An autonomous distributed demand-side energy management network using fluorescent lamp sensors

This paper demonstrates the building blocks of a new autonomous demand-side energy management system. The system uses a network of lamp sensors interfaced with frequency-controlled dimming ballasts. The auto-dimming lamps detect occupants and automatically adjust their own brightness levels. These occupancy detections may be used to adjust power consumption of other systems such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) as well. This paper also demonstrates a quasistatic frequency-modulated (FM) wireless link to network auto-dimming lamps with each other. The wireless link reuses the frequency-controlled action of the dimming ballast to transmit data and the lamp sensor electric field measurement to receive data. All of the electronics are made to fit inside a ballast box with the intent to create a drop-in replacement for standard ballasts. This paper presents critical system characterizations and design strategies as well as a demonstration of an auto-dimming lamp and the wireless link.