New-Tech Europe Magazine | September 2018

mode constant-current-control LED driver IC, which delivers excellent accuracy, line and load regulation of the LED current without any need for loop compensation or high-side current sensing. Offering dimming from 0% to 100% and pre-configured for a 12W LED array, the extension board can run LEDs from 10W up to 45W via the simple adjustment of a sense resistor and inductor. Tying in with the Microchip PoE development platform are technologies from Cree Inc., another key partner for the Cisco initiative and a leading innovator in the LED semiconductor lighting field. In particular, Cree’s SmartCast Intelligence Platform combines the company’s advanced PoE LED lighting network with innovative analytics software, enabling the collection of data acquired from integrated lighting sensors to provide energy recommendations that can lower maintenance costs and improve productivity. Essentially, the platform eliminates the need for separate data and high-voltage power connections by providing power and networking for lighting via Ethernet cabling. All Cree’s SmartCast lights, switches and dimmers are compliant with Cisco’s PoE-powered network architecture. Enabling Digital Buildings Major commercial initiatives from major networking infrastructure companies such as Cisco, the development of key standards and communication protocols – Power-over-Ethernet and CoAP, for example – and new products and

establishes a common language for lighting, HVAC, audio-visual and security access systems. As well as being very easy to install, other key elements include a fan-less design and a range of integrated security features such as segmented application networking and continuous policy-based threat protection. Importantly, Cisco has built up a partner ecosystem for its digital building solutions, working with key manufacturers and suppliers in various fields including lighting, power, control and automation systems, connectivity and cabling infrastructure, and very importantly, leading semiconductor companies, which are already supporting Cisco’s initiatives with compliant devices. Compliant Devices A key example is the PIC18 Power- over-Ethernet (PoE) development platform fromMicrochip Technology. Enabling participation in Cisco’s Digital Building Ecosystem, it is a modular system that provides a universal reference design for the easy development of applications based on a PIC18 microcontroller and TCP/IP library, including CoAP. The PoE main board is offered as a stand-alone device and as part of the PIC18 PoE platform, which delivers high flexibility and scalability to developers by enabling them to combine the PoE board with a range of different extension boards that match the requirements of the application. An example extension board in the platform – targeting LED lighting applications – is a single-channel LED driver board. This integrates Microchip’s HV9861A average-

technologies from market leaders such as Microchip and Cree are all combining to make the digital building concept a reality. One that can provide building owners and businesses with the ability to deliver comfortable living and working environments that offer high energy efficiency, higher productivity and significantly reduced costs over the long term. Mark Patrick Mark joined Mouser Electronics in July 2014 having previously held senior marketing roles at RS Components. Prior to RS, Mark spent 8 years at Texas Instruments in Applications Support and Technical Sales roles and holds a first class Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering from Coventry University.

Mark Patrick, senior marketing roles at RS Components.

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