The list below contains basic DALI terminology used in the protocol:
- Control Device: A device that
transmits commands to other devices connected to the same bus. A control device can
also receive commands and backward frames.
- Control Gear: A device that receives
commands in order to control its output.
- Ballast: An electronic device that
regulates current and voltage to the lamp.
- Frame: A packet of information
consisting of a Start bit, command/data byte(s), and a Stop condition.
- Forward Frame: The frame sent by the
control device to the control gear. A forward frame consists of a Start bit, an
address byte, up to two data bytes, and a Stop condition.
- Backward Frame: The frame sent back
to the control device from a responding control gear. The backward frame consists of
a Start bit, one data byte, and a Stop condition.
- Command: A specific instruction
intended to cause a reaction in a receiver.
- Short Address: The address of an
individual control gear within the system.
- Group Address: The address of a group
of control gears within the system.
- Broadcast: The address used to
communicate with all control gears within the system.
- Arc Power: Power supplied to the
lighting source.
- Direct Arc Power Control (DAPC): A
method that immediately sets an individual or multiple control gears to a specific
power level.
- Scene: A configurable preset lighting
level.
- Building Management System (BMS): A
computer-based control system installed in buildings that controls and monitors the
mechanical and electrical equipment of a building.