
  • the circuit exemplifies how the applicant has implemented the modem 32, the chips in the middle of the figure has the function of an UART, which is well known in the art.
  • the circuit consists of the following:
  • the modem can be connected to connector J 12.
  • a connector J 8 is connected to the modem, and is used for debugging purpose.
  • a CAN controller called MCP2515 is used for converting the SPI protocol to a CAN protocol.
  • MCP2551 For level converting the CAN signals a driver called MCP2551 , also from Microchip, is used. Because the signal RXCAN on the controller and the RXD on the driver isn't compatible, an AND gate is applied as a level converter. The two devices are not compatible since they are supplied at two different DC voltage levels.
  • the SPI bus from the modem could be connected directly to the controller.
  • the modem is connected to 3 different LED. They are used for indication. Two of the LED's are a double diode. It has a red and a green led. If both of the LED is turned on, the colour is yellow. The third LED is green, and is used for indicating when the modem is communicating, and is online. When the modem is online, the LED it turned on. When the modem is communicating, the LED is flashing.
  • Fig. 7 is a detailed block diagram of the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 which is designed to measure on three pairs of the power supply lines 14, the monitoring unit 30 is thus provided with three sets of the current measurement circuit 36 and the voltage measurement circuit 34.
  • Each set of a current measurement circuit 36 and a voltage measurement circuit 34 measures the current flowing to the light sources 16 and the voltages across the light sources 16, respectively.
  • the I/O is used for connect to external signals.
  • the following i/o's be available:
  • the 4 - 2OmA input is a temperature sense input, used for connecting an external temperature sensor.
  • the temperature sensor is used for measuring the temperature inside the monitoring unit 30.
  • the input signal has to be converted from a current signal to a voltage signal, before is can be used.
  • the 230VAC input is used for detecting the status on a light detector.
  • the light detector is used for detecting if the light source, e.g. the street light has to be turned on or off.
  • the 230VAC input must be galvanic isolated from the rest of the electronics.
  • 3 different analogue inputs must be available. These inputs must be able to measure on 3 x 0.4kV lines, in the interval 200VAC to 260VAC, with the resolution of ImVAC. The inputs must be able to measure the phase on a voltage line, with the accuracy of ⁇ 200 ⁇ s.
  • Each the inputs must be protected against ESD, and transformed to a lower voltage before it can be used.
  • the 230VAC must also be galvanic isolated from the rest of the electronics.
  • the AC signal must be send through a band pass filter, to correct the shape of the AC signal. This must be done, because the AC signal can contain a lot of harmonic noise.
  • a relay output must be available to activate or deactivate light source, e.g. the street light lamp. The relay is used for handling an external relay and must be able to handle 250VAC / 1OA.
  • Fig. 8 is a temperature sensor input circuit of the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 is provided with a temperature sensor, which can be seen in the figure.
  • the 4 - 20 mA input is used for measuring the temperature using an external temperature sensor.
  • the temperature sensor has to be placed inside the monitoring unit 30.
  • the 5VDC output is used as supply for the temperature sensor. It is protected against over current by e.g. the 62mA fuse F4.
  • the sense input is protected against wrong polarisation by using the diode D8.
  • a current represents the temperature from 4mA to 2OmA. This current is converted to a voltage so it's possible to measure the value with an Analogue to Digital Converter. A 5V supply is available for the temperature sensor. It can deliver 62mA.
  • Fig. 9 is a electrical power detection diagram of the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 need know when there is electrical power provided. To this end the diagram shown is applied.
  • the power is galvanic separated by means of the opto coupler D24. From D24 a digital signal "Dig input" is generated indicating whether or not 230 V AC electrical power is present.
  • a circuit detecting 110 V AC 1 e.g. for USA is possible to implement, e.g. by selecting for example a lower resistor value for R81 and/or another type for the opto coupler D24.
  • the 230 VAC input is used for detecting the state on an external relay.
  • the input is galvanic separated by an opto coupler.
  • the opto coupler also works as a level converter.
  • the 3 x 230 VAC inputs are used for measuring the voltage on e.g. 3 different street light voltage lines.
  • Each of the 230VAC, zero and ground inputs is protected against spikes. If a spike larger than 4kV occurs between zero and ground, a protection circuit is protecting the inputs. The protection circuit is shown on the figure. If a spike larger than e.g. 4kV occurs, a spark will appear between the PCB tracks at the air gab and the resistor R59 then transfers it to ground. The air gab is drawn as two triangles with a rectangle between them on the schematic of the figure.
  • the spark gab works as an over-voltage protection in connection with the fuse F1.
  • Fig. 10 is a diagram of the protection circuit for the electrical power supplied.
  • the protection circuit may be used to individually protect the current measurement circuit 36 and the voltage measurement circuit 34 of figure 7.
  • the two circuits 36 and 34 measure the current flowing to the light sources 16 and the voltages across the light sources 16, respectively.
  • Fig. 11 is a diagram of electrical power conversion into current and voltage signal levels.
  • the lines “Current” and “Voltage” to the right in the figure is the result of the measurement of current and voltage by means of the current measurement circuit 36 and the voltage measurement circuit 34, respectively. These two circuits are integral to the monitoring unit 30.
  • the monitoring unit In case the monitoring unit is to measure on two pairs of power supply lines, it is provided with respective two current measurement circuits 36 and two voltage measurement circuits 34. Accordingly, as an alternative when the monitoring unit is to measure on three pairs of power supply lines it is provided with respective three current measurement circuits 36 and three voltage measurement circuits 34.
  • the voltages of three supply lines - of three corresponding 230 V AC electrical power sources connected to the connector J13 - are converted to the lower AC voltages by means of three respective transformers or set of coils, L2, L3 and L4 respectively.
  • three respective transformers or set of coils In series with the three respective transformers or set of coils is three respective over-voltage protective circuits connected to a common ground or return line.
  • each of the 230VAC inputs is converted to a lower voltage with e.g. a 19:1 transformer.
  • the transformer is also used as a galvanic isolator.
  • Each output on the secondary sides of the transformers has a protection diode to protect against voltage spikes.
  • a capacitor is used for changing the DC offsets to 2,048V DC. This is done to generate a zero crossing value for all AC measurements.
  • a multiplexer is used for selecting which input is being measured. The multiplexer has been selected in order to for minimising the amount of used components. In this way only one filter is needed for 3 voltage measurements, and accordingly only one AD converter is needed.
  • Fig. 12 is a diagram of band pass filter filtering the electrical power supplied.
  • the voltage output on the multiplexer is connected to the band pass filter.
  • the band pass filter is used to limit the input frequency band. This is done to remove unwanted frequency information from the input.
  • Fig. 13 is a schematic showing the band pass filter characteristic. Here the band pass filter characteristics from the foregoing figure is shown graphically.
  • Fig. 14 is a schematic showing a current transformer.
  • the first configuration for the inductor, used for measuring the current was to use an inductor made on a flexible PCB, with a PCB layout as a Rogowski inductor known in the art.
  • the applicant chose to drop the first configuration due to a large deviation in the measurement at the connection point between the edges of the PCB.
  • the schematic shows the original layout.
  • the inputs have a resistor in parallel.
  • the resistor on each input is e.g. 0.5 ⁇ / 2W. This means that when the coil is measuring 10A, the voltage on the resistor is 5OmV.
  • Fig. 15 is a schematic showing a current filter.
  • a multiplexer is used for selecting which current input is being measured.
  • the multiplexer is added for minimising the amount of used components. This way only one filter is needed for all 3 current measurements, and only one AD converter is needed.
  • the current output on the multiplexer is connected to a band pass filter.
  • the band pass filter is used to limit the input frequency band. This is done to remove unwanted frequency information from the input.
  • the output of the band pass filter is connected to an amplifier.
  • the amplifier has two different gains. The first gain is
  • the gain can be selected on a multiplexer. These gain values is not calculated, but defined by testing.
  • the amplifier is inserted to increase the resolution at lower current measurements.
  • Fig. 16 is a schematic showing a current filter with low gain.
  • the filter is with the low gain.
  • the simulation shows that the centre frequency is almost at 50Hz. It also shows that the filter is decreasing the low- and high frequencies by 40dB/decade.
  • Fig. 17 is a schematic showing a current filter with high gain
  • the filter is with the high gain.
  • the gain difference between the two filters should be 6.45, according to the 3 resistors R17, R18 and R19 in the last gain shift.
  • the simulations confirm that the gain difference is identical to the calculated.
  • Fig. 18 is a schematic showing relay outputs.
  • the 2 relays are used for handling external equipment.
  • One of the relays is used for handling an external relay.
  • the other relay output is made to have an extra relay output.
  • a MOSFET are used on each relay. This is done to operate the relays at TTL level.
  • the 2 outputs on connector J3, work as an on/off switch.
  • a 250V/1 OA fuse protects each of the outputs.
  • Fig. 19 is an AD converter block diagram.
  • the AD converter is user for measuring the voltages and current. To make sure that the phase accuracy on a 50Hz voltage or current measurement 1 , the AD converter must be able to sample more than 5000 smpl/sec. The AD converter must be able to measure from the 3 voltage and the 3 current inputs. To read from the AD converter a SPI bus must be used. A controller handles the SPI bus.
  • Fig. 20 is an AD converter circuit diagram. The figure is an implementation of the previous figure. A 16 bit AD converter with 2 inputs is chosen. An input is for the — voltage measurement, and the other one is for the current measurement. Since the 3 current- and the 3 voltage measurements are multiplexed only 2 inputs is needed on the AD converter.
  • the 16 bit AD converter can not meet the ImVAC demands for the voltage resolutions it self. A gain shift has to be made, or an AD converter with a higher resolution has to be used.
  • AD converter with a higher resolution could be chosen, but the 16bit is selected because of price and speed, and the voltage resolution is then compromised.
  • Fig. 21 is a controller block diagram.
  • the controller equals the CPU shown in e.g. figure 3.
  • the main CPU in the monitoring unit 30 handles all the digital and analogue I/O's and accordingly computes thereon.
  • a PIC18F8585 micro controller from microchip is used. This is selected because of its high speed and large memory, and especially because it has a CAN bus. A controller with a fewer I/O's and a smaller memory may be used.
  • Fig. 22 is a diagram showing use of the controller. The figure is an implementation of the previous figure.
  • a PIC18F8585 is chosen a controller. On the schematic above is written PIC18F8X20 but should read PIC18F8585. •
  • the reset circuit holds the reset input on the ⁇ Controller, until the digital power (+5) is stable.
  • the LED D17 is turned off when the ⁇ Controller is being reset.
  • the connector ICSP1 is used for debugging and programming the ⁇ Controller.
  • the 9 LED's to the right are used for different indications.
  • the ⁇ Controller is measuring the voltage level on the output on the DC/DC converter, the +5V and +4V supply. This is done to be able to indicate if something is wrong with the supply..
  • a temperature sensor (R52) is also mounted on the PCB. This is done to be able to measure the temperature in the box in which the monitoring unit is located.
  • an output driver MCP2551 is used to communicate on the CAN bus. It is used for communication to the modem.
  • An external CAN port is available on the connector J11. It may be used for service purpose.
  • Fig. 23 is a power supply block diagram.
  • the supply and reference delivers supply voltages and references voltages.
  • the input is protected against ESD, over current, over voltage and by a fuse.
  • the 230VAC may be converted to 12VAC by a 38:1 transformer; this also works as a galvanic isolation.
  • the AC is rectified to DC witch is converted to a 4VDC and 5VDC.
  • the 4V DC is for the communication unit, e.g. the modem and the 5 VDC is for the rest of monitoring unit.
  • the 4.096VDC reference is used because the ADC has a resolution of 2 16 bits (The reference must be dividable by 2 16 bits, to produce a simple LSB), which gives a LSB of 63 ⁇ V
  • Fig. 24 is a diagram showing implementation of the power supply.
  • the figure is an implementation of the previous figure.
  • the monitoring unit is supplied by 230 VAC when implemented in most European countries. Alternatively, for the United States 230 VAC supply the monitoring unit.
  • the supply input may have 4 different inputs: 1. Earth
  • Zero 1 is the zero for the 230VAC supply.
  • the zero 2 input is the zero line for the 3 x 230VAC inputs, connected to the transformers. Earth is used for protection. It is only used for protecting against voltage spikes higher than 4kV.
  • a 1.6A fuse is connected in series with the phase, e.g. a power supply line.
  • a resistor and a Varistor are used for protecting against higher voltages between the phase and zero, e.g. a power return line. If the input voltage gets too high, the resistance in the Varistor decreases and the input voltage on the transformer is limited.
  • the transformer may be used for transforming the 230VAC voltage to a 6VAC voltage.
  • the AC voltage is send through a rectifier, and 3 electrolytic capacitors are used for smoothing the ripple voltage.
  • Two different voltage regulators are used for converting the rectified AC voltage into two different DC voltage supplies.
  • the first voltage supply is a 5V DC supply.
  • the other is a 4V DC supply.
  • the 5V DC supply is used by the electronic in the monitoring unit.
  • the 4V DC supply is used by the modem. Because the 4V DC supply has to be very stable, 4 electrolytic capacitors with a low ESR are used.
  • To create a reference voltage at 4.096V DC an LM4120AIM5-4.1 (U12) may be used. It creates a reference voltage, used for AD measurements. The system is using another reference voltage that is exact the half of this voltage. This voltage is generated by means of two identical resistors.
  • a buffer B1 is used, to be able to deliver enough current on the output.
  • An operational amplifier U4 is used for regulating the output buffer, because the input and output on the buffer, is not totally identical.
  • the invention may be applied in a lighting monitoring system having two basic elements: the monitoring unit 30 and the alert receiving unit 40.
  • the monitoring unit 30 has the build in communication unit 32, which transfers alerts via SMS to the alert receiving unit 40.
  • the alert receiving unit 40 can transfer commands back to the monitoring unit 30 via the communication unit 32.
  • the invention may also be applied in a bigger system - the lighting system - using the lighting monitoring system as discussed above.
  • the lighting monitoring system is connected to one, two or three pairs of power supply line and to the plurality of light sources, which thereby may be monitored.
  • the monitoring unit 30 has at least two pairs of connectors.
  • the two pair of connectors constitutes a pair of input connectors and a pair of output connectors.
  • a respective pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line may be connected to the pair of input connectors.
  • the supply line provides 230 V AC, where the return line may be denoted 0 V AC.
  • the monitoring unit 30 then is provided with four pairs of connectors.
  • the four pair of connectors then constitutes two pair of input connectors and two pair of output connectors.
  • a respective 230 V AC with its return line 0 V AC is connected to each pair of input connectors.
  • the 230 V AC with its return line 0 V AC is connected to respective light sources.
  • the light sources may be connected between the two phases or some of them between the first phase and a corresponding return line, and correspondingly other light sources being connected between the second phase and the return line associated with the second phase.
  • the return line or the two return lines may be common for the two phases.
  • the monitoring unit 30 then may be provided with six pairs of connectors.
  • the six pair of connectors then constitutes three pair of input connectors and three pair of output connectors.
  • To the three pair of the input connectors three respective set of 230 V AC with their return lines, 0 V AC are connected. Accordingly, from every of the three pair of output connectors the 230 V AC with its respective return line 0 V AC is connected to respective light sources.
  • R denotes a supply line with it return line
  • S and T each also denotes the respective supply line and return line.
  • the three return lines may be common for the three supply lines.
  • the applicant has provided the monitoring unit 30 with four input connectors for the three phases, 3 x 230 VAC and the common return line. Accordingly, the applicant has provided the monitoring unit 30 with output connectors for the three phases having the same common return line wired through the monitoring unit. It is hereby an advantage that a technician in the field can choose to apply one, two or three phases to the input connectors. Accordingly, one, two or three phases leaves the output connectors, which may be connected to a desired number of light sources, which are to be monitored by means of the monitoring unit.
  • the monitoring unit 30 has a voltage measuring circuit 34 measuring the voltage, e.g. AC voltage across the pair of power supply lines connected to it. The measurement takes place either across the pair of input connectors or across the pair of output connectors used.
  • a voltage measuring circuit 34 measuring the voltage, e.g. AC voltage across the pair of power supply lines connected to it. The measurement takes place either across the pair of input connectors or across the pair of output connectors used.
  • the monitoring unit is provided with a current measuring circuit 36.
  • the circuit measures the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power, e.g. 230 V AC or 110 V AC, which is provided to the plurality of light sources connected to the output connectors.
  • the monitoring unit has a microcontroller/ ⁇ Controller or a CPU.
  • ⁇ Controller or the CPU are discussed in terms of the monitoring unit, since the steps are perform within this unit.
  • the monitoring unit controls the following steps aiming to detect whether light sources are defect::
  • the monitoring unit defines a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame. Measurements during the first time frame are e.g. used for learning how the impedance, in particular the resistance is of the light sources. It is thus assumed that measurements during the first time frame represent the status of the light sources at that time. For example if all light sources at that time work properly, i.e. they all draw current to light up, the status from the first time frame then represents a set of error free and properly working light sources. In practice the status for the light sources is obtained by measuring the voltage over the lines powering the light sources and the current flowing through the line. From these two factors, the total power consumption in the line may be determined. The power consumption can be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the resistance.
  • the start-up period may be called a learn session or period.
  • the monitoring unit measures at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit and measures at the same point of time, i.e. at the first point of time a first current level by means of the current measuring circuit.
  • the monitoring unit determines a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active, i.e. turned on during the first time frame of the learn session.
  • the first load resistance is determined and based on the measured first voltage level and the measured first current level.
  • the power consumption in terms of the current be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the first load resistance.
  • the monitoring unit defines a second time frame and a second point of time during the second time frame in which measurements are to take place.
  • Measurements during the second and later time frame are e.g. used for determining how the impedance, in particular the resistance is of the light sources - and possible also including the resistance of the connection between the light sources - when powered also in a steady state situation. It is assumed that measurements during the second time frame represent the status of the light sources at the time of an operating or functioning system, e.g. an operating lighting system.
  • the status from the second time frame then represents a set working light sources having a faulty light source. Accordingly, more faulty light sources may be detected.
  • the monitoring unit measures at the second point of time a second voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit as used before. Moreover, the monitoring unit measures at the second point of time a second current level by means of the current measuring circuit used to measure during the first time frame.
  • the monitoring unit may determine a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being powered and active during the second time frame.
  • the second load resistance is based on the second voltage and current level.
  • the monitoring unit has information about the first and second load resistance from the measured voltages and current, i.e. the load resistance from the learn session and another load resistance from the later period of the operating lighting system.
  • the latter may have errors or defects on the light sources powered.
  • the monitoring unit computes the difference between the first and second load resistance, and in case the difference exceeds a specific threshold, i.e. the difference is too big and thus could represent an increase in the load resistance between the two time frames, e.g. due to a non connected or blown bulb in a light source, the monitoring unit generates a first alert message. Subsequently, the monitoring unit sends or transmits e.g. by means of a SMS the first alert message through means of the communication unit to the alert receiving unit.
