Illumination as a service: New paradigms for the future of lighting

Spectral tunability and high speed LED switching capability, combined with networks of advanced sensors and adaptive lighting communications and control architectures are leading to the development of sensory lighting systems that can autonomously adapt illumination to the needs of those occupying an a given space. These sensory capabilities will enable improved lighting/building system energy efficiency as well as improved human health and productivity. Future illumination systems will also likely feature both intra-system (light-to-light) optical communications and data communications that will augment RF based communications systems for scalable, secure wireless communications. In addition, digitally modulated (and structured) lighting offers novel approaches to occupancy sensing (of both animate and inanimate objects). By improving the sensory functionality of illumination systems, adaptive lighting control methods superior to the current lighting management methods in use today will be possible.