Crosstalk mitigation for lighting control

Apparatus and methods for crosstalk mitigation in a lighting system. The apparatus may include a circuit. The circuit may be configured to receive electrical power. The circuit may be configured to provide lighting power from the electrical power, along an electrical power transmission line, to a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light fixture. The circuit may be configured to transmit along the electrical power transmission line first lighting control information that is configured to control light emitted from the fixture. The circuit may be configured to transmit along the electrical power transmission line second lighting control information that is defined by a pattern in the lighting power.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/523,711, filed on Jun. 28, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Light emitting diode (“LED”) lighting apparatus often include multiple fixture control modules. As different signals are transmitted along power communication lines, crosstalk often occurs. The crosstalk generally occurs between different communication lines of different fixture groups. An LED light source of a first fixture group can receive signals intended for a second fixture group. An LED light source can receive multiple signals. A light emitted by the LED light source may not correspond to a user selected light output.

Installers routinely install landscape lighting wires that run from different fixture control modules to different fixtures in a conduit. Because most installers do not use twisted or shielded wires, strong crosstalk between the different wires often occurs. Signals are often passed through the different wires included in the conduit.

As such it may be desirable to provide a system for mitigating crosstalk between communication lines within a lighting apparatus.

The leftmost digit (e.g., “L”) of a three-digit reference numeral (e.g., “LRR”), and the two leftmost digits (e.g., “LL”) of a four-digit reference numeral (e.g., “LLRR”), generally identify the first figure in which a part is called-out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus and methods for crosstalk mitigation are provided.

The apparatus may include a fixture control module. The fixture control module may include a circuit. The circuit may be configured to receive electrical power. The circuit may be configured to provide lighting power from the electrical power, along a power transmission line, to a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light fixture. The circuit may be configured to transmit along the power transmission line first lighting control information that is configured to control light emitted from the fixture. The circuit may be configured to transmit along the power transmission line second lighting control information that is defined by a pattern in the lighting power.

The fixture control module may be referred to as a “transformer unit.”

Each fixture may be uniquely addressable by a lighting control unit. Table 1 lists illustrative lighting control information elements.

TABLE 1Illustrative lighting control information elements.Illustrative lighting controlinformation elementsDiscoveryInformationDescriptionPatternAlerts fixture that discovery is in progressDiscoveryPendingAnnounces intent to initiate discovery processRemoteNodeIDIdentifies ″other″ lighting controllerLocalNodeIDIdentifies lighting controller ″itself″Discovery InitiatedAnnounces beginning of discovery processDiscoverNodesAlerts fixture that discovery is in processDiscoveryResponseAcknowledges beginning of discovery.May include fixture ID.SetMasterIDInstructs fixture to set as governing lighting controller theID of lighting controller that initiated discoverymasterIDSetAcknowledges setting as governing lighting controller theID of lighting controller that initiated discoveryLighting configurationInformationDescriptionDimming levelInstruction to set fixture to a dimming levelCorrelated Color TemperatureInstruction to adjust fixture to emit white light of a(″CCT″)certain CCTCCT warming curveParameters that define an operational CCT mix as afunction of dimming levelGroup lighting controlInstruction to set light of fixtures identified as membersmessagesof a selected groupScene IDSet fixtures or groups to preselected scene, which may bedefined by dimming levels or color temperaturesScene triggerActivate scene in response to a trigger, such as auser-activated switch, date, time of day,motion sensor, voice systemOther suitable elements

The apparatus may include a male plug. The plug may be configured to be inserted into a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (“NEMA”) approved electrical outlet. The plug may be configured to receive the electrical power.

The lighting power may be carried by alternating current having a voltage in the range 10-20 VAC.

The lighting power may be carried by alternating current having a nominal frequency in the range 50-60 Hz.

The first lighting control information may be carried by a current having a nominal frequency that is not less than 1 MHz.

The first lighting control information may be carried by a current having a nominal frequency that is not less than 100 Hz.

The pattern may include a square wave.

The pattern may include a pulse. The pattern may include a pause. The pattern may include a repetition of a sequence that includes a pulse and a pause.

The pattern may include a pulse of a predetermined voltage. The predetermined voltage may be transmitted as a 15 VAC current.

Table 2 lists illustrative ranges that may include nominal values of the predetermined voltage.

TABLE 2Illustrative ranges that may include nominalvalues of the predetermined voltage.Illustrative ranges that may include nominalvalues of the predetermined voltage.FromToFromTo15303551035401015404515204550202550>502530OtherOthersuitablesuitablelowerupperlimitslimits

The pulse may have a duration. During the pulse, the voltage may be held at a steady AC voltage level. Table 3 lists illustrative ranges that may include a length of the duration.

TABLE 3Illustrative ranges that may include a length of the duration.Illustrative ranges (sec.) that may include a lengthof the durationFromToFromTo0.010.145.1.556.51610121010023100>10034OtherOthersuitablesuitablelowerupperlimitslimits

Table 4 lists illustrative ranges that may include a length of the pause.

TABLE 4Illustrative ranges that may include a length of the pause.Illustrative ranges (sec.) that may include a lengthof the pauseFromToFromTo0.010.145.1.556.51610121010023100>10034OtherOthersuitablesuitablelowerupperlimitslimits

The apparatus may include a first transformer unit. The apparatus may include a second transformer unit. The apparatus may include any suitable number of transformer units. The first and second transformer units may receive 120 volts of AC voltage. The voltage may be received from an outlet. The outlet may transmit line power to the first and second transformer units. The line power may have an AC voltage of 120V. The first and second transformer units may step-down the voltage to 15 VAC voltage.

The first and second transformer units may include filters. The filters may prevent signals from being transmitted backwards on the wires carrying the 120V from the outlet to the transformer units. The filters may prevent crosstalk that can occur between the high voltage wires.

The apparatus may include a first group of fixtures. The first group of fixtures may include one or more fixtures. The one or more fixtures may include one or more light emitting diode (“LED”) light sources. The first group of fixtures may include a first fixture driver circuit. The first fixture driver circuit may include a receiver. The first group of fixtures may be connected to the first transformer unit. The connection may be a physical connection. The connection may be through a wire. The wire may include copper.

The apparatus may include a second group of fixtures. The second group of fixtures may include one or more fixtures. The one or more fixtures may include one or more light emitting diode (“LED”) light sources. The second group of fixtures may include a second fixture driver circuit. The second fixture driver circuit may include a receiver. The second group of fixtures may be connected to the second transformer unit. The connection may be a physical connection. The connection may be through a wire. The wire may include copper.

A user may control the brightness of the light emitted by the LED light source or the fixture. A user may control the color of the light emitted by the LED light source or the fixture. A user may control the intensity of the light emitted by the LED light source or the fixture. A user may control dim-to-warm level of the light emitted from the LED light source or the fixture. A user may control any suitable feature of the light emitted by the LED light source or the fixture. A user may control the light emitted from the LED light source or the fixture using a software application. The software application may be on a mobile device.

The apparatus may include a microcontroller. The apparatus may include a power line communication (“PLC”) module. The PLC module may be configured to transmit data along a power transmission line that provides operational power to a fixture. The microcontroller may be configured to provide to the PLC module the first lighting control information. The PLC module may be configured to provide the first lighting control information to the power transmission line.

The transformer unit may include a PLC module. The PLC module may be initiated on a chip. The chip may be included in the transformer unit. The PLC module may be connected to a central processing unit (“CPU”). The CPU many include a memory protection unit (MPU).

Two or more PLC modules may communicate with each other over a conductor that transmits power. A PLC module may communicate using a carrier signal that is within a predetermined frequency band. The band may be referred to as a channel. Communication in the channel may be full-duplex communication. Communication in the channel may be half-duplex communication. Communication in the channel may be simplex communication.

Lighting control information may be transmitted via the channel. Lighting control information may be propagated via a power transmission line, but not via the channel.