  • the difference may indicate an increased load resistance, it may be due to an open circuit and / or circuit parts leading to that too small current runs. If the difference exceeds a specific threshold it may additionally be due to a poor connection to or among light sources, or du to that one, two, three, etc light sources do/does not draw current since it or they are burned off and/or has/have malfunction (s).
  • the alert receiving unit acts, e.g. breaks a power line or more power lines and /or provides another alert message.
  • the another alert message is e.g. provided by means of a pictogram indicating a malfunctioning light source or light sources, a text message or in the form of LEDS being powered, e.g. on a panel in which the LEDS are mounted close to a supporting text.
  • alert messages each may indicate one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources is defect or is malfunctioning, or the supply line or even the return line is somehow defective, e.g. wrongly connected or misconnected.
  • the monitoring unit may further determine the time difference between the first and second point of time. This is used to determine the relative load resistance change over time, and is expressed as a ratio of the load resistance change over time. It is computed as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second point of time.
  • the ratio of the load resistance change over time reveals as compared to difference between the first and second load resistance whether the load resistance changes rapidly up and down. Since the first and second load resistance in both cases expresses a steady state situation for the light sources a resistance change - in e.g. ohm/sec - for an increasing load resistance and a decreasing load resistance as well indicate a malfunction somehow among the light sources and/or in the circuitry and lines connecting the light sources.
  • a rapidly decreasing load resistance may indicate a short circuit and / or that a current erroneously, e.g. due to moist, water, etc., runs to ground instead of running properly back in the return line from the supply line.
  • a rapidly increasing load resistance could indicate that e.g. a circuit of the return line and the supply line somewhere has a burnt over connection, a burnt off igniter, poor or missing connection and / or that a filament of a bulb of a light source is off.
  • the monitoring unit In all cases when the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit then generates a second alert message.
  • the communication unit e.g. the modem embedded in the monitoring unit sends the second alert message to the alert receiving unit.
  • the alert receiving unit acts accordingly, i.e. it presents an alert or alarm or does something to avoid further errors, e.g. switches off a power line or power lines etc.
  • the alert or alarm in the form of an alert message may e.g. be provided by means of a pictogram on a display or a screen, where the pictogram indicates a malfunctioning light source or light sources or a malfunctioning circuitry.
  • the message is e.g. provided in the form of a text message or in the form of LEDS being powered.
  • the method of controlling the lighting system or lighting monitoring system may perform the following steps:
  • the method proceeds with the steps: -
  • the method proceeds with the step: determining in the monitoring unit a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, e.g. by the product of the third voltage level and the third current level to obtain the first power level,
  • the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, the fourth steady state situation represents a period of the lighting system being in a stable operating mode, e.g. after more than 30 minutes have gone since the powering of the light sources and this steady stable situation is comparable with the discussed second steady state situation,
  • the method proceeds with the steps: measuring in the monitoring unit at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit already used for voltage measurements, measuring in the monitoring unit at the same point of time, i.e. at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of the current measuring circuit as already used for current measurements,
  • generating in the monitoring unit a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met, i.e. if the difference between the first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold
  • a set-up in the monitoring unit may be made to combine the computations which resulted in respective first, second and third alert messages, if e.g. all three are determined it may indicate severe faults in light sources powered.
  • the method of controlling the lighting system or lighting monitoring system may further perform the following steps:
  • the monitoring unit further determines a time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and then determines the ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between the above computed first and second power levels divided by the time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and in case the computed ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit in turn generates a fourth alert message which message subsequently the communication unit of the monitoring unit sends to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit then further acts or alerts in response to its the reception of the fourth alert message.
  • a rapidly increasing power level may indicate a short circuit and / or that a current erroneously, e.g. due to moist, water, etc. runs to ground instead of running property back in the return line from the supply line, moreover the rapidly increasing power consumption may indicate that an active ballast or other circuitry controlling lamps or bulbs, etc attempts to counter react an decreasing voltage - measured by active ballast or other circuitry - by providing or allowing excessive currents to flow with the inevitable result that the power consumption is increased over time and also a total measure.
  • the alert messages as discussed may each indicate one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two, three, four, etc light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or said supply line being defective.
  • the measurements taking place prior to the generation of the first, second, third and fourth alert message may be applied to detect the same types of malfunctions and/or defects.
  • one of the four ways (with corresponding resulting first, second, third and fourth alert messages) of interpreting current and voltage data e.g. the load resistance change and the relative load resistance change (load resistance change over time) turns out to be the fastest or most reliable one to detect a certain malfunction or defect.
  • the applicant over time compiles current and voltage data these data may be subject to advanced analyses in order to spot certain malfunctions or defects rather early in the data gathering process
  • phase or supply line provides electrical power such as AC power, consequently the voltage levels being measured along with the current levels also being measured are substantially AC levels in terms of volt and amperes.
  • the plurality of light sources or just a single light source is to be selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
  • the monitoring unit in a street light application being, a street light station, alternatively a lighting controller or a client.
  • the alert receiving unit may be a server or a cellular phone.
  • the communication unit may transmit or send the discussed alert messages through means of the pair of power supply lines, e.g. by superimposing a communication signal in the sinus wave of 50 or 60 cycles per second.
  • the communication unit may alternatively or additionally send the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via a GSM network for example by means of textual messages, e.g. SMS messages.
  • a wireless communication e.g. via a GSM network
  • textual messages e.g. SMS messages.
  • the communication unit may receive commands from the alert receiving unit through means of the one or two of the pair of power supply lines or by means of a textual message, e.g. a SMS message.
  • a textual message e.g. a SMS message.
  • the implemented way of communicating forth and back between the alert receiving unit and the monitoring unit is chosen to be identical.
  • the commands may be instructions to the monitoring unit to switch on or off one, two, three, etc or all of the light sources connected to the monitoring unit.
  • commands may be instructions to the monitoring unit to switch completely on or off one, two, three of the phases connected to light sources powered via the monitoring unit.
  • the purpose of the RimServer program is to let a technician setup and operate one or more Rimfaxe units.
  • the RimServer program is written in C++.
  • Borland C++ Builder 6.0 has been used.
  • the program uses the component CANUSB which relies on the PCAN_USB.dll from the Peak-Can package supplied when purchasing a PCAN-USB Converter.
  • the program also uses a number of Async Professionel components that are available from TurboPower Software Company.
  • Tf rm RimServer ⁇ f ⁇ _Rims ⁇ rv ⁇ r is the main entry-point of the RimServer program. ⁇ £ ⁇ n_RimServer presents the user with ability to communication with and control the Rimfaxe units. This includes:
  • Tf rm_showData allows the user to see the data contained in a specific SMS sent to or received from a Rimfaxe unit.
  • frm_Ri ⁇ iServer On start-up the form frm_Ri ⁇ iServer is shown. This enables the user to interact with the system as described in the module description for Tf rm_RimServer . 1.6. Design considerations
  • the RimServer program has been developed parallel to the maturing and development process of the design specification of the Rimfaxe system. The effect of this is that the RimServer program has some flaws by design.
  • ⁇ f ⁇ n_Rims ⁇ rv ⁇ r is the main entry-point of the RimServer program.
  • ⁇ frm_Rims ⁇ rv ⁇ r presents the user with ability to communication with and control the Rimfaxe units. This includes:
  • the user can use the graphical user interface to communicate with the Rimfaxe units. This is done by selecting the communication channel and sending messages to the units.
  • the user is presented by the communication sent to Rimfaxe units by means of various communication logs, and the user is also presented with the information received from the Rimfaxe units.
  • ⁇ frm_RimS ⁇ rver initializes various variables and components to allow the CAN-
  • the program scans all COM Ports from 0 to 255 and if the port number is a valid and available port, the program adds the port number to the combo box, where the user can select a given COM Port number.
  • Tfnn_Rimserver After startup Tfnn_Rimserver awaits user input.
  • tmr_RequestsMS that requests if any SMS messages are available from the modem every 5 seconds.
  • the user is able to send various SMS messages independent of the chosen communication media. This is done by selecting the Rimfaxe unit the user wishes to communicate with and then pressing the buttons just below the CAN communication log, that allow the user to send different types of messages.
  • ⁇ f ⁇ n_RimS ⁇ rv ⁇ r releases the Dynamic Linked Library (DLL) PCAN_OSB .DLL. This is important since the DLL is locked and can't be unlocked once the locking program stops running.
  • the 6 data files are also saved on shutdown, which allows the RimServer to reload information from previous sessions.
  • This function handles the OnData-event in the CANUSB-component, which is triggered when new data is received on the CAN Bus.
  • the ID-field is parsed into the Type, Recipient, Command, Sender and RTR, and data is extracted from the incoming CAN-packet.
  • ProcessCANO function is called to handle the received information.
  • This function handles incoming information received on the CAN bus.
  • SMS message and compares it to the checksum written in the SMS message. If these two match, the program parses the SMS message by calling the function handiesMS ( ) .
  • This function is used to parse the information received in an SMS independent on if the message has been received via CAN or via Modem communication.
  • the function checks the message type of the incoming SMS and parses it according to the Rimfaxe communication protocol. See this protocol for a more in-depth description of the way the parsing is performed.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_servi has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Servl type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
  • the function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendc-ANO function.
  • This function is run when the user presses the btn_BoiActive button.
  • the purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Servl type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit.
  • the function will use tmr_servi ⁇ i_mer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function Messag ⁇ ToSpool ( ) , if the communication is through a modem.
  • Message-type is set to extended, since this is used with Rimfaxe units.
  • Data length and data to be sent is set.
  • This function is run when the user presses the btn_serv3 button.
  • the purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv3 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit.
  • the function will use tmr_serv3 ⁇ imer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function M ⁇ ssag ⁇ ToSpooi ( ) , if the communication is through a modem.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_Ack has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Servl 1 (Acknowledge) type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
  • the function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendCANO function.
  • This function is run when the user presses the btn_servii button.
  • the purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Servll type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit.
  • the function will use tmr_AckTiiner to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpooi o , if the communication is through a modem.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_serv3 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv3 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
  • the function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_s ⁇ ndcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the SendCANO function.
  • This function is run when the user presses the btn_s ⁇ rv5 button.
  • the purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv5 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit.
  • the function will use tmr_serv5 ⁇ imer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpool ( ) , if the communication is through a modem. 1.4.12. tmr Serv5Timer ( ... ⁇
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_s ⁇ rv5 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv5 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
  • the function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendCANO function.
  • This function is run when the user presses the btn_s ⁇ rv7 button.
  • the purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv7 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit.
  • the function will use tmr_serv7Timer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpool ( ) , if the communication is through a modem.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_s ⁇ rv7 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv7 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
  • the function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the SendCANO function.
  • This function is run when the user presses the btn_serv9 button.
  • the purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv9 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit.
  • the function will use tmr_serv9 ⁇ imer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpool O , if the communication is through a modem. 1.4.16. tmr Serv9Timer ( %)
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_s ⁇ rv9 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv9 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
  • the function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_s ⁇ ndcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendc&NO function.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetLightsensorFail has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_ResetLightsensorFaiicount and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_sendspooler has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send the SMS messages that are cued in the arr_sendspooistr SMS array.
  • the function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable int_sendspooi ⁇ rstat ⁇ . Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to perform different parts of the sending process.
  • the function utilizes the function MakePDU ⁇ bit ( ) to transform a message into an 8 bit PDU messages that can be understood by the Rimfaxe unit.
  • This function receives a string containing the SMS text and a string containing the phone number of the recipient and returns an 8 bit PDU string based on these information. This 8 bit PDU information is then transmittable by the modem.
  • the function Numb ⁇ rS ⁇ miOctet ( ) is used to transform the phone number to the right format.
  • This function receives a phone number as a string and returns a different string containing the phone number in a format that is recognized by the modem when using 8 bit PDU communication.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetuLFi has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_R ⁇ s ⁇ tuLFicount and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_s ⁇ rv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_R ⁇ setuLF2 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_Res ⁇ tuLF2Count and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetULF3 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_R ⁇ s ⁇ tDLF3Count and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags. 1.4.24. tmr ResetSLPwrTimer (... ⁇
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetSLPwr has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_R ⁇ s ⁇ tSLPwrCount and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
  • This function is called whenever the DataPacket apd_DPText receives a correctly formatted data string from the connected modem.
  • the function After receiving the data the function parses it and adds it to the data log for the specific
  • the final operation is to send a command to the modem requesting it to delete the SMS that has just been received.
  • This function receives a text string generated by the modem when it receives an SMS and extracts the Rimfaxe protocol text from this SMS string.
  • This function is called whenever the timer tmr_RequestSMS has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event.
  • the primary goal of the function is to send a request to the modem which forces the modem to reply, if it has received any new SMS messages.
  • This function adds an SMS message to the SMS spooler array.
  • the array is build as a ring buffer that contains all SMS messages to be sent by the tmr_sendspooier ⁇ imer ( ) function.
  • This function receives a text string generated by the modem when it receives an SMS and extracts the PDU Data from this string.
  • This function receives a text string generated by the modem when it receives an SMS and extracts the phone number of the sender from this string.
  • This function receives a text string containing the name of the Rimfaxe unit, and it then adds a data entry to the log files, where the status of the Rimfaxe unit is stored. This helps in tracking the status changes of a Rimfaxe unit over a long period of time and it allows the user to scroll forward and backward in the messages received from the Rimfaxe unit.
  • This function receives a text string containing the name of the Rimfaxe unit and an integer containing the message number that should be displayed.
  • This function is invoked when the user clicks the list of Rimfaxe units. It changes the selection of the Rimfaxe unit according to the users input, and it then displays the latest message from the Rimfaxe by using the s ⁇ i ⁇ ctunitstatus ( ) function. It also extracts a description of the Rimfaxe unit, if a description is available in the data log files. 1.4.34. btn NextMessa ⁇ eClick:
  • This function is invoked when the user clicks the btn_NextMessage button. It displays the next message from the message cue of the Rimfaxe unit by using the seiectunitstatus ( ) function.
  • This function is invoked when the user clicks the btnjPrevMessage button. It displays the previous message from the message cue of the Rimfaxe unit by using the
  • This function is invoked when the user changes the c-nb_comi?orts combo box. It closes the current selected COM Port and opens the COM Port, the user has selected. It then invokes the function rdo_ModemEnter ( ) .
  • This function is invoked when the user enables the rdo_Modem radio button. It enables various timers that are needed to communicate with the modem to send and receive SMS messages.
  • This function is invoked when the user enables the rdo_CAN radio button. It initializes the CAN communication components and disables the timers that are used for SMS communication via a modem.
  • This function is used to reset the information about a Rimfaxe unit showed in the GUI. This is mostly used when the user selects a new Rimfaxe unit, that the program has received no previous communication from. 1.4.40. Ibx SMSLo ⁇ DblClick (...I
  • This function is invoked when the user double clicks the ibx_SMSLog component. It displays the information of a specific SMS message in the f ⁇ n_siiowData form.
  • This function is invoked when the user clicks the btn_AckAii button. It updates the state of the Rimfaxe unit so that all messages are acknowledged.
  • This function is invoked when the user clicks the btn_Ack button. It updates the state of the Rimfaxe unit so that the most recent message is acknowledged.
  • MSGTYPE defines whether extended or normal message-filter is used. This is set to extended.
  • ID is the Message ID.
  • LEN defines the size of the CAN-data to be sent. The maximum is 8 bytes.
  • DATA is the data to be sent.
  • This communication is performed via the TApdComPort that enables serial communication. This allows the RimServer program to exchange standard AT commands with the connected modem, which makes it possible to perform SMS communication.
  • Tf ⁇ n_RimServer is used to display TFrm_SliowData.
  • RimServer uses the following data files to store information between sessions.
  • the objective of this document is to define the network protocol for the communication between the different modules of the Rimfaxe project including communication with a server system.
  • This document is a working tool to keep all parties of the project on line. All parties are responsible of keeping the document updated. Kasmatic Innovation A/S is responsible of distributing the updated protocol.
  • the Rimfaxe system communicates with the server system through a protocol converter (The Communication Unit).
  • the communication medium between the server system and the Rimfaxe system is transparent, why a new communication medium easily can be implemented exchanging the Communication Unit.
  • Internally The Rimfaxe system communicates via a CAN network.
  • the network is build as a distributed master slave network with the server as master.
  • the Communication Unit is transparent for both the DISCOS and the server system, why this document only regard this as a medium and initialization and other considerations is done elsewhere.
  • the internal CAN bus is transparent for the server system.
  • the CAN protocol is described in a parallel document.
  • the network is addressed with the actual phone number and the CAN ID for the unit. 3.
  • the protocol for the Rimfaxe Project implements the Physical Layer, the Data Link Layer and the Application Layer. Other layers of the OSI model is not regarded as necessary for this application.
  • the physical layer carrying the communication between the server and the Rimfaxe Systems is based on SMS messaging in the first generation of the Rimfaxe System.
  • the Data Link layer handles all acknowledging between the server and the Rimfaxe system.
  • All server requests initiates a response from the requested unit, why an acknowledge isen't necessary.
  • the server also retransmits packages on no response 3 times with 2 minutes interval.
  • the Application layer handles the protocol conversion from server messages to CAN packages and vice versa. This is done due to the fact that a CAN package only carries 8 bytes of data.
  • the application layer handles the address checking and generation when sending and receiving server messages. Due to security reasons the Communication Unit flushes messages from other phone numbers than the server system. Equally, all messages from the Rimfaxe System is send to a specific phone number.
  • a server message should not be deleted before an acknowledgement or a response has been received. If this ack or response not has been received within 2 min. the server message is retransmitted. An alarm-message has priority over a response-message, therefore if an alarm occurs and response on a request is to be send, the response is deleted and the alarm transmitted instead. There are no message-queue, if a request-message is received before the last one is handled the last request is not processed.
  • Unit Request from server to unit, to operate ON/OFF relay according to STATUS. Unit replies with serv ⁇ message.
  • Learn function is active while a new request is initiated, message is acknowledged and the learn session continued.
  • Unit reponds with servl3 message.
  • Alarm messages from module to server send when a Single Lamp Fail occurs.
  • Alarm messages from module to server send when a Multi Lamp Fail occurs.
  • Alarm messages from module to server send when voltage is detected low on an active line.
  • Alarm messages from module to server send on inconsistency between Light Sensor output and voltage output.
  • EXT_MSG Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS conv.
  • EXT_MSG Status data for server SCADA system.
  • ⁇ - ⁇ - system response on 1st request).
