The Digital Illumination Interface Alliance (DiiA) and the Zhaga Consortium have begun a collaboration on Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for lighting.

DiiA is developing specifications for an optimized digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) inside luminaires, which will simplify the connection of luminaires to IoT networks. Simultaneously, the Zhaga Consortium has finalized a new specification, Book 18, that helps to bring the IoT to outdoor LED lighting fixtures.

DiiA is an open, global consortium of lighting companies that aim to grow the market for lighting-control solutions based on DALI technology. The Zhaga Consortium is an international organization establishing industry standards for interchangeable LED light source modules.

The organizations have signed a liaison agreement with the aim of sharing technical information about available and upcoming specifications and certification programs, along with their timelines. The first step will be to align the DALI-based communication protocol with the Zhaga Book 18 specification.

“Both organizations understand the market needs and have decided to sign a liaison agreement,” said Ruud van Bokhorst, general manager of DiiA. “This liaison allows us to make the correct decisions on the best way forward in addressing this important market need.”

“By means of this liaison we aim to explore possibilities to define truly comprehensive specifications and certification programs, which will be the base for broad adoption of digitalization in lighting and increased speed to market,” said Giovanni Scilla, chair of the Zhaga steering committee.