Abstract: Control systems and methods for independent control of power systems, particularly lighting network branches, and separate control of individual branch components. Multi-branch systems comprise independently controllable branches that inter-communicate via PLC communications. In each branch, components such as ballasts, local control units, sensors, actuators, and repeaters, may exchange commands and queries independently of a branch remote control unit (BRCU). Alternatively, a BRCU may manage or arbitrate communications, or interact with other BRCUs, other control units and external management systems. Ballasts include a multi-channel ballast that enables close-loop control of individual fixtures, or of individual dimmable or non-dimmable lamps within a fixture. The close-loop control is facilitated by sampling circuits/sensors co-located with each controlled fixture or lamp. All controllers are preferably implemented using an integrated digital controller.

Abstract: An integrated digital controller for controlling power electronic devices and method of its use, comprises an analog-to-digital converting scanner module for scanning analog data inputs and used to create digital data correlated with the analog inputs, a loop control module operative to receive the digital data ad used for controlling at least one control loop, and a pulse sequence generator (PSG) module used for generating a variety of fast, configurable, event-driven pulse sequences in cooperation with the PSG and scanner modules. The controller comprises optionally a CPU for managing various tasks and coordinate between the modules, means to create the events, and means for configuration and reconfiguration on-the-fly. The controller is preferably integrated in a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for independent control of power systems, particularly lighting network branches, and separate control of individual branch components. Multi-branch systems comprise independently controllable branches that inter-communicate via PLC communications. In each branch, components such as ballasts, local control units, sensors, actuators, and repeaters, may exchange commands and queries independently of a branch remote control unit (BRCU). Alternatively, a BRCU may manage or arbitrate communications, or interact with other BRCUs, other control units and external management systems. Ballasts include a multi-channel ballast that enables close-loop control of individual fixtures, or of individual dimmable or non-dimmable lamps within a fixture. The close-loop control is facilitated by sampling circuits/sensors co-located with each controlled fixture or lamp. All controllers are preferably implemented using an integrated digital controller.

Abstract: A digital phase locked loop (DPLL) comprising a digitally implemented voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for producing a VCO feedback signal, a phase error counter which includes a digital phase-frequency detector for producing a first phase error signal, a quadrature phase detector for producing a second phase error signal and an adder for adding the first and second phase error signals to obtain a combined phase error signal, and two programmable dividers used to cooperatively determine the VCO feedback signal and to provide a DPLL output line sync value synchronized with an input signal.

Abstract: A programmable digital power controller for gas discharge devices such as fluorescent lamps or other devices using all digital internal and external programmable controls. A specific ASIC is described. A gate array and microcomputer share parallel functions with fast sub-functions carried out by the gate array and slower sub-functions carried out by a micro-processor. Circuits are provided for automatic shut down when a high frequency ground fault is detected; for connecting the filaments of multiple gas discharge devices in a series/parallel circuit in a manner that power for a particular device is disabled when that device is removed from the circuit; for driving the load as close to resonance as possible but in an inductive mode; and for developing a dead time between high side and low side switches which is related to transformer current, switch current, bridge voltage or bridge voltage dv/dt.

Abstract: A programmable digital power controller for gas discharge devices such as fluorescent lamps or other devices using all digital internal and external programmable controls. A specific ASIC is described. A gate array and microcomputer share parallel functions with fast sub-functions carried out by the gate array and slower sub-functions carried out by a micro-processor. Circuits are provided for automatic shut down when a high frequency ground fault is detected; for connecting the filaments of multiple gas discharge devices in a series/parallel circuit in a manner that power for a particular device is disabled when that device is removed from the circuit; for driving the load as close to resonance as possible but in an inductive mode; and for developing a dead time between high side and low side switches which is related to transformer current, switch current, bridge voltage or bridge voltage dv/dt.

Abstract: An integrated digital controller for controlling power electronic devices and method of its use, comprises an analog-to-digital converting scanner module for scanning analog data inputs and used to create digital data correlated with the analog inputs, a loop control module operative to receive the digital data and used for controlling at least one control loop, and a pulse sequence generator (PSG) module used for generating a variety of fast, configurable, event-driven pulse sequences in cooperation with the PSG and scanner modules. The controller comprises optionally a CPU for managing various tasks and coordinate between the modules, means to create the events, and means for configuration and reconfiguration on-the-fly. The controller is preferably integrated in a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: An integrated digital controller for controlling power electronic devices and method of its use, comprises an analog-to-digital converting scanner module for scanning analog data inputs and used to create digital data correlated with the analog inputs, a loop control module operative to receive the digital data and used for controlling at least one control loop, and a pulse sequence generator (PSG) module used for generating a variety of fast, configurable, event-driven pulse sequences in cooperation with the PSG and scanner modules. The controller comprises optionally a CPU for managing various tasks and coordinate between the modules, means to create the events, and means for configuration and reconfiguration on-the-fly. The controller is preferably integrated in a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for independent control of power systems, particularly lighting network branches, and separate control of individual branch components. Multi-branch systems comprise independently controllable branches that inter-communicate via PLC communications. In each branch, components such as ballasts, local control units, sensors, actuators, and repeaters, may exchange commands and queries independently of a branch remote control unit (BRCU). Alternatively, a BRCU may manage or arbitrate communications, or interact with other BRCUs, other control units and external management systems. Ballasts include a multi-channel ballast that enables close-loop control of individual fixtures, or of individual dimmable or non-dimmable lamps within a fixture. The close-loop control is facilitated by sampling circuits/sensors co-located with each controlled fixture or lamp. All controllers are preferably implemented using an integrated digital controller.

