A method for simulatingthe performance of photosensor-basedlighting controls

The unreliability of photosensor-based lighting controlscontinues to be a significant market barrier that prevents widespreadacceptance of daylight dimming controls in commercial buildings. Energysavings from the use of daylighting in commercial buildings is bestrealized through the installation of reliable photoelectric lightingcontrols that dim electric lights when sufficient daylight is availableto provide adequate background and/or task illumination. In prior work,the authors discussed the limitations of current simulation approachesand presented a robust method to simulate the performance ofphotosensor-based controls using an enhanced version of the Radiancelighting simulation package. The method is based on the concept ofmultiplying two fisheye images: one generated from the angularsensitivity of the photosensor and the other from a 180- or 360-degreefisheye image of the space as "seen" by the photosensor. This paperincludes a description of the method, its validation and possibleapplications for designing, placing, calibrating and commissioningphotosensor-based lighting controls