WO2010043263A1

WO2010043263A1 - Interface apparatus for a dali lighting control circuit and method for monitoring the same

Info

Publication number: WO2010043263A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/063972
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gotthard Schleicher; Matthias Schneider
Original assignee: Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
Priority date: 2008-10-16
Filing date: 2008-10-16
Publication date: 2010-04-22

Abstract

The control or regulation of components of a DALI lighting control circuit and/or the communication with said components is to be made more convenient. For this purpose, an interface apparatus (1) is proposed, comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the corresponding component by way of the DALI lighting control circuit (3) and a receiver for receiving a signal from the DALI lighting control circuit (3). The transmitter and the receiver can transmit and receive simultaneously so that the signal sent by the transmitter can be monitored by the receiver. In this way, for example, conflicts in a DALI lighting control circuit can be detected.

Description

Confession

Interface device for a DALI light control circuit and method for its monitoring

Technical area

The present invention relates to an interface ^¬ device for controlling or regulating a component of a DALI light control circuit or for communication with this. It comprises a transmitting device for transmitting a signal to the component via the DALI light control circuit and a receiving device for receiving a signal from the DALI light control circuit. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for monitoring a DALI light control circuit.

State of the art

When installing bulbs in buildings digitally controllable and adjustable compo ^¬ nents are increasingly being used. In particular, so-called DALI operating devices (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) according to the standard IEC 62386 are used. The individual DALI components can be connected to a PC so that bidirectional data exchange with the PC can take place. So far, special devices are used to be able to participate in the communication in a DALI network with the PC. Furthermore, special devices are used to track the communication between the network components.

The object of the present invention is thus to make the control or analysis of DALI operating devices more comfortable. Presentation of the invention

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an interface device for controlling or regulating a component of a DALI light control circuit or for communication therewith, comprising a transmitting device for transmitting a signal to the component via the DALI light control circuit and a receiving device for receiving a signal from the latter DALI light control circuit, wherein the transmitting device and the receiving device can simultaneously transmit or receive, so that with the receiving device, the signal sent by the transmitting device can be monitored.

Furthermore, the invention provides a method for monitoring a DALI light control circuit by sending a signal with the aid of an above presented ^¬ interface device to the component of the DALI light control circuit and monitoring the transmitted signal by means of the receiving device of the interface device, wherein at the same time for transmitting the signal Signal from the DALI light control circuit recie ^¬ gene and compared with the transmitted signal.

Advantageously, it is possible by the interface device or the method according to the present invention to simultaneously send commands and to track signals. This makes it immediately possible to detect whether there is a conflict or a malfunction in the DALI network caused by another device. The interface device preferably has a connection for plugging into a PC, in particular a USB connection. Thus, the interface device can receive commands from a PC optionally via a standard interface.

The interface device can be supplied with energy via the (USB) connection and designed to generate a DALI operating voltage. This makes it possible to dispense with a separate power supply connection of the interface device for smaller applications.

If, however, numerous DALI operating devices (for example more than four) are to be supplied with energy via the interface device, then it may be necessary for the interface device to have a separate supply connection for connecting a power supply device. Thus, the supply of a variety of DALI components via a single interface device can be guaranteed.

Furthermore, in the interface device, a receiving transistor of an opto-coupler of the transmitting device can be connected in series with an LED of an opto-coupler of the receiving device. The LED can be used to monitor the transmission process that runs over the reception transistor. For galvanically isolated coupling and other electronic components such. B. "i-coupler" conceivable. Furthermore, the interface device may comprise a full bridge rectifier to condition signals from the DALI lighting control circuit independent of the polarity.

Furthermore, the interface device may have its own analysis device in order to analyze the DALI light control circuit independently of external devices. This makes it possible for the user to analyze a DALI lighting control circuit without additional devices.

In addition, it is favorable if the interface device has a conversion device for converting a PC signal received from a PC into a DALI signal to be transmitted. As a result, the interface device can be used as an interface between a PC and a DALI lighting control circuit.

In addition, optionally with the interface device without additional electrical device (eg without a PC in stand-alone operation) configuration parameters of the DALI light control circuit can be read from its components and stored in a file and thus documented. Such a configuration of an electronic ballast of a lighting system can for example be comfortable with the interface device or interface to read and possibly docu ^¬ menting.

