Product Launch
April 2012
© 2013 Sensor Switch
Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Key Applications
• Wired Backbone Elimination
• Wireless Fixture Level Control
• Products
• WiFi Technology
• Why WiFi
• How nWiFi Works
• Global Channel Functionality
• Commissioning
• Common nWiFi Questions
• Competition
• Marketing Materials
Introducing nWiFi!
What is nWiFi?
nWiFi is a set of WIFI (802.11n)
enabled nLight devices used to
create dynamic lighting control
networks of wirelessly
interconnected sensors, relays,
and wired nLight control zones.
Key Benefits:
•
•
•
•
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Adds wireless capabilities…extending nLight’s reach beyond wired networks
Leverages existing WiFi networks
Enables hybrid wired / wireless networks – simplifying system design
Decreases labor and material costs
Ideal for retrofit or fixture level control applications
Key Applications for nWiFi
Wired Backbone Elimination
• Wirelessly connects standalone wired zones
(e.g., classrooms, office, etc.) to the nLight
Gateway and SensorView Software
• Hybrid wireless/wired architecture delivers
wireless benefits while maintaining
standalone reliability of CAT-5 wired zones
Fixture Level Control
• All zones communicate via facility’s existing
WiFi data network
• Eliminates requirement for nLight Bridge
device
• Eliminates longest and most costly CAT-5
cable runs
Key Applications for nWiFi… Wired Backbone Elimination
WIRED ARCHITECTURE
• All zones connected to a
Bridge via CAT-5
• Multiple Bridges and
Gateway also connect with
CAT-5
Key Applications for nWiFi… Wired Backbone Elimination
nWiFi ARCHITECTURE
• All zones communicate via
WiFi to existing WiFi
router/access point(s)
• Eliminates need for nLight
Bridges and longest CAT-5
cable runs
• Gateway is connected directly
to same LAN as WiFi
router/access point
Example Cost Analysis… Wired Backbone Elimination
WIRED ARCHITECTURE
nWiFi ARCHITECTURE
nCM PDT 9 (Sensor)
nPODM WH (WallPod)
nPP16 (Power Pack)
2 x CAT5 15FT (Cables)
CAT5 50FT (Cable for Bridge Connection)
+ Backbone Cost 1/6 of nBRG 8 KIT + (2 x CAT5 100FT)
+ cost of 2 labor hrs (~$80 / hr)
~ 22% Reduction
nCM PDT 9 (Sensor)
nPODM WH (WallPod)
nPP16 WIFI (Power Pack w/ WiFi)
2 x CAT5 15FT (Cables)
+ ~cost of 1 labor hr (~$80 / hr)
Key Applications for nWiFi
Wireless Fixture Level Control
• Ideal for warehouses, gymnasiums,
convention halls, & parking garages
• All devices communicate via existing WiFi
router/access point(s)
• Provides fixture-level addressability/remote
operation
• Eliminates all CAT-5 between fixtures reducing labor and material costs
Key Applications for nWiFi
Wireless Fixture Level Control
• Enables assignment of each fixture into
dozens of dynamic groups (i.e., All, Rows,
Columns, Zones, Alternating, etc.)
• Reverts to standalone operation if WiFi
network is down
• Optional integrated occupancy and photocell
control
• Allows creation and activation of group
presets
Key Applications for nWiFi… Wireless Fixture Level Control
WIRED ARCHITECTURE
• All sensors connected via
CAT-5
• Bus power supplies needed
• CAT-5 connection to Bridge
also required
• High labor and material
costs (~$25 a unit in cabling)
Key Applications for nWiFi… Wireless Fixture Level Control
nWiFi ARCHITECTURE
• All sensors communicate via
existing WIFI router/access
point(s)
• Eliminates all CAT5 between
sensors
• All devices are self-powered
• Devices can be assigned to
dozens of custom groups
enabling preset control
nWiFi Products
Power Pack (nPP16 WIFI)
• Switches 16A @ 120/277 VAC
• Powers itself & supplies 40 mA of bus power per RJ-45 port (2)
• Integrated current monitoring
Fixture Mount Sensor (nCMRB 6 WIFI / nCMRB 10 WIFI)
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•
•
•
Switches 800W/1200W @ 120/277 VAC (single phase)
Powers itself and supplies 10 mA of bus power RJ-45 port
Optional integrated photocell
Coming Soon: Integrated 0-10 VDC dimming & current
monitoring
Power Supply (nPS 80 WIFI)
• Functions as nWiFi uplink device for a wired
nLight zone
• Powers itself and supplies 40 mA of bus
power per RJ-45 port
nWiFi Products
Power Pack (nPP16 WIFI)
• Switches 16A @ 120/277 VAC
• Powers itself & supplies 40 mA of bus power per RJ-45 port (2)
• Integrated current monitoring
Now
Shipping!
