Smart LEDs open up the imagination that Edison never imagined

In this article, we will explore some of the automated smart lighting solutions in the consumer market and how to provide the latest low-power MCU, wireless technology and mesh networking standards for connected home applications to accelerate market growth. In addition, we will explore the elements needed to add smart connectivity to LED bulbs, including a comparison of key wireless technologies, and the industry's first Wireless Gecko multi-protocol wireless SoC solution from Silicon Labs (also known as "core technology"). .

Why intelligent lighting has not crossed the gap

From incandescent bulbs to fluorescent lamps to LEDs, the common light bulbs have evolved over 140 years, and LEDs are probably one of the most important advances. More specifically, smart LEDs have pioneered the use of light bulbs that Edison never imagined.

However, connected lighting has been around for a long time, so why is it not as successful as other consumer-oriented technologies in the Internet age?

1. Intelligent lighting installation is not easy, high cost

An entry barrier is the amount of work required to install interconnected lighting. This work is definitely not as simple as doing it yourself. The user needs to replace the switch, which means to switch off the power to the switch, remove the switch, and replace it with a new one. This level of home improvement program is beyond the capabilities of most homeowners. Another factor that constrains the development of this market is cost. As with anything, as long as the price for consumers is reduced, the adoption rate will increase. The labor costs of new switches, wiring, and mounting hardware circuits are not cheap, and even though LEDs are already very popular, cost is still a major obstacle. But now, things have changed.

In 2014, a standard LED bulb sold for $25, and today it costs only about $2. A typical American home has 40 lamp holders. Imagine that the cost of purchasing a light bulb has been reduced by nearly $1,000. In addition, thanks to the flexibility and ease of use of multiple protocols, it provides a better user experience and enhanced use cases. You can simply deploy a network to a zigbee device with Bluetooth, or you can run zigbee or Thread and Bluetooth at the same time.

In addition to cost, LED bulbs are a truly do-it-yourself solution. Simply screw the light bulb into the existing lamp holder and you can instantly connect via your smartphone. The ubiquitous connection is also a big advantage of LEDs. Almost all smartphone users know how to use the connection. Therefore, just LEDs overcome two important obstacles: simple installation and ease of use.

2. Wireless protocol standards are mixed, multi-protocol design is hopeful

Another obstacle we mentioned, the very different protocol standards, was also resolved. Today, most interconnected light bulbs use zigbee or low-power Bluetooth. Interconnect switches can use proprietary protocols as well as zigbee. Multi-protocols have become increasingly important, because while each standard has its own strengths and weaknesses, manufacturers are not interested in risking being eliminated and placing all bets on an agreement. So if the solution gives developers the flexibility to decide which protocol is best for their application, then the solution will open up the market in ways that have not existed so far. Another factor in choosing a single wireless protocol is regional preference.

For example, zigbee has a strong influence in the United States, but it does not dominate the mainstream in Asia. As a result, vendors may be forced to build a version of the product that uses zigbee in North America and build another version of the product that uses low-energy Bluetooth in Asia. At this point, a supplier like Silicon Labs is needed to help.

The new EFR32 Wireless Gecko simplifies connectivity, now and in the future. The new Wireless Gecko has more memory and features such as wireless software updates to support application enhancements and evolving field protocol requirements.

For example, if a customer purchases a fixture that only uses zigbee, then you need to make sure that the fixture is connected to an existing zigbee network or gateway. However, with multi-protocol support, end users do not have to know the type of network they are connected to.

If the vendor supports both zigbee and Bluetooth, the situation will change. The device will default to Bluetooth and be controlled via the smartphone app. The application can then search for other networks and join if a zigbee network is identified. The device will then be configured or booted for use as a zigbee device. The end user doesn't need to know what's going on, except for using the app, and no longer has to worry about anything else.

Similarly, adding a gateway extends the network beyond the local network. By connecting the lighting network to the router, the device can also be controlled and monitored when the user is not at home.

When all this happens, the user doesn't even realize all the connection events that happen in the background. It works so silently.

Now, the flexibility and ease of use of multi-protocol compatibility has become a competitive advantage.

Provides a better user experience and enhanced use cases.

High Speed Slip Ring

A high-speed slip ring is an electromechanical device that allows electrical current to pass between a stationary and a rotating assembly. It is typically used in applications where the speed requirement exceeds that which is achievable with a standard slip ring. High-speed slip rings are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet the needs of most applications. They are commonly used in military, aerospace, and medical applications where speed and reliability are critical.


The speed is required to be at least tens of thousands of revolutions per minute, the structure of the Conductive Slip Ring directly determines the contact of high speed, as well as the size of impedance. High-speed slip ring materials have high wear resistance, high life characteristics, and multi-contact contact can ensure signal transmission and power reliability, with the development of science and technology, high-speed slip rings will be more and more widely used.



If you need to transfer large amounts of data or power between two stationary objects, a high-speed conductive slip ring is what you need. Traditional slip rings only offer a few thousand revolutions per minute (RPM), which is more than enough for most applications, but can be limiting in some circumstances. Some applications, like those found in the medical or military field, require speeds of tens of thousands of RPM in order to function properly. That's where our high-speed conductive slip ring comes in. With speeds up to a certain range, it can handle even the most demanding applications.


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Dongguan Oubaibo Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.sliprobo.com

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