CIE Components in Electronics
Both the DALI and DMX512 systems can be connected to any of NXP’s lamp drivers using the PWM outputs of the Cortex-M0 processor. NXP is also offering an optional evaluation system to simplify RGB LED power stage design.
“By bringing Cortex-M0 to lighting control systems using DALI and DMX512, we’re making it straightforward for lighting designers to upgrade from 8-bit microcontrollers without increasing costs. The extra-low-power options available with the LPC1100 microcontroller make it a compelling solution for DALI lighting systems, where total energy savings are a critical factor,” said Marco Scarazzati, product applications engineer, NXP Semiconductors.
The first DALI and DMX512 evaluation systems available from NXP feature an LPC1114 microcontroller based on the Cortex-M0. The LPC1100XL series microcontroller offers a combination of features that make it suited for intelligent lighting projects using DALI, the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, or DMX512.
For example, with performance up to 45 DMIPS, the 50-MHz LPC1100XL series is able offer the resources required for a single MCU to code and decode DALI and DMX messages and generate PWM signals, with enough bandwidth available for the end application. Storing scene settings and other programs in non-volatile memory is also straightforward, using EEPROM emulation in flash or by using integrated EEPROM, now available in the LPC11E00 series.
Embedded lighting applications can be programmed in C, significantly reducing development complexity. A basic DALI driver is available from NXP. For DMX lighting networks, development time is further reduced through the NXP solution, which already implements basic functions and Remote Device Management (RDM) in a fully DMX512-compliant software stack.
The DMX512 evaluation system will include a master unit featuring the LPC11U14 microcontroller. Another option available from NXP is the LPC1300 series – the lowest power Cortex-M3 microcontroller available on the market and pin-to-pin compatible with the LPC11U00 – which includes USB Mass Storage and HID Class drivers stored in ROM.
As an additional option, NXP is also offering a small form factor, highly efficient RGB LED power stage with a low component count. The power stage meets the EMC requirements of commercial lighting applications and offers significant energy savings for both DALI and DMX wired lighting control systems.
“As energy prices rise and green building regulations go into effect around the world, we expect strong growth in the use of DALI lighting control networks that enable businesses to save energy while enhancing comfort, convenience and productivity. In architectural and entertainment lighting, recent advances in LEDs have opened new opportunities for lighting control networks using DMX512,” said Jan Willem Vogel, senior director of marketing, Appliances, Energy and Automation segment, NXP Semiconductors. “Our latest DALI and DMX512 systems show how the power of 32-bit microcontrollers can deliver tremendous value by supporting the ever-increasing complexity of lighting network nodes – without adding cost. From wired lighting and control networks using DALI, DMX and KNX, to wireless solutions using JenNet-IP and ZigBee, NXP now offers a full range of energy-efficient options for intelligent lighting networks in homes, buildings and outdoor settings.”