Lighting control information that is propagated via the power transmission line, but not via the channel, may include current and voltage that conform, respectively, to the current and voltage that are used to power the fixtures. Lighting control information that is propagated via a power transmission line, but not via the channel, may include current that is outside a range of current provided in the channel. Lighting control information that is propagated via a power transmission line, but not via the channel, may include voltage that is outside a range of voltage that is provided in the channel. Lighting control information that is propagated via a power transmission line, but not via the channel, may include current that is greater than the current provided in the channel and less than the current that is used to power the fixtures. Lighting control information that is propagated via a power transmission line, but not via the channel, may include voltage that is greater than the voltage provided in the channel and less than the voltage that is used to power the fixtures.

The first and second transformer units may each include a transmitter. The first and second transformer units may each include a receiver. The first and second transformer units may each include a transceiver. The transceiver may receive a signal. The signal may correspond to a user selected control setting. The user selected control setting may include the first lighting control information.

The PLC module may encode the received signal. The PLC module may encode the received signal into a signal that is readable by the fixtures. The PLC may transmit the encoded signals along a PLC communication line. The PLC communication lines may be low voltage communication lines. The PLC communication line may transmit the encoded signals through pulse width modulated (“PWM”) signals.

The receivers included in the first and second fixture driver circuits may receive the encoded signals. The receivers may decode the signals. The fixture driver circuits may run a corresponding protocol to implement the selected user control setting.

A PLC communication from the first transformer unit may address the first group of fixtures. A PLC communication from the second transformer unit may address the second group of fixtures. The first and second group of fixtures may not know which transformer unit they are wired to. The second group of fixtures may determine that it is wired to the first transformer unit. The first group of fixtures may determine it is wired to the second transformer unit. Encoded signals that are being transmitted from the first transformer unit may be picked up by both the first group of fixtures and the second group of fixtures.

Crosstalk between the different communication lines may cause uncertainty about which transformer unit is wired to which group of fixtures. Crosstalk may cause unwanted noise. Crosstalk may prevent the transmission of the correct signal to the correct group of fixtures. Crosstalk may disrupt the control of the fixtures. A fixture may receive more than one signal. A fixture may receive the wrong signal. A fixture may receive a signal from the wrong transformer unit. As such, the fixture may not emit a light at a specific color and intensity level that a user selected.

Crosstalk may interrupt the transmission of a user-selected controls to the correct fixtures. Due to crosstalk, there may be a detectable lag between user-selected controls being transmitted and performance of the operations corresponding to such controls by a fixture or a group of fixtures. As a result of crosstalk, pairing of transformer units with fixtures that are wired to them may render the system as a whole or its components inoperable or not fully operable.

While crosstalk may remain even after a transformer unit is paired with a wired fixture, such crosstalk may not affect control of the fixture because through the pairing the fixture becomes controllable only by the paired transformer unit. For example, a unique identifier of a fixture may be passed on to the paired transformer unit during pairing. A unique identifier of a transformer unit may be passed on to the paired fixture during pairing. Mitigating crosstalk before pairing to enable pairing may mitigate effects of crosstalk on a system or its components after pairing has been established. Using or manipulating crosstalk, for example, by allowing a transformer unit to identify both those fixtures that are in conductive communication with a transformer and those, if any, that are not, the lighting controller may enable the transformer unit to identify and pair only with fixtures wired to the transformer unit.

The lighting apparatus may communicate with fixtures in a broadcast mode.

The identified crosstalk may be mitigated using the crosstalk itself. Because of crosstalk, each transformer unit may be “aware” of all the fixtures in a system, whether or not the fixtures are connected to the transformer unit by wire. Features governing the powering on or off of the one or more transformer units and one or more fixtures in the system may lead to mitigation of crosstalk. For example, enabling identification of fixtures wired to a given transformer unit by mitigating crosstalk may allow the fixtures to be paired with the given transformer unit. This may eliminate any visibly detectable lag between transmission of a user command and the fixture's performance of an operation corresponding to such a command. This may enable higher speed signal transmission and more seamless performance of a lighting system and components thereof. The protocols may include initiating or performing a discovery process.

The discovery process may include a begin-discovery phase. The begin-discovery phase may include disabling an auto-discover mode. The begin-discovery phase may be initiated with a button press. The button may be on the transformer unit. The button may be pressed through a mobile application.

The discovery process may include a discovery-pending phase. In the discovery-pending phase the first transformer unit may send a DISCOVERY-PENDING message. The microcontroller may be configured to transmit, via the PLC module, a DISCOVERY-PENDING message.

The DISCOVERY-PENDING message may indicate that a given transformer unit is beginning the discovery process. The DISCOVERY-PENDING message may be broadcasted to all connected elements of the lighting apparatus. In the discovery-pending mode, the first transformer unit may receive a DISCOVERY-PENDING message from a third transformer unit. The third transformer unit may have a node ID that is greater than a node ID of the first transformer unit. In response to receiving a DISCOVERY-PENDING message from the third transformer unit with a greater node ID, the first transformer unit may terminate its discovery process.

In the discovery-pending phase, the first transformer unit may receive a DISCOVERY-PENDING message from a fourth transformer unit. The fourth transformer unit may have a node ID that is less than a node ID of the first transformer unit. In response to receiving a DISCOVERY-PENDING message from the fourth transformer unit with a lesser node ID, the first transformer unit may continue its discovery process, while the fourth transformer unit terminates its discovery process.

In the discovery-pending phase, the first transformer unit may receive a DISCOVERY-INITIATED message of a fifth transformer unit. The first transformer unit may receive a DISCOVER-NODES message of a fifth transformer unit. In response to receiving either a DISCOVERY-INITIATED message, a DISCOVER-NODE message, or any other suitable message indicating that another transformer unit is in middle of initiating a discovery process, the first transformer unit may terminate its discovery process.

The microcontroller may be a first microcontroller. The power transmission line may be a first power transmission line. The discovery-pending message may be a first discovery pending message. The first microcontroller may be configured to perform a delay.

If during the delay the first microcontroller: (a) receives a second discovery pending message from a second microcontroller via a second power transmission line; and (b) determines that the second microcontroller has a higher priority than the first microcontroller, the first microcontroller may terminate the discovery process.

If the first microcontroller: (a) receives a second discovery pending message from a second microcontroller via a second power transmission line; and (b) determines that the second microcontroller has a lower priority than the first microcontroller, the first microcontroller may send a discovery-initiated message, via the PLC module, over the first power transmission line.

Once all other transformer units are determined not to be initiating a discovery process, the first transformer unit may begin a discovery-initiated phase. In the discovery-initiated phase, the first transformer unit may broadcast a DISCOVERY-INITIATED message to all elements included in the lighting apparatus. The DISCOVERY-INITIATED message may be broadcast continually. The DISCOVERY-INITIATED message may be broadcast continually as long as the first transformer unit is running the discovery process.

The discovery process may include a power-cycling phase. The first transformer unit may send a power cycle to the fixtures that are connected. The power cycle may include a cycle of alternations between high and low power. The fixtures may detect the power cycle. When the fixtures detect the power cycle the same amount or more than a predetermined number of times, discovery may be enabled.

The power cycle may include the pattern. The apparatus may include a power-limiting circuit. The microcontroller may be configured to cause the power-limiting circuit to output to the power transmission line lighting power expressing the pattern.

The microcontroller may receive a request to discover a light fixture. In response to receiving the request, the microcontroller may instruct the power-limiting circuit to transmit the second lighting control information. The PLC module may be configured to receive third lighting control information from the power transmission line. The first microcontroller may be configured to transmit the second lighting control information after sending the DISCOVERY-INITIATED message.

The power-limiting circuit may include a dimming circuit.

The microcontroller may identify a light fixture based on first lighting control information from the power transmission line.

The discovery process may include a fixture-discovery phase. In the fixture-discovery phase, the first transformer unit may broadcast a DISCOVER-NODES message. The DISCOVER-NODES message may be broadcast to all elements of the lighting apparatus. Only fixtures that were determined to be connected to the first transformer unit may respond to the DISCOVER-NODES message.

The first microcontroller may be configured to receive from a first power transmission line fixture that is not on the second power transmission line, via the PLC module, third lighting control information.

The third lighting control information may include a discovery response. The discovery response may include a DISCOVER-NODES message.

The discovery response may include a first power transmission line fixture identifier.