  • EXT_MSG Alarm occurs in unit SCADA system. ⁇ - ⁇ - #y and the response is droped and alarm-sms is transmitted instead
  • Rimfaxe units is registered manually at the server. Only phone number and CAN ID is used as identification.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting system. The system comprises a pair of power supply lines, a plurality of light sources connected to said pair of supply lines, a monitoring unit and an alert receiving unit communicating with said monitoring unit. The pair of power supply lines may constitute a supply line and a return line. The supply line and said return line are connected to said plurality of light sources and through said monitoring unit, the pair of power supply lines providing electrical power to said plurality of light sources. The monitoring unit may comprise a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across said pair of power supply lines. The monitoring unit may further comprise a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through said supply line or said return line in response to the electrical power provided to said plurality of light sources.

Description

LIGHTING SYSTEM
The invention relates to a lighting system, and in particular to a road lighting system suitable for use where access to the lights is difficult or dangerous. 5.
Moreover, the invention relates to a lighting monitoπng system and a method ot controlling lighting.
A road lighting system is known from the publication WO 02/067637 A1. Other 0 publications such as WO 02/067637, WO 00/24229, US 2004/204917, GB 2 403 357, US 5,479,159 and US 6,556,017 also describe lighting systems. Reference is made to all of the above mentioned patent publications, and all are hereby incorporated in the present specification by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 5
Good, reliable lighting especially at and near road or street junctions is vital for improving road safety. Accordingly, there is a need to monitor and replace lamps when a significant number have failed.
0 Reliable lighting at public places or in an environment where many people pass by or stay is also important for reasons of personal comfort and to avoid theft and attack in a else more dark environment. Accordingly, there is a also here a need to monitor and replace light sources when a significant number of them have failed or has a malfunction, e.g. provides too little light. 5
The lamps used in lighting heads of conventional road lights and in public areas have a limited, and variable, life span so there is inevitably a trade-off between replacing failed lamps to maximise road-user and personal safety / comfort and minimising the number of maintenance actions required in order to minimise cost 0 and disruption. It is a known and cumbersome practise that the number of failed lamps within a given stretch of motorway is determined by a manual visual inspection. As an example, many road lights are located in positions where it is difficult, dangerous or expensive to reach those lights. For example, lights located on the central reservation of motorways are difficult, dangerous and expensive to access, since extensive traffic management is required which can significantly disrupt normal traffic flow.
Accordingly, there is a need to minimise the maintenance required for lighting at such locations at locations at public places as well. Furthermore, automatic detection of failure is more complicated than it might at first sight appear. Total failure of a light source may be relatively easy to detect if the light source then draws too little current, but even this is not a reliable measurement to detect the failure, since the light source may be packaged together with ballast, igniter and other controlling components. There are however other failure modes in which light source, e.g. a lamp still draws current but does not provide adequate illumination. For example, sodium street lamps can fail in such a way that they become so-called "red burners", that is lamps that continue to glow red and never warm up to glow bright orange- yellow. Lamps may also start to flicker, which also can be difficult to detect by means of a current measurement.
Thus, there remains a need for a lighting system and method that can improve lighting reliability whilst keeping maintenance costs at as low a level as possible.
The term lamp is taken to mean any lamp, bulb, fluorescent lamp, neon light, Hg lamp, sodium street lamp, light emitting diode or light emitting diodes light source or any other source or sources of light suitable for adequate illumination of areas, e.g. in the evening and/or during night hours.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alert in case that an increased or decreased load resistance is detected. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an alert due to an open circuit and / or circuit parts leading to that either too small or too excessive current runs to light sources connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alert when a poor connection to or among light sources is detected.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alert when one, two, three, etc light sources do/does not draw current. E.g. too little current drawn could be caused if any of the light sources has burned off and/or has some malfunction.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alert when one or more light sources is/are defective or malfunctioning.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alert when the supply line powering the light source or light source is defective, e.g. due to a short circuit or due to that current erroneously runs to ground, e.g. due to moist or due to that water penetrated the system, e.g. into the electronic circuitry or between lines.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alert when the circuitry and/or the lines connecting the light sources has or have some defect.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alert when a circuit of the return line and the supply line somewhere has a burnt over connection, a burnt off igniter, a poor or a missing connection and in case when a filament of a bulb or of a light source is off.
The above mentioned alerts are then contemplated to allow a person, such as a technician to react to any of the alerts and repair any damage or defect that is the source to the alarm. The alarm may include an identification of the physical location of the source of the alarm.
The above object, the above advantage, and the above feature together with numerous other objects, advantages, and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of the present invention and are in accordance with the teaching of the present invention obtained by the following three aspects of the invention, where a first aspect of the present invention is a lighting system comprising: a pair of power supply lines, a plurality of light sources connected to the pair of supply lines, a monitoring unit; and an alert receiving unit communicating with the monitoring unit, the pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, the supply line and the return line being connected to the plurality of light sources and through the monitoring unit, the pair of power supply lines providing electrical power to the plurality of light sources, the monitoring unit comprising a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across the pair of power supply lines, the monitoring unit comprising a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power provided to the plurality of light sources, the monitoring unit defining a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame, during the first time frame a first steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the monitoring unit measuring at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the first point of time a first current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active during the first time frame based on the first voltage level and the first current level, the monitoring unit defining a second time frame and a second point of time during the second time frame, during the second time frame a second steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the second time frame being defined to take place after the first time frame has expired, the monitoring unit measuring at the second point of time a second voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the second point of time a second current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active during the second time frame based on the second voltage level and the second current level, the monitoring unit generating a first alert message provided the difference between the first and second load resistance exceeds a first specific threshold constituting a first alert criterion, the monitoring unit comprising a communication unit for sending the first alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit acting or alerting in response to the reception of the first alert message.
In the following the term time period and time frame is used interchangeably.
The plurality of light sources connected to the pair of supply lines may be distributed along a length of the supply lines. The light sources may be of any of the types mentioned above.
The above mentioned first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame may be determined using a computer program stored in a memory device and executed on a processor in the device. During the first time frame a first steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved. The first time frame may be determined by continuously surveying conditions on the power supply line.
The monitoring unit may include an electrical inlet and a corresponding outlet where through the monitoring unit is connected to the power supply lines. Alternatively the power supply lines may pass through the monitoring unit. The power supply lines may provide power to the plurality of light sources as well as to the monitoring unit.
The monitoring unit may comprise a central processing unit receiving and processing signals from the various components. The central processing unit may as well handle communication with the outside world. The monitoring unit may further comprise communication units electrically connected to the central processing unit. One or more memory units may further be provided to the monitoring unit in electrical connection to the central processing unit. The central processing unit may comprise computer implementation of the method steps mentioned throughout the present specification.
The alert receiving unit mentioned is not necessary a part of the system, but may be a separate unit positioned in a remote location.
The voltage measuring circuit may be connected to the central processing unit and/or to other processing units. The signal from the voltage measuring circuit is preferably used for the monitoring of the lights.
The current measuring circuit may be connected to the central processing unit and/or to other processing units. The signal from the current measuring circuit is preferably used for the monitoring of the lights.
The voltage and current measuring circuits preferably measures voltage and current on the supply line, which is connected to the plurality of lamps or light sources. Preferably power is supplied to all lamps or light sources of the plurality of light sources when the voltage and current is measured.
The first point of time is contemplated to represent the mentioned steady state situation in the first time period. The second point of time is contemplated to represent the mentioned steady state situation in the second time period.
The central processing unit may comprise a scheme of specific periods or intervals defining when the two measurements are to be conducted. In one embodiment of the present invention the first interval may be measured only once, e.g. during setup or alternatively once within a specific interval, e.g. once each hour, once a day, once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, once each month etc. The second period may be defined periodically, i.e. the second measurement may be performed periodically, either with equally long intervals, or with varying intervals. In some embodiments the measurements may be performed during the periods of time where the lights of the lighting system is lighted.
The alert messages may be generated in or by the central processing unit. The messages may then be sent from the central processing unit to a communication unit transmitting the alert message further to a receiving station or unit, as described elsewhere.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit further determining a first time difference between the first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second points of time, and provided the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit generating a second alert message and the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the second alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the second alert message.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit defining a third time frame and a third point of time during the third time frame, during the third time frame a third steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, the monitoring unit defining a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during the fourth time frame, during the fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a second power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the fourth time frame based on the fourth voltage level and the fourth current level, the monitoring unit generating a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met as the difference between the first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between the first and second power levels divided by the determined time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and provided the ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the fourth alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the fourth alert message.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or the supply line being defective.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, the supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first time frame being - identical to the third time frame and the second point of time being identical to the fourth point of time.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electrical power being an AC power, the first and second voltage level and the first and second current levels are substantially AC levels.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of the light sources being defective.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the alert receiving unit being a server.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the alert receiving unit being cellular phone. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lighting system comprising two pairs of power supply lines and two of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lighting system comprising three pairs of power supply lines and three of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lighting system further comprising a plurality of the monitoring unit.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication unit sending the alert messages through the pair of power supply lines.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication unit sending the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the alert messages are textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication unit receiving commands through the pair of power supply lines.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the commands being instruction to switch on or off the plurality of the light sources.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the return line being common for two of the pair of power supply lines.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the return line being common for three of the pair of power supply lines. The monitoring unit may define a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame. Measurements during the first time frame may be used for learning or recording how the impedance, in particular the resistance, of the supply lines develop over time. In particular the resistance caused by the light sources.
It may be assumed that measurements during the first time frame represent the status of the light sources in that time frame or period. For example if all light sources at that time work properly, i.e. they all draw current to light up, the status from the first time frame then represents a set of error free and properly or correctly working light sources.
In practice the status for the light sources is obtained by measuring the voltage over the lines powering the light sources and the current flowing through the lines. From these two factors, the total power consumption in the line may be determined. The power consumption can be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the resistance.
In order to measure correctly it is a prerequisite during the first time frame that a steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved. This means that the light sources with igniter and ballast etc have heated up and have a stable power consumption, i.e. they draws a stable current. Typically 30 minutes are sufficient time to reach the steady state situation.
The start-up period may be called a learn session or period. During the learn session, the monitoring unit measures at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit and measures at the same point of time, i.e. at the first point of time a first current level by means of the current measuring circuit.
By the above, it is contemplated to allow the monitoring unit to determine a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active, i.e. turned on during the first time frame or learn session. The first load resistance is determined, and based on, the measured first voltage level and the measured first current level. The power consumption in terms of the current be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the first load resistance.
Later on, i.e. after learn session, new measurements of the current drawn and the voltage supplied may be performed, i.e. the monitoring unit may define a second time frame and a second point of time during the second time frame in which measurements are to take place. Measurements performed during the second and later time frames may be used to determining how the impedance, in particular the resistance is of the light sources - and possible also including the resistance of the connection between the light sources - develop when powered, also during steady state situations.
It is assumed that measurements during the second time frame represent the status of the light sources at the time of an operating or functioning system, e.g. an operating lighting system. Due to wear, poor electrical connections, a "red burner" light source, flickering light sources, lamps that never reach operating temperature due to an internal error or malfunction, etc it is possible that fewer light sources work properly or correctly, i.e. they draw less than the expected correct current, e.g. less than the current measured in the first time frame or other previous time frames.
For example if just one of the light sources at a specific point of time does not work properly, i.e. it draws to little current to light up, the status from the second time frame then represents a set of light sources having a faulty light source.
Accordingly, subsequent measurements may detect further faulty light sources.
In order to also here to measure correctly it is a precondition that during the second time frame a second steady state situation for the plurality of light sources powered is achieved. This means that the light sources have had sufficient time to warm up and to enter a stable current consumption. The second time frame is defined to take place after the first time frame or learning session has passed. The monitoring unit may measure at the second point of time a second voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit as used before. Moreover, the monitoring unit measures at the second point of time a second current level by means of the same current measuring circuit used to measure during the first time frame.
The monitoring unit may determine a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being powered and active during the second time frame. The second load resistance is based on the second voltage and current level.
The monitoring unit may comprise information about the first and second load resistance from the measured voltages and current at two different time intervals, e.g. the load resistance from the learn session and another load resistance from a later period. The latter may include errors or defects on the light sources powered.
The monitoring unit may compute the difference between the first and second load resistance, and in case the difference exceeds a specific threshold, e.g. if the difference is too large which could represent an increase in the load resistance between the two time frames, e.g. due to a non connected or blown bulb in a light source, the monitoring unit generates a first alert message. Subsequently, the monitoring unit sends or transmits, e.g. by means of a SMS, the first alert message through means of the communication unit to the alert receiving unit.
For example if the difference exceeds a specific threshold, it may indicate an increased load resistance, it may be due to an open circuit and / or circuit parts leading to that too small current runs. If the difference exceeds a specific threshold it may additionally be due to a poor connection to or among light sources, or due to that one, two, three, etc light sources do/does not draw current since it or they have one or more malfunctions.
In response to the reception of the first alert message the alert receiving unit may act, e.g. by breaks a power line or more power lines and /or provides another alert message. Alternatively an alert message may be provided by means of a pictogram indicating a malfunctioning light source or light sources, a text message or in the form of one or more LED being powered, e.g. on a panel in which the LEDS are mounted close to a supporting text.
In general, when alert messages are discussed herein each may indicate one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light . _ sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources is defect or is malfunctioning, or the supply line or even the return line is somehow defective, e.g. wrongly connected or misconnected.
Moreover, the monitoring unit may further determine the time difference between the first and second point of time. This is used to determine the relative load resistance change over time, and is expressed as a ratio of the load resistance change over time. It is computed as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second point of time.
The ratio of the load resistance change over time reveals as compared to difference between the first and second load resistance whether the load resistance changes rapidly up and down. Since the first and second load resistance in both cases expresses a steady state situation for the light sources a resistance change - in e.g. ohm/sec - for an increasing load resistance and a decreasing load resistance as well indicate a malfunction somehow among the light sources and/or in the circuitry and lines connecting the light sources.
For example, a rapidly decreasing load resistance may indicate a short circuit and / or that a current erroneously, e.g. due to moist, water, etc., runs to ground instead of running properly back in the return line from the supply line.
Conversely, a rapidly increasing load resistance could indicate that e.g. a circuit of the return line and the supply line somewhere has a burnt over connection, a burnt off igniter, poor or missing connection and / or that a filament of a bulb of a light source is off.
In all cases when the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit then generates a second alert message.
Subsequently, the communication unit e.g. the modem embedded in the monitoring unit sends the second alert message to the alert receiving unit.
In response to the reception of the second alert message the alert receiving unit acts accordingly, i.e. it presents an alert or alarm or does something to avoid further errors, e.g. switches off a power line or power lines etc. The alert or alarm in the form of an alert message may e.g. be provided by means of a pictogram on a display or a screen, where the pictogram indicates a malfunctioning light source or light sources or a malfunctioning circuitry. Alternative the message is e.g. provided in the form of a text message or in the form of LEDS being powered.
The monitoring unit may be setup or configured to combine the computations which resulted in respective first, second and third alert messages, if e.g. all three are determined it may indicate severe faults in light sources powered.
The monitoring unit in a street light application may be a street light station, alternatively a lighting controller or a client. The alert receiving unit may be a server or a cellular phone.
Moreover, the communication unit may transmit or send the above mentioned alert message through means of the pair of power supply lines, e.g. by superimposing a communication signal in the sinus wave of 50 or 60 cycles per second.
The communication unit may alternatively or additionally send the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via a GSM network for example by means of a text message, e.g. as an SMS or MMS message. Conversely, the communication unit may receive commands from the alert receiving unit through means of the one or two of the pair of power supply lines or by means of a textual message, e.g. a SMS message.
Appropriately, the implemented way of communicating forth and back between the alert receiving unit and the monitoring unit is chosen to be identical.
The commands may be instructions to the monitoring unit to switch on or off one, two, three, etc or all of the light sources connected to the monitoring unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the invention comprises a lighting monitoring system comprising: a monitoring unit and an alert receiving unit, the monitoring unit comprising a communication unit communicating with the alert receiving unit, the monitoring unit having two pairs of connectors constituting a pair of input connectors and a pair of output connectors, the pair of input connectors being connectable to a pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, the pair of power supply lines providing electrical power, the pair of output connectors being connectable to a plurality of light sources, the pair of power supply lines providing an electrical power to the plurality of light sources through the monitoring unit, the monitoring unit comprising a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across the pair of power supply lines across the pair of input connectors or across the pair of output connectors, the monitoring unit comprising a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power provided to the plurality of light sources, the current flowing between one of the pair of input connectors and one of the pair of output connectors, the monitoring unit defining a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame, during the first time frame a first steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the monitoring unit measuring at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the first point of time a first current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active during the first time frame based on the first voltage level and the first current level, the monitoring unit defining a second time frame and a second point of time during the second time frame, during the second time frame a second steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the second time frame being defined to take place after the first time frame has expired, the monitoring unit measuring at the second point of time a second voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the second point of time a second current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active during the second time frame based on the second voltage level and the second current level, the monitoring unit generating a first alert message provided the difference between the first and second load resistance exceeds a first specific threshold constituting a first alert criterion, the monitoring unit sending the first alert message through means of the communication unit to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit acting or alerting in response to the reception of the first alert message.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit further determining the time difference between the first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second points of time, and provided the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit generating a second alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the second alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the second alert message.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit defining a third time frame and a third point of time during the third time frame, during the third time frame a third steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the third point of time a third current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, the monitoring unit defining a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during the fourth time frame, during the fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, the monitoring unit measuring at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of the current measuring circuit, the monitoring unit determining a second power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the fourth time frame based on the fourth voltage level and the fourth current level, the monitoring unit generating a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met as the difference between the first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between the first and second power levels divided by the determined time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and provided the ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the fourth alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the fourth alert message.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or the supply line being defective.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, the supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first time frame being identical to the third time frame and the second point of time being identical to the fourth point of time.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electrical power being an AC power, the first and second voltage level and the first and second current levels being substantially AC levels. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of the light sources being defective.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the alert receiving unit being a server.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the alert receiving unit being a cellular phone.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit having two pairs of input connectors and two pairs of output connectors for connecting two pairs of power supply lines to respective two of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit having three pairs of input connectors and three pairs of output connectors for interconnecting three pairs of power supply lines to respective three of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication unit sending the alert messages through the pair of power supply lines. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication unit sending the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the alert messages being textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication unit receiving commands through the pair of power supply lines.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the received commands being instructions to switch on or off the plurality of the light sources.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the invention comprising a method of controlling a lighting system comprising: a pair of power supply lines, a plurality of light sources, a monitoring unit, and an alert receiving unit communicating with the monitoring unit, the method comprising the steps of: providing the pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, connecting the supply line and the return line to the plurality of light sources through the monitoring unit, providing electrical power to the plurality of light sources by means of the pair of power supply lines, providing a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across the pair of power supply lines in the monitoring unit, providing a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power provided to the plurality of light sources in the monitoring unit, defining in the monitoring unit a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame and achieving during the first time frame a first steady state situation for the plurality of light sources, measuring in the monitoring unit at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, measuring in the monitoring unit at the first point of time a first current level by means of the current measuring circuit, determining in the monitoring unit a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active during the first time frame based on the measured first voltage level and the measured first current level, defining in the monitoring unit a second time frame and a second point of time during the second time frame, achieving during the second time frame a second steady state situation for the plurality of light sources, defining the second time frame being to take place after the first time frame has expired, measuring in the monitoring unit at the second point of time a second voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, measuring in the monitoring unit at the second point of time a second current level by means of the current measuring circuit, determining in the monitoring unit a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active during the second time frame based on the measured second voltage level and the measured second current level, generating in the monitoring unit a first alert message provided the difference between the first and second load resistance exceeds a first specific threshold constituting a first alert criterion, providing in the monitoring unit a communication unit, and sending by means of the communication unit the first alert message to the alert receiving unit, and receiving in the alert receiving unit the first alert message and the alert receiving unit acting or alerting in response to the reception of the first alert message.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method further comprising determining by the monitoring unit the time difference between the first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second points of time, and provided the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level generating by the monitoring unit a second alert message, sending by the communication unit the second alert message to.the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the received second alert message.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method, further comprising defining in the monitoring unit a third time frame and a third point of time during the third time frame, during the third time frame a third steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, measuring in the monitoring unit at the third point of time a third voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, measuring in the monitoring unit at the third point of time a third current level by means of the current measuring circuit, determining in the monitoring unit a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, defining in the monitoring unit a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during the fourth time frame, during the fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, measuring in the monitoring unit at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit, measuring in the monitoring unit at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of the current measuring circuit, determining in the monitoring unit a second power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the fourth time frame based on the fourth voltage level and the fourth current level, generating in the monitoring unit a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met as the difference between the first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference - between the first and second power levels divided by the determined time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and provided the ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, the communication unit of the monitoring unit sending the fourth alert message to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of the fourth alert message.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or the supply line being defective.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, the supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first time frame being identical to the third time frame and the second point of time being identical to the fourth point of time.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the electrical power being an AC power, the measured first and second voltage level and the measured first and second current levels being substantially AC levels. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of the light sources being defective.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the alert receiving unit being a server.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the alert receiving unit being a cellular phone.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method of controlling a lighting system applying two pairs of power supply lines and respective two of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method of controlling a lighting system applying three pairs of power supply lines and respective three of the voltage and current measurement circuits.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method of controlling a lighting system applying a plurality of the monitoring unit. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method of controlling a lighting system sending by the communication unit the alert messages through the pair of power supply lines.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method of controlling a lighting system sending by the communication unit the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the alert messages being textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the method of controlling a lighting system receiving by the communication unit commands through the pair of power supply lines.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the received commands being instructions to switch on or off the plurality of the light sources.
