Design and implementation of an adjustable Micro PDLC Driver for smart buildings

IF 2 Q3 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-04-15 DOI:10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00648

Kun-Che Ho, Rui-Feng Xu, Cheng-Xun Wu, Jia-Zheng Liao

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) glass, with its controllable light transmittance enabling shading and energy savings, is widely used in green and smart buildings as a key technology for smart windows and privacy glass. However, traditional PDLC drivers are bulky, consume high energy, and offer limited functionality, restricting their application in multi-panel glass control and space-constrained scenarios. This study proposes a low-power, adjustable mini driver that utilizes Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals and a full-bridge inverter architecture to generate AC square waves. By integrating simple analog and digital circuit designs, digital resistors, and specialized adjustable power modules, remote voltage and frequency modulation control is achieved, enabling efficient and flexible PDLC driver development. Compared to traditional transformer designs, the developed driver not only offers the advantages of miniaturization and high efficiency but also can flexibly adapt to diverse application scenarios such as office privacy glass, smart buildings, and multi-zone linkage control. This research provides an effective solution for the widespread application of PDLC technology and the advancement of smart buildings. Finally, the functionality of the proposed design is verified through hardware circuit implementation and experimental validation.

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查看原文本刊更多论文

智能建筑可调微型PDLC驱动器的设计与实现

聚合物分散液晶（PDLC）玻璃作为智能窗户和隐私玻璃的关键技术，在绿色和智能建筑中得到了广泛的应用，其透光率可控，具有遮阳和节能的优点。然而，传统的PDLC驱动器体积庞大，能耗高，功能有限，限制了它们在多面板玻璃控制和空间受限场景中的应用。本研究提出一种低功耗、可调的迷你驱动器，利用脉宽调制（PWM）信号和全桥逆变器架构来产生交流方波。通过集成简单的模拟和数字电路设计、数字电阻器和专门的可调功率模块，实现了远程电压和调频控制，从而实现了高效灵活的PDLC驱动器开发。与传统的变压器设计相比，所开发的驱动器不仅具有小型化、高效率的优点，而且可以灵活适应办公隐私玻璃、智能建筑、多区域联动控制等多种应用场景。本研究为PDLC技术的广泛应用和智能建筑的推进提供了有效的解决方案。最后，通过硬件电路实现和实验验证验证了所提设计的功能。

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来源期刊

HardwareX Engineering-Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

18.20%

发文量

124

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： HardwareX is an open access journal established to promote free and open source designing, building and customizing of scientific infrastructure (hardware). HardwareX aims to recognize researchers for the time and effort in developing scientific infrastructure while providing end-users with sufficient information to replicate and validate the advances presented. HardwareX is open to input from all scientific, technological and medical disciplines. Scientific infrastructure will be interpreted in the broadest sense. Including hardware modifications to existing infrastructure, sensors and tools that perform measurements and other functions outside of the traditional lab setting (such as wearables, air/water quality sensors, and low cost alternatives to existing tools), and the creation of wholly new tools for either standard or novel laboratory tasks. Authors are encouraged to submit hardware developments that address all aspects of science, not only the final measurement, for example, enhancements in sample preparation and handling, user safety, and quality control. The use of distributed digital manufacturing strategies (e.g. 3-D printing) is encouraged. All designs must be submitted under an open hardware license.