R_10018 Datasheet, PDF (4/10 Pages) NXP Semiconductors – Smart lighting A bright idea whose time has come

NXP Semiconductors
R_10018
Smart lighting: a bright idea whose time has come
where they are needed, at the desired level of brightness, while saving power and
electricity costs. For example, consumers can define lighting scenarios that use different
levels according to the task, such as dimmed lighting for watching a movie or bright
lighting for reading a book. Lights can be programmed to turn off automatically at night, or
to follow a predetermined on/off pattern when the inhabitant is away. Travelers can use
their smartphones to control lights remotely, to ward off burglars and intruders.
By adding IP-enabled sensors to the network, lights can be configured to operate
autonomously, based on light levels or occupancy. Lights can turn on at dusk, when the
amount of natural light starts to decrease, or they can automatically turn off when people
leave the room.
Smart lighting chipsets bring us one step closer to the “Internet of things”, a world in which
appliances can be monitored and controlled via an IP address. As part of a
building-management system, IP-enabled lights can provide self-diagnostic information to
optimize maintenance schedules and reduce maintenance costs. For example, the lights
can not only submit early failure reports but also track and report the number of burn
hours or switching cycles. The consumer knows exactly when lamps are approaching
end-of-life and can be replaced pre-emptively.
As another example, system-level management of the lighting network gives utility
companies a way to help consumers control their energy consumption remotely.
Consumers may, for instance, choose to dim lights by 10 % during peak hours, when
rates are higher. An existing internet connection and a control gateway to the home can
control the light output. A 10 % decrease is likely to go unnoticed by the consumer, except
on their energy bill. Utility companies can use options like these to educate consumers on
how best to manage their energy consumption and reward their conservation efforts.
R_10018
Report
All information provided in this document is subject to legal disclaimers.
Rev. 1 — 20 December 2011
© NXP B.V. 2011. All rights reserved.
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