Design software from National Instruments has been used to design a solar-powered rechargeable lantern that provides an environmentally friendly, economical, and safe alternative to fuel-based lighting for individuals in developing nations
Solar technology company PiSAT has used NI's Multisim and Ultiboard circuit design environments to design its K-Light. The device consists of 16 energy-efficient LEDs, a rechargeable 7.2V, 1.6Ahr NiMH battery, and a 1.5 Wsolar panel. And the entire product meets the hazardous substances (RoHS) compliance restriction standards and is waterproof, easily portable, and safe to operate.
This new, energy efficient lantern operates as a flashlight and provides ten to 20 hours of light per charge, depending on setting (high or low). As a daily source of light, PiSAT designed the K-Light to last ten years, although for recreational purposes it is, in effect, a lifetime light. This level of longevity, flexibility, and safety lends itself to being a long-term lighting solution, particularly in areas with developing power infrastructure.
K-Light was initially designed as an alternative to the hazards of fuel-based lighting used in developing countries. PiSAT formed a joint-venture company in Africa to sell K-Lights across the continent, although domestic interest has led PiSAT to sell the K-Light commercially.
Through its 'Light for Africa' program, PiSAT donates a portion of its proceeds from commercial K-Light sales to the Koinonia Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to eradicating poverty in the developing world through modernising education, implementing renewable and clean energy sources including solar projects, and creating strong communities that promote a safe and healthy standard of living.
PiSAT's lead engineer had previous experience using the NI Circuit Design Suite, which includes the Multisim circuit design and simulation environment and Ultiboard layout. The ease of use and flexibility of this environment was useful in developing the circuitry needed to power the solar lantern. To create an efficient light source, PiSAT used NI design tools to quickly capture, simulate, and layout the pcb that interfaces to energy-efficient LEDs.
From conceptual circuit to production pcb
Here, the company’s goal was to design an energy-efficient light source for individuals without access to a clean, affordable, and rugged power source. Because the success of the K-Light project is directly driven by the efficiency and reliability of the underlying lantern circuitry, PiSAT used the NI Circuit Design Suite to effectively create a production-ready PCB from a conceptual circuit.
In the Multisim environment, PiSAT easily captured the conceptual circuit and simulated its performance to characterise the behavior of the circuit through multiple improvement and optimisation iterations without having to physically prototype the pcb. This saved time and helped avoid unnecessary prototype iterations during the circuit validation and optimisation process. The completed schematic was imported into Ultiboard for the pcb design layout.
The fully integrated circuit design suite that was simple and intuitive to use helped ensure the success of the K-Light project — the first prototype pcb had the ability to identify and resolve performance issues through simulation, pass performance testing, and enter production. Today, individuals in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda have a reliable, environmentally friendly, and safe lighting solution with the K-Light solar rechargeable lantern.
Success of the K-Light lantern project has opened up new opportunities for improving day-to-day tasks with solar energy. For example, 16,000 health workers with Phones for Health, a project designed to give health agencies and workers communication access and data collection capabilities in remote areas, are set to receive the K-Light and K-Light cell phone charger. The charger solution takes advantage of the K-Light lantern design and the NI Circuit Design Suite so workers can recharge cell phones, communicate, and collect data in areas without a power distribution network.