The above mentioned first, second and third aspects may all be combined in any way to include any or all features.
The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with the preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which:
fig. 1 is a system overview of an alert receiving unit and three monitoring units and examples of the communication there between, fig. 2 is a block diagram of the monitoring unit, fig. 3 is another block diagram of the monitoring unit, fig. 4 is a block diagram of a CAN bus connection of the monitoring unit, fig. 5 is a diagram of protection of the CAN bus connector of the monitoring unit, fig. 6 is a diagram of a modem of the monitoring unit, fig. 7 is a detailed block diagram of the monitoring unit, fig. 8 is a temperature sensor input circuit of the monitoring unit, fig. 9 is a electrical power detection diagram of the monitoring unit, fig. 10 is a diagram of the protection circuit for the electrical power supplied, fig. 11 is a diagram of electrical power conversion into current and voltage signal levels, fig. 12 is a diagram of band passJilter_filtering the electrical power supplied, fig. 13 is a schematic showing the band pass filter characteristic, fig. 14 is a schematic showing a current transformer, fig. 15 is a schematic showing a current filter, fig. 16 is a schematic showing a current filter with low gain, fig. 17 is a schematic showing a current filter with high gain, fig. 18 is a schematic showing relay outputs, fig. 19 is an AD converter block diagram, fig. 20 is an AD converter circuit diagram, fig. 21 is a controller block diagram, fig. 22 is a diagram showing use of the controller, fig. 23 is a power supply block diagram, and fig. 24 is a diagram showing implementation of the power supply.
After the block and circuits diagrams, etc discussing the more hardware related parts implementing the invention a more detailed discussion of how to detect light source faults or malfunctions and providing related alert messages thereto follows.
Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate identical elements or components, In the present specification, components or elements identical to components or elements, respectively, described previously with reference to a preceding figure are designated the same reference numerals and components or elements differing from previously described components or elements, respectively, however serving the same overall purpose, are designated the same integer as the previously described component or element, however, added a marking for identifying the structural difference from the previously described component or element.
The invention as will be discussed in the following may equally well be applied in an airport, e.g. for the lights on the runways or for the airport building. The invention may be applied for light-sources applied to lit up supermarket stores and storage areas as well. It may be applied for other building complexes such as apartments e.g. for staircases or other access areas, where for maintenance or for security reasons there is a need to know if a light source or more light sources has/have malfunction.
Further example an application of light sources may be diode lights in a green house use to enhance growth of plant, alternatively or additionally light of different wave length may be use to warm up the greenhouse. Furthermore light from various light source may also be applied to provide warm to animals e.g. in a farm.
fig. 1 is a system overview of an alert receiving unit and three monitoring units and examples of the communication there between.
The communication between the alert receiving unit and any monitoring unit is handled by means of a build in communication unit, e.g. a modem integral to the monitoring unit.
The monitoring unit 30 is a device measuring on one, two or three 230V AC lines used for lighting, e.g. street light. It measures on the power line or lines, and can detect if one or more bulbs of e.g. the street light just has blown or e.g. was blown the day before. The monitoring unit 30 is measuring the voltage and current, and calculates the resistance on the one, two or three 230V AC lines, and the power used. In general, depending on the changes on the resistance and power over time, the monitoring unit 30 can detect if one or more bulbs has/have blown or is/are defective.
The monitoring unit 30 is typical in Europe supplied by a 230V AC line, alternatively the monitoring unit 30 is in USA supplied by a 110V AC line. To send or receive data from the monitoring unit 30, a communication unit (see figure 2), e.g. a GSM modem is used. Data is send to a phone number predefined in the modem. It is also possible for the user to control the monitoring unit 30 through this data channel. An extra CAN port is added for service use. A technician can used this port instead of using the modem connection.
The alert receiving unit may be a server and is denoted 40, whereas the three monitoring units each individually is denoted 30. In a client server relation the monitoring unit 30 may be seen as a client served by the server. The network of the alert receiving unit 40 and monitoring units 30 is build as a distributed master slave network with the server as master. However, this does mean that the slave or the monitoring unit 30 may perform their own task for longer periods without communicating with the master, server or the alert receiving unit. SMS messaging is e.g. chosen as communication form and/or medium. For these reasons the monitoring units 30 each is provided with a communication unit 32 (see figure 2), which e.g. is a GSM modem. Alternatively, the communication unit 32 communicates, i.e. sends e.g. alert messages and receives commands through a pair of power supply lines 14, which supplies the monitoring unit 30 and on which lines the monitoring unit 30 measures the voltage across and current flowing through the lines.
As discussed the alert receiving unit 40 may be a server and the monitoring unit 30 may be a client. The alert receiving unit 40 communicating with a plurality of monitoring units 30 may be considered as a network.
The monitoring unit or units 30 communicate(s) with the alert receiving unit 40, e.g. the server system through a protocol converter, i.e. the communication unit as denoted 32 in figure 2. The communication medium between the server system and the monitoring unit or units 30 is/are transparent, why a new communication medium easily can be implemented by simply exchanging the communication unit.
Internally the monitoring unit 30 communicates via a CAN network to the communication unit 32.
The network is build as a distributed master slave network with the server as master and the client as the slave. SMS messaging is in a preferred embodiment of the invention chosen as communication medium, why the communication unit 32 is equipped with a GSM modem.
The communication unit is transparent for the server, i.e. the alert receiving unit 40. -
The network is addressed with the actual phone number and the CAN ID for the unit.
In the following section a layer description is provided:
The protocol for the system implements the Physical Layer the Data Link Layer and the Application Layer. The other layers of the OSI model as well known in the art is not discussed for the application.
Physical layer
The physical layer carrying the communication between the server 40 and the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30 is based on SMS messaging in the first generation of the system.
Data Link layer
The Data Link layer handles all acknowledging between the server 40 and the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30.
All packages from the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30 to the server 40 need to be acknowledged by the server 40. If acknowledge has not been received in 2 minutes the package is transmitted once again. This is repeated 3 times before the package is flushed. The sending unit is responsible for retransmission and keeps track on the different acknowledges.
All server requests initiates a response from the requested unit, why an acknowledge is not necessary. The server 40 also retransmits packages on no response 3 times with 2 minutes interval. Application layer
The Application layer handles the protocol conversion from server messages to CAN packages and vice versa. This is done due to the fact that a CAN package only carries e.g. 8 bytes of data.
All server messages is repacked in the communication unit 30 and in the receiving unit 40 or server 40.
The application layer handles the address checking and generation when sending and receiving server messages.
Due to security reasons the communication unit 32 flushes messages from other phone numbers than these of the server system. Equally, all messages from the monitoring unit 32 is send to a specific phone number.
It is possible to change the approved phone numbers via a TTY interface, through a GPRS channel and in some constellations through the CAN network.
Server commands
All messages between the server 40 and the monitoring unit or monitoring units 30 are transferred as raw binary data or ASCII characters. All numbers is presented by means of little endian except timestamps or points of time, which is presented by means of big endian.
Generally speaking a server message should not be deleted before an acknowledgement or a response has been received. If this ack or response has not been received within 2 minutes the server message is retransmitted. An alarm- message has priority over a response-message, therefore if an alarm occurs and response on a request is to be sent, the response is deleted and the alarm is transmitted instead. There are no message-queue, if a request-message is received before the last one is handled the last request is not processed. The following commands are applied:
Msg. type Description Description
Figure imgf000034_0001
Msg. type Description Description
Figure imgf000035_0002
In the following sections each command and use is described. The generic fields are described in the section after.
In the following the most common communication scenarios is mentioned:
Figure imgf000035_0001
Figure imgf000036_0001
Multi Lamp Fail. Message is acknowledged with the programmed levels. SERV13
Set Watch Intervals SERV15
Message used to program the ON and OFF times in the internal Watch. &
Command is acknowledged with the actual settings. SERV16
:$iates3$gsssaies« wmm
System status SERV1 &
System status message is used to poll the unit for the actual status just now. SERV2
Response includes status for all inputs, outputs and calculations.
Multilamp and singlelamp fails indicate that two or more light sources and one light source, respectively possibly have a fail.
In the following is shown how the communication between the alert receiving unit 40, e.g. the server and the monitoring unit 30, e.g. the client is implemented:
servi : Get System Status
Use:
Request from server to unit, which generates an serv2 message from unit as response.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield serv1 Get System status <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 01 h <MSG#> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000037_0001
Figure imgf000038_0001
Example:
Data on 8 bit PDU format:
Decoded data:
?,741002, ,04,01 ,0999,SC
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> servi -> UNIT <- serv2 <-
serv2: System Status
Use:
System status response on serv1 message or Alarm request.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description uππmrii
Msg. no. Description Datafield
Figure imgf000039_0002
Field Description:
Figure imgf000039_0001
Figure imgf000039_0003
Figure imgf000040_0001
Figure imgf000041_0001
Figure imgf000042_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv1 -> UNIT
<- serv2 <-
serv3: Operate Watch Function
Use:
Request from server to unit, which enables/disables Watch Functionality according to STATUS. Unit responds with serv4 message.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description ■■EiπiHEl
Figure imgf000042_0002
Field Description:
Figure imgf000043_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv3 -> UNIT <- serv4 <-
Serv4: Watch Status
Use: Response from Unit to Server including status of Watch Functionality.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description ■■Eiπtt3EI
Figure imgf000043_0003
Field Description:
Figure imgf000043_0001
Figure imgf000044_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv3 -> UNIT <- serv4 <-
Serv5: Operate Output
Use:
Request from server to unit, to operate ON/OFF relay according to STATUS. Unit replies with servβ message.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description ■■Einitani
Figure imgf000044_0002
Field Description:
Figure imgf000045_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv5 -> UNIT <- servδ <-
Serv6: Output Status
Use: Response from Unit to Server including status of ON/OFF Relay.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description ItHHtHBI
Figure imgf000045_0002
Field Description:
Field Len Description
(byte)
Figure imgf000046_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv5 -> UNIT
<- servθ <-
Serv7: Reset Alarms
Use:
Request from server to unit, resetting all alarm flags.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description HEIHiHEI
Figure imgf000046_0002
Field Description:
Field Len Description
(byte)
Figure imgf000047_0003
Figure imgf000047_0001
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv7 -> UNIT <- servδ <-
Servδ: Alarms Reset
Use:
Response on reset alarm request.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield
Figure imgf000047_0004
Field Description:
Figure imgf000047_0002
Figure imgf000048_0002
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv7 -> UNIT <- servδ <-
Serv9: Initiate Learn
Use:
Request from Server to Unit initiating learn sequence. Unit responds with result after
Learn Sequence has been fulfilled.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description _»Eτπraκ_
Figure imgf000048_0003
Field Description:
Figure imgf000048_0001
Figure imgf000049_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv9 -> UNIT <- serv10 <-
ServiO: Learn Result
Use:
Response from Unit to Server including result of learn session.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield
Figure imgf000049_0002
Field Description:
Figure imgf000049_0003
Figure imgf000050_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv9 -> UNIT
<- serv11 <-
<- serv10 <-
-> serv11 -> Comment:
Messages is responded with acknowledge due to long process time of learn function (30 minutes). If Learn function is active while a new request is initiated, message is acknowledged, and the learn session continued.
Serv11 : Acknowledge Message
Use:
Acknowledge on messages without response.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield serv11 Acknowledge Message <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> OBh <MSG#> <ACKMSG#> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000050_0002
Figure imgf000051_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv2 <- UNIT -> serv11 ->
Serv12: Set Min. Power
Use:
Request from server to unit, setting threshold level for Power Alarms. Unit responds with serv13 message.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield serv12 Set Power Thresholds <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> OCh <MSG#> <SINGLE PWRxMULTI PWRxSO
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
MSGIN Message Indication. ASCII
- encoding: ? > Request which requires response.
Figure imgf000052_0001
Figure imgf000052_0002
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv12 -> UNIT <- serv13 <-
Serv13: Min. Power Set
Use:
Response on serv12 message including present level.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield
Figure imgf000052_0003
ield Description:
Figure imgf000053_0001
Figure imgf000053_0002
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv12 -> UNIT <- serv13 <-
Serv14: Communication Error
Use:
Communication error sent from Communication Unit to Server if internal bus problems appear.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield serv14 Communication Error <MSGIN> <DUMMY> <CANID> OEh <SC>
Figure imgf000054_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv14 <- UNIT -> servi 1 ->
Serv15: Set Timer Intervals
Use: Request from Server to Unit setting actual On/Off intervals for Watch function.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield
Figure imgf000054_0002
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
MSGIN Message Indication. ASCII
- encoding: ? > Request which requires response.
Figure imgf000055_0001
Figure imgf000055_0002
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv15 -> UNIT
<- serv16 <-
Serv16: Timer Interval Status
Use:
Response on serv16 message including present level.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield serv16 Timer Interval status <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 10h <MSG#> <ON1> <OFF1> <ON2> <OFF2> <SC> Field Description:
Field iescription
Figure imgf000056_0001
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv15 -> UNIT <- serv16 <-
Serv17: Single Lamp Fail
Use: Alarm messages from module to server send when a Single Lamp Fail occurs.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description umπmnt Msg. no. Description uππmni
Figure imgf000057_0001
Figure imgf000057_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv17 <- UNIT -> serv11 ->
Serv18: Multi Lamp Fail
Use: Alarm messages from module to server, send when a Multi Lamp Fail occurs. Implementation:
Msg. no. Description IiHHrTCKI
Figure imgf000058_0001
Field Description:
Figure imgf000058_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv18 <- UNIT -> servi 1 ->
Serv19: Voltage Line Fault
Use:
Alarm messages from module to server, send when voltage is detected low on an active line. Implementation:
Msg. no. Description hETHϊHEl serv19 Voltage Line Fault <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 13h <MSG#> <ULF1> <ULF2> <ULF3> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000059_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv19 <- UNIT -> servi 1 ->
Serv20: Light Sensor Fault Use:
Alarm messages from module to server send on inconsistency between Light
Sensor output and voltage output.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description ttmπtmnt
Figure imgf000059_0002
Figure imgf000060_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv20 <- UNIT -> servi 1 ->
Generic Field description
Figure imgf000060_0001
Figure imgf000061_0001
Examples on handling of errors during SMS communication Handling is similar for the monitoring unit.
Server action SMS Communication DISCOS unit action
Unit action msg#-dir. (Unit: Optl, Master,
ipiBipfY sTAiuspeiuEMI
Get Bay status, Unit servi SMS to CAN EXT_MSG Unit #y returns Bay #y -> conversion. ->
Figure imgf000062_0001
Server action SMS Communication DISCOS unit action
Unit action msg#-dir. (Unit: Optl, Master,
Acknowledge on serv2 serv11 SMS to CAN EXT MSG Removal of message message -> conversion. -> from buffer
5TAlUS
Get Bay status, Unit servi SMS to CAN EXT_MSG Unit #y returns Bay #y -> conversion. ->
Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS EXT MSG Alarm occurs in unit SCADA system. <- conversion.. <- #y and the response is dropped and alarm- sms is transmitted instead
Acknowledge on serv8 serv11 SMS to CAN EXT MSG Removal of message message -> conversion. -> from buffer
2 min. after the 1st Get serv1 SMS to CAN EXT MSG Unit #y returns Bay Bay status, the -> conversion. -> request is retransmitted
Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS EXT MSG status for server SCADA system. <- conversion. <- system.
Acknowledge on serv2 serv11 SMS to CAN EXT MSG Removal of message message -> conversion.. -> from buffer
Registration on server
Monitoring unit units 30 are registered manually at the server. Only the phone number and the CAN ID are used as the identification.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the monitoring unit. As can be seen in the figure the monitoring unit 30 is provided with or in electrical connection with a communication unit - denoted 32 - equipped with a GSM modem. To and through the monitoring unit 30 one or more sets of power supply lines 14 is/are provided. Here in an exemplary embodiment three sets of AC power supply lines 14 are provided, denoted R, S and T. Alternatively, two sets of AC power supply lines 14 are provided or only one set of AC power supply lines 14 is provided. The corresponding common return line is not shown. It may alternatively be the case that the return line is not common, or it is common for two or three sets of power supply lines.
