Flexible Low-cost Platform for Beam Pattern Optimization

Existing lighting fixtures do a poor job of providing targeted lighting distributions,typically leaving many areas over-lit and other areas under-lit. This wastes substantial energy and causes safety and visual comfort issues. The problem stems from the fact that only a few standard beam shapes are available in mass-market commercial products, and custom beam profiles typically require expensive custom optics. Glint Photonics, Inc. proposes to develop new low-cost lighting fixture platform that can be easily customized to produce an infinite variety of different lighting patterns. This “Lightfield” technology provides a custom light distribution as the composite output of an array of sources, each casting a narrow beam in a specified direction. The light distribution pattern is controlled by parts that can be easily customized at low cost: printed circuit boards and 3D-printed mechanical parts. During Phase I, Glint will design, build, and test prototype multi-purpose Lightfield fixtures. We will evaluate their performance in comparison to conventional products in lighting three test-case scenarios that will be defined in consultation with lighting design experts. We will also prototype two implementations of the composite-beam approach in compact low-glare luminaires that are purpose-designed for specific target applications. Lightfield fixtures will provide substantial improvements in lighting quality over a broad range of application cases. The benefits further include reduced energy use, lower glare, and easy installation. The ability to produce complex beam patterns allows one Lightfield luminaire to do the work of several conventional luminaires, greatly simplifying procurement, construction, wiring, and installation, and resulting in substantial cost savings to customers.