The first microcontroller may be configured to provide, in response to the discovery response, to the first power transmission line fixture, a first fixture control module identifier.

The discovery process may include an end-discovery phase. Once discovery is complete, the discovery process may be terminated. In response to a discovery complete, the lighting apparatus may output a success LED pattern. Once discovery is disabled, the DISCOVERY-INITIATED message may be terminated.

The apparatus may include a fixture. The fixture may include first circuitry. The first circuitry may include a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light source. The first circuitry may be configured to receive lighting power from an electrical power transmission line. The first circuitry may be configured to emit light from the LED light source using energy from the lighting power. The fixture may include second circuitry. The second circuitry may be configured to receive first lighting control information from the electrical power transmission line. The second circuitry may be configured to control the light based on the first lighting control information. The second circuitry may be configured to output, in response to second lighting control information defined by a pattern in the lighting power, third lighting control information. The third lighting information may be different from the first lighting control information.

The fixture may include a microcontroller that is configured to detect the pattern. The apparatus may include a microcontroller that is configured to provide to the second circuitry the third lighting control information.

The first circuitry may include a boost converter. The boost converter may be configured to receive from the power transmission line the lighting power. The boost converter may be configured to communicate to the microcontroller the pattern.

The second circuitry may include power transmission line communication circuitry. The power transmission line communication circuitry may be configured to decode the first lighting control information. The power transmission line communication circuitry may be configured to communicate the first lighting control information to the microcontroller.

The third lighting control information may include a discovery response.

The discovery response may include an identifier that corresponds to the LED light source.

The methods may include momentarily powering down lighting fixtures connected to one transformer unit to identify which fixtures are connected to it by a physical (e.g., copper, wire) communication line. By comparing all communicating fixtures before the power-down with all fixtures discovered after the power-down, the fixtures physically connected to the transformer unit may be identified.

The methods may include a setup parameter mode. Setting up the parameter may include disabling the transformer unit's system control module (“SCM”) from performing an automatic discovery of fixtures function. The SCM may include a microcontroller. The setup parameter mode may include disabling the SCM from performing automatic “Set Master ID”, and “Delete Master ID” commands to lighting fixtures. The setup parameter mode may include continuing automatic SCM “broadcast” messages which prompt the lighting fixtures to respond with their ID. The setup parameter mode may include disabling automatic modifications to the SCM's list of detected lighting fixtures.

The methods may include a pre-discovery mode. The pre-discovery mode may include capturing and storing a source ID from all lighting fixtures including source IDs that crosstalk from lighting fixtures not directly connected to the discovering transformer unit. The pre-discovery mode may include capturing and storing source IDs by collecting transmissions from the fixture to SCM only. These may include packets with “Command” messages from1000to1999. Storing target IDs may also be beneficial in determining if adjacent transformers are incorrectly switched off during fixture discovery mode.

The methods may include a discovery mode. The discovery mode may include entering the fixture discovery mode by pressing a “zone 1” button until the a “zone 1” LED illuminates. The discovery mode may include pressing and holding a “presets” button until an audible beep is heard, and the “zone 1” LED flashes. The discovery mode may include using the transformer unit's internal ELV dimming circuitry, the SCM will completely shut down all power to the fixtures included in zone 1. The discovery mode may include repeating the steps from pre-discovery mode.

During the fixture discovery mode, the discovering transformer unit can detect the absence of packets from other transformer units that were identified during the pre-discovery mode. If packet traffic from adjacent transformer units is not detected, it could indicate that the adjacent transformer has been switched off, and the fixture discovery mode should be aborted.

The methods may include a discovery process. The discovery process may include restoring normal power to zone 1. The discovery process may include comparing a first memory table with all source IDs collected during the pre-fixture discovery mode with a second memory table with source IDs collected during the fixture discovery mode when zone 1 powered down. The discovery process may include identifying that the source IDs that appear in the first table but were not listed in the second table are the source IDs from fixtures that are physically wired to the transformer performing the fixture discovery. The discovery process may include performing a “Write Master ID” function to assign a master ID to all physically connected lighting fixtures. The discovery process may include completing the fixture discovery process and resuming normal operation.

Illustrative embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which forma part hereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, functional and procedural modifications or omissions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

FIG.1shows schematically illustrative lighting architecture100. Lighting architecture100may include power transmission lines such as power transmission lines102and104.

Power transmission lines102and104may be coupled at a proximal ends106to lighting controllers110and112, respectively. Power transmission lines102and104may be coupled at a distal ends108to fixture strings114and116, respectively.

Lighting controllers110and112may provide power via power transmission lines102and104to fixture strings114and116. Lighting controllers110and112may exchange lighting control information via power transmission lines102and104with fixture strings114and116.

Power source P may be a source of AC current. The source may be residential, commercial or from a utility service. Outlets O1, O2, . . . , OM may be energized by power source P.

Architecture100may include power transmission line accessory118. Accessory118may include conduit, wire tie or any other wire management device. Accessory118may retain power transmission lines102and104for some or all of the length between proximal ends106and distal ends108.

Power transmission lines102and104may be two of M power transmission lines that run through accessory118. Each power transmission line m of the M power transmission lines may correspond to a lighting controller, an mth fixture string, and an mth outlet. The M power transmission lines, lighting controllers and fixture strings may have elements and features similar or identical to those of architecture100.

Lighting power120and122may travel along power transmission lines102and104, respectively. Lighting control information channels124and126may travel along power transmission lines102and104. Channels124and126represent two-way PLC communication channels. The lighting power may be used as lighting control information.

Lighting controller110may include filter128. Lighting controller110may include step-down transformer130. Lighting controller110may include fixture control module132. Fixture control module132may provide 15 VAC lighting power to power transmission line102. Fixture control module132may generate lighting control information for transmission along power transmission line102. Filter128may prevent the lighting control information from propagating to outlet O1. Filter128may prevent lighting control information from a different lighting controller, such as lighting controller112, from propagating into fixture control module132.

Lighting controller110may include filter134. Lighting controller110may include step-down transformer136. Lighting controller110may include fixture control module138. Fixture control module138may provide 15 VAC lighting power to power transmission line104. Fixture control module138may generate lighting control information for transmission along power transmission line102. Filter134may prevent the lighting control information from propagating past outlet O2. Filter134may prevent lighting control information from a different lighting controller, such as lighting controller110, from propagating into fixture control module138.

Arrows A, B, C, and D illustrate possible crosstalk that may occur between transmission lines, such as transmission lines102and104. Crosstalk between the different communication lines may cause uncertainty about which fixture control module is wired to which fixtures. Crosstalk may cause unwanted noise. Crosstalk may prevent the transmission of lighting control information to the correct fixtures. Arrows A and C illustrate possible crosstalk in which lighting control information may propagate back to Outlets O1, O2, . . . , OM. Filters128and134may prevent the possible crosstalk illustrated by arrows A and C. Arrows B and D illustrate possible crosstalk between transmission lines102and104. The lighting control information may be intended for fixture group116. Because of possible crosstalk as illustrated by arrows B and D, the lighting control information may be transmitted to fixture group114through transmission line102. The lighting control information may be intended for fixture group114. Because of possible crosstalk as illustrated by arrows B and D, the lighting control information may be transmitted to fixture group116through transmission line104.

FIG.2shows schematically illustrative power transmission lines1and2. Power transmission lines1and2may pass through conduit C. Power transmission lines1and2may have one or more features in common with the features of power transmission lines102and104. Power transmission lines1and2may be coupled to lighting controllers1and2. Power transmission lines1and2may be coupled to fixture strings1and2. Lighting controllers1and2may have one or more features in common with the features lighting controllers110and112. Fixture strings1and2may have one or more features in common with the features of fixture strings114and116.

Power transmission line1may conduct lighting power202and, via lighting information channel204, lighting control information205. Power transmission line2may conduct lighting power206and, via lighting information channel208, lighting control information209. Power transmission lines1and2may be constructed or arranged to reduce or eliminate electrical coupling between power transmission lines1and2. Electrical coupling may be a coupling that causes a waveform from one of the power transmission lines to create a propagation in the other power transmission line. The propagation may be an undesired propagation. The coupling may include capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, or any other electrical coupling. The propagation may cause noise in the power transmission line in which it is present. It may be noise known as “crosstalk.”

