Flight Deck Lighting Addressable Smart Control Modules

The Navy has developed an Advanced Flight Deck Lighting (AFDL) solution for DDG-1000. The AFDL is comprised of a suite of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights powered and controlled from lighting device drivers called "FLEXDRIVERS." The control panel communicates commands to the FLEXDRIVERS over a network. The FLEXDRIVERS are in a centralized location away from the lights. Each FLEXDRIVER must be individually configured with a unique mix of multiple driver cards for the specific light fixtures it powers and controls. Each light has a direct connection to the FLEXDRIVER which results in a cumbersome cabling arrangement with a large amount of cable. Our proposed solution is to connect universal light drivers to each light. The power for the universal light driver will come from a dedicated ship's vital 115VAC circuit. The control signal will be delivered via a daisy-chained RS-485 cable. The benefit of our universal light driver system for AFDL is a reduction of cabling with an associated reduction in cost and weight. An LED light driver that uses 115VAC power and RS-485 control signals at the light location will allow for installation of specialized LED lights in places where previously their installation wasn't practical.