New Molex Partnerships Connect LEDs to the Internet of Things

By News Release | April 27, 2016

As a member of Cisco’s Digital Ceiling partner community and the EnOcean Alliance, Molex is involved in helping customers embrace digital transformation of their buildings and facilitating the Internet of Things.

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Connecting LEDs to the Internet of Things

Molex LLC confirmed its participation in the Cisco Digital Ceiling partner community, which debuted at Cisco Live! Berlin. Developer of the Transcend Network Connected LED Lighting System, Molex announced a solutions-technology collaboration with Cisco to help customers embrace digital transformation of their buildings by creating a Digital Ceiling.

Cisco and its 15 inaugural Digital Ceiling partner companies are accelerating the deployment of a Digital Ceiling beginning with indoor lighting powered by Cisco’s highly secure network infrastructure. The scalable, repeatable, and implantable framework for the commercial lighting sector includes Cisco’s validated design and documented solution architecture. It can be applied in commercial buildings, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, manufacturing and warehouse facilities, and more.

As part of the Digital Ceiling framework, Molex is offering the Transcend Network Connected LED Lighting System in collaboration with LED lighting partner companies. Transcend is an intelligent, low-voltage networking system that both powers and controls LED light fixtures and other devices.

“The New England Institute of Technology is excited to pilot the Molex and Cisco PoE LED lighting technology in our main campus building,” says Jacques Laflamme, chief information officer, New England Tech. “This endeavor will contribute to one day realizing a campus Internet of Things to enhance the student experience with the very technology that New England Tech teaches.”

“Cisco is delighted to be working with Molex and other lighting innovators to create the Digital Ceiling framework,” says Tony Shakib, vice president of IoE Vertical Solutions Group, Cisco. “By using the network to power lighting and adding sensors, the Digital Ceiling partner community is helping bring the Internet of Things to life for enterprises. Moving lighting to the network and adding intelligent sensors makes it easier to connect to different building systems that are also moving to an IP network. The data generated can be used to deliver highly personalized user experiences.”

Molex’s enabling products extend the network from Cisco Catalyst PoE network switches to LED lighting fixtures from leading lighting suppliers that can, where appropriate, use standard IP structured cabling or wireless connectivity.

“As new LED solutions are developed, architects, lighting designers, building developers, and owners will have access to a proven, integrated approach to improve energy efficiency, lighting control, personal productivity, and worker comfort,” said Mike Picini, vice president, solid-state lighting, Molex. “A controlled LED lighting system can reduce energy costs by 50% or more. We are proud to be part of this innovative, partner-focused Cisco initiative, which will have a significant impact on commercial lighting.”

Additionally, Molex has joined the EnOcean Alliance and will integrate the EnOcean energy-harvesting technology into the Molex Transcend Network Connected Lighting system. The EnOcean Alliance is sponsored by EnOcean GmbH, inventor of the patented energy-harvest wireless technology for use in building automation, smart home applications, and the Internet of Things.

“The Transcend lighting solution integrates next-generation technology from several manufacturers and the integration of EnOcean energy-harvesting technology will make our system stronger and more adaptable,” said Giovanni Frezza, group product manager, Molex. “The EnOcean standard combines field-proven wireless technology with the sustainable principle of energy harvesting. As part of the innovative EnOcean ecosystem, we now can offer our customers this industry-leading solution. The ability to add EnOcean devices into Transcend Ethernet-based network-connected infrastructure offers new possibilities for efficient smart building implementations.”

According to Frezza, the EnOcean energy harvesting standard aligns well with the intelligent, low-voltage Transcend system to provide an array of applications that enable the digital ceiling and smart building convergence over IP.

“We are delighted that Molex has joined the alliance,” said Graham Martin, chairman of the EnOcean Alliance. “Our ecosystem will benefit greatly from the addition of Molex, with its extensive knowledge of PoE lighting. As the Smart Building concept grows, the EnOcean Alliance will help accelerate its adoption.”

Nearly 400 companies worldwide are members of the EnOcean Alliance. They offer more than 1,500 interoperable products based on the EnOcean wireless standard for energy-efficient, resource-saving buildings. The companies develop and market quality-based automation and control systems that integrate the EnOcean energy-harvesting wireless standard. The technology enables control products with the highest flexibility, reliable performance, and the unique advantage of a green technology that can eliminate hazardous battery waste.

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