See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/267243898

Design and Construction of an Automated Hybrid Lighting System

Article · January 2011

DOI: 10.1115/ES2011-54425

CITATIONS READS

0 156

3 authors, including:

María Milagrosa Pérez Sánchez Ernesto Ordonez

Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán
6 PUBLICATIONS   6 CITATIONS    5 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Espacios exteriores para el turismo View project

All content following this page was uploaded by María Milagrosa Pérez Sánchez on 17 April 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Proceedings of the ASME 2011 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability
ES2011
August 7-10, 2011, Washington, DC, USA

ES2011-54

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN AUTOMATED HYBRID LIGHTING SYSTEM

Maria M. Pérez Sánchez Josué A. Alonzo Chavarria Eduardo E. Ordoñez López

Universidad Autónoma de
Yucatán
Facultad de Ingeniería
Av. Industrias no contaminantes
s/n x Periférico norte
Mérida, Yucatán, México
Tel (99) 9300550 Fax
(99)9300589
email: sperez@uady.mx
Universidad Autónoma de
Yucatán
Facultad de Ingeniería
Av. Industrias no contaminantes
s/n x Periférico norte
Mérida, Yucatán, México
Tel (99) 9300550 Fax
(99)9300589
email: joshi.alonzo@gmail.com
Universidad Autónoma de
Yucatán
Facultad de Ingeniería
Av. Industrias no contaminantes
s/n x Periférico norte
Mérida, Yucatán, México
Tel (99) 9300550 Fax
(99)9300589
email: eordonez@uady.mx

ABSTRACT represents the opportunity to take advantage of high solar

The lighting systems of homes and workplaces today must
be constantly redesigned to be environmentally friendly,
sustainable, healthy and ergonomic. This requires maximizing
the flow of daylight into indoors, minimizing the amount of
pollutants used in their manufacture, long durability materials
considered in the design, maximizing energy efficiency of the
lighting system components, mimicking the spectrum of natural
light and providing some control of lighting modes by the user.
Taking into account all these considerations, it is proposed the
design and construction of an intelligent lighting system that
regulates the use of natural and artificial light, prioritizing the
availability of the former over the latter in order to be
implemented in housing in the region of the Yucatán peninsula.
To achieve this goal, it is designed and built a light sensor
with its own signal conditioning circuit, a light tube of stainless
steel with luminous flux control, a dimming circuit for a lamp
that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a control system
with a PIC18f4550 micro controller.
INTRODUCTION
It is estimated that energy consumption for lighting in
Mexico represents approximately 18% of total electricity
consumption [1]. Therefore, in order to reduce energy
consumption, it is important to attack an easier problem as
lighting. The use of natural light saves on electricity
consumption up to 100% in daytime [2] and if it is automated
the flow control of natural and artificial indoor lighting
systems, then, energy consumption should be even less,
approximately 13 to 50% energy savings [3]. Considering that
Mexico is located in a position close to the equator, it
radiation incident in the region. An additional problem is that of
the ambient lighting comfort. Static artificial lighting, to which
people are exposed throughout the day, is manifested in adverse
health effects such as stress, fatigue or sleep disorders, among
others [4, 5]. To resolve this problem, it should be maximized
as far as possible the flow of natural light in indoors. In
addition, it should be used artificial light sources that attempt to
mimic the radiation spectrum and the variability of daylight.
There are several proposals for automated lighting systems
that try to take advantage of the flow of natural light.
Commonly it is considered to monitor the levels of illumination
in a room to adjust the power of a fluorescent lamp and thus
compensate the lack of illumination [6]. Another way, it is to
consider a system of tubular transport day lighting as a heliostat
and coordinate the lamp dimming by means of a system of
control [7]. Another way of lighting control is the use of
infrared sensors to detect movement has been widely used in
lighting design and its combination with the regulation of the
lamps increases energy savings [8].
To continue this line of prototype automated lighting
systems, in the present research, it is proposed the design and
construction of a hybrid lighting system that integrates
automated control of the flow of natural and artificial light,
setting the priority of the former over the latter to obtain a
healthy lighting environment to increase energy savings. To
facilitate the design and construction, the hybrid lighting
system consists of four automated subsystems: the
measurement system, illuminated natural system, artificial
lighting system and control system. In Fig. 1, it can see each of
the subsystems and their interaction with daylight and the light
environment of the enclosed space. The block diagrams shown,
the light signal is marked with yellow arrows and the electrical

1 Copyright © 2011 by ASME

signal with black arrows. Any way, it can see the whole system
and subsystems performance.
The input signal is the light value that is perceived by the
measurement system. The output of this system is an electrical
signal that is ready to be processed in the control system.
According to certain algorithms, the control system acts on the
natural lighting system and artificial lighting system in order to
modify the light environment of enclosed space. The
Fig. 3: Photo resistor with diffuser (photography).
modification for the illuminance is seen again as a feedback
light signal in the measurement system.
For luminance against resistance curve of the LDR (Light
Dependent Resistor or Photo resistor) is designed an
experimental setup using two lux meters calibrated according
photonics response curve to measure the illuminance, a
temperature sensor to verify the independence of the LDR
curve with respect to temperature variations, a multi meter to
measure the variable resistance and an incandescent lamp with
dimmer (Fig. 4).