The electrical power supply provides electrical power, e.g. 230 V or 110 VAC power to - as an exemplary embodiment to a string of 6 light sources 16, typically the light sources are connected in parallel along the pair of the two supply lines. However, any other connection, e.g. a series connection of two or more light sources are equally well possible, moreover the series connection may be combined with one or more parallel couplings of light sources.
The AC electrical power may alternatively be a DC power or a combination of the
AC and the DC power.
Further, the monitoring unit 30 may be supplied with a light sensor which controls a relay to make it possible to switch on the light sources 16 during evening and night hours.
Still further a temperature sensor may be provided.
Fig. 3 is another block diagram of the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit 30 has a build in / integral communication unit 32 denoted "modem". The modem 32 communicates with the monitoring unit 30 by means of a CAN bus as well known in the art. The modem 32 is provided with an internally generated 5 VDC of the monitoring unit 30. Figure 5 shows how the CAN bus is protected, e.g. against overvoltage.
Fig. 3 further illustrates the monitoring unit comprising a central processing unit. The central processing unit may be any type of microprocessor or microcontroller. The central processing unit executes computer implementations of the methods described in the present specification.
The central processing unit communicates with an I/O device, which handles input and output from other units or measuring equipment, e.g. such as voltage and current measuring circuits.
The modem 32 shown in Fig. 3 communicates with external devices, such as the alarm-receiving unit described elsewhere.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a CAN bus connection of the monitoring unit. It shows a block diagram of the CAN bus connection of the monitoring unit 30. The protection circuit denoted "protection" can be seen in the next figure. The CAN bus connection is connected to the integral communication unit 32 denoted "modem" of the monitoring unit 30. Light diodes "3 x LED" are applied to show status information from the modem.
The CAN block is used for converting data from a SPI bus to a CAN bus. The SPI bus is used for communication between the communication unit 32, e.g. a modem and the CAN controller. To protect the CAN bus i/o's, a protection circuit must be placed on its outputs. This circuit must protect against incorrect wire connections, ESD and over current.
Fig. 5 is a diagram of protection of the CAN bus connector of the monitoring unit 30. The figure shows how the CAN bus of the monitoring unit 30 from figure 3 is protected. D25 and D26 each works as an over voltage protection in connection with the coil L5 on the CAN bus lines: CANH and CANL.
To protect the CAN bus connector against ESD, two protection diodes are used. If a spike larger than 9V, the diodes is clamping to OV. To remove common-mode noise a filter is used. The CAN connector is used for service purpose. The service employee can connect to this port, instead of communication to the monitoring unit 32 by using a GSM modem.
Before the CAN bus signal can be used, they have to be converted to logic level signals. A CAN driver may do this. To convert the CAN protocol to a SPI protocol, a CAN controller must be used. The CAN controller is supplied by the same 4VDC supply as the modem. This is done to ensure that the CAN controller and the Modems I/O's have the same voltage level. 5VDC supply the rest of the system. The modem is used for wireless communication between the monitoring unit 30 and the alert receiving unit 40, e.g. a GSM server.
3 different LED may be available for the modem. These are:
1. Modem OK. (Green)
2. Modem Fail (Red)
3. Online/Communicating (Green)
Fig. 6 is a diagram of a modem of the monitoring unit. The modem 32 is an example of the communication unit of the monitoring unit 30. The circuit exemplifies how the applicant has implemented the modem 32, the chips in the middle of the figure has the function of an UART, which is well known in the art. The circuit consists of the following:
PART LIST OF MODEM IN FIGURE 6
The modem can be connected to connector J 12. A connector J 8 is connected to the modem, and is used for debugging purpose.
A CAN controller called MCP2515, from Microchip, is used for converting the SPI protocol to a CAN protocol. For level converting the CAN signals a driver called MCP2551 , also from Microchip, is used. Because the signal RXCAN on the controller and the RXD on the driver isn't compatible, an AND gate is applied as a level converter. The two devices are not compatible since they are supplied at two different DC voltage levels.
The SPI bus from the modem could be connected directly to the controller.
The modem is connected to 3 different LED. They are used for indication. Two of the LED's are a double diode. It has a red and a green led. If both of the LED is turned on, the colour is yellow. The third LED is green, and is used for indicating when the modem is communicating, and is online. When the modem is online, the LED it turned on. When the modem is communicating, the LED is flashing.
Pin out for modem connector (J 12)
Figure imgf000067_0001
Figure imgf000068_0001
Pin out for modem data connector COM1 (J8)
Figure imgf000068_0002
Fig. 7 is a detailed block diagram of the monitoring unit. Here is an embodiment of the monitoring unit 30 which is designed to measure on three pairs of the power supply lines 14, the monitoring unit 30 is thus provided with three sets of the current measurement circuit 36 and the voltage measurement circuit 34.
Each set of a current measurement circuit 36 and a voltage measurement circuit 34 measures the current flowing to the light sources 16 and the voltages across the light sources 16, respectively.
The I/O is used for connect to external signals. The following i/o's be available:
- A 4-2OmA temperature sense input
- A 230VAC detection input.
- 3 x inputs for 230VAC measurements.
- 3 x input for current measurements.
- A relay output. The 4 - 2OmA input is a temperature sense input, used for connecting an external temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is used for measuring the temperature inside the monitoring unit 30.
The input signal has to be converted from a current signal to a voltage signal, before is can be used.
The 230VAC input is used for detecting the status on a light detector. The light detector is used for detecting if the light source, e.g. the street light has to be turned on or off. The 230VAC input must be galvanic isolated from the rest of the electronics.
To measure the power supply line voltage, e.g. the street light voltage lines, 3 different analogue inputs must be available. These inputs must be able to measure on 3 x 0.4kV lines, in the interval 200VAC to 260VAC, with the resolution of ImVAC. The inputs must be able to measure the phase on a voltage line, with the accuracy of ±200μs.
Each the inputs must be protected against ESD, and transformed to a lower voltage before it can be used. The 230VAC must also be galvanic isolated from the rest of the electronics. The AC signal must be send through a band pass filter, to correct the shape of the AC signal. This must be done, because the AC signal can contain a lot of harmonic noise.
To measure the AC current from power lines, e.g. the street light voltage lines, 3 current inputs must be available. These current inputs must be able to measure a current from an inductor, and convert it to a voltage. The AC signals must be sent through a band pass filter, to correct the shape of the AC signal. This must be done, because the AC signal can contain a lot of harmonic noise. The current measurements must have an accuracy of ImAAC. The range must be from 3OmAAC to 50AAC. A relay output must be available to activate or deactivate light source, e.g. the street light lamp. The relay is used for handling an external relay and must be able to handle 250VAC / 1OA.
In the design of the circuit discussed above the applicant has used the following specification:
Figure imgf000070_0001
Figure imgf000071_0001
Fig. 8 is a temperature sensor input circuit of the monitoring unit. In an embodiment of the invention, the monitoring unit 30 is provided with a temperature sensor, which can be seen in the figure.
The 4 - 20 mA input is used for measuring the temperature using an external temperature sensor. The temperature sensor has to be placed inside the monitoring unit 30.
The 5VDC output is used as supply for the temperature sensor. It is protected against over current by e.g. the 62mA fuse F4.
The sense input is protected against wrong polarisation by using the diode D8.
A current represents the temperature from 4mA to 2OmA. This current is converted to a voltage so it's possible to measure the value with an Analogue to Digital Converter. A 5V supply is available for the temperature sensor. It can deliver 62mA.
Fig. 9 is a electrical power detection diagram of the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit 30 need know when there is electrical power provided. To this end the diagram shown is applied. The power is galvanic separated by means of the opto coupler D24. From D24 a digital signal "Dig input" is generated indicating whether or not 230 V AC electrical power is present. In the spirit of the invention a circuit detecting 110 V AC1 e.g. for USA is possible to implement, e.g. by selecting for example a lower resistor value for R81 and/or another type for the opto coupler D24.
The 230 VAC input is used for detecting the state on an external relay. The input is galvanic separated by an opto coupler. The opto coupler also works as a level converter. The 3 x 230 VAC inputs are used for measuring the voltage on e.g. 3 different street light voltage lines.
Each of the 230VAC, zero and ground inputs is protected against spikes. If a spike larger than 4kV occurs between zero and ground, a protection circuit is protecting the inputs. The protection circuit is shown on the figure. If a spike larger than e.g. 4kV occurs, a spark will appear between the PCB tracks at the air gab and the resistor R59 then transfers it to ground. The air gab is drawn as two triangles with a rectangle between them on the schematic of the figure.
In particular SG1, the spark gab works as an over-voltage protection in connection with the fuse F1.
Fig. 10 is a diagram of the protection circuit for the electrical power supplied. In an embodiment of the invention, the protection circuit may be used to individually protect the current measurement circuit 36 and the voltage measurement circuit 34 of figure 7. The two circuits 36 and 34 measure the current flowing to the light sources 16 and the voltages across the light sources 16, respectively.
Fig. 11 is a diagram of electrical power conversion into current and voltage signal levels. The lines "Current" and "Voltage" to the right in the figure is the result of the measurement of current and voltage by means of the current measurement circuit 36 and the voltage measurement circuit 34, respectively. These two circuits are integral to the monitoring unit 30. In case the monitoring unit is to measure on two pairs of power supply lines, it is provided with respective two current measurement circuits 36 and two voltage measurement circuits 34. Accordingly, as an alternative when the monitoring unit is to measure on three pairs of power supply lines it is provided with respective three current measurement circuits 36 and three voltage measurement circuits 34. As can be seen in the figure the voltages of three supply lines - of three corresponding 230 V AC electrical power sources connected to the connector J13 - are converted to the lower AC voltages by means of three respective transformers or set of coils, L2, L3 and L4 respectively. In series with the three respective transformers or set of coils is three respective over-voltage protective circuits connected to a common ground or return line. As a result the voltage and current levels for a selected one of the three electrical power sources, i.e. the selected supply line, is provided to the right in the figure. The selection of the supply line measured upon is performed by means of the two digital inputs "select AO" and "select A1" and the two analogue results of the current and Voltage measurements can be obtained from the lines denoted 8 "Current" and 9 "Voltage", respectively.
If a spike occurs between 230VAC input and zero, the resistance in the varistor on the input will decrease. This means that the voltage on the primary side of the transformer also decreases. Each of the 230VAC inputs is converted to a lower voltage with e.g. a 19:1 transformer. The transformer is also used as a galvanic isolator. Each output on the secondary sides of the transformers has a protection diode to protect against voltage spikes.
A capacitor is used for changing the DC offsets to 2,048V DC. This is done to generate a zero crossing value for all AC measurements. A multiplexer is used for selecting which input is being measured. The multiplexer has been selected in order to for minimising the amount of used components. In this way only one filter is needed for 3 voltage measurements, and accordingly only one AD converter is needed.
Fig. 12 is a diagram of band pass filter filtering the electrical power supplied.
The voltage output on the multiplexer is connected to the band pass filter. The band pass filter is used to limit the input frequency band. This is done to remove unwanted frequency information from the input. Fig. 13 is a schematic showing the band pass filter characteristic. Here the band pass filter characteristics from the foregoing figure is shown graphically.
Fig. 14 is a schematic showing a current transformer. The first configuration for the inductor, used for measuring the current, was to use an inductor made on a flexible PCB, with a PCB layout as a Rogowski inductor known in the art. As an alternative the applicant chose to drop the first configuration due to a large deviation in the measurement at the connection point between the edges of the PCB.
Another configuration was then selected. The new solution was to connect a HF3A current transformer from EATON | Holec on each input. The coil is working as a current to current converter. If it is measuring 100A, it will deliver 1A on its output.
The schematic shows the original layout. The inputs have a resistor in parallel. The resistor on each input is e.g. 0.5Ω / 2W. This means that when the coil is measuring 10A, the voltage on the resistor is 5OmV.
Calculation:
UR =
100
Fig. 15 is a schematic showing a current filter. A multiplexer is used for selecting which current input is being measured. The multiplexer is added for minimising the amount of used components. This way only one filter is needed for all 3 current measurements, and only one AD converter is needed.
The current output on the multiplexer is connected to a band pass filter. The band pass filter is used to limit the input frequency band. This is done to remove unwanted frequency information from the input. The output of the band pass filter is connected to an amplifier. The amplifier has two different gains. The first gain is
1.83, see figure 16 for the current filter with the low gain. The second gain is 11.83, see figure 17 for the current filter with the high gain. The gain can be selected on a multiplexer. These gain values is not calculated, but defined by testing. The amplifier is inserted to increase the resolution at lower current measurements.
Fig. 16 is a schematic showing a current filter with low gain.
Gain = 1.83 @ 50Hz equ. 19.278dB
On the figure, a simulation of the filter is shown. The filter is with the low gain. The simulation shows that the centre frequency is almost at 50Hz. It also shows that the filter is decreasing the low- and high frequencies by 40dB/decade.
Fig. 17 is a schematic showing a current filter with high gain,
Gain = 11.83 @ 50Hz equ. 35.475dB
On the figure, a simulation of the filter is shown. The filter is with the high gain.
The gain difference between the two filters should be 6.45, according to the 3 resistors R17, R18 and R19 in the last gain shift. The simulations confirm that the gain difference is identical to the calculated.
Resistor calculations for figure 14:
Low gain = + 1 = 1.83 High gain = -. τ + 1 = 11.83
S Uk S S f Ik -Uk λ
{\k + 12k)
Fig. 18 is a schematic showing relay outputs. The 2 relays are used for handling external equipment. One of the relays is used for handling an external relay. The other relay output is made to have an extra relay output. To operate the relays, a MOSFET are used on each relay. This is done to operate the relays at TTL level. The 2 outputs on connector J3, work as an on/off switch. A 250V/1 OA fuse protects each of the outputs.
Fig. 19 is an AD converter block diagram. The AD converter is user for measuring the voltages and current. To make sure that the phase accuracy on a 50Hz voltage or current measurement1, the AD converter must be able to sample more than 5000 smpl/sec. The AD converter must be able to measure from the 3 voltage and the 3 current inputs. To read from the AD converter a SPI bus must be used. A controller handles the SPI bus.
Minimum resolution for the voltage measurement:
Figure imgf000076_0001
Minimum resolution for the current measurement:
WG )
Current ADC ^ res XmAAC = \5ύbits = \6bits LOG(I)
Parameters Analogue inputs:
Figure imgf000076_0002
SPI bus:
Figure imgf000076_0003
Figure imgf000077_0001
Fig. 20 is an AD converter circuit diagram. The figure is an implementation of the previous figure. A 16 bit AD converter with 2 inputs is chosen. An input is for the — voltage measurement, and the other one is for the current measurement. Since the 3 current- and the 3 voltage measurements are multiplexed only 2 inputs is needed on the AD converter.
The 16 bit AD converter can not meet the ImVAC demands for the voltage resolutions it self. A gain shift has to be made, or an AD converter with a higher resolution has to be used.
No gain shift is used on the current input. This result in the resolution for the current input, still fulfil the demands in the specification for the current resolution. Possibly noise then has a big affect on the measured signal.
Another AD converter with a higher resolution could be chosen, but the 16bit is selected because of price and speed, and the voltage resolution is then compromised.
Voltage resolution:
V = 260™C = 3.967mVAC/bit res 2]6bit
Current resolution: 50AAC res , 16 = 0.763mAAV/bit Fig. 21 is a controller block diagram. The controller equals the CPU shown in e.g. figure 3. The main CPU in the monitoring unit 30 handles all the digital and analogue I/O's and accordingly computes thereon.
A PIC18F8585 micro controller from microchip is used. This is selected because of its high speed and large memory, and especially because it has a CAN bus. A controller with a fewer I/O's and a smaller memory may be used.
Minimum specification for microcontroller/μController or CPU: • A CAN bus.
• A voltage ref. input for the 4.096V reference.
• 3 x Analog inputs
• A SPI bus.
• 1 x Digital input. 2 x Digital outputs
Fig. 22 is a diagram showing use of the controller. The figure is an implementation of the previous figure. A PIC18F8585 is chosen a controller. On the schematic above is written PIC18F8X20 but should read PIC18F8585. •
The reset circuit holds the reset input on the μController, until the digital power (+5) is stable. The LED D17 is turned off when the μController is being reset.
The connector ICSP1 is used for debugging and programming the μController.
The 9 LED's to the right, are used for different indications.
1. System OK/Fail : Red/Green (Double LED)
2. Light sensor Green
3. Time / Sensor Green
4. L1 Active Red
5. L2 Active Red
6. L3 Active Red
7. SMS Relay Green 8. Timer Relay : Green
The μController is measuring the voltage level on the output on the DC/DC converter, the +5V and +4V supply. This is done to be able to indicate if something is wrong with the supply..
A temperature sensor (R52) is also mounted on the PCB. This is done to be able to measure the temperature in the box in which the monitoring unit is located.
To communicate on the CAN bus, an output driver MCP2551 is used. It is used for communication to the modem. An external CAN port is available on the connector J11. It may be used for service purpose.
Fig. 23 is a power supply block diagram. The supply and reference delivers supply voltages and references voltages.
The input is protected against ESD, over current, over voltage and by a fuse.
The 230VAC may be converted to 12VAC by a 38:1 transformer; this also works as a galvanic isolation. The AC is rectified to DC witch is converted to a 4VDC and 5VDC.
The 4V DC is for the communication unit, e.g. the modem and the 5 VDC is for the rest of monitoring unit.
To make all AD measurements more precise, a stable voltage reference is used. The 4.096VDC reference is used because the ADC has a resolution of 216 bits (The reference must be dividable by 216 bits, to produce a simple LSB), which gives a LSB of 63μV
Another voltage references must be used when measuring AC signals. This reference is used to remove the negative part of the AC signal by creating a DC- offset. This is selected as the half of the 4.096V reference, which is 2.048V. Voltage references for 4V:
Figure imgf000080_0001
Fig. 24 is a diagram showing implementation of the power supply. The figure is an implementation of the previous figure. The monitoring unit is supplied by 230 VAC when implemented in most European countries. Alternatively, for the United States 230 VAC supply the monitoring unit. The supply input may have 4 different inputs: 1. Earth
2. 230VAC Phase as an example of a supply line
3. Zero 1 as an example of a return line
4. Zero 2
Zero 1 is the zero for the 230VAC supply. The zero 2 input is the zero line for the 3 x 230VAC inputs, connected to the transformers. Earth is used for protection. It is only used for protecting against voltage spikes higher than 4kV.