Power transmission lines that include twisted pairs of conductors may reduce or eliminate crosstalk. Power transmission lines that are shielded may reduce or eliminate crosstalk.

Power202may have an amplitude, between a live (“L”) line and a neutral (“N”) line, that is in a range of 5-10V, 10-15V, 15-20V, 25-30V, or more, or any other suitable voltage.

FIG.3shows schematically cross-talk paths CT1-2and CT2-1. Cross-talk may occur when power transmission lines are not constructed or arranged to reduce or eliminate electrical coupling between the power transmission lines. CT1-2transfers of information from power transmission line1to power transmission line2. CT2-1transfers information from power transmission line2to power transmission line1. Cross talk may be present along one or more cross-talk paths CTithat may be present between each fixture control module and all other fixture control modules.

Lighting control information205may be transmitted by lighting controller1over channel204and may be intended to be received by fixtures on fixture string1. When lighting control information205propagates along power transmission line2, carrying information related to lighting controller1or fixtures on fixture string1, lighting controller2or fixtures on fixture string2may erroneously respond to lighting control information205. Lighting controller2or fixtures on fixture string2may be unable to properly read lighting control information209and may be unable to function properly.

Lighting control information209may be transmitted by lighting controller2, over channel208and may be intended to be received by fixtures on fixture string2. When lighting control information209propagates along power transmission line1, carrying information related to lighting controller2or fixtures on fixture string2, lighting controller1or fixtures on fixture string1may erroneously respond to lighting control information209. Lighting controller1and fixtures on fixture string1may be unable to properly read lighting control information209and may be unable to function properly.

Power202on power transmission line1may couple to power transmission line2, if at all, to an extent that the interaction of lighting controller2and the fixtures of fixture string2is not materially degraded. Power206on power transmission line2may couple to power transmission line1, if at all, to an extent that the interaction of lighting controller1and the fixtures of fixture string1is not materially degraded.

FIG.4schematically illustrates the use of CT1-2to initiate a discovery process in which lighting controller1may attempt to discover fixtures that are physically wired to power transmission line1. Lighting controller1may transmit, via lighting control channel204, DISCOVERY PENDING message1. Because of CT1-2, DISCOVERY PENDING message1may propagate, along power transmission line2, in channel208.

Lighting controller2may be configured to read DISCOVERY PENDING message1in channel208. In response to DISCOVERY PENDING message1, lighting controller2may take steps to avoid engaging in processes that might interfere, via CT2-1, with the discovery process of lighting controller1. Lighting controller2may be configured to refrain from initiating its own fixture discovery process.

FIG.5shows schematically that lighting controller2may transmit, in channel208, DISCOVERY PENDING message2. Because of CT2-1, DISCOVERY PENDING message2may propagate, along power transmission line1, in channel204.

Lighting controller1may be configured to read DISCOVERY PENDING message2in channel204. In response to reading DISCOVERY PENDING message2, lighting controller1may take steps to avoid engaging in processes that might interfere, via CT1-2, with the discovery process of lighting controller2. Lighting controller1may be configured to refrain from initiating its own fixture discovery process.

Lighting controllers1and2may be configured to determine which of their discovery processes has priority over the other.

FIG.6shows an illustrative state in which lighting controllers1and2have determined that the discovery process of lighting controller1has priority. Lighting controller1may thus transmit, via channel204, DISCOVERY INITIATED message1. Because of CT1-2, DISCOVERY INITIATED message1may propagate, along power transmission line2, in channel208. Lighting controller2may be configured to read DISCOVERY INITIATED message1in channel208. In response to DISCOVERY INITIATED message1, lighting controller2may take steps to avoid engaging in processes that might interfere, via CT2-1, with the discovery process of lighting controller1. Lighting controller2may be configured to take action in response to DISCOVERY INITIATED message1. Table 5 lists illustrative lighting controller2actions.

TABLE 5Illustrative lighting controller 2 actions.Illustrative lighting controller 2 actionsRefrain from initiating a discovery process.Delay a discovery processCancel a discovery processPrevent fixtures of fixture string 2 from transmittinglighting control information 209Prevent fixtures of fixture string 2 from transmitting lightingcontrol information 209 that is part of a discovery processOther suitable actions

FIG.7shows an illustrative state in which discovery by lighting controller1is enabled. Lighting controller1may continue to transmit DISCOVERY INTIATED message1via channel204. DISCOVERY INTIATED message1may be transmitted to power transmission line2via cross-talk CT1-2. Lighting controller1may transmit pattern702along power transmission line1. Pattern702may include a wave amplitude that conforms to lighting power202. Pattern702may have duration704. Pattern702may include pulses706. Pattern702may include pauses708.

The fixtures of fixture string1may be configured to recognize pattern702. The fixtures of fixture string1may respond to pattern702. Pattern702may be lighting control information. Table 6 lists illustrative responses of the fixtures to pattern702.

TABLE 6Illustrative responses of the fixtures to pattern 702.Illustrative responses of the fixtures to pattern 702Send discovery response via lighting control informationchannel 204Send fixture identification codeSend acknowledgment of receipt of lightingcontroller master identifierPrepare for receipt of DISCOVER-NODES messageOther suitable actions

FIG.8shows schematically first lighting control information802, second lighting control information804and third lighting control information806. First lighting control information802may include a DISCOVERY-INITIATED message. Second lighting control information804may include a pattern such as pattern702. Third lighting control information806may include a DISCOVERY RESPONSE message. Third lighting control information806may be responsive to second lighting control information804. Third lighting control information806may be generated by one of fixtures1A,1B, . . . , etc., of fixture string1.

First lighting control information802may be transmitted via channel204. Third lighting control information806may be transmitted via channel204. First lighting control information802may migrate to channel208via CT1-2. Third lighting control information806may migrate to channel208via CT1-2. Pattern702may have current, voltage or frequency characteristics that do not favor, or do not permit, second lighting control information804to migrate to channel208via CT1-2. Thus, none of fixtures2A,2B, . . . , etc. from fixture string2will have received second lighting control information804. Thus, any third lighting control information806that lighting control receives via channel204will exclude third lighting control information from fixtures of fixture string2. Similarly, when a fixture controller seeks to discover fixtures connected to itself by a power transmission line, the fixture controller can avoid responses from fixtures on two or more other power transmission lines.

FIG.9shows schematically illustrative circuitry900for communication of lighting control information between a lighting controller and a fixture. Circuitry900may include lighting controller902. Circuitry900may include power transmission line904. Circuitry900may include fixture906.

Lighting controller902may have one or more features in common with one or both of lighting controllers1and2(shown inFIGS.1-8). Power transmission line904may have one or more features in common with one or both of power transmission lines1and2(shown inFIGS.1-8). Fixture906may have one or more features in common with one or more of fixtures1A,1B, . . . , etc. of fixture string1and fixtures2A,2B, . . . , etc. of fixture string2(shown inFIGS.1-8).

Lighting controller902may include step-down transformer908. Lighting controller902may include electronic low voltage (“ELV”) dimmer910. ELV dimmer910may include a dimming circuit. The dimming circuit may include a power-limiting circuit. Lighting controller902may include control unit912. Lighting controller902may include power transmission line control module914. Lighting controller902may include peak detector916. Lighting controller902may include overcurrent protection circuitry918. Lighting controller902may include one or more of lighting control user inputs919. User inputs919may include local area network (“LAN”) input/output (“I/O”) circuit920. User inputs919may include Wifi I/O module922. User inputs919may include a module that provides lighting control information in a format. Table 7 lists illustrative formats.

User inputs919may receive user commands from a user. The user may transmit the commands from a mobile processor. The user may transmit the commands from a wall-mounted control panel. The user may transmit the commands from a workstation.

Power transmission line904may support transmission of lighting power and lighting control information.

Fixture906may include n LED light sources1. . . N-such as LED light source934-1. Fixture906may include n buck converters1. . . N-such as buck converter936-1, each corresponding to one of the N LED light sources.