Fig. 1. Automated Hybrid lighting system

MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
As a fundamental part of the closed loop control system is
necessary to implement a light sensor to provide luminance
levels at a representative point of the field of illumination of the
room every certain amount of time to perform adjustment
operations. Thus, it is proposed the design of an illuminance
measurement system through the characterization of a photo
resistor with diffuser and the design of its own signal
conditioning circuit (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
Fig. 4: Experimental Setup
The dimmer will vary the intensity of the lightbulb and
got a reading of illuminance. It was used two lux meters to
ensure that the LDR that was being characterized, were actually
receiving an illuminance equal to the perceptible on the lux
meters. The data logger recorded temperature readouts to
ensure that there were not many changes (Fig. 5).

Fig. 2: Photo resistor with diffuser.

Fig. 5: Photo resistor characterization.

2 Copyright © 2011 by ASME

 Then, it was used data from the characterization of photo
resistor R1 = A/Eα to choose the value of a fixed value resistor
R2 and make a voltage divider with two resistors, so that can be
measured illuminance values in the range from 0 to 400 lux.
The output voltage of the voltage divider was placed at the
input of analog to digital converter (ADC) of the PIC18F4550
micro controller. The reading is done with voltage. To increase
the response time for the light sensor circuit, it was designed a
first-order low pass band to keep the information acquired by
the control system to conduct constant adjustment operations.
The capacitor was chosen for a cutoff frequency of fc = 10 Hz
by the equation:
1 natural lighting in building interiors is not enough to provide
f c=
2 πR TH C
where
R1 R2
RTH = + R3
R1 + R2
A combination of R3 and C was chosen, so that the cutoff
frequency was found between 9 to 11 Hz for the range of
illuminance measurement (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6: Photo resistor and Signal Conditioning
The nonlinearity of the LDR affect the accuracy of the
illuminance values collected after passing through the truncate
operations of analog to digital converter [8], which is why,
there was the division of the measuring range from 0 to 400 lux
in 20, which it were designated as illuminance levels. Thus, the
measurement system can detect 20 levels of illuminance and an
additional one to measure more than 400 lux, which is
sufficient to measure the illuminance in a room.
The system is represented in figure 7. The light sensor
(LDR in the voltage divider) receives the light signal from the
light environment of the enclosed space and passes through a
signal conditioning (lowpass filter).
Fig. 7: Measurement System
NATURAL LIGHTING SYSTEM
When it is designed a lighting system for a house,
building or any structure in general, is essential to inquire about
the availability of natural light into the structure, this may be
affected by latitude, temperature, climate and surrounding
structures. To take advantage of the flow of natural light inside,
the building is done in an optimal position favorable to the path
of the sun throughout the year. In interior design, fenestration,
the ratio of depths and heights, and the relationship between
adjacent spaces are the key considerations. Later, it follows the
design of the positions, sizes and shapes of windows. If the
comfortably light levels it is necessary to design a day lighting
system which provides natural shading, daylight transport or
elimination of glare.
In the proposed design, it is intended to provide a
comprehensive solution for lighting of structures in general.
However, certain day lighting systems are more suitable for
certain types of climates than others, and lighting modes
suitable for a certain (s) type(s) of room(s) or structure(s).
Because of its simplicity in construction and ease to implement
a flow light control, it is chosen the use of light tubes of
stainless steel with mirror finish.
The parameters of light tubes are shown the design length
L, diameter D and transmittance function T to be determined.
This transmittance function is given by the reflectance R of the
inner material, the aspect ratio L/D and the angle of incidence
of the source of light θ.
Fig. 8: Light Tube and Fresnel Lens
This material has a reflectance as lower than the
commercial light tubes. However, it is likely that the wide
availability of solar resources in the region of southeastern
Mexico is sufficient to provide optimum levels of illumination
indoors. It was constructed a light tube with aspect ratio (L/D =
3) with L = 75 cm and D = 25 cm. At the top of the light tube
was placed a Fresnel lens in order to redirect inside the light
(Fig. 8).
The design parameters of light tubes are the length L, the
diameter D and the reflectance R of the material. The
performance of light pipes is measured by taking into account
the transmittance T which additionally to aspect ratio L/D and
reflectance R, depends on the angle of incidence θ of the light
source, in this case, the sun. Thus: T = T (L, D, R, θ)
3 Copyright © 2011 by ASME
 Additionally, it was designed and installed a swivel gate
on the light tube (Fig. 9, 10 and 11). Here, they move through a
servomotor that produces gradual rotation for opening and
closing either, manually or automatically.
Fig. 9: Light Tube and Swivel Gate.