To protect the 230VAC-supply input on the monitoring unit, a 1.6A fuse is connected in series with the phase, e.g. a power supply line. A resistor and a Varistor are used for protecting against higher voltages between the phase and zero, e.g. a power return line. If the input voltage gets too high, the resistance in the Varistor decreases and the input voltage on the transformer is limited. The transformer may be used for transforming the 230VAC voltage to a 6VAC voltage. The AC voltage is send through a rectifier, and 3 electrolytic capacitors are used for smoothing the ripple voltage. Two different voltage regulators are used for converting the rectified AC voltage into two different DC voltage supplies. The first voltage supply is a 5V DC supply. The other is a 4V DC supply. The 5V DC supply is used by the electronic in the monitoring unit. The 4V DC supply is used by the modem. Because the 4V DC supply has to be very stable, 4 electrolytic capacitors with a low ESR are used. To create a reference voltage at 4.096V DC an LM4120AIM5-4.1 (U12) may be used. It creates a reference voltage, used for AD measurements. The system is using another reference voltage that is exact the half of this voltage. This voltage is generated by means of two identical resistors. A buffer B1 is used, to be able to deliver enough current on the output. An operational amplifier U4 is used for regulating the output buffer, because the input and output on the buffer, is not totally identical.
A more detailed discussion of how to detect light source faults or malfunctions and providing related alert messages now follows. The invention may be applied in a lighting monitoring system having two basic elements: the monitoring unit 30 and the alert receiving unit 40. The monitoring unit 30 has the build in communication unit 32, which transfers alerts via SMS to the alert receiving unit 40. The alert receiving unit 40 can transfer commands back to the monitoring unit 30 via the communication unit 32.
The invention may also be applied in a bigger system - the lighting system - using the lighting monitoring system as discussed above. The lighting monitoring system is connected to one, two or three pairs of power supply line and to the plurality of light sources, which thereby may be monitored.
The monitoring unit 30 has at least two pairs of connectors. The two pair of connectors constitutes a pair of input connectors and a pair of output connectors.
To the pair of input connectors a respective pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line may be connected. Typically the supply line provides 230 V AC, where the return line may be denoted 0 V AC.
In case an application is needed where it is required supply two phase to some light sources, accordingly there is a need to measure on two phases, i.e. on two times 230 V AC, the monitoring unit 30 then is provided with four pairs of connectors. The four pair of connectors then constitutes two pair of input connectors and two pair of output connectors. To each pair of input connectors a respective 230 V AC with its return line 0 V AC is connected. Accordingly, from each pair of output connectors the 230 V AC with its return line 0 V AC is connected to respective light sources. In this case the light sources may be connected between the two phases or some of them between the first phase and a corresponding return line, and correspondingly other light sources being connected between the second phase and the return line associated with the second phase. Alternatively or additionally, the return line or the two return lines may be common for the two phases.
In case an application is needed where it is required to provide high power to some light sources, e.g. to supply three supply lines to some light sources, voltage and current measurements are required on 3 phases, i.e. on three times 230 V AC. The monitoring unit 30 then may be provided with six pairs of connectors. The six pair of connectors then constitutes three pair of input connectors and three pair of output connectors. To the three pair of the input connectors three respective set of 230 V AC with their return lines, 0 V AC are connected. Accordingly, from every of the three pair of output connectors the 230 V AC with its respective return line 0 V AC is connected to respective light sources. This embodiments can be seen in figure 2 where R denotes a supply line with it return line, likewise S and T each also denotes the respective supply line and return line. Alternatively or additionally, the three return lines may be common for the three supply lines.
In a practical application the applicant has provided the monitoring unit 30 with four input connectors for the three phases, 3 x 230 VAC and the common return line. Accordingly, the applicant has provided the monitoring unit 30 with output connectors for the three phases having the same common return line wired through the monitoring unit. It is hereby an advantage that a technician in the field can choose to apply one, two or three phases to the input connectors. Accordingly, one, two or three phases leaves the output connectors, which may be connected to a desired number of light sources, which are to be monitored by means of the monitoring unit.
The monitoring unit 30 has a voltage measuring circuit 34 measuring the voltage, e.g. AC voltage across the pair of power supply lines connected to it. The measurement takes place either across the pair of input connectors or across the pair of output connectors used.
Correspondingly, the monitoring unit is provided with a current measuring circuit 36. The circuit measures the current flowing through the supply line or the return line in response to the electrical power, e.g. 230 V AC or 110 V AC, which is provided to the plurality of light sources connected to the output connectors.
As discussed the monitoring unit has a microcontroller/μController or a CPU. In general the task of the microcontroller, μController or the CPU are discussed in terms of the monitoring unit, since the steps are perform within this unit. The monitoring unit controls the following steps aiming to detect whether light sources are defect::
The monitoring unit defines a first time frame and a first point of time during the first time frame. Measurements during the first time frame are e.g. used for learning how the impedance, in particular the resistance is of the light sources. It is thus assumed that measurements during the first time frame represent the status of the light sources at that time. For example if all light sources at that time work properly, i.e. they all draw current to light up, the status from the first time frame then represents a set of error free and properly working light sources. In practice the status for the light sources is obtained by measuring the voltage over the lines powering the light sources and the current flowing through the line. From these two factors, the total power consumption in the line may be determined. The power consumption can be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the resistance.
In order to measure correctly it is a prequisite during the first time frame that a steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved. This means the light sources with igniters and ballasts etc have heated up and have a stable power consumption, i.e. they draws a stable current. Typically 30 minutes are sufficient time to reach the steady state situation.
The start-up period may be called a learn session or period.
Accordingly during the learn session, the monitoring unit measures at the first point of time a first voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit and measures at the same point of time, i.e. at the first point of time a first current level by means of the current measuring circuit.
Hereby it is possible for the monitoring unit to determine a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being active, i.e. turned on during the first time frame of the learn session. The first load resistance is determined and based on the measured first voltage level and the measured first current level. The power consumption in terms of the current be separated into an active and reactive part, where the reactive part is an expression of the load of the light sources in terms of the first load resistance.
Later on, i.e. after learn session new measurements of the current drawn and the voltage supplied are performed, i.e. the monitoring unit defines a second time frame and a second point of time during the second time frame in which measurements are to take place. Measurements during the second and later time frame are e.g. used for determining how the impedance, in particular the resistance is of the light sources - and possible also including the resistance of the connection between the light sources - when powered also in a steady state situation. It is assumed that measurements during the second time frame represent the status of the light sources at the time of an operating or functioning system, e.g. an operating lighting system. Due to wear, poor electrical connections, a "red burner" light source, flickering light sources, lamps that never reach operating temperature due to an internal error or malfunction, etc it is now possible that fewer light sources work properly, i.e. draws less than the expected correct current, i.e. less than the current as compared to that in the first time frame.
For example if just one of the light sources at this point of time does not work properly, i.e. it draws to little current to lit up, the status from the second time frame then represents a set working light sources having a faulty light source. Accordingly, more faulty light sources may be detected.
In order to also here to measure correctly it is a precondition that during the second time frame another and second steady state situation for the plurality of light sources powered is achieved. This means that the light sources have had sufficient time to warm up and to enter a stable current consumption. The second time frame of course is defined to take place after the first time frame of the learning session has gone. Accordingly, the monitoring unit measures at the second point of time a second voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit as used before. Moreover, the monitoring unit measures at the second point of time a second current level by means of the current measuring circuit used to measure during the first time frame.
The monitoring unit may determine a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for the plurality of light sources being powered and active during the second time frame. The second load resistance is based on the second voltage and current level.
Now the monitoring unit has information about the first and second load resistance from the measured voltages and current, i.e. the load resistance from the learn session and another load resistance from the later period of the operating lighting system. The latter may have errors or defects on the light sources powered.
At this stage the monitoring unit computes the difference between the first and second load resistance, and in case the difference exceeds a specific threshold, i.e. the difference is too big and thus could represent an increase in the load resistance between the two time frames, e.g. due to a non connected or blown bulb in a light source, the monitoring unit generates a first alert message. Subsequently, the monitoring unit sends or transmits e.g. by means of a SMS the first alert message through means of the communication unit to the alert receiving unit.
For example if the difference exceeds a specific threshold, it may indicate an increased load resistance, it may be due to an open circuit and / or circuit parts leading to that too small current runs. If the difference exceeds a specific threshold it may additionally be due to a poor connection to or among light sources, or du to that one, two, three, etc light sources do/does not draw current since it or they are burned off and/or has/have malfunction (s).
In response to the reception of the first alert message the alert receiving unit acts, e.g. breaks a power line or more power lines and /or provides another alert message. The another alert message is e.g. provided by means of a pictogram indicating a malfunctioning light source or light sources, a text message or in the form of LEDS being powered, e.g. on a panel in which the LEDS are mounted close to a supporting text.
In general, when alert messages are discussed herein each may indicate one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, the plurality of light sources is defect or is malfunctioning, or the supply line or even the return line is somehow defective, e.g. wrongly connected or misconnected.
Moreover, the monitoring unit may further determine the time difference between the first and second point of time. This is used to determine the relative load resistance change over time, and is expressed as a ratio of the load resistance change over time. It is computed as the difference between the first and second load resistance divided by the determined time difference between the first and second point of time.
The ratio of the load resistance change over time reveals as compared to difference between the first and second load resistance whether the load resistance changes rapidly up and down. Since the first and second load resistance in both cases expresses a steady state situation for the light sources a resistance change - in e.g. ohm/sec - for an increasing load resistance and a decreasing load resistance as well indicate a malfunction somehow among the light sources and/or in the circuitry and lines connecting the light sources.
For example, a rapidly decreasing load resistance may indicate a short circuit and / or that a current erroneously, e.g. due to moist, water, etc., runs to ground instead of running properly back in the return line from the supply line.
Conversely, a rapidly increasing load resistance could indicate that e.g. a circuit of the return line and the supply line somewhere has a burnt over connection, a burnt off igniter, poor or missing connection and / or that a filament of a bulb of a light source is off.
In all cases when the ratio of the load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level the monitoring unit then generates a second alert message.
Subsequently, the communication unit e.g. the modem embedded in the monitoring unit sends the second alert message to the alert receiving unit.
In response to the reception of the second alert message the alert receiving unit acts accordingly, i.e. it presents an alert or alarm or does something to avoid further errors, e.g. switches off a power line or power lines etc. The alert or alarm in the form of an alert message may e.g. be provided by means of a pictogram on a display or a screen, where the pictogram indicates a malfunctioning light source or light sources or a malfunctioning circuitry. Alternative the message is e.g. provided in the form of a text message or in the form of LEDS being powered.
In addition or as a substitute how to generate the first or second alert message, the method of controlling the lighting system or lighting monitoring system may perform the following steps:
- defining in the monitoring unit a third time frame and a third point of time during the third time frame, during the third time frame a third steady state situation for the light sources powered is achieved,
in order to measure correctly it is a prequisite during the third time frame that a steady state situation for the light sources being powered is achieved. This means the light sources with igniters and ballasts, etc have heated up and have a stable power consumption, i.e. they draws a stable current. Typically 30 minutes are sufficient time to reach the third steady state situation being comparable with the very first steady state situation discussed.
The method proceeds with the steps: -
- measuring in the monitoring unit at the third point of time as defined a third voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit,
- measuring in the monitoring unit at the third point of time a third current level by means of the current measuring circuit, now the current and voltages levels again are available for the discussed steady state situation,
the method proceeds with the step: determining in the monitoring unit a first power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active during the third time frame based on the third voltage level and the third current level, e.g. by the product of the third voltage level and the third current level to obtain the first power level,
the method proceeds with the step:
defining in the monitoring unit a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during the fourth time frame, during the fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for the plurality of light sources is achieved, the fourth time frame being defined to take place after the third time frame has expired, the fourth steady state situation represents a period of the lighting system being in a stable operating mode, e.g. after more than 30 minutes have gone since the powering of the light sources and this steady stable situation is comparable with the discussed second steady state situation,
the method proceeds with the steps: measuring in the monitoring unit at the fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of the voltage measuring circuit already used for voltage measurements, measuring in the monitoring unit at the same point of time, i.e. at the fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of the current measuring circuit as already used for current measurements,
determining in the monitoring unit a second power level representing the power for the plurality of light sources being active (i.e. powered) during the fourth time frame based on the fourth voltage level and the fourth current level, e.g. by the product of the fourth voltage level and the fourth current level to obtain the second power level,
generating in the monitoring unit a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met, i.e. if the difference between the first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold,
A set-up in the monitoring unit may be made to combine the computations which resulted in respective first, second and third alert messages, if e.g. all three are determined it may indicate severe faults in light sources powered.
In addition or as a substitute how to generate the first, second or third alert message, the method of controlling the lighting system or lighting monitoring system may further perform the following steps:
the monitoring unit further determines a time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and then determines the ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between the above computed first and second power levels divided by the time difference between the third and fourth points of time, and in case the computed ratio of the power levels over time exceeds a third specific level the monitoring unit in turn generates a fourth alert message which message subsequently the communication unit of the monitoring unit sends to the alert receiving unit, and the alert receiving unit then further acts or alerts in response to its the reception of the fourth alert message.
For example, a rapidly increasing power level may indicate a short circuit and / or that a current erroneously, e.g. due to moist, water, etc. runs to ground instead of running property back in the return line from the supply line, moreover the rapidly increasing power consumption may indicate that an active ballast or other circuitry controlling lamps or bulbs, etc attempts to counter react an decreasing voltage - measured by active ballast or other circuitry - by providing or allowing excessive currents to flow with the inevitable result that the power consumption is increased over time and also a total measure.
The alert messages as discussed may each indicate one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two, three, four, etc light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or said supply line being defective.
In principle, the measurements taking place prior to the generation of the first, second, third and fourth alert message may be applied to detect the same types of malfunctions and/or defects. However, it may be the case that one of the four ways (with corresponding resulting first, second, third and fourth alert messages) of interpreting current and voltage data - e.g. the load resistance change and the relative load resistance change (load resistance change over time) turns out to be the fastest or most reliable one to detect a certain malfunction or defect. However, when the applicant over time compiles current and voltage data these data may be subject to advanced analyses in order to spot certain malfunctions or defects rather early in the data gathering process
In general for the systems discussed and for the monitoring unit as well, the phase or supply line provides electrical power such as AC power, consequently the voltage levels being measured along with the current levels also being measured are substantially AC levels in terms of volt and amperes.
The plurality of light sources or just a single light source is to be selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas. The monitoring unit in a street light application being, a street light station, alternatively a lighting controller or a client. The alert receiving unit may be a server or a cellular phone.
Moreover, the communication unit may transmit or send the discussed alert messages through means of the pair of power supply lines, e.g. by superimposing a communication signal in the sinus wave of 50 or 60 cycles per second.
The communication unit may alternatively or additionally send the alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via a GSM network for example by means of textual messages, e.g. SMS messages.
Conversely, the communication unit may receive commands from the alert receiving unit through means of the one or two of the pair of power supply lines or by means of a textual message, e.g. a SMS message.
Appropriately, the implemented way of communicating forth and back between the alert receiving unit and the monitoring unit is chosen to be identical.
The commands may be instructions to the monitoring unit to switch on or off one, two, three, etc or all of the light sources connected to the monitoring unit.
Alternatively, or additionally the commands may be instructions to the monitoring unit to switch completely on or off one, two, three of the phases connected to light sources powered via the monitoring unit.
In the following section the applicant provides the software implementation of the invention. When the term "Rimfaxe" or similar is applied it is equivalent with the monitoring unit. Correspondingly, when the terms "Loke", "Loke modem" or "modem" is applied it is equivalent with the communication unit. 1. RimServer Overview
1.1. General
The purpose of the RimServer program is to let a technician setup and operate one or more Rimfaxe units.
This document contains an overview of the software modules and provides a brief description of each of them. There is also a short description of the program flow and module interaction in this document. Please read the specific document for each module for a more in-depth description.
1.2. References
The module descriptions in the following documents, implies basic knowledge of the documents:
• Rimfaxe_Protocol_v0103.doc
• DISCOS_Protocol_v0102.xls
1.3. Writing Conventions
Text which can be found directly in the program source files is marked with bold mono space font:
This is written in bold monospace.
Example:
This text refers to the variable int_Demo variable.
1.4. Development Tools
The RimServer program is written in C++. For compiling the source code Borland C++ Builder 6.0 has been used.
The program uses the component CANUSB which relies on the PCAN_USB.dll from the Peak-Can package supplied when purchasing a PCAN-USB Converter.
The program also uses a number of Async Professionel components that are available from TurboPower Software Company.
Modules
1.4.1. Tf rm RimServer τfπα_Rimsβrvβr is the main entry-point of the RimServer program. τ£πn_RimServer presents the user with ability to communication with and control the Rimfaxe units. This includes:
• Communication with Rimfaxe units through SMS and CAN messages.
• Displaying information about sent and received messages.
• Ending the program
1.4.2. Tf rm ShowData
Tf rm_showData allows the user to see the data contained in a specific SMS sent to or received from a Rimfaxe unit.
1.5. Program Flow
1.5.1. Program start- UP
On start-up the form frm_RiπiServer is shown. This enables the user to interact with the system as described in the module description for Tf rm_RimServer . 1.6. Design considerations
The RimServer program has been developed parallel to the maturing and development process of the design specification of the Rimfaxe system. The effect of this is that the RimServer program has some flaws by design.
On of the primary problems is that there is no layering of the various responsibilities in the program. This has among other things resulted in very heavy and redundant handling of communication, but the algorithms for handling outgoing and incoming data from Rimfaxe units are fully functional.
The current version of the software should thus be considered a working prototype.
1.6.1. Future development
It is highly recommended that future development of the software aims at introducing a more layered structure in the software design.
2. End of specification
1. Tf r m_Ri m Se rve r
1.1. General τfπn_Rimsβrvβr is the main entry-point of the RimServer program. τfrm_Rimsβrvβr presents the user with ability to communication with and control the Rimfaxe units. This includes:
• Communication with Rimfaxe units through SMS and CAN messages.
• Displaying information about sent and received messages.
• Ending the program
1.2. Data processing
1.2.1. User Input/output
The user can use the graphical user interface to communicate with the Rimfaxe units. This is done by selecting the communication channel and sending messages to the units.
The user is presented by the communication sent to Rimfaxe units by means of various communication logs, and the user is also presented with the information received from the Rimfaxe units.
1.2.2. Data validation / Error handling
N/A
1.3. Data handling
1.3.1. Data structures
N/A 1.3.2. Program structure
Start-up
On creation, τfrm_RimSβrver initializes various variables and components to allow the CAN-
USB communication to work.
It then reads information from 6 different data files, which contain information about previous
RimServer sessions.
Finally the program scans all COM Ports from 0 to 255 and if the port number is a valid and available port, the program adds the port number to the combo box, where the user can select a given COM Port number.
Running
After startup Tfnn_Rimserver awaits user input.
If the user chooses to use a modem as communication media, the program starts a timer named tmr_RequestsMS that requests if any SMS messages are available from the modem every 5 seconds.
