Interoperability: The key to delivering truly ‘smart’ lighting installations

Enabling customers to monitor and control energy use, lighting operation, emergency systems and much more, it is the ultimate lighting solution.

However for smart lighting to truly fulfil its potential, the most critical challenge to overcome is achieving interoperability. James Foster, OCTO National Sales Manager at Ansell Lighting looks at how to create an interoperable environment that delivers truly smart lighting to new projects.

Whether you are embarking on a residential, commercial or industrial lighting project, the benefits of smart lighting systems are boundless. From achieving optimum energy efficiency and reduced running costs, to creating automated schedules that dictate the hours of operation, output levels, colour temperatures and different ‘combinations of lamps in use,smart technology gives users the ability to individually programme and control the output of every individual light fitting in their home, place of work or outdoor space.

But if a system is to be truly efficient and long-lasting, achieving interoperability is key. This means designing and creating an environment where systems and devices, produced by different manufacturers, work together seamlessly to deliver a truly smart, lighting scheme. Previously this has been difficult to achieve as different lighting systems and devices used different communication protocols, but there are now a number of options widely adopted across the industry that ensure diverse devices and systems can communicate with each other.

One such system is Bluetooth mesh, a wireless protocol designed specifically for the Internet of Things (IoT). It operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and can support up to 32,000 devices on a single network. Bluetooth mesh is particularly well-suited for lighting applications, as it offers low latency and high reliability.

Another popular option is Zigbee, a lowpower wireless protocol that is designed to be interoperable across different devices and systems. Widely used in smart home and building automation systems, it operates on the same 2.4 GHz frequency band as Bluetooth mesh and can support up to 65,000 devices on a single network.

Using cloud-based services is another potential approach. Providing a central point of control for multiple devices and systems, cloud-based services make it easier to manage and harmonise multiple installations.

Finally, sensors and triggers can also be used to achieve interoperability. By detecting changes in the environment, such as occupancy or ambient light levels, sensors can initiate actions such as turning lights on or off whilst triggers activate illumination based on specific events, such as a door opening, or a motion sensor being triggered.

No matter which technology is selected, installers must remember that collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the design, construction and use of the building is key to achieving interoperability.

Specifying a truly interoperable system from the start will ensure that the benefits of smart lighting are harnessed for the long-term future and that customers see the value in their initial investment.