Furthermore, with the interface device, a command sequence can be transmitted by pressing a button on a component (eg ECG) of the DALI light control circuit. For example, the command sequence was previously developed on a PC. If necessary, before the transfer a Short address of the component read and then transmitted an address-specific command sequence.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 shows a circuit diagram according to which an interface device according to the invention is connected between a PC and DALI operating devices;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal components of an interface device according to the invention and

Fig. 3 is a DALI input circuit of the interface device according to the invention.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

According to the example of FIG. 1 1 is called an interface device, hereinafter DALI interface, Zvi ^¬ rule a PC 2 and a DALI lighting control circuit switches ^¬ ge. 3 The DALI light control circuit 3 consists here of two DALI bus lines to which a plurality of DALI ECGs 4 and 5 are connected. Of course, a larger number and type of DALI operating devices can be connected to the DALI lighting control circuit 3. In the present example, the DALI ECGs 4 and 5 each have an input L for phase, an input N for the neutral conductor, an input PE for the protective earth and two inputs DA for the DALI lines. To control the DALI ECGs 4 and 5, these are connected with their two terminals DA to corresponding terminals DA + and DA- of the DALI interface 1.

Furthermore, the DALI interface 1 has a USB interface for connecting the PC 2. To maintain the DALI operating voltage, the DALI interface 1 via the USB interface with energy ver ^¬ provides. However, if more than four DALI operating devices are to be connected to the DALI interface 1 according to the present example, this must be supplied with energy via a separate "Supply" supply connection. For this purpose, an external supply unit 6 is to be connected to the DALI interface 1.

The DALI interface 1 is used, for example, to control or regulate the DALI ECGs 4 and 5. In addition, it can also be used purely to monitor the DALI network. For these tasks, it has a user interface ^¬ spot with several LEDs. A first LED 7 indicates at ^¬ game example, that the DALI interface 1 is turned on ( "Power on"). Another LED 8 indicates that the DALI lighting control circuit is internally supplied with power via DALI interface 1 ("Internally Supply") or externally. The internal supply can take place via the USB interface or the supply unit 6. In addition, an LED 9 indicates whether a correct DALI voltage is present at the DALI output / input DA + and DA- ("DALI Voltage"). An LED 10 leaves the user know whether a communication takes place on the DALI lighting control circuit 3 ("Communication"). Next ^¬ out indicates an LED 11 if an overvoltage at the DALI lighting control circuit 3 is applied. Another LED 12 signals the user to use a pushbutton 13, via which a DIM process or switching on / off of the lighting units can be carried out ("DIM start / stop"). In principle, further control elements can also be provided.

Using the PC can be made available for the DALI system ^¬ different functions by. The DALI interface 1 must be designed with regard to the physical DALI parameters (eg level of the DALI voltage and time behavior). The interface may then be used to send and receive information on the DALI lines.

In addition to the application shown in FIG. 1, the DALI interface 1 can also be used as a so-called "stand-alone unit". This means that an analysis of the DALI system without a connected PC is also possible. The data are internally recorded in a memory or preprocessed with a processor.

If the DALI interface 1 is used in stand-alone mode, it is automatically switched between different operating modes depending on whether a DALI voltage is present or not. If, for example, there is no DALI voltage, a test mode (switching on / off, dimming) is activated, otherwise the commands on the DALI line are monitored and stored in an internal memory. Optionally, the DALI interface 1 may also include a hardware key for limited access. In addition, the DALI interface 1, for example, have a so-called "boot loader" to z. For example, current firmware should be played on the DALI interface 1.

In a special implementation, the DALI interface can be used as a CIN analyzer (Chip Identification Number). This can be read out, for example, for the commissioning of an electronic ballast whose identification number.

The DALI interface 1 can be used universally. With its few basic functions, it is small and easy to assemble so that it can be conveniently used by service, laboratory and production personnel for DALI operating devices. In particular, DALI operating devices can be programmed with the interface (eg short addresses can be assigned). In addition, a DALI lighting system can be commissioned with the interface, in particular by configuring specific light scenes.