The user is able to send various SMS messages independent of the chosen communication media. This is done by selecting the Rimfaxe unit the user wishes to communicate with and then pressing the buttons just below the CAN communication log, that allow the user to send different types of messages.
Shutdown
On shutdown, τfπn_RimSβrvβr releases the Dynamic Linked Library (DLL) PCAN_OSB .DLL. This is important since the DLL is locked and can't be unlocked once the locking program stops running. The 6 data files are also saved on shutdown, which allows the RimServer to reload information from previous sessions.
1.4. Special functions
1.4.1. CANUSBDataf.,.1
This function handles the OnData-event in the CANUSB-component, which is triggered when new data is received on the CAN Bus. The ID-field is parsed into the Type, Recipient, Command, Sender and RTR, and data is extracted from the incoming CAN-packet.
Finally the ProcessCANO function is called to handle the received information.
1.4.2. ProcessCAN (...)
This function handles incoming information received on the CAN bus.
It starts off by reading information about the received CAN packet and displaying this information in the CAN communication log called ibx_Mes sages.
It then performs a check to verify whether this message is a part of an SMS message or the end of an SMS message, which can be determined by the value of the RTR bits.
If the end of a SMS message has been reached, the program calculates a checksum for the
SMS message and compares it to the checksum written in the SMS message. If these two match, the program parses the SMS message by calling the function handiesMS ( ) .
1.4.3. HandleSMS (...)
This function is used to parse the information received in an SMS independent on if the message has been received via CAN or via Modem communication.
The function checks the message type of the incoming SMS and parses it according to the Rimfaxe communication protocol. See this protocol for a more in-depth description of the way the parsing is performed.
1.4.4.tmr SerylTimer ( ...}
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_servi has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Servl type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
The function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendc-ANO function.
1.4.5. btn BOlActiveClick f ...1
This function is run when the user presses the btn_BoiActive button. The purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Servl type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit. Depending on the type of communication selected, the function will use tmr_serviτi_mer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessagβToSpool ( ) , if the communication is through a modem.
1.4.6. SendCAIMH
This function acts as a higher-level wrapper for the CANUSB-component and ensembles the id- field components:
• chr_Rβcipiβnt
• chr_CMD
• chr_Sender
• chr_RTR
Message-type is set to extended, since this is used with Rimfaxe units.
Data length and data to be sent is set.
Finally the write ( ) -method of the CANUSB-component is called, to send the data.
1.4.7. btn Serv3Clickn
This function is run when the user presses the btn_serv3 button.
The purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv3 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit. Depending on the type of communication selected, the function will use tmr_serv3τimer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MβssagβToSpooi ( ) , if the communication is through a modem.
1.4.8.tmr AckTimer ( ...1
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_Ack has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Servl 1 (Acknowledge) type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
The function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendCANO function.
1.4.9. btn SeryllClickn
This function is run when the user presses the btn_servii button.
The purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Servll type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit. Depending on the type of communication selected, the function will use tmr_AckTiiner to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpooi o , if the communication is through a modem.
1.4.10. tmr Serv3Timer (...)
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_serv3 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv3 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
The function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sβndcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the SendCANO function.
1.4.11. btn Serv5Clickn
This function is run when the user presses the btn_sβrv5 button.
The purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv5 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit. Depending on the type of communication selected, the function will use tmr_serv5τimer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpool ( ) , if the communication is through a modem. 1.4.12. tmr Serv5Timer ( ...^
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_sβrv5 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv5 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
The function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendCANO function.
1.4.13. btn Serv7Clickn
This function is run when the user presses the btn_sβrv7 button.
The purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv7 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit. Depending on the type of communication selected, the function will use tmr_serv7Timer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpool ( ) , if the communication is through a modem.
1.4.14. tmr Serv7Timer ( ...}
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_sβrv7 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv7 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
The function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sendcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the SendCANO function.
1.4.15. btn ServΘCIickn
This function is run when the user presses the btn_serv9 button.
The purpose of the function is to initiate the sending of a Serv9 type SMS to a Rimfaxe unit. Depending on the type of communication selected, the function will use tmr_serv9τimer to send the message, if the communication is CAN and it will use the function MessageToSpool O , if the communication is through a modem. 1.4.16. tmr Serv9Timer ( ...)
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_sβrv9 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send a SMS - defined as a Serv9 type in the Rimfaxe protocol - to a Rimfaxe unit by dividing it into CAN messages and transmitting these on the CAN Bus.
The function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable chr_sβndcount. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to send different parts of the SMS message by using the sendc&NO function.
1.4.17. tmr ResetLiqhtSensorFailTimer (...)
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetLightsensorFail has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_ResetLightsensorFaiicount and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
1.4.18. tmr SendSpoolerTimer (...)
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_sendspooler has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send the SMS messages that are cued in the arr_sendspooistr SMS array.
The function is a sort of state-machine that is controlled by the variable int_sendspooiβrstatβ. Depending on the value of this variable, the function enters a different state which enables it to perform different parts of the sending process. The function utilizes the function MakePDUβbit ( ) to transform a message into an 8 bit PDU messages that can be understood by the Rimfaxe unit.
1.4.19. MakePDU8bit (...)
This function receives a string containing the SMS text and a string containing the phone number of the recipient and returns an 8 bit PDU string based on these information. This 8 bit PDU information is then transmittable by the modem. The function NumbβrSβmiOctet ( ) is used to transform the phone number to the right format.
1.4.20. NumberSemi Octet ( ...}
This function receives a phone number as a string and returns a different string containing the phone number in a format that is recognized by the modem when using 8 bit PDU communication.
1.4.21. tmr ResetULFlTimer ( ...^
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetuLFi has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_RβsβtuLFicount and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_sβrv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
1.4.22. tmr ResetULF2Timer (...)
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_RβsetuLF2 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_ResβtuLF2Count and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
1.4.23. tmr ResetULF3Timer (...)
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetULF3 has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_RβsθtDLF3Count and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags. 1.4.24. tmr ResetSLPwrTimer (...}
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_ResetSLPwr has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to reset the alarm flags of a Rimfaxe unit after a given time. This is done by performing a countdown on the variable int_RβsβtSLPwrCount and when this variable reaches zero, the function uses btn_serv7 to send a Serv7 message that resets the alarm flags.
1.4.25. a Dd D PText Packet (...)
This function is called whenever the DataPacket apd_DPText receives a correctly formatted data string from the connected modem.
After receiving the data the function parses it and adds it to the data log for the specific
Rimfaxe unit.
It then handles the received information by calling the HandiβSMSO function and it updates the data logs by calling the setunitstatus ( ) function.
The final operation is to send a command to the modem requesting it to delete the SMS that has just been received.
1.4.26. GetText ( ...}
This function receives a text string generated by the modem when it receives an SMS and extracts the Rimfaxe protocol text from this SMS string.
1.4.27. tmr ReαuestSMSTimer (...)
This function is called whenever the timer tmr_RequestSMS has finished an interval and creates an onTimer event. The primary goal of the function is to send a request to the modem which forces the modem to reply, if it has received any new SMS messages.
The request is not sent, if the variable boi_semBsyMessage is set to true, because this means that the program is communicating with the modem at the time being, and this communication should not be interrupted by the SMS request. 1.4.28. MessaqeToSpool ( ...1
This function adds an SMS message to the SMS spooler array. The array is build as a ring buffer that contains all SMS messages to be sent by the tmr_sendspooierτimer ( ) function.
1.4.29. GetPDUData f—1
This function receives a text string generated by the modem when it receives an SMS and extracts the PDU Data from this string.
1.4.30. GetNumber f...ϊ
This function receives a text string generated by the modem when it receives an SMS and extracts the phone number of the sender from this string.
1.4.31. SetUnitStatus (...)
This function receives a text string containing the name of the Rimfaxe unit, and it then adds a data entry to the log files, where the status of the Rimfaxe unit is stored. This helps in tracking the status changes of a Rimfaxe unit over a long period of time and it allows the user to scroll forward and backward in the messages received from the Rimfaxe unit.
1.4.32. SelectUnitStatus (...)
This function receives a text string containing the name of the Rimfaxe unit and an integer containing the message number that should be displayed.
It then extracts a message from the data logs for the specific Rimfaxe unit and displays this data in the GUI. This allows the user to see a previously received message.
1.4.33. Ibx RimfaxeListClick (...)
This function is invoked when the user clicks the list of Rimfaxe units. It changes the selection of the Rimfaxe unit according to the users input, and it then displays the latest message from the Rimfaxe by using the sβiβctunitstatus ( ) function. It also extracts a description of the Rimfaxe unit, if a description is available in the data log files. 1.4.34. btn NextMessaαeClick (...)
This function is invoked when the user clicks the btn_NextMessage button. It displays the next message from the message cue of the Rimfaxe unit by using the seiectunitstatus ( ) function.
1.4.35. btn PrevMessaαeClick ( ...)
This function is invoked when the user clicks the btnjPrevMessage button. It displays the previous message from the message cue of the Rimfaxe unit by using the
SelectUnitStatus ( ) function.
1.4.36. cmb ComPortsSelect (...1
This function is invoked when the user changes the c-nb_comi?orts combo box. It closes the current selected COM Port and opens the COM Port, the user has selected. It then invokes the function rdo_ModemEnter ( ) .
1.4.37. rdo ModemEnter (...)
This function is invoked when the user enables the rdo_Modem radio button. It enables various timers that are needed to communicate with the modem to send and receive SMS messages.
1.4.38. rdo CANEnter (...)
This function is invoked when the user enables the rdo_CAN radio button. It initializes the CAN communication components and disables the timers that are used for SMS communication via a modem.
1.4.39. SetNullStatus (...)
This function is used to reset the information about a Rimfaxe unit showed in the GUI. This is mostly used when the user selects a new Rimfaxe unit, that the program has received no previous communication from. 1.4.40. Ibx SMSLoαDblClick (...I
This function is invoked when the user double clicks the ibx_SMSLog component. It displays the information of a specific SMS message in the f πn_siiowData form.
1.4.41. btn AckAIICIick (...ϊ
This function is invoked when the user clicks the btn_AckAii button. It updates the state of the Rimfaxe unit so that all messages are acknowledged.
1.4.42. btn AckClick (...)
This function is invoked when the user clicks the btn_Ack button. It updates the state of the Rimfaxe unit so that the most recent message is acknowledged.
1.5. Communication
1.5.1. External τfrm_Rimsβrver communicates with Rimfaxe units by using CAN communication via the CANUSB component or by using serial communication to a modem via the TApdComPort component.
CAN Communication
The following properties need to be set in order to communicate with Rimfaxe units:
• CAN USB- > CAN MessageOut. MSGTYPE
• CANUSB->CANMessageOut.ID
• CANUSB->CANMessageOut.LEN
• CANUSB->CANMessageOut.DATA
MSGTYPE defines whether extended or normal message-filter is used. This is set to extended.
ID is the Message ID. LEN defines the size of the CAN-data to be sent. The maximum is 8 bytes.
DATA is the data to be sent.
Modem communication
This communication is performed via the TApdComPort that enables serial communication. This allows the RimServer program to exchange standard AT commands with the connected modem, which makes it possible to perform SMS communication.
1.5.2. Inter-proαram
Tfπn_RimServer is used to display TFrm_SliowData.
1.5.3. Files
RimServer uses the following data files to store information between sessions.
• Messages.dat
• RimfaxeList.dat
• UnitNumbers.dat
• UnitStatus.dat
• SMSLog.dat
• AckCount.dat
These files are loaded at program startup and are saved, when the program shuts down.
1.6. Full / Reduced version
N/A
1.7. Unused Code
The following functions are no longer used by the program. 1.7.1.tmr EmulateTimer (...)
1.7.2. btn TestCl ick f.,.1
2. End of specification
1. General demand
The objective of this document is to define the network protocol for the communication between the different modules of the Rimfaxe project including communication with a server system.
This document is a working tool to keep all parties of the project on line. All parties are responsible of keeping the document updated. Kasmatic Innovation A/S is responsible of distributing the updated protocol.
2. Network survey
The Rimfaxe system communicates with the server system through a protocol converter (The Communication Unit). The communication medium between the server system and the Rimfaxe system is transparent, why a new communication medium easily can be implemented exchanging the Communication Unit. Internally The Rimfaxe system communicates via a CAN network.
The network is build as a distributed master slave network with the server as master.
2.1. Server-Rimfaxe configuration
Today SMS messaging is choosen as communication medium, why the Communication Unit is equipped with a GSM Modem.
The Communication Unit is transparent for both the DISCOS and the server system, why this document only regard this as a medium and initialization and other considerations is done elsewhere.
2.2. Rimfaxe-CAN configuration
The internal CAN bus is transparent for the server system. The CAN protocol is described in a parallel document.
2.3. Network addresses
The network is addressed with the actual phone number and the CAN ID for the unit. 3. Layer Description
The protocol for the Rimfaxe Project implements the Physical Layer, the Data Link Layer and the Application Layer. Other layers of the OSI model is not regarded as necessary for this application.
Implementation in the server end is not covered in this document, while the implementation depends on size and type of the server system.
3.1. Server communication
3.1.1. Physical layer
The physical layer carrying the communication between the server and the Rimfaxe Systems is based on SMS messaging in the first generation of the Rimfaxe System.
3.1.2. Data Link layer
The Data Link layer handles all acknowledging between the server and the Rimfaxe system.
All packages from the Rimfaxe System to the server need to be acknowledged by the server. If acknowledge hasen't been received in 2 minutes the package is transmitted once again. This is repeated 3 times before the package is flushed. The sending unit is responsible for retransmission and keeping track on the different acknowledges.
All server requests initiates a response from the requested unit, why an acknowledge isen't necessary. The server also retransmits packages on no response 3 times with 2 minutes interval.
3.1.3. Application layer
The Application layer handles the protocol conversion from server messages to CAN packages and vice versa. This is done due to the fact that a CAN package only carries 8 bytes of data.
All server messages is repacked in the Communication Unit and in the receiving unit. This is described further in the Rimfaxe CAN Protocol description.
The application layer handles the address checking and generation when sending and receiving server messages. Due to security reasons the Communication Unit flushes messages from other phone numbers than the server system. Equally, all messages from the Rimfaxe System is send to a specific phone number.
It is possible to change the approved phone numbers via the TTY interface, through a GPRS channel and in some constellations through the CAN network.
4. Server Commands
All messages between the server and the Rimfaxe system is transferred as raw binary data or ASCII characters. All numbers is presented little endian except timestamps, which is presented big endian.
Generally speaking a server message should not be deleted before an acknowledgement or a response has been received. If this ack or response not has been received within 2 min. the server message is retransmitted. An alarm-message has priority over a response-message, therefore if an alarm occurs and response on a request is to be send, the response is deleted and the alarm transmitted instead. There are no message-queue, if a request-message is received before the last one is handled the last request is not processed.
4.1. Table of commands
Msg. type Description Description
Figure imgf000112_0001
Msg. type Description Description
Figure imgf000113_0001
In the following sections each command and use is described. The generic fields are described in the section after.
4.1.1. Use of commands
In the following the most common communication scenarios is mentioned:
Figure imgf000114_0001
Figure imgf000115_0001
4.1.2. seryl : Get System Status
Use:
Request from server to unit, which generates an serv2 message from unit as response.
Implementation :
Figure imgf000116_0001
Field Description:
Figure imgf000116_0002
Example:
Data on 8 bit PDU format:
Decoded data :
?,741002, ,04,01,0999,SC
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> servl -> UNIT <- serv2 <- 4.1.3. serv2: System Status
Use:
System status response on servl message or Alarm request.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description Datafield serv2 System status <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 02h
<MSG#> <TS>
<RS1> <RS2> <RS3>
<RL1> <RL2> <RL3>
<PS1> <PS2> <PS3>
<PL1> <PL2> <PL3>
<PD1> <PD2> <PD3>
<RD1> <RD2> <RD3>
<SINGLE_PWR> <MULTI_PWR>
<LAMPFAIL>
<I1> <I2> <I3>
<U1> <U2> <U3>
<US1> <US2> <US3>
<ULF1> <ULF2> <ULF3>
<LSS> <LSF>
<SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000117_0001
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000118_0001
Figure imgf000119_0001
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000120_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation :
SERVER -> servl -> UNIT <- serv2 <-
4.1.4. serv3: Operate Watch Function
Use:
Request from server to unit, which enables/disables Watch Functionality according to STATUS.
Unit responds with serv4 message.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description IIHΠIHBI serv3 Operate Watch Function <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 03h <MSG#> <STATUS> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000121_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv3 -> UNIT <- serv4 <- 4.1.5. Serv4: Watch Status
Use:
Response from Unit to Server including status of Watch Functionality.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description tϊmπmr.t serv4 Watch Status <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 04h <MSG#> <STATUS> <RELAY> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000122_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv3 -> UNIT <- serv4 <- 4.1.6. Serv5: Operate Output
Use:
Request from server to unit, to operate ON/OFF relay according to STATUS. Unit replies with servβ message.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield
Figure imgf000123_0001
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000123_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv5 -> UNIT <- servβ <- 4.1.7. Serv6: Output Status
Use:
Response from Unit to Server including status of ON/OFF Relay.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description ι*Ereτfraπi servδ Output Status <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 06h <MSG#> <RELAY> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000124_0001
Figure imgf000124_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv5 -> UNIT <- servβ <- 4.1.8. Serv7: Reset Alarms
Use:
Request from server to unit, resetting all alarm flags.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description Datafield serv7 Reset Alarms <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 07h <MSG#> <SC>
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000125_0001
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv7 -> UNIT <- servδ <- 4.1.9. Servδ: Alarms Reset
Use:
Response on reset alarm request.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description ■»ETCTfraπι servδ Alarms Reset <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 08h <MSG#> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000126_0001
Figure imgf000126_0002
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> serv7 -> UNIT <- serv8 <- 4.1.10. Serv9: Initiate Learn
Use:
Request from Server to Unit initiating learn sequence. Unit responds with result after Learn
Sequence has been fullfilled.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description ■tEiπiπni serv9 Initiate Learn <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 09h <MSG#> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000127_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv9 -> UNIT <- servlO <- 4.1.11. SerylO: Learn Result
Use:
Response from Unit to Server including result of learn session.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description Datafield servlO Learn Result <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> OAh <MSG#> <US1> <US2> <US3> <SC>
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000128_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER -> serv9 -> UNIT <- servll <- <- servlO <- -> servll -> Comment:
Messages is reponded with acknowledge due to long proces time of learn function (30 minutes). If Learn function is active while a new request is initiated, message is acknowledged and the learn session continued.