Fig. 10: Swivel Gate.
Fig. 11: Acrylic Piece of Swivel Gate
In the swivel gate was placed a servomotor as it can be
seen in Fig. 9. It was used two thin sheets of stainless steel
with mirror finish to be fastened with screws to a piece of
acrylic (Fig. 10). In the acrylic piece were made several
cuts to accommodate the shaft, the servomotor and
screws.
Thus, the screws holds the steel pieces, the acrylic piece
and the servomotor at the same time.
A signal of 50 Hz square wave pulse width modulated (PWM)
to fix the angular displacement of the swivel gate, which in turn
is generated by the PIC18F4550 microcontroller (Fig. 12). The
day lighting system has two input signals. One is the electrical
signal that controls the flow of light that passes through the
light tube. The light enters the tube and varies due to the
amount of reflections that light rays performed on the walls and
also depends on the opening angle of the swivel gate.
Fig. 12. Daylight system.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING SYSTEM
It is after that it has seen all the factors that facilitate the
intrusion of natural light into the building, which is suitable to
perform the design of artificial lighting system, since humans
can´t control the availability of natural light, but the light
artificial. As an alternative to artificial light source, it is used an
LED lamp, since it is considered the greenest option today by
for its long durability and lack of pollutants emitted. To control
the lamp it was designed and built a buck converter circuit that
provides a variable power-controlled pulse width modulation at
the frequency of 10 kHz (Fig. 13).
Fig. 13: Buck Converter
In the same way that occurs to the servomotor, the square
wave signal is generated via the PIC18F4550 microcontroller.
Also, a characterization of the illumination was provided by the
lamp for a distance to a work surface. According to this
4 Copyright © 2011 by ASME
information, it makes the programming of the lighting modes of
the control system.
Fig. 14: Artificial Lighting System
CONTROL SYSTEM
Once the system is designed to provide information
measured from the light environment, as well as control by the
microcontroller interfaces throughout the servomotor of light
tube and the buck converter circuit for the LED lamp, is
possible to program the lighting modes of the system control.
Each of these modes are selectable via a 4x4 matrix keyboard
and LCD screen interface with the microcontroller (Fig. 15).
Fig. 15: Control System
Lighting modes of the system control
Off Mode: This is the easiest way. It Minimize the
luminous flux of LED lamp and light tube.
Manual Mode: In this mode, it can vary the angular
displacement of the swivel gate of light tube and the intensity
of a lamp that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with
independent PWM signals through the keyboard. The variation
of the luminous flux can be done gradually so fine between a
minimum and a maximum value given in 10 discrete steps
between the minimum and maximum.
Constant Natural Lighting Automatic Mode: The
measurement system sends information to the micro level of
illuminance. If the illuminance level is greater than some value
called illuminance of Adjustment, the swivel gate of light pipe
close enough to the level of light received by the sensor is equal
to the value of illuminance of adjustment. If the illuminance
level is below a certain value called adjustment illuminance, the
swivel gate of light pipe is open enough so that the illuminance
level sensed by the sensor is equal to the value of illuminance
of Adjustment. The lid can only rotate between the angular
displacement that it is totally horizontal and vertical fully. To
prevent the control system from constantly make adjustments to
changes in lighting, it has been designated a range of hysteresis.
If the measured illuminance value is greater than the
illuminance adjustment range of hysteresis, there will be an
adjustment, if the measured illuminance value is less than the
least fit illuminance range of hysteresis, there will be an
adjustment. Illuminance value adjustment can be varied from
the keyboard.
Constant Artificial Lighting Automatic Mode: The
measurement system sends information of illuminance level to
the microcontroller. If the illuminance level is greater than
some value called illuminance of adjustment, the intensity of
the LED lamp decrease enough to the level of light received by
the sensor is equal to the value of illuminance of adjustment. If
the illuminance level is less than the illuminance of adjustment,
the intensity of the LED lamp enough to increase the level of
light received by the sensor is equal to the value of illuminance
of adjustment. The lamp can only vary between 0 and 100% of
rated maximum. To prevent the control system from constantly
make adjustments to changes in lighting, it has been designated
a range of hysteresis in the same way as in the previous mode.
Illuminance value adjustment can be varied from the keyboard.
Constant Combined Lighting Automatic Mode: This
mode is a combination of the two previous lighting modes. The
measurement system sends information of illuminance level to
the microcontroller. The difference is that the lamp and the
swivel gate of the light tube do not word at the same time. If the
illuminance level is below a certain value called adjustment
illuminance, the swivel gate of light tube is open enough so that