Furthermore, the DALI interface can be used to analyze 1 DALI lighting systems, for example by reading out parameters. The interface, however, can be used as a test device with which, for example, the encryption wiring can check the DALI system when playing as the button is pressed at 13 ^¬. In general, however, the entire DALI communication can be analyzed in the network and, if appropriate, be in a memory mitprotokol ^¬ lines. The nominal voltage of DALI is 16 V. It is therefore advantageous if the DALI connections of the interface are protected against accidental application of the mains voltage.

The DALI interface 1 presented in the example is also a universally applicable tool in that it can deliver the DALI operating voltage through the USB interface or the additional supply interface.

For laboratory personnel, the DALI interface 1 is particularly useful since it can itself generate DALI commands and other commands as a stand-alone device itself. Au ^¬ ßerdem can reveal it DALI and other proprietary commands ana ^¬ lyse and communication errors. Finally, data can be read from and written to the DALI operating devices with it.

For an OEM example, it is advantageous that DALI devices can be supportband ^¬ mized with the DALI interface. 1 In addition, the interface can be operated with different GUIs (Graphical User Interface) on the PC or with different PC operating systems.

Based on Fig. 2, the structure of a erfindungsge ^¬ MAESSEN DALI interface 1 will now be explained in more detail. The device has the PC side, a USB interface 14 and DALI side a DALI interface 15. The interface still has a microprocessor 16 to which via the USB interface 14 is a bidirectional communication can take place ^¬. The microprocessor 16 controls a particular DALI output / input unit 17, which also serves to Ana ^¬ analysis of DALI signals. He oversees Voltages, time sequences and possible collisions in the DALI system.

Furthermore, the DALI interface 1 has a so-called ^¬ "power management unit" 18. It is controlled by the microprocessor 16 and supplies it with energy. In turn, the power management unit 18 ent ^¬ supplied either via the USB interface 14 or a separate supply port 19 ( "Supply") with energy. The power management unit 18 further supplies the energy via a DC / DC converter 20 to a DALI supply unit 21 ("DALI supply"), which serves to generate the DALI operating voltage with the desired information content. Information about a maximum deliverable current I _{max can be} supplied by the power management unit 18 to this DALI supply unit 21.

At the output of the DALI supply unit 21 is a Siche ^¬ tion 22 ( "fuse") is provided, which is intended to protect supply unit 21 in particular before the DALI line voltage when the DALI terminals are accidentally connected for example to mains voltage. The fuse 22 can be reset via the microprocessor 16.

The DALI operating ^signal is ge ^¬ leads from the output of the fuse 22 in the DALI lines or the DALI interface 15. Thus, a transmission process can be initialized by the microprocessor 16 itself or by an external PC. The signal applied to the DALI lines or the DALI interface can also be used with the DALI input / output unit 17 analyzed and ge ^¬ possibly recorded.

In the middle of FIG. 2, a dividing line 23 is shown in dashed lines, which represents a galvanic separation of the computer or PC side and the DALI side of the DALI interface 1. The two sides are separated at the transitions before ^¬ preferably by optical couplers.

In conjunction with FIG. 3, an implementation form of the interface device according to the invention is now shown in priniciple. It shows a DALI input circuit, which makes it possible to send and receive DALI signals at the same time.

At the input DS of the DALI interface 1, a microprocessor is connected for transmission (DALI transmission). If the transmission level such as "high", as a device connected to the terminal DS light-emitting diode an opto-coupler U41 ^¬ lights couplers. The corresponding phototransistor of the optocoupler U41 turns on and turns on ei ^¬ nem node Kl between the emitter of the phototransis- tor and a resistor R44, which is grounded on the other hand, the potential of a capacitor C43 between the ground and the collector of the phototransistor is located. This nonzero voltage is applied to the gate of a normally-off N-channel MOSFET Q43. Source of the MOSFET 43 is grounded and drain is connected to egg ^¬ nem input terminal of a full-bridge rectifier D42. The other input terminal is grounded. At one of the output terminals of the full-bridge rectifier D42 is via a current fuse, here a fuse R47, one of the DALI terminals DA. At the other output terminal of the rectifier D42 is the other DALI terminal DA. Between the two MOSFET terminals of the rectifier D42 is a Se ^¬ rienschaltung a resistor R48 and a capacitor C47. Is now the MOSFET Q43 short-circuited due to the high level of the DALI transmission signal so Zvi ^¬ rule prevails both DALI connections DA voltage OV.