Fixture Mount Sensor (nCMRB xx WIFI)
•
•
•
•
Switches 800W/1200W @ 120/277 VAC (single phase)
Powers itself and supplies 10 mA of bus power RJ-45 port
Optional integrated photocell
Coming Soon: Integrated 0-10 VDC dimming & current
monitoring
Power Supply (nPS 80 WIFI)
• Functions as nWiFi uplink device for a wired
nLight zone
• Powers itself and supplies 40 mA of bus
power per RJ-45 port
WiFi Technology
Why WiFi?…because its everywhere!
• Leverages existing WiFi infrastructure within a building
• Proven and most widely used wireless networking
standard
• Doesn’t overlay a different wireless protocol onto existing
wireless data network, eliminating the potential for
interference issues
• Enables simple commissioning via common WiFienabled computers or tablets
• No need to supply proprietary wireless network hardware
to support proprietary wireless protocols
• Ubiquitous acceptance of WiFi by IT personnel
• Uses trusted WPA2 AES encryption technologies for
secure communications
WiFi Technology
How does nWiFi work?
• All nWiFi devices communicate through a WiFi
router or access point…nWiFi devices do not
communicate directly with each other
• All devices must be in range of a WiFi access
point/router (802.11b/g/n)
• All nWiFi devices are given a unique IP address
by local WiFi router or LAN
• Other nLight devices can be wired to local port(s)
on nWiFi device via CAT-5 cabling as normal
• nWiFi devices act as a single port bridge for its
locally connected zone
• nWiFi networks that require Time-Based profiles,
GreenScreen, or BACnet plug-ins require an 2nd
generation nLight Gateway (nGWY2)
Additional nWiFi Capabilities
New Global Channel Functionality
In addition to the “Local” channels used today in wired
nLight zones, new “Global” channel functionality has
been added to the nLight architecture:
• With traditional wired nLight systems, devices within a
zone communicate common occupancy, photocell, and
switch information over “local channels”
• “Global channel” functionality enables communication of
this information between zones as well
• This provides enhanced design flexibility for applications requiring master control stations or
centralized relays
• Since each nWiFi device functions as its own zone (ie Bridge port), in order to control devices
together nWIFI devices can broadcast/track on local and/or global channels
• 128 global channels are available within an nLight network
Additional nWiFi Capabilities
New Global Channel Functionality (cont.)
For example…
• The white squares to the right represent a fixture with an
nWiFi device
• A common global channel would be tracked by all
devices within each colored area
• On/Off/ & Dim Level control of each area would then be
possible via standard nLight WallPods (set to broadcast on
a particular global channel)
• Each nWiFi device can be set to track any/all or the 128
global channels
• Each device can be assigned multiple global channels
based on its location or type (i.e. All Rows, Columns,
Alternating, Load Shed eligible, Custom, etc.)
• Simultaneous control of multiple global channels
(referred to as a Global Preset) is possible via a scene
selector Wallpod
Warehouse w/ multiple global
channel assignments per device
Commissioning of nWiFi
• SensorView running in WiFi commissioning mode can
directly connect and configure nWIFI devices
• nWiFi devices are factory set to auto-detect and join an
open WiFi network that has “nLight” at the start of its SSID
(network can be provided by using a temporary WiFi router for
commissioning or via the existing access point/router network)
• Once connected, SSID & Password credentials are reset to permanent and secure
WiFi network
• Startup of nWiFi networks by Acuity Brands Controls field tech is required (model #
nSTARTUP)
Common nWiFi Questions
Q: With the addition of nWiFi devices on my network, what is the estimated increase in data traffic?
