daliDongle User Guide
Overview
Page 2
Connections
daliDongle is a USB-to-DALI converter, designed to work in conjunction with the free Artistic
Licence software application, DMX-Workshop. Together, daliDongle and DMX-Workshop provide
a powerful analysis and configuration tool for DALI networks.
daliDongle is aimed at product developers while also enabling advanced troubleshooting of
DALI systems.
The product can transmit and receive DALI, and also indicates the presence of DALI bus power.
daliDongle is powered by the USB connection.
DALI was primarily designed for commercial lighting to respond to the growing demands of
energy efficient lighting systems. It was developed to provide two-way communication between
controller and ballasts.
The most common DALI device is a fluorescent ballast. Compared to DMX512, speed has
been sacrificed in favour of flexibility and ease of use.
Each DALI circuit must have a DALI Bus PSU to provide the voltage on the line. An example
is the Artistic Licence Rail-PSU-D4. There can be no more than 64 ballasts on a single bus
(this corresponds to one circuit). Ballasts being used for the first time require commissioning to
give them a unique short address. A tool such as the Artistic Licence Dali-Scope can be used
for this.
The DALI data packet comprises three parts: Address (ballast(s) being signalled), Command
(what type of message is being sent) and Data (the value associated with the command). On
any given circuit, DALI ballast intensity can be controlled in four ways: Broadcast, Individual
Channel, Groups (up to 16) and Scenes (up to 16 per ballast).
For more information about DALI, please refer to
www.DALI-ag.org
or the free Artistic Licence
publication:
http://tinyurl.com/the-dali-guide
DALI background
USB Type A
y
Connects to PC running DMX-Workshop
y
Provides power
y
Bi-directional data
DALI crocodile clips via flying lead
y
Connect to DALI lighting network
y
Bi-directional data
