Generic interface to initiate vendor independent DALI test
To make the management of KNX/DALI gateways easier, the NETx BMS Server is providing a dedicate module called LaMPS. The main goal of LaMPS is to provide a generic interface to initiate DALI tests independent of the used KNX/DALI gateway vendor.
The Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) protocol is an application specific technology that is dedicated to lighting systems. Since it is a pure field level protocol without enhanced management features, it is integrated into other building automation technologies. The most important and most commonly used system for this integration purpose is KNX. So-called KNX/DALI gateways are providing interfaces between the DALI devices and the KNX network. In addition to simply forwarding commands (e.g. on/off, dimming commands, …) and information (e.g. on/off status, current brightness value), these KNX/DALI gateways provide sophisticated and enhanced functions. One of the most important feature is the testing of the functionality of the DALI devices.
However, the implementation of this function testing within the KNX/DALI gateways highly depends on the manufacturer of the gateway. Each vendor has its own way how function testing services are provided and how the test results are represented. This also concerns the mapping of this information to KNX communication objects. Even worse, most of the time a simple read and write to these KNX communication objects is not sufficient since a dedicated command sequence is necessary. A typical example is the reading of the fault status of a DALI device. First, the device must be selected by sending the DALI number to a dedicated KNX group address and afterwards the fault status objects must be read. This results in a complexity which is a major problem for system integrators and electrical engineers who have the task to provide such functionality. To reduce this complexity the NETx BMS Server provides a generic interface to initiate DALI test no matter which vendor you use.
Functions
Vendor-independent representation of DALI gateways and devices
Depending on the manufacturer, the data provided by DALI gateways is vendor-specific. The NETx LaMPS Module provides a generic view as BMS Server Items which is independent of the vendor.
Generic interface to initiate DALI tests
One of the most important features of DALI gateways is the support for function tests. However, the interface to these tests is again vendor-specific. Using the NETx LaMPS Module, a generic view to initiate and manage DALI tests is provided.
Support for DALI emergency lighting
Testing emergency lights requires special testing procedures. Again the implementation of these emergency tests is vendor-specific. The NETx LaMPS Module provides a uniform which makes the management of DALI emergency tests more easier and less time-consuming.
Monitoring of operating hours, current, voltage and definition of alarm thresholds
In addition to the management of DALI gateways and their devices, the NETx LaMPS Module provides generic functionality for the management of lighting control systems. In addition to the monitoring of operating hours, current and voltage, thresholds and alarms can be defined. Furthermore, it is possible to make a rough estimation of power and energy values if no smart meters are available.