Abstract: A power controller for fluorescent lamp dimming is disclosed, using all digital internal and external programmable controls. A specific ASIC is described. A gate array and microcomputer share parallel functions with fast sub-functions carried out by the gate array and slower sub-functions carried out by a micro-processor. Circuits are provided for automatic shut down when a high frequency ground fault is detected; for connecting the filaments of gas discharge lamps in a series/parallel circuit for driving the load as close to resonance as possible but in an inductive mode; and for developing a dead time between high side and low side switches which is related to transformer current, switch current, bridge voltage or bridge voltage dv/dt.

Abstract: An integrated digital controller for controlling power electronic devices and method of its use, comprises an analog-to-digital converting scanner module for scanning analog data inputs and used to create digital data correlated with the analog inputs, a loop control module operative to receive the digital data and used for controlling at least one control loop, and a pulse sequence generator (PSG) module used for generating a variety of fast, configurable, event-driven pulse sequences in cooperation with the PSG and scanner modules. The controller comprises optionally a CPU for managing various tasks and coordinate between the modules, means to create the events, and means for configuration and reconfiguration on-the-fly. The controller is preferably integrated in a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for independent control of power systems, particularly lighting network branches, and separate control of individual branch components. Multi-branch systems comprise independently controllable branches that inter-communicate via PLC communications. In each branch, components such as ballasts, local control units, sensors, actuators, and repeaters, may exchange commands and queries independently of a branch remote control unit (BRCU). Alternatively, a BRCU may manage or arbitrate communications, or interact with other BRCUs, other control units and external management systems. Ballasts include a multi-channel ballast that enables close-loop control of individual fixtures, or of individual dimmable or non-dimmable lamps within a fixture. The close-loop control is facilitated by sampling circuits/sensors co-located with each controlled fixture or lamp. All controllers are preferably implemented using an integrated digital controller.

Abstract: An integrated digital controller for controlling power electronic devices and method of its use, comprises an analog-to-digital converting scanner module for scanning analog data inputs and used to create digital data correlated with the analog inputs, a loop control module operative to receive the digital data and used for controlling at least one control loop, and a pulse sequence generator (PSG) module used for generating a variety of fast, configurable, event-driven pulse sequences in cooperation with the PSG and scanner modules. The controller comprises optionally a CPU for managing various tasks and coordinate between the modules, means to create the events, and means for configuration and reconfiguration on-the-fly. The controller is preferably integrated in a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data over power lines, a decoder of the transmitted data, and a lighting control system that uses the method. The data are represented as symbols that are encoded in groups of successive bursts of alternating signals, with each burst assigned one of M frequencies. Upon reception, the groups are decoded by a decoder that converts the received bursts into a binary form which is correlated with M binary reference signals by XORing and counting the resulting pulses up or down. The correlation values are added separately for each possible symbol value, with the highest score indicating the decoded symbol.

Abstract: An electrical circuit supplying a load from a voltage source includes a switching device and a diode, and is to be protected from recovery current caused by momentary reversal of the diode current during the operation of the switching device. The electrical circuit further includes a transformer having an excitation winding sensing the reverse recovery current through the diode immediately after operation of the switching device, and a sink winding inductively coupled to the excitation winding for inducing in the sink winding a current proportional to the current in the excitation winding. A unidirectional conducting device directs the current induced in the sink winding to the diode to cause reverse recovery of the diode.

Abstract: An inverter for supplying electrical energy from a DC supply to a load, includes a flyback transformer having a primary winding circuit coupled to the DC supply, and a secondary winding circuit coupled to the load. The primary winding circuit includes a first switch for interrupting the DC supply causing energy to be stored in the transformer, and the secondary winding circuit includes a second, unidirectional switch to produce an output of one sign when closed. The primary winding circuit further includes an electrical device effective to return energy to the DC supply only when the first and second switches are open.