Colour Transition Mode (CTM)

Introduction

The Colour Transition Mode (CTM) implements colour gradients for the implementation of different colour moods depending on the time of day and day of the week. Up to four freely configurable CTM matrices are available for this purpose. Each matrix allows the setting of individual daytime colour gradients, with or without brightness adjustment. The matrices can be activated and switched over individually during operation of the gateway.

The colour adjustment of a CTM matrix is basically done by means of the hue of the HSV colour space. As with dimming, the brightness is adjusted by means of the DALI ARC power level. Each CTM matrix contains settings for the hue (0...360°) and brightness (0...100%) for each full hour of the daytime (0:00 midnight, 1:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m....11:00 p.m.). The individual colour and brightness values are called up in sequence, depending on the time. The values between two full hours are determined continuously every minute by linear interpolation to implement a smooth colour and brightness progression.
Whether a daytime colour sequence only influences the colour or also the brightness during operation can be defined individually for each group and single device in the parameterisation.

The sequence of a daytime colour sequence always takes place according to the hue of the HSV colour space, regardless of which colour space is configured for the assigned group or single device. The colour specified by the hue is automatically converted by the gateway into an equivalent RGB value and forwarded to the DALI operating devices.

During a daytime colour sequence, the values for colour saturation and brightness remain constant at the maximum value (100%). Only the hue is adjusted. An optional white component (W) is switched off (0%).

An active daytime colour sequence influences the colour and optionally also the brightness of a group or single device. The CTM function of the gateway triggers status telegrams for the colour and brightness separately if there are changes in the values in the course of a start or a running matrix. Here, the evaluation takes place every minute.

The CTM matrices are generally configured centrally for all groups and single devices of a DALI system. For the parameters of the groups and single devices, the individual assignment to up to four matrices takes place. During operation of the gateway, the matrix assignments of groups and single devices can be switched over by 1-byte objects. This allows the pre-programmed daytime colour sequences to be switched over individually depending on the application.

The daytime colour sequence of a group or single device can be started and stopped individually. A 1-bit communication object "Daytime colour sequence (CTM) - Start/stop" is available for each group and single device for this purpose. When activated by an ON telegram, the execution of the daytime colour sequence starts according to the current time and day of the week. When deactivated by an OFF telegram, the execution of the daytime colour sequence is immediately terminated. The DALI operating devices then initially remain at the last set colour and brightness value.

A daytime colour sequence can be executed with or alternatively without brightness adjustment. In a CTM matrix, the colour and brightness values are always configured for each time. Whether a group or single device reacts only to the pre-programmed colour or additionally to the defined brightness value is defined by the parameter "Type of daytime colour sequence" parameter. If the daytime colour sequence is carried out only with colour adjustment, the gateway only takes into account the colour value of the CTM matrix corresponding to the day of the week and the time of day. If a brightness adjustment is also to be made, the stored CTM brightness value is also executed.

A daytime colour sequence is of the same priority as the normal control of the brightness and colour of a group or single device by the corresponding communication objects. An automatic colour wheel sequence, an automatic brightness sequence or a scene recall also has the same priority. The above functions override a daytime colour sequence in progress in terms of colour and brightness. In the event of an override, a daytime colour sequence in progress can be stopped automatically, or alternatively continue to run in the background.

During an activated lock or forced position, any started daytime colour sequence has no effect. If the parameter for specifying the behaviour of the colour or brightness at the end of a disabling function is configured to the setting "track", the tracked colour and optionally also the brightness of a daytime colour sequence in progress is set at the end of disabling. If colour or brightness tracking is not configured at the end of disabling, the values are not tracked. A daytime colour sequence that continues to run is then processed normally every minute depending on the time. The same applies in principle when revoking a forced position.

During an active manual operation, any started daytime colour sequence has no effect. The behaviour at the end of manual operation is different for temporary and permanent manual operation modes. At the end of a permanent manual operation, the configuration decides whether the colour and optionally also the brightness of a daytime colour sequence in progress is tracked or not. If tracking is not automatically performed, a daytime colour sequence that continues to run is processed normally at minute intervals depending on the time after a temporary manual operation. A daytime colour sequence is always stopped after an ETS programming operation.

No times or days of the week are updated if the gateway has not yet received any or a valid KNX telegram to set the internal clock after initialisation (after the mains voltage returns or an ETS programming operation). In this case, the daytime colour sequence has no function!

