Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1414667
44 I ICT TODAY PoE Network PoE LED Lighting Fixtures Wired Sensor PoE Gateways Window Shades/Blinds User Interfaces Local LAN Wi-Fi Router AC 120-277VAC IBMS Dashboard Building Management System Conference Room Scheduling System Management Software Server for IoT Devices PoE Gateways Wireless Sensor Wireless Self Powered Wall Switches Wireless Relay/Controller(s) High Wattage LED Fixtures Audio/Visual Systems DEVICE LAYER COMMS & POWER LAYER MANAGEMENT LAYER FIGURE 4: The system utilizes PoE gateways connected to a PoE network switch to transmit IP-PoE power and communication to a variety of operational technology devices, such as LED lighting fixtures, luminaires, sensors, motorized shades, and relay/actuators. In the near future, such advancements in smart buildings will result in the ability to achieve predictive maintenance, where a historical map exists for all con- nected devices. This, in turn, will lead to self-monitoring that accounts for both the building facilities and the people within them. USING PoE LIGHTING AS THE FOUNDATION OF A SMART CONNECTED BUILDING PoE lighting applications are accelerating and driving adoption of IoT within office buildings due to the ability to power and control connected sensors and systems beyond the scope of lighting. Ethernet is the backbone that makes this possible, creating an environment where the building can be sensitive to the occupant, leading to increased comfort and productivity. Because PoE lighting enables an ethernet-based infrastructure, combined with a massive sensory network, it can serve applications focusing on space optimization, security, and safety enhancement within a smart building or smart office environment (Figure 4). While some examples already have been touched upon, here is a more in-depth overview of ways that PoE lighting already serves as the foundations of today's smart buildings: Controlling Natural Light PoE lighting offers seamless integration and coordination of automatized shading for full management of natural and artificial lighting. Controlling lighting and shades together via a smart network increases comfort and pro- ductivity in an office, boardrooms, and other working spaces while conserving energy based on data derived from occupancy sensors within the lighting system. For example, blinds or shades can be programmed to automatically close during the afternoon in spaces that face south, or if no one is present in an area, that data can be shared with the HVAC system to raise or lower temperature accordingly. Sensors also can be pro- grammed to automatically adjust blinds based on the changing angle of the sun and its position in the sky throughout the seasons.