Abstract: Nodes of a wireless network are automatically commissioned for communication. In this regard, the nodes of a wireless network are configured to recognize a primary network identifier and a default network identifier. A first node to be commissioned transmits a join request that includes the default network identifier. Neighboring nodes that receive the join request transmit a reply that includes network parameters, such as the primary network identifier, for enabling the first node to communicate on the wireless network. Thereafter, the first node uses such network parameters to communicate on the network.

Abstract: Lights sources may be installed in a facility without regard to their unique identifiers, which are necessary for a lighting control system to exercise control over the light sources. After installation, a mobile device can identify the identifier of a particular light source through use of a mobile device with a photodetector that detects visible light signals emitted by a light source. The user of the mobile device may locate themselves within range of a light source. The light source transmits a visible light signal to convey information includes an identifier of the light source, such as a MAC address. The mobile device can then determine a correspondence between the light source's identifier and its location in the facility. Accordingly, a mapping of a plurality of light sources can be created while minimizing the possibility for human error during commissioning of a lighting system.

Abstract: A wireless network may include a server, a network, a network access device and a plurality of nodes configured to communicate wirelessly. Messages may be communicated through the network wirelessly in an uncoordinated manner. Some nodes may be assigned a first priority indicating that the node has a higher priority than other nodes assigned a second priority. During a certain time period or window, referred to as a “quality of service window,” nodes assigned the first priority may continue transmitting in the uncoordinated manner, while nodes associated with the second priority may wait to transmit their messages until after the expiration of the quality of service window. Thus, during the quality of service window, there should be less congestion since nodes assigned the second priority remain quiet, thereby increasing the likelihood that messages transmitted by the nodes assigned the first priority will be successfully communicated.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: Lights may be misconfigured during installation or after they are installed in a facility, such that these lights, also known as orphaned nodes, cannot receive control messages sent by a lighting control system. After installation, a mobile device can be used to identify the network a particular light source is communicating on, by use of a photodetector that detects, in the visible light signal emitted by a light source, data representing the network ID used by the light source. The mobile device can determine from that data whether or not the light source is communicating over the wrong network. If it is determined that a light source is on the wrong network, and therefore orphaned, the mobile device can switch its own configuration so as to be able to communicate to the orphaned light source, and provide instructions to reconfigure the light source to use a corrected network ID.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A switching circuit with switches between a charging path and a low-impedance active path. The charging path comprises a zener diode substantially in parallel with a charging capacitor. Current flows through the charging path when the circuit is powered on and a power supply charges the charging capacitor while current flows through the charging path. The low-impedance bypass path comprises a switch that remains closed until a voltage across the charging capacitor exceeds a threshold voltage. The switch opens when the charging capacitor exceeds the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.

Abstract: A system for detecting arc faults in a solar array generally comprises a plurality of solar panels connected in series, where each solar panel comprises a positive and negative output. A panel monitoring device is connected between the positive and negative output of each solar panel. The panel monitoring device comprises a switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The panel monitoring device comprises logic configured to scan a frequency spectrum of the solar panel and log locations of a plurality of valleys in the spectrum, monitor the plurality of valleys to determine if the plurality of valleys rise above a threshold value, report a fault status when the plurality of valleys rise above the threshold value, and automatically disable the output of the solar panel upon the determination of a fault status.

Abstract: A system for automatically commissioning a solar panel array comprises a plurality of panel monitoring devices, each panel monitoring device connected between a positive and negative terminal of a solar panel. Each panel monitoring device comprises a switching device, the switching device configurable to disconnect an output from the solar panel. The system further comprises logic configured to automatically obtain a relative position of each panel monitoring device in the system by appointing serially a series of masters from among the panel monitoring devices, each master in turn broadcasting a unique identifier and enabling its output. Each panel monitoring device listens to the masters' broadcasts and stores in memory the unique identifier and information indicating whether the panel monitoring device detected the masters' voltage. The panel monitoring devices determine their respective locations by analyzing the information broadcast by, and the voltage detected from, the masters.