Lighting controller902may receive power from source P, which may provide sufficient power to power fixtures. For example, source P may provide 110-120 VAC at 60 Hz or any other suitable voltage. Step-down transformer908may provide reduced voltage lighting power909for provision to fixture906. The reduced voltage may be 15 VAC.

Step-down transformer908may provide the reduced voltage to ELV dimmer910. ELV dimmer910may include dimming circuitry. ELV dimmer910may provide to fixture906lighting power that may be limited to dim LED light sources1. . . N. Peak detector916may synchronize ELV dimmer910with a phase of current that is received from step-down transformer908. Overcurrent protection circuitry918may monitor current in ELV dimmer910. Overcurrent protection circuitry918may signal to microcontroller932an overcurrent condition. Microcontroller932may control ELV dimmer910to ameliorate the overcurrent condition.

Control unit912may receive user commands from one or more of user inputs919. The commands may include a dimming level. The commands may include lighting levels for one or more of LED light sources1. . . N in fixture906. A lighting level may be expressed as an individual lighting level, for example, for LEDs of a certain color. A lighting level may be expressed as a dimming level that applies to a string of LED light sources.

Control unit912may provide a dimming level to ELV dimmer910.

Control unit912may generate a lighting signal that includes the lighting levels. Control unit912may provide the lighting signal to PLC module914. PLC module914may encode the lighting signal onto a carrier frequency. The carrier frequency may be part of a channel such as channel204. PLC module914may insert the frequency, along with the encoded information, into reduced voltage lighting power909.

ELV dimmer910may thus transmit to fixture906, along power transmission line904, lighting power that may be limited by ELV dimmer910and that may carry encoded lighting signals corresponding to one or more LED light sources1. . . N.

Boost converter928may receive the lighting power from fixture control module902. Boost converter928may amplify the voltage of the lighting power to improve the quality of the lighting power that is delivered to LED light sources1. . . N. Buck converters1. . . N may convert the boosted lighting power to a higher quality, lower voltage lighting power for delivery to LED light sources1. . . N. PLC module930may receive from power transmission line904encoded lighting signals for LED light sources1. . . N. PLC module930may decode the encoded lighting signals and provide them to microcontroller932.

Microcontroller932may control each of LED light sources1. . . N based on the lighting signals.

First lighting control information may be addressed to one or more identified fixtures in a string. Second lighting control information may be uniformly directed to all fixtures in string. Third lighting control information may be initiated by an individual fixture in a string. The third lighting information may be addressed to an lighting controller.

Dimming circuit may receive AC power across inputs1002(AC15_L, a 15 VAC live input) and1004(COM1). The received AC power may include a reduced voltage that is provided by step-down transformer908. The reduced voltage may be 15 VAC. The reduced voltage may be the predetermined voltage.

Dimming circuit1000may output lighting power across output1006(AC15_L1, a 15 VAC live output) and output1007(AC15_N1, a neutral output). Output1006and output1007may be coupled to a power transmission line such as power transmission line102to provide lighting power to fixtures such as those of fixture string114.

Dimming circuit1000may receive input1008(LIGHT_DIM1). Input1008may receive a dimming signal corresponding to a desired dimming level. Dimming circuit1000may apply phase-cut dimming to the AC power received across inputs1002and1004and output dimmed lighting power across output1006and output1007.

Dimming circuit1000may include inductive component1010(L2-B). Inductive component1010may be used by circuit1200(seeFIG.12) to sense current flowing through dimming circuit1000.

Dimming circuit may receive AC power across inputs1102(AC15_L, a 15 VAC live input) and1104(COM1). The received AC power may include a reduced voltage that is provided by step-down transformer908. The reduced voltage may be 15 VAC.

Dimming circuit1100may output lighting power across output1106(AC15_L2, a 15 VAC live output) and1107(AC15_N2, a neutral output). Outputs1106and1107may be coupled to a power transmission line such as power transmission line104to provide lighting power to fixtures. The fixtures that receive lighting power from dimming circuit1100may be fixtures that are not configured to receive lighting control information via PLC modules.

Dimming circuit1100may receive input1108(LIGHT_DIM1). Input1106may receive a dimming signal corresponding to a desired dimming level. Dimming circuit1100may apply phase-cut dimming to the AC power received across inputs1102and1104and output dimmed lighting power across outputs1106and1107.

Dimming circuit1100may include inductive component1110(L2-B). Inductive component1110may be used by circuit1300(seeFIG.13) to sense current flowing through dimming circuit1100.

FIG.12shows schematically illustrative protection circuit1200. Protection circuit1200may be part of overcurrent protection circuitry918. Protection circuit1200may include inductive input1202(L2-A). Inductive input1202may be inductively coupled to inductive component1010to sense current flowing through dimming circuit1000. Protection circuit1200may include output1204(OCP1). Voltage output1204may signal an overcurrent or a short circuit condition in dimming circuit1000.

FIG.13shows schematically illustrative protection circuit1300. Protection circuit1300may be part of overcurrent protection circuitry918. Protection circuit1300may include inductive input1302(L2-A). Inductive input1302may be inductively coupled to inductive component1110to sense current flowing through dimming circuit1100. Protection circuit1300may include output1304(OCP2). Voltage output1304may signal an over-current or a short circuit condition in dimming circuit1100.

FIG.14shows schematically illustrative peak detection circuit1400. Peak detection circuit1400may be included in peak detector916. Peak detection circuit1400may receive inputs1402(AC15_L2) and1404(COM1). Inputs1402and1404may be parallel: (a) power inputs1002and1004, and (b) power inputs1102and1104. Peak detection circuit1400may sense peaks in the power received by dimming circuits1000and1100. Peak detection circuit1400may include output1406(PEAK_DETECTION). Output1406may include a voltage that corresponds to the peaks. Output1406may be used to synchronize phase-cut functionality of dimming circuits1000and1100with the phase of power received at: (a) power inputs1002and1004, and (b) power inputs1102and1104.

FIG.15shows schematically illustrative ELV dimming circuit1500. ELV dimming circuit1500may be included in ELV dimmer910. ELV dimming circuit1500may include integrated circuit (“IC”)1502(U27). IC1502may receive input1504(SDA_MCU>>ELV). Input1504may include serial dimming data that corresponds to one or more dimming levels to be attained by one or both of dimming circuits1000and1100. The dimming data may be based on one or more user inputs919. IC1502may receive input1506(SCL_MCU>>ELV). Input1506may include serial clock data. The serial clock data may synchronize IC1502with other circuit elements.

IC1502may receive inputs1512(OCP1) and1514(OCP2), which may correspond to voltage outputs1204(of dimming circuit1200) and1304(of dimming circuit1300). Inputs1512and1514may provide IC1502with indications of overcurrent or short circuit conditions in dimming circuits1200and1300, respectively. IC1502may, in response to an overcurrent or short circuit condition transmit, via one or both of outputs1510and1508, to a corresponding dimming circuit, a signal that reduces or eliminates power output via a corresponding outputs1006and1106.

IC1502may receive input1516(PEAK_DETECTION). Input1516may provide IC1502with a signal corresponding to a peak of a phase of AC power received across inputs1002and1004(of dimming circuit1000) and inputs1102and1104(of dimming circuit1100). IC1502may register outputs1508and1510, to the AC power peak to accurately control phase cutting performed by dimming circuits1000and1100, respectively.

FIG.16shows schematically illustrative power supply1600. Power supply1600may be included in PLC module914. Power supply1600may receive inputs1602(AC15_L),1604(AC15_N) and1606(COM1). Power supply1600may receive reduced voltage from step-down transformer908across inputs1602and1606. Power supply1600may receive an analog PLC signal across inputs1608(PLC_P) and1610(PLC_N). The analog PLC signal may include encoded lighting control information.

Power supply1600may cause the encoded lighting control information to be superimposed on the reduced voltage across inputs1602and1606. The encoded lighting control information may propagate through one or both of dimming circuits1000and1100to fixture strings114and116, respectively.

