Abstract: Examples of a system and wireless RF device having an extended operational life are provided. The wireless RF device includes a substrate, at least one sensor configured to detect an occurrence of an event, a RF transceiver arranged on the substrate and configured to transmit and receive RF signals in an area, and a power supply coupled with the substrate. A processing device is coupled to the at least one sensor and the RF transceiver, and configured to: in response to expiration of a time period or the detection of the occurrence of an event, transition the RF device from a sleep or standby mode to an active mode; configure the RF transceiver to receive or transmit a data packet; obtain a status of an occurrence of another event from the at least one sensor; and transition the RF device from the active mode to the sleep or standby mode.

Abstract: An example method includes propagating a message including an instruction, from a gateway to a plurality of ancillary nodal devices (devices) in a flood network. Each of the plurality of devices is within an equal number of transmissive steps of the gateway through the flood network such that the message is propagated with approximately equivalent delay to each of the plurality of devices and substantially simultaneously received by all of the devices. The method also includes substantially simultaneously transmitting the message from each respective one of the devices to end nodal devices (end nodes) of a group of end nodes in the flood network in communication with the respective one of the devices. The method further includes, upon receipt of the message from the devices, substantially simultaneously executing the instruction, by each of the group of the end nodes of the flood network.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system including a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication network (network) including a plurality of nodes in an area and a computer coupled to the network. Each of the nodes includes a transmitter and a receiver. At plurality of times, each transmitter transmits RF spectrum signals (signals) and each receiver receives the signals and also generates an indicator data of a signal characteristic of the received signal propagated in the network. When each time among the plurality of times is a current time, the computer obtains the indicator data of the signal, determines a modification in the indicator data at the current time from the indicator data at a preceding time due to a movement of an occupant in the area and detect an occupancy condition in the area based on the modification in the indicator data and a parameter of a configuration of the network.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system and a method for command execution synchronization in a nodal network. In one example, the method includes starting at a first time, propagating a message including an instruction and timestamp, in a nodal network including a plurality of wireless communication nodes (nodes). The timestamp identifies a second time later than the first time by an amount of time equal to or greater than a period of delay expected for propagation of the message through the nodal network to all of the nodes. The method also includes running a software (soft) clock in each of the nodes, the soft clocks being synchronized to within a timing error tolerance value of the soft clocks in other of the nodes and executing, by each respective one of the nodes, the instruction when the soft clock of the respective nodes reaches the second time identified by the timestamp.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of lighting devices connected in a network to communicate in a service area, and a smart tag configured to communicate with one or more of the lighting devices. Each respective lighting device is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal including a device identifier of the respective lighting device. In response to expiration of a time period or an occurrence of an event, the smart tag is configured to transition from a low power consumption sleep mode to an awake mode. During the awake mode, the smart tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to determine a position of the smart tag or any asset associated with the smart tag in the service area. Upon transmission of the information, the smart tag is transitioned from the awake mode back to the low power consumption sleep mode.

Abstract: An example method includes propagating a message including an instruction, from a gateway to a plurality of ancillary nodal devices (devices) in a flood network. Each of the plurality of devices is within an equal number of transmissive steps of the gateway through the flood network such that the message is propagated with approximately equivalent delay to each of the plurality of devices and substantially simultaneously received by all of the devices. The method also includes substantially simultaneously transmitting the message from each respective one of the devices to end nodal devices (end nodes) of a group of end nodes in the flood network in communication with the respective one of the devices. The method further includes, upon receipt of the message from the devices, substantially simultaneously executing the instruction, by each of the group of the end nodes of the flood network.

Abstract: Devices in a wireless network, such as wirelessly networked lighting devices, utilize two different types of radios, e.g. implementing two or more protocols such as Bluetooth and WiFi. Such radios operate in overlapping frequency bands of the RF spectrum. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) of the two types of radio operations mitigates interference between the protocols competing in the spectrum overlap. In the examples with lighting devices, a driver of the light source provides a data bus that may be used as an auxiliary communications channel to implement TDM access by the radios to the overlapping frequency bands.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system and a method for command execution synchronization in a nodal network. In one example, the method includes starting at a first time, propagating a message including an instruction and timestamp, in a nodal network including a plurality of wireless communication nodes (nodes). The timestamp identifies a second time later than the first time by an amount of time equal to or greater than a period of delay expected for propagation of the message through the nodal network to all of the nodes. The method also includes running a software (soft) clock in each of the nodes, the soft clocks being synchronized to within a timing error tolerance value of the soft clocks in other of the nodes and executing, by each respective one of the nodes, the instruction when the soft clock of the respective nodes reaches the second time identified by the timestamp.

Abstract: Certain examples involve lighting systems controlled based on gas concentration data received by a controller. For instance, a lighting system includes a first light fixture to illuminate a first space. The lighting system also includes at least one gas concentration sensor associated with the first space, and a first controller that receives gas concentration data from the at least one gas concentration sensor. The first controller also overrides the illumination state of the first light fixture based on the gas concentration data received from the at least one gas concentration sensor by controlling the first light fixture in an alert state that is different from the illumination state.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system and a method for command execution synchronization in a flood network. In one example, the method includes propagating a message including an instruction, from a gateway to a plurality of ancillary nodal devices (devices) in a flood network. Each of the plurality of devices is within an equal number of transmissive steps of the gateway through the flood network such that the message is propagated with approximately equivalent delay to each of the plurality of devices and substantially simultaneously received by all of the devices. The method also includes substantially simultaneously transmitting the message from each respective one of the devices to end nodal devices (end nodes) of a group of end nodes in the flood network in communication with the respective one of the devices.

Abstract: Devices in a wireless network, such as wirelessly networked lighting devices, utilize two different types of radios, e.g. implementing two or more protocols such as Bluetooth and WiFi. Such radios operate in overlapping frequency bands of the RF spectrum. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) of the two types of radio operations mitigates interference between the protocols competing in the spectrum overlap. In the examples with lighting devices, a driver of the light source provides a data bus that may be used as an auxiliary communications channel to implement TDM access by the radios to the overlapping frequency bands.

Abstract: Certain examples involve lighting systems controlled based on gas concentration data received by a controller. For instance, a lighting system includes a first light fixture to illuminate a first space. The lighting system also includes at least one gas concentration sensor associated with the first space, and a first controller that receives gas concentration data from the at least one gas concentration sensor. The first controller also overrides the illumination state of the first light fixture based on the gas concentration data received from the at least one gas concentration sensor by controlling the first light fixture in an alert state that is different from the illumination state.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of lighting devices connected in a network to communicate in a service area, and a smart tag configured to communicate with one or more of the lighting devices. Each respective lighting device is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal including a device identifier of the respective lighting device. In response to expiration of a time period or an occurrence of an event, the smart tag is configured to transition from a low power consumption sleep mode to an awake mode. During the awake mode, the smart tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to determine a position of the smart tag or any asset associated with the smart tag in the service area. Upon transmission of the information, the smart tag is transitioned from the awake mode back to the low power consumption sleep mode.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system including a radio frequency (RF) wireless communication network (network) including a plurality of nodes in an area and a computer coupled to the network. Each of the nodes includes a transmitter and a receiver. At plurality of times, each transmitter transmits RF spectrum signals (signals) and each receiver receives the signals and also generates an indicator data of a signal characteristic of the received signal propagated in the network. When each time among the plurality of times is a current time, the computer obtains the indicator data of the signal, determines a modification in the indicator data at the current time from the indicator data at a preceding time due to a movement of an occupant in the area and detect an occupancy condition in the area based on the modification in the indicator data and a parameter of a configuration of the network.

Abstract: A lighting system includes luminaires each having a light source for providing illumination in a space and a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna. An RFID reader is coupled to the RFID antennas in all the luminaires. The RFID reader may transmit at least one RFID intended recipient message from at least one of the antennas and receive a responsive RFID reply message from a recipient device within the space via a plurality of the antennas. The RFID reader may determine a signal attribute of a reply message signal received via each receiving antenna. The determined signal attributes of the reply message signals received via antennas and information about locations of the receiving antennas are processed to estimate a position of the recipient device within the space.

Abstract: A lighting system includes luminaires each having a light source for providing illumination in a space and a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna. An RFID reader is coupled to the RFID antennas in all the luminaires. The RFID reader may transmit at least one RFID intended recipient message from at least one of the antennas and receive a responsive RFID reply message from a recipient device within the space via a plurality of the antennas. The RFID reader may determine a signal attribute of a reply message signal received via each receiving antenna. The determined signal attributes of the reply message signals received via antennas and information about locations of the receiving antennas are processed to estimate a position of the recipient device within the space.

Abstract: A tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to locate the tag and any asset associated with the tag in an area. The tag incorporates a motion sensor responsive to movements of the tag above a predetermined rate and a predetermined magnitude. In response to the movements above the predetermined rate and magnitude, the motion sensor generates a voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold. An energy-saving process exploits the tag's microcontroller's transitions between a “sleep” state and an “awake” state. While asleep, the microcontroller maintains a clock and data in memory, and monitors an input from the motion sensor. In response to voltages at the input over the predetermine threshold, the microcontroller receives signals from one or more nearby beacon nodes in a network operating in the area, process the signals and transmit information based on the processed signals, for a position determination.

Abstract: Devices in a wireless network, such as wirelessly networked lighting devices, utilize two different types of radios, e.g. implementing two or more protocols such as Bluetooth and WiFi. Such radios operate in overlapping frequency bands of the RF spectrum. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) of the two types of radio operations mitigates interference between the protocols competing in the spectrum overlap. In the examples with lighting devices, a driver of the light source provides a data bus that may be used as an auxiliary communications channel to implement TDM access by the radios to the overlapping frequency bands.

Abstract: A tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to locate the tag and any asset associated with the tag in an area. The tag incorporates a motion sensor responsive to movements of the tag above a predetermined rate and a predetermined magnitude. In response to the movements above the predetermined rate and magnitude, the motion sensor generates a voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold. An energy-saving process exploits the tag's microcontroller's transitions between a “sleep” state and an “awake” state. While asleep, the microcontroller maintains a clock and data in memory, and monitors an input from the motion sensor. In response to voltages at the input over the predetermine threshold, the microcontroller receives signals from one or more nearby beacon nodes in a network operating in the area, process the signals and transmit information based on the processed signals, for a position determination.

Abstract: Lighting installations having improved visible light communication capabilities. A lighting installation includes a plurality of LED segments. The plurality of LED segments comprises at least a first LED segment, a second LED segment, and a third LED segment interposed between the first LED segment and the second LED segment. The lighting installation is configured to drive the first and second LED segments so as to emit light in modulation patterns having VLC codes different from each other and to drive the third LED segment to emit un-modulated light. In this way, the third LED segment physically separates the first and second LED segments from each other and prevents intermingling of their emitted light so that a mobile device can easily detect the different VLC codes of the first and second LED segments.