On the other hand, if a DALI transmit signal is "low", the LED of the U41 opto-coupler will not light and the phototransistor of the U41 opto-coupler will turn off. At the node Kl then the voltage OV is applied, so that the MOSFET Q43 blocks. At the input of the rectifier D42 then sets a high voltage level (voltage supply ^¬ not shown), so that ultimately results in the DALI terminals DA, the DALI voltage level.

For the reception of a DALI signal, the output of the connected to the DALI terminals DA full-bridge rectifier D42 which represents the input DAR for sending is tapped off via a resistor R46 of the light emitting diode ei ^¬ nes second optocoupler U40. The cathode of the light-emitting diode is connected to the collector of the phototransistor of the first optocoupler U41. The phototransistor of the second optocoupler U40 is connected with its emitter to ground and with its collector to a processor input DE (DALI receiving). Likewise, the collector is connected via a resistor R49 to the supply voltage + 5V.

The processor can now use the DE output to monitor DALI transmission at the DS input. Is namely the transmission level for DS to "high", the phototransistor of the optocoupler U41 and thus the MOSFET Q43 is shorted ^¬ sen and the LED of the optocoupler U40 from. Consequently, the phototransistor of the optocoupler U40 is blocked and the output DE is at the level "high" (+ 5V). On the other hand, when the transmission level is low, the phototransistor of the first optical coupler U41 is turned off, so that the node K2 at the drain of the MOSFET Q43 is high and the LED of the second optical coupler U40 is lit. This leads to a short circuit of the phototransistor U40 and thus to the level "low" also at the DALI reception terminal DE. In both cases, the pe ^¬ gel at DE and DS are the same, which can be monitored by the connected microprocessor.

With the DALI receive connection DE, however, not only the transmission of the DALI interface can be monitored. Rather, the entire DALI system can also be monitored. If namely due to a transmission signal of the high level of the DALI voltage to the DALI terminals DA applied (level at inlet DS "low"), but this level was Gezo ^¬ gene by another DALI device, for example, 0 V, also illuminates the LED of the second optocoupler U40 not, the corresponding phototransistor blocks and the receiving terminal DE is at the "high" level. The microprocessor can thus recognize that the levels at the terminals DE and DS differ and therefore there is a conflict in the DALI network. For example, the communication of another operating device in the DALI circuit is still in progress, so that one's own communication must be interrupted. The DALI interface is thus for Monitoring your own transmission process, but also suitable for monitoring the entire DALI circuit.

Claims

claims

1. Interface device (1) for controlling or regulating a component (5) of a DALI light control circuit (3) or for communication therewith, comprising - a transmitting device for transmitting a signal to the component (5) via the DALI light control circuit (3) and

a receiving device for receiving a signal from the DALI light control circuit (3), characterized in that

- Can send and receive the transmitting device and the receiving device simultaneously, so that

- With the receiving device, the sent from the transmitting device signal is monitored.

2. Interface device according to claim 1, which has a connection (USB) for plugging into a PC, in particular a USB port.

3. Interface device according to claim 2, which can be supplied via the terminal (USB) with energy and formed therefrom to generate a DALI operating voltage.

4. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, which has a separate supply connection (supply) for connecting a power supply device.

5. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a receiving transistor of an optocoupler (U41) of the transmitting device with an LED of an optocoupler (U40) of the receiving device is connected in series.

6. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, which is a full bridge rectifier

(D42) to process signals from the DALI light control circuit (3) irrespective of the polarity.

7. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, which has its own analysis device to analyze the DALI light control circuit (3) independently of external devices.

8. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a converter means for converting a received signal from a PC into a DALI signal to be transmitted.

9. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, with which without electrical auxiliary device configuration parameters of the DALI light control circuit (3) from one of its components (5) can be read out.

10. Interface device according to one of the preceding claims, with which a command sequence by pressing a button on a component (5) of the DALI light control circuit (3) is transferable.

11. A method for monitoring a DALI light control circuit (3) characterized by

- Sending a signal by means of an interface device (1) according to one of the preceding

Claims to the component (5) of the DALI lighting control circuit (3) and

- Monitoring the transmitted signal by means of the receiving device of the interface device (1), wherein simultaneously to transmit the signal, a signal from the DALI light control circuit (3) is received and compared with the transmitted signal.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein a signal received from a PC is converted into a DALI signal to be transmitted.