mwConnect

mwConnect (formerly McWong International), a leading innovator in wireless mesh technology, has achieved Bluetooth® NLC certification for its TruBlu wireless mesh control solution.

The Bluetooth Networked Lighting Control (NLC) standard, introduced in late 2023, is the first full-stack standard for wireless lighting control. Specifically designed to meet the scale, reliability, and security demands required in commercial settings, Bluetooth NLC enables multi-vendor interoperable wireless lighting control systems and unlocks the potential for mass adoption of wireless lighting control. By adding standard specifications to the individual device layer on top of the Bluetooth mesh (communication layer) and Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) (radio layer), Bluetooth NLC standardizes performance and functionality operations for six device profiles: occupancy sensor, ambient light sensor, energy monitor, scene selector, dimming control, and lightness controller. mwConnect’s new certification means the company offers the most comprehensive listing for Bluetooth NLC, with products in all six profiles. Bluetooth maintains a searchable database for qualifying products.

“We’re delighted to reach this new milestone for our flagship control solution,” says Stephen Zhou, Executive Vice President, mwConnect. “With this new NLC standard, a project team can select from a range of product choices with the certainty that each device will operate seamlessly with every other, regardless of manufacturer. This is the next natural evolution for us in achieving true interoperability and providing the marketplace with the highest degree of flexibility.”

mwConnect is exhibiting at this week’s LEDucation in New York City at booth AH 2815.

McWong International recently announced that its Bluetooth® mesh wireless lighting control solution has been awarded the Prototype Phase Lighting Prize (L-Prize) by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award was announced on October 25, 2023.

The L Prize, first awarded by the DOE in 2011, is designed to advance the U.S. clean energy economy for next-generation LED lighting, encouraging innovators and researchers to engage in advanced lighting system development that leads to transformative designs, products, and impact. The Prototype Phase seeks prototype products, emphasizing technological innovation and presenting the opportunity and the challenge to think outside standard forms, materials, and price points of commercially available solutions.

McWong’s solution is founded on interoperable Bluetooth mesh capability to provide smart networked lighting control (NLC) that offers unprecedented flexibility and versatility. It offers robust LLLC control through a sleek Zhaga/D4i-compliant sensor/controller embedded in a luminaire that can deploy occupancy-based, daylighting, and scheduled control via web- and app-based interfaces. Because the controller is D4i compliant, the system can also provide vital energy and performance information from each luminaire. Compliant with the Bluetooth mesh specification, the system can be easily scaled over time by adding new Bluetooth mesh devices, re-configured via broadcast signal, or upgraded via over the air update. The company’s strategic partner Silvair collaborated with firmware and commissioning tool development, providing its market-leading expertise in Bluetooth mesh lighting control networks.

Bluetooth mesh drives innovation in lighting control today, enabling companies to build powerful and data-rich solutions that drive efficiencies across commercial spaces. The recent announcement of the Bluetooth NLC standard solidifies Bluetooth’s position in the lighting industry, opening up new market opportunities for the providers of standard-compliant Bluetooth mesh solutions.

Stephen Zhou, Executive Vice President, commented, “The entire McWong team is proud to have contributed to this achievement. We look forward to continuing our work on this solution and bringing it to the marketplace soon.”

“As our long-time partner, McWong International has been at the forefront of Bluetooth mesh innovation and we are not surprised that their efforts have met with industry recognition. We will keep working together to deliver next-generation lighting control solutions that everyone can use,” said Rafal Han, CEO of Silvair.