Wireless NLC – 3 Of 4: Wireless Trends & Why Mesh Is Winning

By John Arthur Wilson and David Shiller

This is the third of a four article series about important concepts in wireless networked lighting controls (NLC). This article is largely about mesh, so let’s start with a definition:

A mesh network is a local area network, with a communications arrangement (aka topology) in which the infrastructure nodes (i.e. controllers, sensors, switches, and other devices) connect directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate with one another to efficiently route data to and from clients.

If that’s too complicated to visualize, then imagine a dozen devices all in radio communication with each other, spreading information and instructions. That is mesh. Other (non-mesh) topologies could include one device informing eleven passive devices, or one device communicating with the next, and that one to the next, in a simple linear chain.

Mesh networks are important because they have rapidly gained adoption in NLC systems for a variety of reasons:

• Expanding Network Range: by relying on multiple nodes within range of each other, mesh systems expand the system network range without reliance on a gateway.
• Signal & System Resilience: the multiple nodes which comprise mesh systems allow wireless signals to maneuver around structural building materials which commonly attenuate signal strength. Many mesh based sensors and components offer wireless and battery free operations.
• Future Proofing: mesh-based systems are more software based than hardware based. This makes the systems easier to update (i.e. future-proofing) and promotes interoperability.
• App-Based Configuration: Lastly, mesh-based lighting controls increase ease of use by allowing operators to configure the system by means of a simple app-based tool.

The graphic above is a complex mapping of many of the largest wireless NLC systems on the market today. Note the following:

• They’re organized from left to right in terms of the most open source (i.e. BLE Mesh) to the least open source (i.e. Lutron Vive). The majority in the middle are proprietary systems built on top of open source protocols, such as Zigbee / IEEE 802.15.4.
• The systems are also arranged vertically with IEEE 802.15.4 systems at the bottom, with a proprietary mesh. The middle systems are also 802.15.4, but utilize Bluetooth with a proprietary mesh for commissioning & reconfiguration, as well as some edge devices. The top systems are Bluetooth-based, without 802.15.4.
• There is increasing movement toward open-source as well as proprietary built on open source. This describes the vast majority of systems shown above.
• The systems with dashed boxes around them have DALI drivers available for DALI 2 and D4i capabilities.
• A growing number of systems (in the center) utilize 802.15.4 for standard operation, but use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for commissioning and reconfiguration.
• There are two influential clusters of systems, one based on open BLE Mesh (upper left) and the other based on Zigbee (center bottom).
• All but two of the systems in the graphic are mesh.

While mesh does have many advantages, gateways are still required to achieve certain functions. For example, a mesh system on its own is unable to connect to the internet. In fact, mesh systems actually use your phone or tablet as a gateway device when you are logged into the system. Your smart phone is a gateway converting between cellular, wifi, and Bluetooth networks / protocols / radios. It should be understood that nearly every manufacturer who offers a gateway-free mesh system, also sells a gateway specifically made for that system which is necessary to expand capabilities.

The first article in this series was about integration versus networking capabilities, and can be found here. The second article was about the decline of gateways and can be found here.

About The Authors:

John Arthur Wilson is a lighting control and utility rebate consultant to utilities and manufacturers. For the past few years, John has been conducting market research into wireless lighting controls and educating utilities and contractors on the most important considerations in NLC systems. John’s research resulted in a learning guide that can be used to support basic education around wireless trends in lighting. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) has published that document on their Better Bricks website, available to the public, here. John’s consulting firm is Fernhill Shopworks, LLC.

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW and President of Lighting Solution Development, a leading consulting firm in the lighting industry.

All Images: John Arthur Wilson

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