Smart Lighting  DALI, DALI2.0 and D4i

 

Smart Lighting : DALI, DALI2.0 and D4i

1. Introduction

This article dives into DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) generation and its role in modern-day outside lighting fixtures. DALI is understood for its electricity efficiency and flexible manage, making it a key player in sustainable lighting answers.

The attention here is on DALI's growing use in outside lighting, specifically streetlights. Here's what you may analyze:

• How DALI, combined with wireless communication like Zigbee, LoRa, or NB-IoT, creates intelligent and efficient road lighting systems.
• The role of DiiA (Digital Illumination Interface Alliance) in further standardizing outdoor lighting control with the D4i standard.
• Unique characteristics of DALI, DALI2, and D4i in outdoor lighting applications.

Smart Lighting  DALI, DALI2.0 and D4i

2. DALI Explained: Digital Lighting Control

DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a leading protocol for controlling lighting systems. Introduced in the 1990s, it offers digital control over individual lights or groups of lights.

Here's how DALI works:

• Lights and control devices connect to a DALI bus, a central communication channel.
• The most common control device is a DALI dimming power supply, which receives commands from a central application controller.
• Up to 64 individual lights or sensors can be connected to the bus.
• Some devices, like dual-channel power supplies, may occupy multiple addresses.
• The maximum DALI wiring distance is 300 meters. To extend this, repeaters can be used.

DALI offers a robust and flexible solution for controlling lighting systems, making it a popular choice for modern installations.

Dali wire connection for street LED ligh

3. DALI2 (Second generation DALI)

 Launched in 2017, DALI2 builds on the original DALI by:

• Enhancing interoperability: Products must undergo rigorous testing and certification for the DALI2 logo, ensuring compatibility.
• Expanding capabilities: DALI2 adds features like increased addressable devices (up to 128), new message formats, and standardized control systems.

4. D4i (DALI for Intra-Luminaire)

D4i integrates DALI within individual light fixtures. This allows for:

• Advanced control: D4i extends DALI2 with features for better control, energy efficiency, and data communication within the fixture itself.
• Smart lighting: D4i enables features like power management, data collection (luminaire, energy, diagnostics), and communication with sensors and controllers – all happening inside the light fixture.
• Interoperability: D4i certification ensures compatibility between LED drivers, sensors, and other connected devices within the fixture.
• Compatibility: D4i aligns with other standards like ANSI C137.4 and can work with socket connector systems like NEMA.

Below is the OSRAM driver, it’s used for street light with D4i qualified. Beside the LED driver is with Dali2 interface, it also offers Aux 24V power supply for IoT and bus power supply for intra-luminaire DALI.

LED driver for street light with D4i

5. D4i: Benefits and Features for Smart Lighting

D4i stands for "DALI for Intra-Luminaire" and focuses on improving communication and functionality within LED light fixtures. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:

5.1 Focus on Interoperability

D4i emphasizes compatibility between devices within a lighting system (luminaires, controllers, sensors).

Certified D4i devices can seamlessly communicate and exchange information with each other, promoting interoperability with other smart lighting systems.

5.2 Benefits of D4i

Intelligent Luminaires: D4i enables:

• D4i drivers to store and report data about the fixture, light source, and driver itself.
• D4i sensors to collect environmental data.

Simplified Connectivity: D4i makes it easier to:

• Add wireless gateways to luminaires.
• Establish two-way communication between DALI-enabled luminaires and external control networks.
• Utilize standalone luminaires as IoT/network nodes.

Future-Proofing: D4i allows for:

• Using socket-based systems for easier upgrades.
• Adding or replacing modules for sensing and communication.
• Upgrading luminaires to keep pace with evolving digital networking technology.

6. Different parts of D4i

D4i Parts (e.g., 150, 250, 251, 252, 253, 351): These parts represent different specifications within the D4i standard.

The exact details of each part would likely require referring to the official D4i documentation for a more in-depth explanation.

D4i specifications – street light with D4i control

7. D4i Power and Data Specs

Here's a simplified explanation of D4i power supply specifications and data access functionalities:

7.1 Power Supplies

D4i Part 250: This defines how a DALI driver integrated with a power supply can power other DALI devices on the bus. This eliminates the need for separate power supplies, simplifying luminaire design. D4i certification requires Part 250 with the bus power supply enabled.

D4i Part 150: This defines a stronger 24V auxiliary power supply built into the control device for powering high-power equipment like cameras or sensors (3W average, 6W peak). D4i certification requires Part 150 as well.

7.2 Data Access in LED Drivers (DiiA Parts 251-253)

D4i regulates data access in DALI-2 drivers, enabling smart features and better IoT integration. Here's what each part covers:

• DiiA Part 251: This defines data storage related to the luminaire itself, not affecting functionality. Examples include rated light output, color temperature, and luminaire data. This information can be used for asset management and control.
• DiiA Part 252: This regulates data storage and reporting on energy consumption and power usage of the driver.
• DiiA Part 253: This focuses on diagnostic and maintenance data for drivers, light sources, and lamps. Examples include power supply voltage, temperature, and light source operating hours.

7.3 Control Device Specifications (DiiA Part 351)

This part defines specifications for lamp-mounted control devices like sensors and wireless communication nodes. It covers four device types (A-D) and standardizes aspects like:

• Power source (bus-powered or external AUX power)
• Power consumption requirements
• Adjustment mechanisms
• Memory bank definition

8. Zhaga-D4i: A Powerful Certification for Smart Lighting

The Zhaga Alliance and the DALI Alliance have teamed up to create a powerful new standard: Zhaga-D4i luminaire certification. This certification combines the strengths of two existing specifications for connected lighting:

• Zhaga Book 18: This standard defines technical specifications for luminaires (light fixtures).
• D4i (DALI for Intra-Luminaire): This focuses on communication and functionality within the fixture itself.

8.1 What Makes Zhaga-D4i Special?

Zhaga-D4i certification ensures that a luminaire meets both Zhaga and D4i requirements. Here's what this means:

• The LED driver: Complies with D4i Parts 250-253 for better connectivity.
• The Zhaga Book 18 socket: Meets Zhaga specifications for easy interchangeability of components.

8.2 Benefits of Zhaga-D4i

• Standardization: Simplifies design and selection of components for smart lighting systems.
• Interoperability: Ensures compatibility between different luminaires and control devices.
• Future-Proofing: Promotes the development of adaptable luminaires that can be easily upgraded.

Zhaga D4i standards – street light with D4i

9. Conclusion

In precis, DALI is the foundation, DALI2 improves upon it with stricter attempting out and new features, and D4i takes it a step further by means of that specialize in manipulate and communication within the mild fixture itself, promoting clever lighting competencies.

This article provided a basic overview of several key technologies in lighting control:

• DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface): A well-established protocol for digitally controlling individual lights or groups.
• DALI2 (Second generation DALI): Builds on DALI by improving interoperability, adding stricter testing, and expanding functionalities.
• D4i (DALI for Intra-Luminaire): Focuses on enabling communication and advanced features within the light fixture itself, promoting smart lighting capabilities.
• Zhaga-D4i: A joint certification from DALI Alliance (DiiA) and Zhaga that ensures a luminaire meets both D4i and Zhaga standards, promoting interoperability and future-proofing in smart lighting systems.