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2018 is starting out as another leap forward in SENSO’s growth. As spring tentatively approaches we have invested in another substantial piece of equipment. We were all eagerly awaiting it’s arrival, and when it finally arrived it was all hands on deck to get it off the truck and through our production facility.
Check out the video bellow to see us hard at work receiving our new machine.
And comment bellow if you’d like to guess what it is!
Bluetooth beacons are an emerging technology that can help you connect with customers and improve business through localized internet content. For part three of Senso’s five-part series on the Xicato XIM module, we’re taking a closer look at beacons.
Beacons are devices that transmit a set signal to the surrounding area. This signal can then be picked up and interpreted by other devices, such as through an app on a smartphone.
Think of the beacon as a lighthouse—stationary and transmitting a signal—and all the smartphones as the ships that can see and interpret the signal. For example, if you’re approaching a restaurant chain, the beacon could transmit information about the menu and lunch features.
The Xicato XIM module is compatible with three types of beacons: Eddystone, iBeacon, and AltBeacon.
Designed by Google, Eddystone-URL ties a shorted URL to a specific device and broadcasts the link so users within range can access the chosen website. Google’s open beacon format allows you to manage beacons remotely, integrates with Google services, and works with both iOS and Android systems.
iBeacon is native to the iOS platform and compatible with Android. It uses a universal unique identifier (UUID) plus ‘major’ and ‘minor’ values for more specific information. For example, if you’re using beacons for a department store, the UUID would identify the company, the major value would be tied to the particular location of that store, and minor values would provide information related to specific departments within that store.
Created by Radius Networks AltBeacon is an open-source beacon format that allows for application-specific rather than company-specific UUIDs. AltBeacon has similar functionality to iBeacon.
Lighting systems are an efficient and effective place to mount beacons, and the XIM module’s compatibility with beacons offers an exciting new dimension for your business—just one of many reasons Senso is a big fan of the module.
Stay tuned for part four of our series on the Xicato XIM module—we’ll be talking about motion detection and daylight harvesting.
Controls and dimming
Set the mood. Lower the lights. Or crank them up. Maybe you want to automate specific scenes or time lighting changes in advance. Xicato’s XIM module offers exceptional controls for its smooth dimming experience.
Senso Lighting is a big fan of Xicato, and so for part two of our five-part series on the XIM module, we’re focusing on its superior dimming and controls.
Dimming
First, the quality of the dimming is important. Xicato offers affordable, quality dimming that is deep and smooth, with no flickering anywhere in its dimming range. Robust dimming capabilities offer almost limitless options: whether it’s to create ambience in your home, light up a performer on stage, or create the optimal mood for your business, dimming can do the job.
Just as important, XIM modules can be programmed to different scenes throughout the day based on your changing needs. Adaptive lighting customizes your lighting design to a range of different uses, and also provides excellent energy savings.
Controls
XIM modules offer three different control methods: standard 0-10V dimmer switches, networked DALI control, and Bluetooth. Each module comes with an integrated 0-10V or DALI driver, and both have the Bluetooth control option available.
With DALI controls, you can automate dimming with more complex capability, such as scenes and timed lighting. You’ll also be able to connect other DALI fixtures to your main controls, giving you easy access to your entire lighting network.
Bluetooth control eliminates all control wiring: all you need is an iOS device. Using the control panel on a laptop with a USB dongle, you can group fixtures, set scenes and maximum intensities, and see lifetime operations of individual fixtures. Because you can easily configure modules individually, Bluetooth control cuts programming costs significantly.
Reaching Farther
Bluetooth control is limited by signal strength, and Xicato has a solution for controlling lights across large areas. The Xicato Gateway acts as a boosted signal that can reaches farther than a standard Bluetooth driver. To cover large distances, combine multiple gateways—you can control them all through a single laptop.
Have a large-scale project? Senso can provide on-site commissioning of Xicato Gateways.
Stay tuned to learn more about Bluetooth and Beacon technology in our next XIM module post.
The Leto 11 starts with a heavy gauge aluminum extrusion. As with all SENSO fixtures it is built to stand the test of time. Internal parts have been machined for tight tolerances and exceptional fit. The powder coat provides you with a tough scratch resistant finish and a modern aesthetic. Engineered stainless steel aircraft cable suspension is available in multiple configuration styles while delivering uncompromising security.
The new thermal design allows a higher lumen package then ever before. It also features a cast aluminum baffle which creates an unmatched lit-up effect. It is modern, elegant, and will integrate into any space. New aperture accessories allow you to create th exact look and performance you desire.
With the latest technology from Xicato, the Leto 11 has a 1×2 macadam ellipse LED for industry leading color accuracy. The advanced LED module can be programmed with Bluetooth, Dali, and 0-10V dimming control down to 0.1%. It also contains built-in diagnostics which allow us to provide a 5 year warranty for complete peace of mind.
Making light human again: human centric lighting, colour tuning, and smart lighting
Imagine that a room’s lighting can change to match your desired mood. Do you want to be productive? Creative? Focused? Calm? Or maybe you want to be able to control your lighting for maximum energy efficiency? All of these are possible with the newest trends in lighting.
An approach called human centric lighting is about calibrating our lighting to support our needs. Humans have a physical relationship to light, having relied on the sun and the changing quality of light throughout the day to set our circadian rhythms. Brighter light rich in blue content can help us be more alert and productive, while dimmer, warmer light calms us down.
Today, we are surrounded by artificial light, and lighting designers and engineers are striving to create lighting that works with our biology. Controlling light dimming and colour temperature properly can have benefits for mood, performance and visual acuity, while also improving sustainability.
A study conducted by the University of Mississippi found that students exposed to four different lighting settings designed to complement their activities experienced increases in performance 33% higher than students in the control group. Another study in an industrial setting by LightingEurope found that, while a human centric lighting system did increase costs, productivity and staff retention went up while sick days and accidents went down.
LEDs are uniquely equipped to deliver human centric lighting through a method called colour tuning. Through dim-to-warm tuning (mimicking the familiar warm glow of incandescent lights), white colour tuning (adjusting light temperature), and full colour tuning (providing colour anywhere on the visible spectrum), LEDs can provide a huge range of lighting with subtle variations—perfect for human centric lighting.
Another piece of the puzzle is the trend towards smart lighting. Part of the greater smart appliance movement and the Internet of things, smart lighting involves lighting design that adjusts based on the needs of the occupants. That can be as simple as using sensors to switch lights off automatically when a room is vacant, or more complex, like responding to ambient daylight. Smart lighting can mesh with human centric lighting beautifully by changing lighting settings throughout the day or according to business schedules.
Human centric lighting, colour tuning, and smart lighting are exciting and emerging fields in lighting technology. If you want to learn more, here are some great resources and articles:
