Communication interface and arrangement
According to a concept of the invention, there is proposed a communication interface that enables communication and power transfer between a luminaire and a connectable module. The communication interface comprises a driver circuit which generates an AC power supply for a primary winding, the primary winding being magnetically couplable to a secondary winding for powering the connectable module. A data sensing arrangement is adapted to detect a variation in the voltage/current of the primary winding which has been induced by the secondary winding. A control arrangement selectively couples a first and second DC input, upon which the AC power supply is based, together or to a common voltage.
1. A communication interface of a luminaire for enabling isolated communication between the luminaire and a connectable module, the communication interface comprising:
a driver circuit adapted to receive a first DC input and second DC input, the first and second DC inputs for controlling a light emitting element of the luminaire, wherein the driver circuit is adapted to generate an AC power supply;
a primary winding adapted to be magnetically coupleable to a secondary winding for powering the connectable module and connected to the driver circuit so as to receive the AC power supply;
wherein the communication interface further comprises:
a data sensing arrangement adapted to generate a control signal indicative of an induced current or voltage variation of the primary winding, the variation being induced by a current or voltage variation of the secondary winding; and
a control arrangement comprising a control system adapted to generate a coupling control signal based on the control signal and a switch arrangement configured to controllably couple the first DC input and the second DC input together based on the control signal, such that a voltage difference between the first DC input and the second DC input is dependent upon the current or voltage variation of the secondary winding.
2. The communication interface of claim 1 , further comprising a power select arrangement adapted to switch an input of the driver circuit between the first DC input and a reserve DC input based on the control signal.
3. The communication interface of claim 2 , further comprising an energy storage system adapted to generate the reserve DC input from the first DC input.
4. The communication interface of claim 3 , wherein the energy storage system is adapted to receive and store power from the first DC input.
5. The communication interface of claim 3 , wherein the energy storage system is adapted to provide a power supply to the data sensing arrangement and the control arrangement.
6. The communication interface of claim 1 , wherein the driver circuit comprises:
an oscillator adapted to generate an AC power supply; and
a modulator adapted to receive the first DC input and the second DC input and modulate the AC power supply based on a voltage difference between the first DC input and the second DC input.
7. The communication interface of claim 1 , wherein the first DC input and the second DC input carry a modulated signal according to a Digital Addressable Lighting Interface standard.
8. The communication interface of claim 1 , further comprising the secondary winding, wherein the secondary winding is connectable to the connectable module.
9. A luminaire comprising:
a communication interface according to claim 1 , and
a light emitting element adapted to be controlled based on the first DC input and the second DC input.
10. The luminaire of claim 9 , further comprising a luminaire control system adapted to generate the first DC input and the second DC input.
11. A luminaire arrangement comprising:
a luminaire having a communication interface according to claim 1 ;
at least one connectable module comprising a secondary winding adapted to be magnetically coupleable with the primary winding of the luminaire.
12. The luminaire arrangement of claim 11 , wherein the primary winding has a first number of turns, and the secondary winding has a second, different number of turns.
13. A connectable module adapted for isolated communication between the communication interface of claim 1 and the connectable module, the connectable module comprising:
the secondary winding adapted to be magnetically coupleable to the primary winding of the communication interface
a rectifier adapted to rectify an AC induced in the secondary winding by the primary winding; and
a filter adapted to generate a first filtered DC output and a second filtered DC output.
14. A method of enabling isolated communication and power transfer between a luminaire and a connectable module, the method comprising:
generating an AC power supply based on a first DC input and a second DC input, the first and second DC inputs for controlling a light emitting element of the luminaire;
providing the AC power supply to a primary winding of the luminaire, the primary winding being magnetically coupleable to a secondary winding for powering the connectable module;
generating a control signal indicative of an induced current or voltage variation of the primary winding, the variation being induced by a current or voltage variation of the secondary winding;
controllably coupling the first DC input and the second DC input together and to a common voltage based on the control signal, such that a voltage difference between the first DC input and the second DC input is dependent upon the current or voltage variation of the secondary winding.
15. A communication interface of a luminaire for enabling isolated communication between the luminaire and a connectable module, the communication interface comprising:
a driver circuit adapted to receive a first DC input and second DC input, the first and second DC inputs for controlling a light emitting element of the luminaire, wherein the driver circuit is adapted to generate an AC power supply;
a primary winding adapted to be magnetically coupleable to a secondary winding for powering the connectable module and connected to the driver circuit so as to receive the AC power supply;
wherein the communication interface further comprises:
a data sensing arrangement adapted to generate a control signal indicative of an induced current or voltage variation of the primary winding, the variation being induced by a current or voltage variation of the secondary winding;
a control arrangement comprising a control system adapted to generate a coupling control signal based on the control signal and a switch arrangement configured to controllably couple the first DC input and the second DC input together or to a common voltage based on the control signal, such that a voltage difference between the first DC input and the second DC input is dependent upon the current or voltage variation of the secondary winding; and,
a power select arrangement adapted to switch an input of the driver circuit between the first DC input and a reserve DC input based on the control signal.