Smart Lighting Controller Simplifies Urban Management

A novel module for smart street lighting with Bluetooth-enabled solutions, advancing urban sustainability and safety.

A novel smart street lighting controller, the ‘PS-Pak’, has been developed by LACROIX Environment, Norway. This innovative device integrates a Bluetooth-enabled module based on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52832 system-on-chip (SoC), offering a transformative solution for street lighting management. Designed to simplify operations and enhance energy efficiency, it aligns with modern urban sustainability goals.

The controller serves a dual purpose, either configuring lantern drivers or powering external management nodes. Positioned inside street lamp poles, it connects directly to lantern drivers and supports the industry-standard DALI2 protocol for seamless bi-directional communication. Its compatibility spans  the company’s own drivers and various other market options, ensuring flexibility in application. The device is particularly valuable for city planners, municipal authorities, and private enterprises managing extensive lighting networks.

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At the core of this device is the Insight SiP ISP1507-AX module, which employs Bluetooth low energy (LE) technology. This connectivity eliminates the need to access high-voltage lighting units physically, allowing users to perform software updates and configurations over the air. A single controller can independently manage up to six lantern drivers on the same pole, reducing the time and risk associated with routine lighting adjustments.

“We selected the Nordic SoC-based ISP1507-AX module due to key hardware features including its compact size and large Flash memory,” said Philippe Escaich, electronic development manager, LACROIX Environment. The module also benefits from Nordic Semiconductor’s robust software library and tools, which ensure reliability and ease of development.

The controller is not only suitable for existing installations but is also future-proofed for remote management systems. Its ability to adapt to evolving smart city requirements positions it as a pivotal tool in urban infrastructure. Nick Wood, sales and marketing director, Insight SIP, emphasised the broader implications of the innovation: “We believe there will be an increasing need for this kind of application to meet carbon emission targets whilst not compromising on personal safety.”

By addressing diverse stakeholder needs, the newly launched controller enhances safety, reduces energy consumption, and supports cities in achieving ambitious environmental targets.