Colorlight CL20 - Manual (Page 8)

COLORLIGHT SEARCHLIGHT SYSTEM
Page 8 User’s Manual
COLORLIGHT SEARCHLIGHT SYSTEM 2.
ColorLight has with its newly developed control system for searchlights opened for a flexible and
future-proof system in which several searchlight assemblies (CL20, CL25 and CL35) and
operator panels can be connected to a dedicated network and communicate via the Ethernet
infrastructure.
Control-computers and navigation equipment are other examples of devices that can be part of
this network.
For external communication between the electrical box and its various controllers we use the
TCP / IP protocol through the Ethernet infrastructure, but for internal communication between
the box and searchlight we have chosen to work with CAN bus technology.
CAN (Controller Area Network) is a network standard originally developed for the automotive
industry and with only two wires
it’s possible to transmit a variety of control data and
information.
The searchlights drive motors (horizontal and vertical) are of the type brushless servo motors,
with excellent performance, long lifetime and high reliability.
The motor drivers are located inside the searchlight and are of an "intelligent" type, which
constantly analyzes the motor condition, and if problems arise, such as tripped over current
protection; this will be presented as an alarm in the operator panel.