Multiple channel ballast and networkable topology and system including power line carrier applications

• US 20030222603A1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: S.t.l. Energy Solutions And Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Systel Development & Industries Ltd.
• Inventors: Rubin, Daniel, Lev, Arie, Mogilner, Rafael, Rabinovitz, Eytan, Nogtev, Boris, Kuchlik, Yuri
• Granted Patent: US 7,009,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/294
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 1/129 Means for adapting the input signal to the range the converter can handle, e.g. limiting, pre-scaling H03M1/18 takes precedence; Out-of-range indication
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission

Abstract

Control systems and methods for independent control of power systems, particularly lighting network branches, and separate control of individual branch components. Multi-branch systems comprise independently controllable branches that inter-communicate via PLC communications. In each branch, components such as ballasts, local control units, sensors, actuators, and repeaters, may exchange commands and queries independently of a branch remote control unit (BRCU). Alternatively, a BRCU may manage or arbitrate communications, or interact with other BRCUs, other control units and external management systems. Ballasts include a multi-channel ballast that enables close-loop control of individual fixtures, or of individual dimmable or non-dimmable lamps within a fixture. The close-loop control is facilitated by sampling circuits/sensors co-located with each controlled fixture or lamp. All controllers are preferably implemented using an integrated digital controller. The PLC communication is preferably carried out by a direct spread spectrum method that eliminates side lobes from a cross-correlation function, using an anti-collision protocol.

Claims

1. A multi-branch control system comprising:

a. a plurality of independently controllable branches, each said branch including a branch remote control unit, said branches connected to a common power source; and

b. power line carrier (PLC) communication means connecting said branches to allow inter-branch operability.

2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a central remote control unit connected to said branches and operative to provide interoperability between said independently controllable branches and at least one management system.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein said branch remote control unit includes an integrated digital controller operative to provide a plurality of analog and digital outputs and to receive a plurality of analog and digital inputs.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein each of said independently controllable branches further includes:

i. at least one branch component operative to exchange intra-branch PLC communications with said branch remote control unit; and

ii. a branch back filter for isolating said branch from all other said branches in said plurality.

5. The control system of claim 2, wherein said branch remote control unit in each said branch is operative to function as a management unit for transfer of commands and queries received from said management system and other said branches through said central remote control unit to said at least one branch component and vice versa.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said independently controllable branches further includes a plurality of branch components, each branch component of said plurality operative to independently relay commands and queries to another branch component of said plurality, and wherein said branch remote control unit serves as an arbiter.

7. The control system of claim 2, wherein said at least one management system is a building management system connected to said central remote control system.

8. The control system of claim 5, wherein said at least one branch component is selected from the group consisting of an electronic ballast, a local control unit (LCU), an actuator, a sensor, a sensor concentrator, and an optional repeater.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein said at least one electronic ballast is a multi-channel ballast selected from the group consisting of a single fixture ballast, multi-fixture dimmable ballast, and a multi-fixture non-dimmable ballast.

10. The control system of claim 8, wherein each at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, a gas sensor, a humidity sensor, an HVAC sensor, an environmental sensor, s fire detection sensor, and a security sensor,

11. The control system of claim 8, wherein said at least one LCU is operative to command an electronic ballast to perform a command selected from the group consisting of power-On, power-Off and dimming.

12. The control system of claim 1, wherein said PLC communication means include direct sequence spread spectrum communications.

13. The control system of claim 6, wherein said PLC communication means include an anti collision protocol.

20. The control system of claim 1, wherein said communication includes direct sequence spread spectrum PLC communications.

21. The control system of claim 20, wherein said PLC communications include an anti collision protocol.

14. A branch control system comprising

a. a branch remote control unit (BRCU) that includes a power line carrier (PLC) transceiver, said unit operative to provide and receive a plurality of analog and digital signals through said transceiver;

and

b. at least one branch component, operative to independently communicate with said BRCU through said PLC transceiver.

15. The branch control system of claim 14, wherein said operativeness of said BRCU is effected by an integrated digital controller included in said BRCU.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one branch component is selected from the group consisting of an electronic ballast, a local control unit (LCU), an actuator, a sensor, a sensor concentrator, and an optional repeater.

