Lighting simulation and design program (LSDP)

This computer program simulates a user-defined lighting configuration. It has been developed as a tool to aid in the design of exterior lighting systems. Although this program is used primarily for perimeter security lighting design, it has potential use for any application where the light can be approximated by a point source. A data base of luminaire photometric information is maintained for use with this program. The user defines the surface area to be illuminated with a rectangular grid and specifies luminaire positions. Illumination values are calculated for regularly spaced points in that area and isolux contour plots are generated. The numerical and graphical output for a particular site model are then available for analysis. The amount of time spent on point-to-point illumination computations with this program is much less than that required for tedious hand calculations. The ease with which various parameters can be interactively modified with the program also reduces the time and labor expended. Consequently, the feasibility of design ideas can be examined, modified, and retested more thoroughly, and overall design costs can be substantially lessened by using this program as an adjunct to the design process. 4 refs., 26 figs