The PLC encoder/decoder module may encode lighting control information into an analog PLC signal. PLC module connector1700may output the analog PLC signal at inputs1702(PLC_N) and1704(PLC_P), which may be in communication with corresponding inputs1608and1610of power supply1600.

The PLC encoder/decoder module may have a carrier operating frequency of 2.4-5.7 MHz, may have a communication rate of 120 kbps-1.2 Mbps and a point-to-point communication distance of 200-500 meters, and may work on power transmission lines having AC power at 50 or 60 Hz or DC power.

PLC module connector1700may receive lighting control information from control unit912at input1706(TX_MCU>>PLC). PLC module connector1700may include output1708(RX_MCU<<PLC). Output1708may provide lighting control information from PLC module930to control unit912.

Illustrative power supply1708may provide operational power to the PLC encoder/decoder module.

FIG.18shows schematically illustrative control circuit1800. Control circuit1800may be part of control unit912. Control circuit1800may include microcontroller1802(U14). Microcontroller1802may provide ELV dimming data to one or both of dimming circuits1000and1100. Microcontroller1802may provide PLC signals to the PLC encoder/decoder module of PLC module connector1700.

Microcontroller1802may provide output1804(SDA_MCU>>ELV). Output1804may be provided to input1504of ELV dimming circuit1500. Output1804may include serial dimming data that corresponds to one or more dimming levels to be attained by one or both of dimming circuits1000and1100. The dimming data may be based on one or more user inputs919.

Microcontroller1802may provide output1806(SCL_MCU>>ELV). Output1806may be provided to input1506of ELV dimming circuit1500. Output1806may include serial clock data. The serial clock data may synchronize microcontroller1802with IC1502.

Microcontroller1802may provide output1808(TX_MCU>>PLC). Output1808may include lighting control information intended for fixture906. Output1808may feed into input1706of PLC module connector1700.

Microcontroller1802receive input1810(RX_MCU<<PLC). Input1810may include lighting control information received from power transmission line904. Input1810may be fed by output1708of PLC module connector1700.

Control circuit1800may be in communication with one or more sources of input such as user inputs919. Microcontroller1802may receive input1812(RX_MCU<<DISPLAY) from control panel927. Microcontroller1802may provide output1814(TX_MCU>>DISPLAY) to control panel such as927.

FIG.19shows schematically illustrative manual input module1900. Input module may be part of control panel927. Manual input module1900may include one or more of input sensor1902(ZONE1_BUTTON), input sensor1904(ZONE2_BUTTON), input sensor1906(UP), input sensor1908(DOWN) and input sensor1910(RESET). One or more of input sensors1902,1904,1906,1908and1910may include a mechanical button. One or more of input sensors1902,1904,1906,1908and1910may include a normally-open pushbutton. One or more of input sensors1902,1904,1906,1908and1910may include a sensor, such as a capacitance sensor, a heat sensor or any other suitable sensor.

Manual input module1900may provide one or more of outputs1912(ZONE1_BUTTON),1914(ZONE2_BUTTON),1916(UP),1918(DOWN) and1920(RESET). Outputs1912,1914,1916,1918and1910may receive a signal from input sensors1902,1904,1906,1908and1910, respectively.

A user may activate sensor1902to select fixtures in a string of fixtures such as string114. The user may activate sensor1904to select fixtures in a string of fixtures such as string116. The user may activate sensor1906to increase a brightness of fixtures on a string of fixtures selected using either sensor1902or sensor1904. The user may activate sensor1906to decrease a brightness of fixtures on a string of fixtures selected using either sensor1902or sensor1904. The changes in brightness may be effected by ELV dimming in dimming circuits1000and1100.

The user may activate sensor1910to reset fixture module902. Activation of sensor1910may cause lighting controller902to initiate a fixture discovery process. The discovery process may involve exchanging fixture control information with fixtures such as those in fixture string114via the PLC encoder/decoder module via PLC module connector1700. The discovery process may involve transmitting fixture control information to fixtures such as those in fixture string114via a pattern effected by one or both of dimming circuits1000and1100.

FIG.20shows schematically illustrative IC2000(U2). IC2000may be part of control panel927. IC2000may receive user inputs from manual input module1900. IC2000may receive one or more of inputs2002(ZONE1_BUTTON),2004(ZONE2_BUTTON),2006(UP),2008(DOWN) and2010(RESET). Inputs2002,2004,2006,2008and2010may receive signals from outputs1912,1914,1916,1918and1920, respectively, of manual input module1900.

IC2000may provide output2012(RX_MCU<<DISPLAY). IC2000may feed signals, based on one or more of inputs2002,2004,2006,2008and2010, via output2012, to input1812of microcontroller1802. Microcontroller1802may effect dimming changes via dimming circuits1000and1100based on output2012. Microcontroller may effect transmission of fixture control information via one or more of dimming circuits1000and1100and the PLC encoder/decoder module based on output2012.

IC2000may receive input2014(RX_MCU>>DISPLAY). Input2014may be fed from output1814of microcontroller1802. Output1814may include system information such as a dimming level for a fixture string, a fixture string selection indicator, a fixture discovery status, an LED color status indication, a buzzer command or any other suitable system information.

IC2000may provide one or more of outputs2016(LEVEL1_LED),2018(LEVEL2_LED),2020(LEVEL3_LED),2022(LEVEL4_LED) and2024(LEVEL5_LED). Each outputs2016,2018,2020,2022and2024may correspond to an indicator LED that indicates a brightness level of fixtures that are powered by whichever of dimming circuit1000and dimming circuit1100is selected by buttons1902and1904. Output2016may cause a first indicator LED, indicating a first brightness level, to emit. Output2016may cause a second indicator LED, indicating a second brightness level, to emit. Output2016may cause a third indicator LED, indicating a third brightness level, to emit. Output2016may cause a fourth indicator LED, indicating a fourth brightness level, to emit. Output2016may cause a fifth indicator LED, indicating a fifth brightness level, to emit.

IC2000may provide one or more of outputs2026(OUTPUT_B),2028(OUTPUT_R),2030(OUTPUT_2700K),2032(OUTPUT_5000K) and2034(OUTPUT_G). Each of outputs2026,2028,2030,2032and2034may cause a corresponding indicator LED to emit. Outputs2026,2028,2030,2032and2034may correspond to operational states of blue, red, 2700K white, 5000K white and green LEDs in a fixture string such as fixture string114. The operational states may include ON and OFF. The operational states may be ascertained by microcontroller1802. The operational states may be selected by a user via one or more of lighting control user inputs919. Microcontroller1802may provide the user states to IC2000via output1814.

IC2000may provide one or more of outputs2036(ZONE1_G),2038(ZONE1_R) and2040(ZONE2_INDICATOR). Outputs2036,2038and2040may cause a corresponding indicator LED to emit. Microcontroller1802may provide the mode indicators to IC2000via output1814.

IC2000may include one or both of outputs2042(NETWORK_LED) and2046(SYSTEM_LED). Each of outputs2042and2046may cause a corresponding indicator LED to emit. Output2042may correspond to operational states of a network module. The operational states may include CONNECTED and NOT CONNECTED. Output2046may correspond to operational states of a dimming circuit such as dimming circuit1000or dimming circuit1100. The operational states may include POWERED and NOT POWERED. The operational states may be ascertained by microcontroller1802. Microcontroller1802may provide the user states to IC2000via output1814.

IC2000may provide output2048. Output2048may activate a display buzzer. The buzzer may indicate a fault condition in one or more of the circuits in fixture module902. The buzzer may indicate a fault condition in a connection between lighting controller902and power transmission line904. The buzzer may indicate a fault condition in a connection between lighting controller902and fixture906.

FIG.21shows schematically illustrative circuit2100. Circuit2100may be part of control panel927. Circuit2100may include LED array2102. LED array2102may include indicator LEDs. Each of the indicator LEDs may correspond to an LED color in a fixture such as fixture906. Emission from an indicator LED may indicate that the corresponding color is emitting in fixture906. Circuit2100may receive one or more of inputs2104,2106,2108,2110and2112. Inputs2104,2106,2108,2110and2112may be fed, respectively, by outputs2030,2034,2028,2026and2032of IC2000.

