Smart street controllers are no longer just devices that turn lights on and off. They are the foundation of modern, interconnected urban lighting, designed to function as “smart city connectivity hubs.” Beyond basic illumination, these Zhaga Dali street controllers act as the brain for advanced technologies, enabling intelligent management and data collection through integrated sensors and communication protocols.
By using standardized interfaces like Zhaga sockets and “add-on” functions, the streetlight controller can evolve into a fully smart, adaptive, and energy-efficient system, supporting the growing demands of modern cities.
Autonomous Scheduling Intelligence: The Astro Clock
For many projects, the first essential add-on is the Astro Clock (Astronomical Timer). Unlike traditional timers that require manual seasonal adjustments, an Astro Clock automatically calculates the exact sunrise and sunset times every day. This ensures the lights adapt perfectly to the changing seasons without the need for an external photocell. It’s the ultimate “set and forget” solution for reliable, localized autonomous scheduling.
1.Software add-on: The software logic is the same as leading industry players of Osram/Inventronics. autonomoud dimming with five independent levels (Astro, time mode) allows energy saving even in twilight phases.
The controller will automatically adjust the operating duration on the third day based on the total daily operating time of the previous two days (with an error tolerance of ±5 minutes). The controller measures a minimum of 2 days and compares the length of operation. If the lengths do not differ by more than approx. 5 minutes, then it calculates the average and half as a fixed point. This eliminates “short-term interruptions”. The change is always made by two consecutive nights of the same length (+- approx. max. 5 minutes difference).
2. Real-Time Clock (RTC) Hardware add-on: An internal, battery-backed RTC keeps the controller operating on hyper-accurate local time, ensuring schedule continuity even during unexpected grid power failures.
3.Radio-Controlled Clock (RCC) Hardware add-on: The controller features an internal RCC receiver that automatically tunes into low-frequency, long-range national time signals (such as BPC, DCF77, or JJY). By combining this automated atomic-time broadcast with localized geographical coordinates (configured at installation), the system achieves flawless seasonal tracking with zero manual data entry or ongoing cellular maintenance costs.
Connected IOT Intelligence：Bridging the Smart Grid Gap via Network
While a controller can operate locally, adding a communication module unlocks the power of a Central Management System (CMS). Depending on the projects, different protocols offer distinct advantages:
LoRaWAN: The go-to for large-scale “Smart City” deployments. It offers extreme long-range connectivity with low power consumption, allowing controllers to talk to gateways miles away without recurring cellular fees. By combining LoRaWAN hardware with a TALQ-certified platform, manufacturers and municipalities ensure their hardware easily passes international smart-city bidding compliance and remains compatible with urban tech standards for years to come.
NB-IoT / LTE-M: The “plug-and-play” choice. Since it utilizes existing cellular networks, there’s no need to install or manage your own gateway infrastructure, making it ideal for remote or isolated areas.
Bluetooth (BLE) Mesh: A game-changer for maintenance. BLE Mesh allows technicians to configure dimming profiles or update firmware directly from the ground via a smartphone app—no bucket truck required. Silvair & Casambi Bluetooth is supported.
Zigbee/ RF Mesh: Perfect for high-density urban grids. These “self-healing” networks allow controllers to pass data from one to another until it reaches a central access point. Our Zigbee / RF Mesh solution represents our premier competitive offering for modern smart city lighting. IR remote controler as a specific tool for on-site commissioning and maintenance.
Environmental Intelligence: Edge-Data Collection & Sensing
By integrating advanced hardware into a interface (such as Zhaga or NEMA), a standard light pole is instantly transformed into an intelligent, responsive edge-computing sensor node.
Adaptive Motion & Occupancy Sensing: Utilizing 5.8Ghz microwave radar technology, cities can implement “light-on-demand.” Lights can remain dimmed at 10% to save energy, instantly ramping up to 100% only when a pedestrian or vehicle is detected.
Ambient Photocell Integration: This prevents “day-burning” by ensuring the light stays off during daylight hours, even if a motion sensor is triggered.
Tilt & Impact Detection: Using internal accelerometers, the controller can send an instant alert to HQ if a pole is struck by a vehicle or begins to lean after a storm, significantly speeding up emergency repairs.
Advanced Power Metering: By “talking” to D4i LED drivers, controllers can monitor real-time energy consumption and detect voltage surges, providing the data needed for predictive maintenance.
Environmental Monitoring: Optional sensor attachments for PM2.5, CO2, and humidity allow cities to map air quality index (AQI) in real-time, turning the lighting grid into an urban environmental monitoring network.
GPS: GPS modules enable automatic asset mapping, ensuring the CMS knows the exact location of every pole without manual data entry errors and streamlining field commissioning.
Choosing the Right Smart Street Controller for Smart City
Every project has different needs and budgets. Here is how these add-ons are typically bundled in real-world applications:
The Essential Tier (Low Cost): Focuses on autonomy using an Astro Clock + Photocell for reliable, basic scheduling.
The Efficiency Tier (Mid-Level): Combines RF Mesh with Motion Sensors. This is the sweet spot for parking lots and residential streets looking for significant energy savings through dimming.
The Full Smart City Tier: The gold standard. Utilizing LoRaWAN or NB-IoT paired with Energy Metering and Fault Detection, these systems provide total transparency and control via a cloud-based CMS.
By viewing the street controller as an adaptable platform rather than a static device, cities can build infrastructure that is not only smart today but ready for the technologies of tomorrow.