the illuminance level sensed by the photoresistor be equal to the
value of illuminance of adjustment. If the swivel gate has
reached its maximum opening (vertical), LED lamp starts to
light up gradually until the level of light received by the sensor
is equal to the value of illuminance of adjustment. If the
illuminance level is greater than some value called illuminance
of adjustment, the intensity of the LED light decrease enough to
the level of light received by the sensor is equal to the value of
illuminance of adjustment. If the lamp is turned off completely,
the swivel gate of light pipe close enough until the level of light
received by the sensor is equal to the value of illuminance of
adjustment. This logic is implemented considering the premise
of natural light over the artificial with the idea of recreating a
healthier, economic and ergonomic lightning environment.
Similarly to the previous case, it has set a range of hysteresis
and illuminance level of adjustment can be set manually with
the keyboard.
5 Copyright © 2011 by ASME
 Variable Artificial Lighting- Automatic Mode: This
lighting mode, unlike the others, it should never have a closed
loop control since it does not use the information provided by
the sensor. Instead, take information from a real time clock that
provides time of day. According to the hour, an adjustment of
the luminous flux of the LEDs is done. In the programming
algorithm, time of day is replaced in a sinusoidal luminance
function has a valley that is called Minimum Iluminance value
and a peak value of illuminance called Maximus Illuminance.
The idea is to provide an artificial light environment with a
variable automated lighting. The values of minimum and
maximum illuminance can be adjusted manually using the
keyboard.
EVALUATION
A test to the lighting modes was carried out under
controlled experimental setup in a dark room. An incandescent
lamp with a dimmer was adapted, an information variable
illuminance levels was detected by the measurement system
designed and sent to the control system. According to the
selected mode, the illumination changes, it simulates a variable
light source (the sun) and verified the performance of each of
the modes described in the lighting control system (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16: Experimental setup under controlled conditions
In February and march months, the operation modes were
verified under natural light conditions with a model. Model
have a basement of 1.20m and 1.20m, height of 1.80m. The
diagram of the experimental setup under natural conditions is
shown in Fig. 17.
Fig. 17: Experimental Setup under Natural Conditions
From the evaluation under natural conditions, it was
concluded that:
• the use of mirror finish stainless steel on the
construction of a light tube can provide recommended
minimum levels of illuminance in homes and
workplaces in the region of Yucatán (illuminances
greater than 300 lux),
• it is desirable to implement a swivel gate in a light
tube to reduce and eliminate excessive illuminance
produced at times near noon (10:00 am to 2: 00pm),
• and a automated adjustment is necessary in the light
environment of space enclosed by the measurement
system and artificial lighting system to achieve the
minimum illumination levels near of dawn hours (6:00
am to 8: 00am) and evening hours (4:00 pm to 6:00
pm).
It is expected to assess the performance of the light tube,
comparing system performance using Fresnel lens and using
simple acrylic tops in the collection system (Fig. 18). It is
aimed to make measurements of transmittance (ratio of internal
illuminance external illuminance) to compare different aspect
ratio and to observe the solar radiation behavior of the Yucatan
region with different angles of incidence (several times a day).
Fig. 18: Light Tube with Fresnel Lens
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors want to thank to the Mexican Council for Science
and Technology and to the Government of the Yucatan State for
the financial support granted to carry out this study through the
project YUC-2008-C06-107327 (Fondo Mixto CONACyT-
Gobierno del Estado de Yucatán).
6 Copyright © 2011 by ASME
REFERENCES
[1] SENER. (2010). Consumo energético de electricidad
en México. Recuperado de:
http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/prensa/sener/?contenido=
51799
[2] Callow J (2003). Daylighting using tubular light guide
System. University of Nottingham.
[3] Di Louie Craig (2006). Advanced Lighting Controls:
Energy Savings, Productivity, Technology and Applications.
First Edition. The Fairmonth Press. USA.
[4] Juslén, Henri (2006). Lighting, productivity and
preferred illuminances –field studies in the industrial
environment. Doctoral thesis. Lighting Laboratory, Helsinki
university of Technology, Finland.
View publication stats
[5] Arnold J. Wilkins. Health and efficiency in lighting
practice. Energy and buildings, Volume 18, Issue 2, Pages 123-
129.
[6] Lim Yee Hwa (2007). Lighting Control System Using
Microcontroller. Proyect report. School of Electrical System
Engineering. Malaysia Perlis University. Malasia.
[7] J.B. AIZENBERG (1997). Principal New Hollow
Light Guide system “Heliobus” for Daylighting and Artificial
Lighting of Central Zones of Multi Storey Buildings.RIGHT
LIGHT 4, Volumen 2. Russia.
[8] Pallas Areny Ramón, Webster John G. (2008).Sensors
and Signal Conditioning. Alfaomega. Second Edition. John
Willey and Sons. USA.
7 Copyright © 2011 by ASME