A: The addition of the nWiFi devices on a wireless network has minimal impact on the network. Network traffic
will be limited to periodic and event-based 50 byte packets of data.
Q: What type of network security is used by nWiFi?
A: nWiFi utilizes standard WPA2, AES encryption.
Q: What is the range of nWiFi?
A: nWiFi fully conforms to 802.11b/g/n. Consult the network administrator for the specific coverage area of
WiFi network. (Translation: if your smart phone can connect, so will an nWiFi device!)
Q: Does Sensor Switch provide WiFi network equipment and/or services?
A: No, Sensor Switch does not provide and WiFi network equipment or services (ie WiFi routers and access
points), only products that have the ability to connect to an existing WiFi network.
Q: What is the cost versus a wired nLight system?
A: The cost of an nWiFi system can be significantly less than a traditional nLight wired network as Bridge
devices and all backbone CAT-5 cables are eliminated… and don’t forget about installation savings!
Q: How many nWiFi devices can be added to WiFi network?
A: This is dependent on the configuration class of the network (Class C = 255, Class B = 65,535) and the
device limitations of the router and/or access point. Consult your building’s WiFi network administrator for
specifics about the router or access point used.
For more answers to FAQs go to http://www.sensorswitch.com/nWiFi
Wireless Competitive Landscape
Standard-based Protocol
WIFI
EnOcean
Networked
Standalone
ZigBee
wiHUBB™
Proprietary Protocol
Networked Wireless Landscape
System Highlights
wiHUBB™
vs. nWiFi
• Intelligent wireless occ/photocell sensor
• “Dumb” power pack module
• Sensor per fixture based architecture
• Focused on retrofit of commercial office space
• Less flexibility and architect
appeal due to sensor per fixture
optimized architecture
• Limited wall controls
• Network of ZigBee enabled sensor-interface
devices and power packs
• ZigBee-enabled “Gateway” uplinks to system
software
• Limited group control options
• 3rd party sensors and wall
stations
• Network of ZigBee enabled sensors, power packs,
and wall controls
• Core intelligence based in ZigBee “Area Controller”
• 3rd party control devices
• Area Controller is point of
failure for downstream zone
• “SNAP” protocol mesh network of wireless power
packs and “wiHubb Access Point” modules
• Access Points wire to LAN and serve web-based
software screens
• Sensors and WallPods wire to wireless
“SmartPack”
• Opposite architecture to nWiFi,
i.e. wireless zones & wired
backbone
• Proprietary protocol
• 900 MHz is more apt for
interference
nWiFi... Going beyond stand-alone wireless
Wireless technology is commonly used in two different types of lighting control applications.
Compared below, nWiFi provides the best in class networked wireless solution.
Features
Network Wireless
Standalone Wireless
Scalability
Scales from single room up to entire buildings or
campus control networks
Limited to single-room applications
Wiring
Eliminates CAT-5 runs between rooms
Eliminates CAT-5 runs within a room
Power
Utilizes line or
network-supplied power
One or more devices typically require
batteries or self-harvested power
Interoperability
Easily interfaces with
nLIGHT wired controls
Not intended for hybrid wired/wireless
networks
Control Variability
Dynamic Control
(including time-based operation)
Fixed operation
Wireless Requirements
Shares a facility’s existing
WiFi data network
Layers additional wireless networks on top
of a facility’s existing data networks
Interference
Use of standards based data protocol
(802.11n) on a shared WiFi network
provides assurance against
wireless interference
Use of dedicated and/or proprietary wireless
protocols introduces potential for
interference
Remote Operation
Yes, via SensorView software on
PC/laptop or via smart phone/tablet apps
Limited
Ability to Network
Network Addressability – both via nLight
address and IP address
Not inherently networked