FIG.23shows schematically circuit2300. Circuit2300may be part of DMX module924. Circuit2300may include IC2302(U24). IC2302may receive input2304(RX_DMX<<RS485). IC2302may receive input2304from a serial data module (not shown). Input2304may include serial lighting control information. The serial lighting control information may include light fixture addresses and corresponding light fixture brightness levels. The brightness levels may include an overall brightness level for a fixture. The brightness level may include numerical values that correspond to partitions of the brightness among one or more LED colors in the fixture. The colors may include red (“R”), green (“G”), blue (“B”) and one or more white (“W”) colors having different correlated color temperatures (“CCT”) and any other suitable colors. IC2302may provide output2306. Output2306may coordinate communication with the serial data module (not shown).

IC2302may receive input2310(TX_MCU>>DMX). Input2310may be fed by output1818of microcontroller1802. Output1818may support the communication of DMX-formatted data from IC2302to microcontroller1802.

FIG.24shows schematically illustrative serial communication port circuit2400. Circuit2400may receive input2402. Circuit2400may receive input2404. Inputs2402and2404may receive serial lighting control information in an RS485 format. Circuit2400may include IC2406(U31). IC2406may receive an “A” signal based on input2402. IC2406may receive a “B” signal based on input2404. The A signal and the B signal may together define a bipolar signal. IC2406may convert the A signal and the B signal into a DMX format.

FIG.25shows schematically illustrative transceiver circuit2500. Transceiver circuit2500may be part of Wifi I/O module922. Transceiver circuit2500may transmit and receive signals conforming to a Wifi protocol. Transceiver circuit2500may transmit and receive signals conforming to a Bluetooth protocol. Transceiver circuit2500may include IC2502(Wifi module).

Circuit2500may receive from a user lighting control information via wireless signals from a user-operated device. Circuit2500may receive from a user lighting control information via a local area network (“LAN”) over a cable.

Circuit2500may provide output2504(RX_MCU<<ESP32). Output2504may provide the lighting control information to microcontroller1802. Output2504may feed into input1820of microcontroller1802.

Circuit2500may receive one or both of inputs2508(RMII_TXD0) and2510(RMII_TXD1). Inputs2508and2510may include lighting control information from the LAN. Circuit2500may provide one or both of outputs2512(RMII_RXD0) and2514(RMII_RXD1). Outputs2512and2514may support communication of inputs2508and2510, respectively.

IC2602may receive inputs2606(TDP) and2608(TDN). IC2602may receive an incoming signal across inputs2606and2608. The signal may include lighting control information. IC2602may provide outputs2610(RDP) and2612(RDN). IC2602may provide an outgoing signal across outputs2610and2612. The outgoing signal may support communication of the incoming signal.

Connector2604may receive lighting control information from an Ethernet cable. Connector2604may provide outputs2622(TDP) and2624(TDN) that together form a signal that is fed to inputs2606and2608. The signal may include the lighting control information. Connector2604may receive inputs2626(RDP) and2628(RDN) that together form a signal that may be received form outputs2610and2612of IC2602. The signal may support communication of outputs2622and2624.

FIG.27shows schematically illustrative boost converter circuit2700. Circuit2700may be part of boost converter928in fixture906. Circuit2700may include input terminals2702(AC15_L1) and2704(AC15_N). Input terminals2702and2704may receive the predetermined voltage from power transmission line904.

Circuit2700may provide output2706(LED+). Output2706may be at a DC voltage relative to ground2708. Output2706may include a DC current. The DC current may include lighting power for powering LEDs of fixture906.

FIG.28shows schematically illustrative LED module circuit2800. Circuit2800may correspond to a buck converter, such as buck converter936-1, and an LED light source, such as LED light source934-1. Circuit2800may receive input2802(LED+). Input2802may be fed by output2706of boost converter2700. Circuit2800may include one or more LEDs2804(D14, e.g.). LEDs2804may emit green light based on current passed from input2802to terminal2806(GREEN-). Circuit2800may include IC2808(U1). IC2808may adjust the current based on input2810. Input2810may include a pulse-width modulated (“PWM”) signal. The PWM signal may be determined based lighting control information. The lighting control information may be received from power transmission line904.

FIG.29shows schematically illustrative LED module circuit2900. Circuit2900may correspond to a buck converter, such as buck converter936-2, and an LED light source, such as LED light source934-2. Circuit2900may receive input2902(LED+). Input2902may be fed by output2706of boost converter2700. Circuit2900may include one or more LEDs2904(D14, e.g.). LEDs2904may emit cool white light based on current passed from input2902to terminal2906(COOL WHITE-). Circuit2900may include IC2908(U1). IC2908may adjust the current based on input2910. Input2910may include a PWM signal. The PWM signal may be determined based lighting control information. The lighting control information may be received from power transmission line904.

FIG.30shows schematically illustrative LED module circuit3000. Circuit3000may correspond to a buck converter, such as buck converter936-3, and an LED light source, such as LED light source934-3. Circuit3000may receive input3002(LED+). Input3002may be fed by output2706of boost converter2700. Circuit3000may include one or more LEDs3004(D14, e.g.). LEDs3004may emit blue light based on current passed from input3002to terminal3006(BLUE-). Circuit3000may include IC3008(U1). IC3008may adjust the current based on input3010. Input3010may include a PWM signal. The PWM signal may be determined based lighting control information. The lighting control information may be received from power transmission line904.

FIG.31shows schematically illustrative LED module circuit3100. Circuit3100may correspond to a buck converter, such as buck converter936-4, and an LED light source, such as LED light source934-4. Circuit3100may receive input3102(LED+). Input3102may be fed by output2706of boost converter2700. Circuit3100may include one or more LEDs3104(D14, e.g.). LEDs3104may emit red light based on current passed from input3102to terminal3106(RED-). Circuit3100may include IC3108(U1). IC3108may adjust the current based on input3110. Input3110may include a PWM signal. The PWM signal may be determined based lighting control information. The lighting control information may be received from power transmission line904.

FIG.32shows schematically illustrative LED module circuit3200. Circuit3200may correspond to a buck converter, such as buck converter936-5, and an LED light source, such as LED light source934-5. Circuit3200may receive input3202(LED+). Input3202may be fed by output2706of boost converter2700. Circuit3200may include one or more LEDs3204(D14, e.g.). LEDs3204may emit warm white light based on current passed from input3202to terminal3206(WARM WHITE-). Circuit3200may include IC3208(U1). IC3208may adjust the current based on input3210. Input3210may include a pulse-width modulated (“PWM”) signal. The PWM signal may be determined based lighting control information. The lighting control information may be received from power transmission line904.

FIG.33shows schematically illustrative power supply circuit3300. Circuit3300may receive input3302(LED+). Circuit3300may provide output3304(VDD3.3V). Output3304may provide a DC voltage that is suitable for providing powering a microcontroller.

FIG.34shows schematically illustrative PLC interface circuit3400. Interface circuit3400may be included in fixture906. Interface circuit3400may receive inputs3402(L) and3404(AC15_N). Interface circuit3400may include transformer3406(T1-A and T1-B). Interface circuit3400may provide outputs3408(PLC_P) and3410(PLC_N), which together may provide an analog PLC signal.

Inputs3402and3404together may receive power from power transmission line904. Circuit3400may derive the analog PLC signal from inputs3402and3404and provide the analogy signal as outputs3408and3410. The analog PLC signal may include encoded lighting control information.

A PLC module (not shown) such as930may decode the encoded lighting control information.

Connector3500may provide output3506(RX_MCU<<PCL). Connector3500may receive input3508(RX_MCU>>PLC). Output3506may include lighting control information. Input3508may support communication between the PLC encoder/decoder module and a microcontroller such as microcontroller932in fixture906.

Microcontroller3602may receive input3618(NRST). Input3618may be pulled up by a voltage in input3620(VDD3.3V). Input3620may be fed by output3304of circuit3300. Input3620may be responsive to a pattern such as pattern702. Input3620may be pulled high by a pulse such as a pulse706. Input3620may be pulled low by a pause such as a pause708.

