I am working on a Daylight harnessing system where the LED Fixtures automatically dim or brighten according to amount of light entering from the windows so as to maintain a constant lux level for a long corridor (about 100m long and 3m wide).
Firstly I have no idea as to how it is done conventionally. I am not sure whether to use a micro or PLC but am starting with a dsPIC for now. I've never touched a PLC but if it is more suitable for this task I can learn that.
Now my idea is to use a PI controller or Fuzzy logic controller for maintaining the lux level. I have no experience with communication protocols and while I feel that I may be able to develop such a system with all components next to each other, I want to know how it can be scaled for large areas which will require proper communication from sensors to the uC as well as uC to the dimmable fixtures (which require 0-10V analog input).
The corridor doesn't exactly have windows but it's better in the form of large glass sections of at least 15-20m or so where both sides are glass. To keep things simple and cheap, rather than having independent control of a small no if lights with a dedicated sensor for each, we are thinking of dividing the space into 2 areas : close to the glass sections and away from them and only install as many sensors and control all the lights in that particular area together.
Lastly also suggest a good rugged lux/ambient light sensor suitable for installation in a commercial installation. Will a BH1750 be Ok?