Waveshare has recently launched the Pico-DALI2 expansion module for ESP32-Pico series boards designed to enable DALI communication for customized control of multiple lighting groups. It is compatible with development boards such as the ESP32-C6-Pico and ESP32-S3-Pico and includes a DALI communication screw terminal for connecting external DALI devices.
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a standardized protocol used for lighting control in building automation systems. The latest version of the DALI2 protocol is better than the old one in that it offers enhanced interoperability, additional features like multi-master configurations, and better energy management capabilities. DALI2 devices can communicate bidirectionally, meaning controllers can send commands and also receive status feedback from lighting devices, allowing for more complex automation and diagnostics. We can get more information about DALI from the Wikipedia page.
We have previously seen the uses of DALI in Texas Instruments MSPM0 Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontrollers as an interface and in Acme CM3-Home as a bus.
Pico-DALI2 expansion module specifications:
- Compatible Boards – Waveshare ESP32-C6-Pico and ESP32-S3-Pico
- Communication Protocols – DALI2, RS232, RS485, CAN
- Interfaces
- Pico header for Chx-Rx, Chx-Tx, +5V and GND
- DALI communication screw terminal
- Misc
- DALI bus power LED and module power LED
- Supports customized control of multiple lighting groups
- Power Input – 5V via pico header
- Dimensions – 52 x 21 mm
While we haven’t written about DALI in detail before, we have covered several lighting control products such as the WP-DLC01 USB RGB LED Controller, the ESP8266 Light Controller, and the ANAVI Light Controller. If you’re interested in other Smart Lighting solutions, feel free to check those out.
Additionally, many manufacturers offer Software Development Kits (SDKs) to simplify integrating DALI2 into custom solutions. You can control this expansion module using the Arduino IDE and programming languages like C/C++, Python, and C#.
The DALI2 expansion module is offered with an Arduino demo for the ESP32-C6-Pico and ESP32-S3-Pico boards with source code for easy integration and modification. Additionally, it supports multiple communication protocols such as RS232, RS485, CAN, and DALI2, and is based on the ESP32-C6-Pico header.
The package includes one Pico-DALI2 module, with a total weight of 156 grams, but that does not include the weight of the ESP32-C6-Pico board itself. Further technical details, including a Schematic diagram, are available on the wiki.
The Waveshare Pico-DALI2 Expansion Module is available on AliExpress for $5.93 excluding shipping and on Amazon for $11.99. It can also be purchased from the official store for $5.49 with discounts available for bulk orders.
Sayantan Nandy, an electronics engineer with over four years of hands-on experience in PCB design, circuit development and power electronics, is proficient in EAGLE CAD, Ki-Cad, and Altium. He has a proven track record of delivering efficient and effective systems. His expertise extends from R&D, and prototyping to production support, making him a valuable asset to any engineering team.
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