17. The control system of claim 14, wherein said at least one electronic ballast is a multi-channel ballast selected from the group consisting of a single fixture ballast, multi-fixture dimmable ballast, and a multi-fixture non-dimmable ballast.

18. The control system of claim 17, wherein each at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, a gas sensor, a humidity sensor, an HVAC sensor, an environmental sensor, s fire detection sensor, and a security sensor,

19. The control system of claim 16, wherein said at least one LCU is operative to command an electronic ballast to perform a command selected from the group consisting of power-On, power-Off and dimming.

22. A multi-channel electronic ballast comprising:

a. a multi-channel central ballast controller operative to provide close-loop control to a plurality of discharge lamps;

b. a lamps drivers array connected to said central ballast controller; and

c. a lamps termination array driven by said lamp drivers array, said lamp termination array including a plurality of sampling circuits to provide feedbacks to said controller, each said circuit associated with a different said discharge lamp;

whereby the multi-channel ballast controller enables closed-loop, rapid control of individual lamp functions in the system.

23. The ballast of claim 22, wherein said ballast controller is an integrated digital chip.

24. The ballast of claim 23, wherein said integrated digital chip is operative to provide one control to all discharge lamps of said plurality of discharge lamps.

25. The ballast of claim 24, wherein said control includes control of a parameter selected from the group consisting of same lamp status of ON or OFF and same light level.

26. The ballast of claim 23, wherein said integrated digital chip is operative to provide separate control for each lamp of said plurality of discharge lamps.

27. The ballast of claim 22, wherein said lamps drivers are of a power topology selected from the group consisting of half-bridge, full-bridge and push-pull power topologies.

28. The ballast of claim 22, wherein said sampling circuits are selected from the group consisting of voltage sampling circuits, discharge current sampling circuits, a combination of voltage and discharge current sampling circuits and samples of signals coming from sensors located in the proximity of the lamp/s such as temperature and light level.

29. The ballast of claim 22, further comprising an optional communication interface connected to said ballast controller and operative to transfer external commands to said controller.

30. The ballast of claim 29, wherein said external commands are selected from the group consisting of On, Off, Up, Down, Discrete Light Level commands and Acknowledge queries.

31. The ballast of claim 22, wherein said plurality of discharge lamps are part of the ballast.

32. The ballast of claim 22, wherein said lamp termination array resides in a fixture remote from the ballast.

33. The ballast of claim 27, wherein said half bridge topology is an economical half bridge topology that includes a common high-side switch connected to a plurality of low-side switches, each said low-side switch associated with one channel.

34. The ballast of claim 27, wherein said half bridge topology is an economical half bridge topology that includes a common low-side switch connected to a plurality of high-side switches, each said high-side switch associated with one channel.

35. The ballast of claim 22, further comprising an optional power factor correction stage connected to said ballast controller and used to condition current in a line and provide a regulated DC bus to said lamps drivers array.

38. The ballast of claim 35, further comprising optional emergency lighting circuitry with battery management controlled by said integrated digital controller.

39. The ballast of claim 29, wherein said optional communications interface provides communication modes selected from the group consisting of power line carrier, serial, radio frequency, infra-red and DC control communication.

36. The ballast of claim 36, wherein said ballast controller is an integrated digital controller operative to configure and reconfigure said power correction stage.

37. The ballast of claim 36, wherein said integrated digital controller is operative to configure and reconfigure system parameters is on the fly.

40. An electronic ballast comprising:

a. a central ballast controller operative to provide close-loop control;

b. at least one load driver connected to said central ballast controller; and

c. at least one load remote from said controller and driven by said at least one driver, said at least one load including at least one sampling circuit for providing feedback signals used by said controller in said close-loop control.

41. The electronic ballast of claim 40, wherein said at least one load is at least one light fixture.

42. The electronic ballast of claim 40, wherein said at least one load is at least one discharge lamp.

43. The electronic ballast of claim 40, wherein said at least one load includes at least one light fixture and at least one discharge lamp.

44. The electronic ballast of claim 40, wherein said at least one sampling circuit includes a sampling circuit that rectifies lamp signals at said load, and wherein said data includes said rectified signals sent to the ballast as DC signals.

