Abstract: A high reliability portable incandescent illumination system for use in applications which require a reliable, high output light source such as heliport markers, runway lights, warning lights, road hazard and obstruction lights. The required elements of the invention are a battery to provide an energy source, a DC/DC converter to step up the battery voltage to a level required to drive a high output light source. The DC/DC converter is driven by a controller which generates a pulse stream to the DC/DC converter based upon inputs from a soft start circuit, a filament temperature sensor, an optical spectrum sensor, a power sensor and a filament break sensor. The optical spectrum sensor is coupled to the light source by a fiber optical element. An improvement in results in the performance of portable beacons by using high voltage lamps with low voltage batteries via voltage step-up electronics.

Abstract: A pulse driver circuit for providing very high frequency pulses with fast rise time to neon or gas discharge lamps to thereby produce higher optical output than is possible using conventional drivers. Gas discharge lamps have at least two states of operation. One is the application of breakover voltage to initiate gas ionization which may be called the preionization state. The second state is known as the breakdown condition which is when the gas in the lamp has ionized and is producing the optical output. The pulse driver, starts the ionization at a relatively low breakover voltage because of its fast rise time. The pulse driver comprises an astable oscillator, the output of which passes through a pulse width capacitor. The generated pulse train drives a power driver transistor which causes current to flow through a transformer causing a voltage to be applied to a lamp.