LEDs Magazine reports that Philips Lighting and Cisco are on the verge of making two announcements that involve the intersection of the Internet and lighting worlds.
The agreements are expected to touch on the use of Ethernet cables to provide low-level voltage to LED lighting, the story said. The goal will be to cut energy costs and reduce the need for new builds. “Power over Ethernet” (PoE) is a well-established approach in which telecommunications cables provide enough electricity to drive communications devices. The idea, of course, would be to use the same techniques on LEDs. These systems would be controllable from laptops, tablets and other computer devices, the story said.
Philips appears to be an innovator. Slash Gear reported last month that the company, along with Ericsson and the city of Los Angeles, is introducing technology that allows telephone poles to also act as LTE small cell antennas. SmartPoles, which are remotely controllable, are beginning to roll out in limited numbers.