Thread Group and DALI Alliance Cooperate on ‘DALI+ with Thread’ for Commercial Lighting

Thread Will Give Commercial Buildings Their First Path to Interoperable, Reliable and More Secure Wireless IoT Networks Between Smart Lighting Solutions

SAN RAMON, Calif. & PISCATAWAY, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Thread Group, an industry alliance addressing IoT convergence, and challenges around security, energy footprint, and architecture at the network layer, together with the DALI Alliance (DiiA), the global industry organization for DALI lighting control, today announced that the DALI Alliance has adopted Thread as the first network technology that will be available with DALI+.

The DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) protocol for digital lighting control enables the easy installation of robust, scalable, and flexible lighting networks. The DALI+ specification, announced in early May 2021, brings DALI lighting-control commands to wireless and Internet Protocol (IP)-based systems. DALI+ with Thread will be the first network transport to deliver DALI over wireless, IP-based networks.

Using Thread’s trusted mesh networking technology, DALI+ with Thread enables wireless DALI with the same rich set of well-proven lighting control features as well as data-driven functions like real-time monitoring, wirelessly. The collaboration will also deliver the following benefits:

• Co-existence in infrastructure through the sharing of network resources with other domains and application types
• Interoperability that will enable the connection of existing DALI-2 certified devices with DALI+ with Thread devices using a DALI+ bridge
• Reliability due to Thread’s self-healing mesh network, which can scale and becomes more resilient the larger it gets, even in high-demand environments
• The ability to manage the increasingly demanding requirements for energy performance in buildings and standby power limits with Thread’s low-power solution
• Streamlining of office retrofitting operations, and minimization of costs when connected device reinstallation is necessary
• Ability to seamlessly connect DALI devices with building automation systems and share analytical data on the building IP network

“Smart technologies in the commercial space are transforming buildings into automated structures responsive to the needs of their inhabitants,” said Sujata Neidig, vice president of marketing, Thread Group. “Our work with partners like the DALI Alliance gives the commercial building community confidence that their IoT choices will deliver the enhanced capabilities and performance they need. We’re looking forward to seeing all the positive ways that lighting technology providers will leverage the power of DALI+ with Thread.”

The availability of DALI+ with Thread is a result of the two associations’ April 2020 liaison agreement. The DALI Alliance is now developing tests for the ‘DALI+ with Thread’ certification program, with certified products and solutions expected to be available shortly thereafter. The DALI Alliance also runs the certification programs for wired DALI-2 and D4i solutions, which has brought nearly two thousand certified lighting-control products to market.

“The constant evolution of smart building technologies is exciting, but change is also challenging because of the complexities around wireless, including interoperability and security threats,” said Paul Drosihn, general manager, DALI Alliance. “Partnerships between trusted organizations are central to ensuring seamless and secure interactions between lighting solutions and other IoT technologies. We trust Thread Group’s established and rigorous standards to ensure that smart solutions in the commercial space can co-exist without compromise.”

For more information on DALI+, visit the DALI Alliance website. To learn more about the benefits of IP-based mesh networks in commercial environments, visit the Thread Group.

About Thread Group

Formed in 2013, the non-profit Thread Group is focused on making Thread the foundation for the internet of things in homes and commercial buildings. Built on open standards, Thread is a low power wireless networking protocol that enables direct, end-to-end, secure, and scalable connectivity between IoT devices, mobile devices, and the internet. And, because Thread is IP-based, it seamlessly integrates with many environments, apps, devices, and clouds. The Thread Group provides a rigorous certification program to ensure device interoperability and a positive user experience. Thread is backed by industry-leading companies including Apple, Google/Nest, Lutron, Nordic Semiconductors, NXP Semiconductors, OSRAM, Qualcomm, Siemens, Silicon Labs, Somfy, and Yale Security.

About the DALI Alliance

The DALI Alliance (also known as the Digital Illumination Interface Alliance or DiiA) is an open, global consortium of lighting companies that drives the growth of lighting-control solutions based on internationally-standardized Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) technology. The organization operates the DALI-2 and D4i certification programs to boost levels of cross-vendor interoperability. As lighting continues to evolve and converge with the IoT, the DALI Alliance is also driving the standardization of wireless and IP-based connectivity solutions.

Contacts

Media Contact:

Michelle Sieling

Finn Partners for Thread Group

Email: thread@finnpartners.com