Microcontroller3602may include a counter. Microcontroller3602may include a timer. The counter may count pulses. Microcontroller3602may include memory. The memory may include predetermined pattern information. The predetermined pattern information may correspond to a pattern such as pattern702. Table 8 lists illustrative predetermined pattern information.

TABLE 8Illustrative predetermined pattern information.Illustrative pattern informationLength of pattern (sec.)Length of pulse (sec.)Length of pause (sec.)Number of pulses (no.) (1-100, e.g.)Other suitable information

Microcontroller3602may use the counter and the timer to determine if pulses received in input3618conform to predetermined pattern information. If the pulses received in input3618, microcontroller may execute a step of a fixture discovery process.

Processes in accordance with the principles of the invention may include one or more features of the processes illustrated inFIGS.37-38. For the sake of illustration, the steps will be described as being performed by a “system”. The “system” may include one or more of the features of apparatus and schemas illustrated inFIGS.1-36or any other suitable device or approach.

FIG.37shows illustrative process3700. Steps of the process may involve communication between apparatus such as fixture control module110, fixture control module114, fixtures of fixture string114, fixtures of fixture string116and other suitable fixtures. Apparatus are represented by dashed vertical lines. Process steps are represented by horizontal fields such as3702.

Where a process field overlaps a vertical line, the apparatus corresponding to the line is a transmitter or a receiver of information communicated by the process step in the overlapping field. For example, field3702overlaps fixture control module110, fixture control module112and Fixture1A.

In phase3703, at step3712, the system may detect a button-press. The system may cause an indicator LED to blink to communicate to a user that the system detected the button-press (for example, corresponding to sensor1910).

In response to the button press, the system may begin phase3704. The system may perform loop3714. Loop3714may include step3716, which is a delay. The delay may be 200 ms or any other suitable length of time. One or both of lighting controllers110and112may transmit a DISCOVERY PENDING message along a power transmission line. At step3718, one or both of lighting controllers110and112may receive a DISCOVERY PENDING message from the other, or another, fixture control module. The DISCOVERY PENDING MESSAGE may have been transmitted via cross-talk such as CT1-2or CT2-1. At step3720, each fixture control module may determine whether the received DISCOVERY PENDING MESSAGE was received from another fixture control module of higher rank. At step3722, a lower-ranking fixture control module may terminate its own phase3704. This may eliminate the transmission of fixture control information via CT1-2and CT2-1by all but the highest-ranking fixture control module. At step3724, the fixture control module may receive from a different fixture control module a DISCOVERY INITIATED message. Then, the system may terminate discovery. At step3724, the fixture control module may receive from a different fixture control module a DISCOVER-NODES message. Then, the system may terminate discovery. Communication in phase3704may reach all fixture control modules. Communication in phase3704may reach all fixtures.

If in phase3704, it is determined that Fixture Control Module1(110) has priority to discover fixtures, process3700may continue in phase3706. In phase3706, Fixture Control Module1(110) may initiate loop3726. Loop3726may include pause3728. In loop3726, Fixture Control Module1(110) may transmit a DISCOVERY INITIATED message over the power transmission line. Loop3726may continue until discovery is terminated.

In phase3708, Fixture Control Module1(110) may initiate loop3730. In power cycle3732, Fixture Module1(110) may transmit a pattern such as pattern702over the power transmission line in a power cycle. The power cycle may be generated by Fixture Control Module1(110) only. The power cycle3732may be transmitted to fixture string114only. At step3734, Fixtures1A and1B may detect the power cycle. Fixtures2A and2B may be unable to detect the power cycle. If in step3734one or both of Fixtures1A and1B counts a predetermined number of pulses, fixture discovery may be enabled.

In phase3710, fixture discovery may be performed. Phase3710may include loop3736. At step3738, Fixture Control Module1(110) may transmit via channel204a DISCOVER-NODES message. The DISCOVER-NODES message may reach all fixture control modules. The DISCOVER-NODES message may reach all fixtures.

At step3740, Fixture1A may transmit to Fixture Control Module1(110) via channel204a DISCOVERY-RESPONSE message. The DISCOVERY-RESPONSE message may indicate that Fixture1A is present on power transmission line1, because only fixtures on power transmission line1were enabled by power cycle3732. The DISCOVERY-RESPONSE message may include an identifier that identifies Fixture1A. At step3742, Fixture Control Module1(110) may transmit to Fixture1A via channel204a setMasterID message. The setMasterID message may set in a memory of Fixture1A an identifier corresponding to Fixture Control Module1(110).

At step3744, Fixture1A may transmit to Fixture Control Module1(110) via channel204a MasterIDSet message. The MasterIDSet message may confirm that Fixture1A set Fixture Control Module1(110) as the fixture control module to which it is connected via power transmission line1. Fixture Control Module1(110) may thus know that Fixture1A is connected to Fixture Control Module1(110) via power transmission line1. Fixture1A may thus know that it is to act only upon instructions received via channel204that identify Fixture Control Module1(110). Discovery for Fixture1A may now be complete. Fixture1A may thus be registered to Fixture Control Module1(110).

At step3746, Fixture1B may transmit to Fixture Control Module1(110) via channel204a DISCOVERY-RESPONSE message. The DISCOVERY-RESPONSE message may indicate that Fixture1B is present on power transmission line1, because only fixtures on power transmission line1were enabled by power cycle3732. The DISCOVERY-RESPONSE message may include an identifier that identifies Fixture1B. At step3748, Fixture Control Module1(110) may transmit to Fixture1B via channel204a setMasterID message. The setMasterID message may set in a memory of Fixture1B an identifier corresponding to Fixture Control Module1(110).

At step3750, Fixture1B may transmit to Fixture Control Module1(110) via channel204a MasterIDSet message. The MasterIDSet message may confirm that Fixture1B set Fixture Control Module1(110) as the fixture control module to which it is connected via power transmission line1. Fixture Control Module1(110) may thus know that Fixture1B is connected to Fixture Control Module1(110) via power transmission line1. Fixture1B may thus know that it is to act only upon instructions received via channel204that identify Fixture Control Module1(110). Discovery for Fixture1B may now be complete. Fixture1B may thus be registered to Fixture Control Module1(110).

Steps3740to3750may be performed for fixtures that are on power transmission line1but are not yet registered to Fixture Control Module1(110). For fixtures that are on power transmission line1and already are registered to Fixture Control Module1(110), process3700may include step3752. At step3752, the fixture may communicate no discovery message to Fixture Control Module1(110). At step3754, discovery may be completed. The system may turn on an indicator LED indicating that discovery is completed. At step3756, the system may terminate loop3726(Discovery Initiated).

FIG.38shows illustrative process3800that may be performed by a microcontroller such as3602in a fixture. At step3802the fixture may detect an elevated voltage at an NRST pin. At step3804, the microcontroller may boot up in response to the elevated voltage. At step3806, the microcontroller may activate a power cycle detection procedure. At step3808, the microcontroller may increment a counter in response to the boot. The microcontroller may store the count in non-volatile memory. At step3810, the microcontroller may record the time of the boot. At step3812, the microcontroller may reset the counter if the elevated voltage is sustained for a predetermined amount of time (“ON-DURATION”). At step3814, the microcontroller may determine if the counter value has reached a predetermined count. If at step3814, the microcontroller determines that the count has not reached the predetermined count, the microcontroller may return to step3802to detect another elevated voltage. If at step3814, the microcontroller determines that the count has reached the predetermined count, the microcontroller may move to step3816to send discovery message to fixture control module via the PLC module.

Table 9 lists illustrative parts for a lighting controller such as lighting controller902.

Table 10 lists illustrative parts for a fixture such as fixture906.

Functions of electrical circuits, or parts thereof, disclosed herein may be incorporated into or combined with other electrical circuits, or parts thereof, disclosed herein, or with other suitable electrical circuits.

All ranges and parameters disclosed herein shall be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein, every number between the endpoints, and the endpoints. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more (e.g. 1 to 6.1), and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 2.3 to 9.4, 3 to 8, 4 to 7), and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 contained within the range.

Thus, apparatus, methods and algorithms for lighting have been provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.