Setting the designation of the CTM matrices

Up to four freely configurable CTM matrices are available for Colour Transition Mode (CTM). Each matrix can be given a designation, which is visible only in the ETS for better identification.

Setting daytime colour sequences in the CTM matrices

Each CTM matrix contains settings for the hue (0°...360°) and brightness (0...100%) for each full hour of the daytime (0:00 midnight, 1:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m....11:00 p.m.) on the parameter pages "DALI system... -> Colour - CTM -> CTM matrix...". Depending on the time of day, the individual colour and brightness values are called up one after the other as the daytime colour sequence runs down. The values between two full hours are determined continuously every minute by linear interpolation to implement a smooth colour and brightness progression.

In a CTM matrix, the colour and brightness values are always configured for each time. Whether a group or single device reacts only to the pre-programmed colour or additionally to the defined brightness value is defined by the parameter "Type of daytime colour sequence" on the parameter pages of the groups and single devices.

The brightness values stored in a CTM matrix can always be configured within the range of 0...100%. If CTM brightness values are outside the brightness range defined by minimum and maximum brightness of assigned groups or single devices, the gateway limits the brightness to the specified limits when a daytime colour sequence is in progress.

The additionally controllable white value (W) available in the "RGBW..." or "HSVW..." colour spaces is always switched off (0%) in the course of a daytime colour sequence.

Setting the effective matrix after an ETS programming operation

The parameter "After ETS programming operation" on the parameter page "DALI system... -> Configuration groups -> [x] Group name -> Colour -> CTM" or "DALI system... -> Configuration single devices -> [x] Device name -> Colour -> CTM" defines which of the up to four CTM matrices is initially effective for the affected group or single device after the gateway has been commissioned by the ETS or after a reset. Optionally, the matrix assignments can be switched by 1-byte objects during operation of the gateway.

Enabling switching of the effective matrix during operation

During operation of the gateway, the matrix assignments of groups and single devices can be switched over by 1-byte objects. This allows the pre-programmed daytime colour sequences to be switched over individually depending on the application.

It is always possible to switch over a CTM matrix during operation of the gateway. A switchover in the "Daytime colour sequence stopped" state is saved by the gateway. At the next start, the gateway then executes the last switched CTM matrix for the affected group or single device. When switching in the state "Daytime colour sequence started", the gateway executes the switched matrix every minute according to the time. The switched matrix therefore takes effect no later than one minute after the switchover.

In principle, it is only possible to switch to the four CTM matrices configured in the ETS. There is no reaction if a matrix number (5...64) is received by means of the switch-over object not included in the configuration of the matrices.

After an ETS programming operation or the mains voltage returns, the last switchover by means of the object is lost (object value "0"). A new telegram must first be received so that a new switchover becomes active.

Status of daytime colour sequence

The two status objects for the day colour gradient (CTM) "Status" and "Active matrix" can be activated or deactivated via the "Status objects" parameter

Setting the type of daytime colour sequence

A daytime colour sequence can be executed with or alternatively without brightness adjustment. Whether a group or single device reacts only to the pre-programmed colour or additionally to the defined brightness value of the CTM matrix is determined by the parameter "Type of daytime colour sequence" on the parameter page "DALI system... -> Configuration groups -> [x] Group name -> Colour -> CTM" or "DALI system... -> Configuration single devices -> [x] Device name -> Colour -> CTM".

Setting the behaviour in case of overriding

A daytime colour sequence is of the same priority as the normal control of the brightness and colour of a group or single device by the corresponding communication objects. An automatic colour wheel sequence, an automatic brightness sequence or a scene recall also has the same priority. The above functions override a daytime colour sequence in progress in terms of colour and brightness. In the event of an override, a daytime colour sequence in progress can be stopped automatically, or alternatively continue to run in the background. The behaviour is defined by the parameter "Behaviour in case of overriding" parameter on the parameter page "DALI system... -> Configuration groups -> [x] Group name -> Colour -> CTM" or "DALI system... -> Configuration single devices -> [x] Device name -> Colour -> CTM".

Defining effective weekdays

The Colour Transition Mode (CTM) implements colour gradients for the implementation of different colour moods depending on the time of day and day of the week. The individual colour and brightness values are called up in sequence, depending on the time. However, this is done only on selected weekdays. On which days of a week a daily colour sequence is to be executed can be defined in the ETS configuration.

If the KNX telegram for setting the internal clock contains the information "all days", the gateway no longer evaluates a discrete weekday and only carries out the day colour sequence cyclically every day according to the stored times.