Turning DALI-2 expertise into market-ready products
DALI-2 is the certification program based on the latest version of the DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) protocol. It focuses on enabling interoperability among lighting systems, in which luminaires, LED drivers, sensors, and application controllers from different manufacturers can communicate flawlessly. For many OEMs and lighting manufacturers, DALI-2 certification has become an important market expectation. Unlike the original DALI protocol, which allowed manufacturers to self-certify their products, DALI-2 introduced independent certification through the DALI Alliance. As a result, DALI-2 certification provides manufacturers with access to open ecosystems, simplifies system integration, and gives customers greater confidence that certified products will perform reliably under real-world operating conditions.
DALI-2: Why simple communication requires sophisticated engineering
To achieve DALI-2 certification, devices must meet demanding requirements for protocol compliance, timing, and interoperability. The DALI bus, the shared two-wire communication network connecting all DALI devices, operates at a modest data rate of 1200 Baud. Despite transmitting data at a fraction of the speed of most modern industrial communication systems, ensuring reliable integration into multi-vendor lighting and building automation systems is far more challenging than it initially appears. DALI-2 certification demands exceptional timing precision; robust protocol handling; support for complex edge cases; electrical variations; and deterministic firmware, all of which affect reliability. In multi-master configurations, timing tolerances are tightened to ±16 microseconds, requiring coordinated hardware and software performance under varying conditions.
From architecture to certification: End-to-end DALI-2 aligned development
Kendrion 3T combines embedded software engineering, electronics design, reusable IP, and automated regression testing, drawing on extensive experience in DALI-2 development.
“DALI-2 may seem straightforward, but implementing its basic functionality is only the beginning,” explains Jasper Keuning, Technology Manager at Kendrion 3T. “Developing a reliable, certifiable product requires careful attention to electrical behavior, timing, interoperability, and edge cases - complexities that often become apparent only through practical experience. We help clients manage these challenges and accelerate the development of robust DALI-2 products that perform reliably in real-world applications.”
Kendrion 3T’s engineering team assists clients from system architecture and firmware creation to pre-compliance testing and certification support, enabling manufacturers to detect issues early, minimize development cycles, and streamline product readiness for certification. To ensure ongoing compliance, Kendrion 3T has developed an automated regression testing system that simulates a wide range of operating conditions and statistically assesses all parameters specified by the DALI standard.
About Kendrion 3T
Since 1 July 2026, 3T B.V. has operated under the name Kendrion 3T, reflecting its longstanding integration within the Kendrion Group. Based in the Netherlands, with locations in Enschede, Eindhoven and Drachten, Kendrion 3T is a development partner for customer-specific electronics and embedded systems. Kendrion 3T’s engineers and specialists combine over 40 years of experience in electronics design, embedded software, model-driven development and functional testing. The company supports customers from co-development and prototyping through testing, qualified production and lifecycle support.
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