Sparks Electrical News January 2017

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SPARKS
ELECTRICAL NEWS JANUARY 2017
LIGHTING 17
THE ‘INTERNET OF THINGS’
LIGHTING THE
WAY TOWARDS
SUSTAINABLE
LIVING
The ‘Internet of Things’ (sometimes also re-
ferred to as the ‘Internet of Everything’ or
IoE) generally refers to the multiple net-
works of devices or technology platforms (‘things’)
that communicate with each other via wireless pro-
tocols and without direct human interaction.
IoT is not a single network. It is a concept that
encompasses a multitude of independent, but
complementary networks in various service sec-
tors such as:
• Efficient energy distribution: smart grids.
• Home automation systems.
• Vehicular traffic management.
• Healthcare services.
• Public safety.
• Industrial and manufacturing.
• Environment.
• Farming.
• Owlet IoT integration
Owlet IoT is a next generation lighting control net-
work or system, based on cellular star and thread
mesh technology. All lighting controllers on a
typical application will be equipped with a cellular
(2G/3G) modem and Low Power Radio Frequency
(LPRF) thread mesh transmitter and receiver.
The Owlet IoT system will create islands of LPRF
networks with each device connected to the mesh
network through the IPv6/IPv4 backbone and a
border router.
The new Owlet IoT system will use ‘Open
Standards’, the system that will enable the easy
integration with larger smart city platforms.
The Owlet IoT system is, in fact, a combina-
tion of an in-depth performing road and street
city lighting management application, capable
to exchange data or interoperate with neigh-
bouring systems. The Owlet IoT platform will
be bringing with it easy commissioning benefit
coupled with a simple scalable and expandable
architecture.
For a presentation or more information on
the Owlet IoT, contact Sibusiso Skosana at
Enquiries: +27 11 238 0069
The Owlet ‘IoT’ Street Lighting Control System
THE City of Tshwane hosted the recent annual
Tshwane Green Ride, which is a cycling event that
aims to promote cycling as a viable alternative
mode of transport with the attendant benefits
of being economical, environmentally-friendly
and healthy. The ride forms part of an outreach
programme known as Tshwane Green managed
by the City Sustainability Unit, an advisory unit in
the Office of the Executive Mayor of the City of
Tshwane. Tshwane Green promotes the benefits
of sustainable living to a wide range of stakehold-
ers through innovative and participatory means.
BEKA Schréder, leading local manufacturer of
LED luminaires, was a proud sponsor and par-
ticipant of this important initiative. The event took
place at the Central Sports Grounds, adjacent to
the HM Pitje Stadium, in Mamelodi West.
BEKA Schréder’s Sibusiso Skosana says the
ride was “a huge success” with the executive
mayor of Tshwane, Tshepiso Msimanga, leading
the way.
“Riders from all walks of life participated, rid-
ing the route that went via Simon Vermooten
Road, which has recently been aligned with the
Tshwane BRT route, and has been illuminated by
BEKA Schréder’s LEDlume streetlight range and
controlled by Schréder’s Owlet Telemanagement
system,” explains Skosana.
“The objective of the ride was to demonstrate
that cycling is a mode of transport that can be
used in any environment – it should not be treat-
ed as an ‘elite sport’ only – and to highlight the
importance of appropriate infrastructure so that
people have the choice to cycle, whether it be for
recreational purposes or a safe form of commut-
ing.
“We are proud to have been part of this impor-
tant initiative and look forward to many more to
come,” says Skosana.
Enquiries: +27 11 238 0069
The BEKA Schréder team.