54 I ICT TODAY
Management Software Server
for IoT Devices
User Interfaces IBMS Dashboard
Local LAN
Wi-Fi Router
LED Fixtures Linear Light LED Fixtures
Daisy Chained
PoE
Gateways
Wireless
Sensors
Wireless Line
Voltage Control Module
MANAGEMENT
LAYER
POWER LAYER
COMM &
High Wattage LED Fixtures
120VAC to 277VAC
Window Shades/Blinds
Wireless
Self Powered
Sensor Wall Switchs
PoE NETWORK
DEVICE
LAYER
Efficiency
Productivity
FIGURE 7: Network topology of GP’s lighting platform.
FIGURE 8: PoE LED lighting fixture with integrated sensors.
BIOLOGY BEHIND DIGITIZATION
BlueSky features a state-of-the-art network connected
lighting system that addressed the typical lighting needs
of the project. The lighting system is managed by centrally
located software that is continuously fed data from the
array of sensors in the building (Figure 7).
The system utilizes PoE gateways connected to a PoE
network switch to transmit IP-PoE power and communication
to a variety of operational technology (OT)
devices, such as LED lighting fixtures, sensors, motorized
shades, and relay/actuators.
Lighting over IP, being ubiquitous in the building,
automatically means the supporting network infrastructure
is already available throughout the floorspace. This
allowed GP to deploy a variety of sensors on this IoT
network. The project utilizes sensors that detect occupancy,
vacancy, ambient light levels, lighting fixture
power readouts, temperature and humidity from the
different types of spaces (e.g., open office, conference
rooms, breakouts, hallways). The sensors are in some cases
embedded into the fixtures utilizing the Category cabling
already used for the light fixtures and do not need to be
wired or installed individually (Figure 8). Standalone
sensors (outside of the lighting fixture) utilize wireless
communication and energy harvesting and do not require
any point-to-point power and communications cabling
for these units.
This additional network infrastructure was blended
beautifully into the environment to appear non-intrusive
while providing wide scale coverage of different areas in
the building.