The new IoT-Ready alliance seeks a standard for the installation of IoT sensors in Led lighting systems

This partnership aims to drive the future of IoT technology and smart buildings and is working on the development of a standard that allows easy updating, fast and cost-effective sensors and connectivity modules after installation.

Companies and manufacturers of led lighting and controllers, as well as Internet of Things technology companies (Iot) and industrial groups have formed the alliance IoT-Ready which focuses on simplifying the installation of IoT technology in lighting systems.

This alliance is working on the development of standards that will allow Led lighting equipment to be 'IoT-Ready', Facilitating, easily and quickly, the installation of IoT sensors. The standard will also allow building operators to upgrade sensors., so that they are prepared for the future, since IoT technology evolves at a much faster rate than that of Led luminaires.

Luminaires are an ideal vehicle for IoT technology in smart buildings, providing multiple locations for granular data collection throughout the building, while providing electrical power to the sensors. However, today, only a small percentage of Led luminaires have intelligent sensors. After the initial installation of the devices, implementing a sensor has a high cost, which makes incorporating it later not very likely.

Led luminaires have a useful life of 15 years or more, while IoT smart sensor technology evolves at a similar pace to that of the mobile phone. This means that during the life of the lamp there will be improvements of this technology that would have to be incorporated and, for that purpose, there must be a cost-effective way to change sensors.

Joe Costello, CEO of Enlighted, emphasizes the need to solve this challenge and that is being answered by the IoT-Ready alliance. "There is an urgency to supply Led luminaires that can be updated at the same time as IoT technology evolves., otherwise, these would condemn buildings to not being smart during the life cycle of that equipment. Fifteen or more years is a long time to wait for building owners to have the opportunity to install smart sensors.. With IoT-Ready systems you can install Led luminaires prepared for the buildings of the future".

The initiatives launched by the alliance respond to these challenges with a compatible interface between any luminaire and an IoT sensor. This allows sensors to be easily incorporated or updated at any time..

It is also working to standardize key interface features., necessary for this to happen. Regulations for both integrated and external appliance sensors are being addressed, and include definitions of connectors and electrical and mechanical interfaces.

"IoT-based lighting systems have enormous potential to optimize energy efficiency and deliver new types of value to the lighting and construction industries.. By standardizing the interface between IoT systems and luminaires, the IoT-Ready alliance is addressing an essential aspect that is needed to unlock the technology's potential and enable widespread adoption.", comments Gabe Arnold, Technical Director of designLights Consortium.

Among the companies that are participating in these initiatives are Aruba, Click Technology, Deco Lighting, DesignLights Consortium, Enlighted, ERP Power, Focal Point, Mean Well, Orion Energy Systems, Selux, Shenzhen Lighting Control, Silergy, Tridonic, Universal Lighting Technologies and USAI Lighting.

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