4.1.12. Seryll: Acknowledge Message
Use:
Acknowledge on messages whithout response.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description HETCWEiπi servll Acknowledge Message <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> OBh <MSG#> <ACKMSG#> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000129_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv2 <- UNIT -> servll -> 4.1.13. Seryl2: Set Min. Power
Use:
Request from server to unit, setting threshold level for Power Alarms. Unit reponds with servl3 message.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description Datafield servl2 Set Power Thresholds <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> OCh <MSG#> <SINGLE PWR> <MULTI PWR> <SC>
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000130_0001
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> servl2 -> UNIT <- servl3 <-
4.1.14. Seryl3: Min. Power Set
Use:
Response on servl2 message including present level.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description Datafield servl3 Min. power set <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> ODh <MSG#> <SINGLE PWR> <MULTI PWR> <SC>
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000131_0001
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000132_0002
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> servl2 -> UNIT <- servl3 <-
4.1.15. Seryl4: Communication Error
Use:
Communication error sent from Communication Unit to Server if internal bus problems appear.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description Datafield servl4 Communication Error <MSGIN> <DUMMY> <CANID> OEh <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000132_0001
Field Le n Description ■.TΪHΠΠΪITI
DUMMY 11 Dummy characters to place CAN ID as character number 13 na in the message.
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- servl4 <- UNIT -> servll ->
4.1.16. Seryl5: Set Timer Intervals
Use:
Request from Server to Unit setting actual On/Off intervals for Watch function.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description ■•ππirani
Figure imgf000133_0001
Field Description:
Field Len Description
Figure imgf000133_0002
Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000134_0001
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> servl5 -> UNIT <- servl6 <-
4.1.17. Seryl6: Timer Interval Status
Use:
Response on servlβ message including present level.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description Datafield servl6 Timer Interval status <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 1Oh <MSG#> <ON1> <OFF1> <ON2> <0FF2> <SC>
Field Description:
Field Len Description Notation
MSGIN Message Indication. ASCII
- encoding : : > Response on message Field Len Description Notation
Figure imgf000135_0001
Scenario Description:
SERVER -> servl5 -> UNIT <- sen/16 <-
4.1.18. Seryl7: Single Lamp Fail
Use:
Alarm messages from module to server, send when a Single Lamp Fail occurs.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description ■iτπτntraπι
Figure imgf000136_0002
Field Description:
Figure imgf000136_0001
Figure imgf000136_0003
Scenario Description: Request situation :
SERVER <- servl7 <- UNIT -> servll -> 4.1.19. Seryl8: Multi Lamp Fail
Use:
Alarm messages from module to server, send when a Multi Lamp Fail occurs.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description ■»Eirtttgπι
Figure imgf000137_0001
Field Description:
Figure imgf000137_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- servlδ <- UNIT -> servll -> 4.1.20. Seryl9: Voltage Line Fault
Use:
Alarm messages from module to server, send when voltage is detected low on an active line.
Implementation :
Msg. no. Description ■iFiπraπi
Figure imgf000138_0001
Field Description:
Figure imgf000138_0002
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- servl9 <- UNIT -> servll -> 4.1.21. Serv20: Light Sensor Fault
Use:
Alarm messages from module to server, send on inconsistency between Light Sensor output and voltage output.
Implementation:
Msg. no. Description iiETCTreirii serv20 Light Sensor Fault <MSGIN> <EQTY> <DUMMY> <CANID> 14h <MSG#> <FAULT> <SC>
Field Description:
Figure imgf000139_0001
Scenario Description: Request situation:
SERVER <- serv20 <- UNIT -> servll -> 4.1.22. Generic Field description
Figure imgf000140_0001
4.2. Examples on handling of errors during SMS communication
Handling is explained for DISCOS, but will be the same for Rimfaxe.
Server action Communication DISCOS unit action msq#-dir. Unit action (Unit: Optl, Master,...) lultiple BAY STATUS REQUEST
Get Bay status, Unit #y servl SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Unit #y returns Bay -> ->
Get Bay status, Unit #y servl SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Unit #y drops request, -> -> because only one sms is handled at a time.
Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS conv. EXT_MSG Status data for server SCADA system. <- <- system (response on 1st request).
Acknowledge on serv2 servll SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Removal of message message -> -> from buffer
BAY STATUS Respond lost
Get unit status, Unit #y servl SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Unit #y returns unit -> ->
Status is lost serv2 CAN to SMS conv. EXT_MSG status for server <- <- system.
Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS conv. EXT_MSG After 2 min. and still SCADA system. <- <- no ack, the status-sms is retransmitted.
Acknowledge on serv2 servll SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Removal of message message -> -> from buffer
Get Bay status, Unit #y servl SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Unit #y returns Bay -> ->
Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS conv. EXT_MSG status for server SCADA system. <- <- system.
Acknowledge on serv2 servll SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Ack is lost message -> -> Server action Communication DISCOS unit action msq#-dir. Unit action msg#-di
Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS conv. EXT_MSG After 2 min. and still SCADA system. <- <- no ack, the status-sms is retransmitted.
Acknowledge on serv2 servll SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Removal of message message -> -> from buffer
Get Bay status, Unit #y servl SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Unit #y returns Bay -> ->
Status is interfaced for serv2 "CAN to'SMS" conv." EXT_MSG Alarm occurs in unit SCADA system. <- <- #y and the response is droped and alarm-sms is transmitted instead
Acknowledge on servδ servll SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Removal of message message -> -> from buffer
2 min. after the 1st Get servl SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Unit #y returns Bay Bay status, the request -> -> is retransmitted
Status is interfaced for serv2 CAN to SMS conv. EXT_MSG status for server SCADA system. <- <- system.
Acknowledge on serv2 servll SMS to CAN conv. EXT_MSG Removal of message message -> -> from buffer
4.3. Registration on Server
Rimfaxe units is registered manually at the server. Only phone number and CAN ID is used as identification.
5. End of specification

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising: a pair of power supply lines, a plurality of light sources connected to said pair of supply lines, a monitoring unit, and an alert receiving unit communicating with said monitoring unit, said pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, said supply line and said return line being connected to said plurality of light sources and through said monitoring unit, said pair of power supply lines providing electrical power to said plurality of light sources, said monitoring unit comprising a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across said pair of power supply lines, said monitoring unit comprising a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through said supply line or said return line in response to the electrical power provided to said plurality of light sources, said monitoring unit defining a first time frame and a first point of time during said first time frame, during said first time frame a first steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said monitoring unit measuring at said first point of time a first voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said first point of time a first current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for said plurality of light sources being active during said first time frame based on said first voltage level and said first current level, said monitoring unit defining a second time frame and a second point of time during said second time frame, during said second time frame a second steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said second time frame being defined to take place after said first time frame has expired, said monitoring unit measuring at said second point of time a second voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said second point of time a second current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for said plurality of light sources being active during said second time frame based on said second voltage level and said second current level, said monitoring unit generating a first alert message provided the difference between said first and second load resistance exceeds a first specific threshold constituting a first alert criterion, said monitoring unit comprising a communication unit for sending said first alert message to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit acting or alerting in response to the reception of said first alert message.
2. The lighting system according to claim 1 , said monitoring unit further determining a first time difference between said first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between said first and second load resistance divided by said determined time difference between said first and second points of time, and provided said ratio of said load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level said monitoring unit generating a second alert message and said communication unit of said monitoring unit sending said second alert message to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of said second alert message.
3. The lighting system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: said monitoring unit defining a third time frame and a third point of time during said third time frame, during said third time frame a third steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said monitoring unit measuring at said third point of time a third voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said third point of time a third current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a first power level representing the power for said plurality of light sources being active during said third time frame based on said third voltage level and said third current level, said monitoring unit defining a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during said fourth time frame, during said fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said fourth time frame being defined to take place after said third time frame has expired, said monitoring unit measuring at said fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a second power level representing the power for said plurality of light sources being active during said fourth time frame based on said fourth voltage level and said fourth current level, said monitoring unit generating a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met as the difference between said first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold.
4. The lighting system according to claim 3, said monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between said third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between said first and second power levels divided by said determined time difference between said third and fourth points of time, and provided said ratio of said power levels over time exceeds a third specific level said monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, said communication unit of said monitoring unit sending said fourth alert message to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of said fourth alert message.
5. The lighting system according to claims 1 or 2, said first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or said supply line being defective.
6. The lighting system according to claim 3 and 4, said third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, said supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
7. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said first time frame being identical to said third time frame and said second point of time being identical to said fourth point of time.
8. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said electrical power being an AC power, said first and second voltage level and said first and second current levels are substantially AC levels.
9. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
10. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
11. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of said light sources being defective.
12. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
13. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said alert receiving unit being a server.
14. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said alert receiving unit being cellular phone.
15. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims comprising two pairs of power supply lines and two of said voltage and current measurement circuits.
16. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims comprising three pairs of power supply lines and three of said voltage and current measurement circuits.
17. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a plurality of said monitoring unit.
18. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, the communication unit sending said alert messages through said pair of power supply lines.
19. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, the communication unit sending said alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
20. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said alert messages are textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
21. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, the communication unit receiving commands through said pair of power supply lines.
22. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, the commands being instruction to switch on or off said plurality of said light sources.
23. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said return line being common for two of said pair of power supply lines.
24. The lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said return line being common for three of said pair of power supply lines.
25. A lighting monitoring system comprising: a monitoring unit and an alert receiving unit, said monitoring unit comprising a communication unit communicating with said alert receiving unit, said monitoring unit having two pairs of connectors constituting a pair of input connectors and a pair of output connectors, said pair of input connectors being connectable to a pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, said pair of power supply lines providing electrical power, said pair of output connectors being connectable to a plurality of light sources, said pair of power supply lines providing an electrical power to said plurality of light sources through said monitoring unit, said monitoring unit comprising a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across said pair of power supply lines across said pair of input connectors or across said pair of output connectors, said monitoring unit comprising a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through said supply line or said return line in response to the electrical power provided to said plurality of light sources, the current flowing between one of said pair of input connectors and one of said pair of output connectors, said monitoring unit defining a first time frame and a first point of time during said first time frame, during said first time frame a first steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said monitoring unit measuring at said first point of time a first voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said first point of time a first current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for said plurality of light sources being active during said first time frame based on said first voltage level and said first current level, said monitoring unit defining a second time frame and a second point of time during said second time frame, during said second time frame a second steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said second time frame being defined to take place after said first time frame has expired, said monitoring unit measuring at said second point of time a second voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said second point of time a second current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for said plurality of light sources being active during said second time frame based on said second voltage level and said second current level, said monitoring unit generating a first alert message provided the difference between said first and second load resistance exceeds a first specific threshold constituting a first alert criterion, said monitoring unit sending said first alert message through means of said communication unit to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit acting or alerting in response to the reception of said first alert message.
26. The lighting monitoring system according to claim 25, said monitoring unit further determining the time difference between said first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between said first and second load resistance divided by said determined time difference between said first and second points of time, and provided said ratio of said load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level said monitoring unit generating a second alert message, said communication unit of said monitoring unit sending said second alert message to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of said second alert message.
27. The lighting monitoring system according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising: said monitoring unit defining a third time frame and a third point of time during said third time frame, during said third time frame a third steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said monitoring unit measuring at said third point of time a third voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said third point of time a third current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a first power level representing the power for said plurality of light sources being active during said third time frame based on said third voltage level and said third current level, said monitoring unit defining a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during said fourth time frame, during said fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said fourth time frame being defined to take place after said third time frame has expired, said monitoring unit measuring at said fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, said monitoring unit measuring at said fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of said current measuring circuit, said monitoring unit determining a second power level representing the power for said plurality of light sources being active during said fourth time frame based on said fourth voltage level and said fourth current level, said monitoring unit generating a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met as the difference between said first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold.
28. The lighting monitoring system according to claim 27, said monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between said third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between said first and second power levels divided by said determined time difference between said third and fourth points of time, and provided said ratio of said power levels over time exceeds a third specific level said monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, said communication unit of said monitoring unit sending said fourth alert message to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of said fourth alert message.
29. The lighting monitoring system according to claims 25 or 26, said first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or said supply line being defective.
30. The lighting monitoring system according to claims 27 and 28, said third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, said supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
31. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said first time frame being identical to said third time frame and said second point of time being identical to said fourth point of time.
32. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said electrical power being an AC power, said first and second voltage level and said first and second current levels being substantially AC levels.
33. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
34. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
35. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of said light sources being defective.
36. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
37. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said alert receiving unit being a server.
38. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said alert receiving unit being a cellular phone.
39. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said monitoring unit having two pairs of input connectors and two pairs of output connectors for connecting two pairs of power supply lines to respective two of said voltage and current measurement circuits.
40. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said monitoring unit having three pairs of input connectors and three pairs of output connectors for interconnecting three pairs of power supply lines to respective three of said voltage and current measurement circuits.
41. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, the communication unit sending said alert messages through said pair of power supply lines.
42. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, the communication unit sending said alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
43. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, said alert messages being textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
44. The lighting monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, the communication unit receiving commands through said pair of power supply lines.
45. The lighting monitoring system according to claim 44, said received commands being instructions to switch on or off said plurality of said light sources.
46. A method of controlling a lighting system comprising: a pair of power supply lines, a plurality of light sources, a monitoring unit, and an alert receiving unit communicating with said monitoring unit, said method comprising the steps of: providing said pair of power supply lines constituting a supply line and a return line, connecting said supply line and said return line to said plurality of light sources through said monitoring unit, providing electrical power to said plurality of light sources by means of said pair of power supply lines, providing a voltage measuring circuit measuring the voltage across said pair of power supply lines in said monitoring unit, providing a current measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through said supply line or said return line in response to the electrical power provided to said plurality of light sources in said monitoring unit, defining in said monitoring unit a first time frame and a first point of time during said first time frame and achieving during said first time frame a first steady state situation for said plurality of light sources, measuring in said monitoring unit at said first point of time a first voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, measuring in said monitoring unit at said first point of time a first current level by means of said current measuring circuit, determining in said monitoring unit a first load resistance representing the active load resistance for said plurality of light sources being active during said first time frame based on said measured first voltage level and said measured first current level, defining in said monitoring unit a second time frame and a second point of time during said second time frame, achieving during said second time frame a second steady state situation for said plurality of light sources, defining said second time frame being to take place after said first time frame has expired, measuring in said monitoring unit at said second point of time a second voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, measuring in said monitoring unit at said second point of time a second current level by means of said current measuring circuit, determining in said monitoring unit a second load resistance representing the active load resistance for said plurality of light sources being active during said second time frame based on said measured second voltage level and said measured second current level, generating in said monitoring unit a first alert message provided the difference between said first and second load resistance exceeds a first specific threshold constituting a first alert criterion, providing in said monitoring unit a communication unit, and sending by means of said communication unit said first alert message to said alert receiving unit, and receiving in said alert receiving unit said first alert message and said alert receiving unit acting or alerting in response to the reception of said first alert message.
47. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claim 46, said method further comprising determining by said monitoring unit the time difference between said first and second points of time, and determining a ratio of the load resistance change over time as the difference between said first and second load resistance divided by said determined time difference between said first and second points of time, and provided said ratio of said load resistance over time exceeds a second specific level generating by said monitoring unit a second alert message, sending by said communication unit said second alert message to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to said received second alert message.
48. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claim 46 or 47, further comprising: defining in said monitoring unit a third time frame and a third point of time during said third time frame, during said third time frame a third steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, measuring in said monitoring unit at said third point of time a third voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, measuring in said monitoring unit at said third point of time a third current level by means of said current measuring circuit, determining in said monitoring unit a first power level representing the power for said plurality of light sources being active during said third time frame based on said third voltage level and said third current level, defining in said monitoring unit a fourth time frame and a fourth point of time during said fourth time frame, during said fourth time frame a fourth steady state situation for said plurality of light sources is achieved, said fourth time frame being defined to take place after said third time frame has expired, measuring in said monitoring unit at said fourth point of time a fourth voltage level by means of said voltage measuring circuit, measuring in said monitoring unit at said fourth point of time a fourth current level by means of said current measuring circuit, determining in said monitoring unit a second power level representing the power for said plurality of light sources being active during said fourth time frame based on said fourth voltage level and said fourth current level, generating in said monitoring unit a third alert message provided a second alert criterion is also met as the difference between said first and second power levels exceeding a third specific threshold.
49. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claim 48, said monitoring unit further determining a second time difference between said third and fourth points of time, and determining a ratio of the power level change over time as the difference between said first and second power levels divided by said determined time difference between said third and fourth points of time, and provided said ratio of said power levels over time exceeds a third specific level said monitoring unit generating a fourth alert message, said communication unit of said monitoring unit sending said fourth alert message to said alert receiving unit, and said alert receiving unit further acting or alerting in response to the reception of said fourth alert message.
50. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 or 47, said first and second alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, or said supply line being defective.
51. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claim 48 and 49, said third and fourth alert message each indicates one of following alert situations: one light source being defect or malfunctioning, two light sources being defect or malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources has a defect among some of them or being malfunctioning, said plurality of light sources being defect or being malfunctioning, said supply line being defective, or current running to ground.
52. The method of controlling a lighting system according to any of the preceding claims, said first time frame being identical to said third time frame and said second point of time being identical to said fourth point of time.
53. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 51 , said electrical power being an AC power, said measured first and second voltage level and said measured first and second current levels being substantially AC levels.
54. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 53, said plurality of light sources being selected among a incandescent lamp, a bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a neon light, a Hg lamp, a sodium street lamp, a light emitting diode or a light emitting diodes light source and other sources of light suitable for illumination of areas.
55. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 54, said first time frame representing a period of a learn session.
56. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 55, said second time frame representing a period of an operating system with the possibility that one or more of said light sources being defective.
57. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 56, said monitoring unit being a lighting controller, a street light station or a client.
58. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 57, said alert receiving unit being a server.
59. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 58, said alert receiving unit being a cellular phone.
60. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 59, applying two pairs of power supply lines and respective two of said voltage and current measurement circuits.
61. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 60, applying three pairs of power supply lines and respective three of said voltage and current measurement circuits.
62. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 61 , applying a plurality of said monitoring unit.
63. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 62, sending by said communication unit said alert messages through said pair of power supply lines.
64. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 63, sending by said communication unit said alert messages through means of a wireless communication, e.g. via GSM.
65. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 64, said alert messages being textual messages, e.g. in the form of a SMS.
66. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claims 46 - 65, receiving by said communication unit commands through said pair of power supply lines.
67. The method of controlling a lighting system according to claim 66, said received commands being instructions to switch on or off said plurality of said light sources.
PCT/DK2007/000268 2006-06-06 2007-06-06 Lighting system WO2007140779A1 (en)

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CN104994665A (en) * 2015-07-31 2015-10-21 中达电通股份有限公司 Method for realizing partition control of centralized DC street lamps and system thereof
FR3093814B1 (en) 2019-03-11 2021-02-26 Crouzet Automatismes ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION INCLUDING A MONITORING MODULE
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