45. The electronic ballast of claim 40, wherein said at least one sampling circuit includes a sampling circuit that rectifies lamp signals at said load, and wherein said data includes said rectified signals sent as current sources to be sampled across resistors located at the ballast.

46. A modular multi-fixture light system comprising:

a. a close-loop controllable multi-fixture ballast;

b. a plurality of twisted pair cables for driving and feedback, said cables connected at one end to said ballast; and

c. a plurality of lighting fixtures each one may use a different type of discharge lamps having matching lamp terminations, each said lamp termination connected at another end of a said cable.

47. A method for remotely controlling at least one power load from a central control unit in close loop comprising the steps of:

a. providing a central controller operative to receive and provide a plurality of analog and digital signals;

b. sensing a status parameter of the at least one power load and relaying said sensed parameter to said central controller; and

c. in response to said sensing, outputting a command from said controller to change a state of the at least one power load.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said controller is a multi-channel ballast controller, wherein said at least one power load is at least one ballast, and wherein said step of sensing includes sensing power factor correction feedback signals.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said controller is a multi-fixture ballast controller, and wherein said at least one power load is at least one fixture.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein said controller is a multi-lamp ballast controller, and wherein said at least one power load is a discharge lamp.

51. A method for reducing side-lobes in a signal having a main lobe defined by a correlation function, the method comprising the steps of:

a. detecting a coincidence between chip samples of the signal and a reference, and generating a 1 bit output value;

b. integrating said output value to obtain an integrated value corresponding to the main lobe of correlation function of the signal.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said step of detecting a coincidence includes comparing an incoming signal with a reference code sequence to generate said 1 bit output value, said output value indicating said coincidence.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein said indicating includes indicating success in case said output value is a positive value +1, and failure in case said output value is a negative value −

1.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein said step of integrating said output value includes increasing an integration result in said integrator by 1 if said output value is positive, and decreasing said integration result by 1 if said output value is negative.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein said step of outputting from said integrator an integrator output value in includes comparing said integrator output value with a threshold value.

56. A system for reducing side-lobes in a signal having a main lobe defined by a correlation function comprising:

a. at least one symbol decoder having an output port;

b. a delay line with n−

1 taps in communication with said at least one symbol decoder; and

c. comparison means within said at least one decoder to obtain an integrated output value at said output, whereby said output value is correlated with a coincidence between a combination of signal samples on said delay line and a reference.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein said comparison means include a plurality of XOR logic elements for comparing multiplied outputs of signals sampled through said delay line, said XOR elements feeding the result of said comparison to an OR logic element that outputs a one or zero signal used to calculate said integrated value.

58. A method for avoiding command collisions in a power line carrier communication network, comprising the steps of:

a. submitting, by at least two input/output units connected to the power line, short burst requests for transmitting commands; and

b. if said requests conflict in a same time frame, resubmit any rejected request until granted permission to transmit its respective command.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein said step of submitting is performed by a requesting input-output module selected from the group consisting of a ballast and a local control unit.

59. The method of claim 59, optionally comprising the steps of arbitrating said short burst requests, and performing said granting or rejection based on said arbitrating.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said steps of submitting requests, arbitrating and transmitting commands is achieved using a three-frame regime of an anti collision protocol.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein said step of optionally arbitrating is performed by a branch remote control unit.

63. In a network control system, a method for identifying and assigning specific physical locations to network components comprising the steps of:

a. automatically interrogating each network component; and

b. based on a response from each said interrogated component, allocating a physical location to said component.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the network control system is a branch control system, wherein said components are branch components, and wherein said step of automatically interrogating is done by a branch remote control unit.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said step of automatically interrogating includes sequentially interrogating an absolute address of each said branch component, using the last n-bits of said absolute address.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said n-bits are 11 bits.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein said response includes a colliding response of at least two said branch components, and wherein said step of automatically interrogating further includes re-interrogating said absolute addresses of said at least two branch components using a number of last address bits selected from the group of 10, 11 and 12 bits.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein said step of automatically interrogating is carried out according to an anti-collision protocol.