Abstract: A method and firmware for controlling an inverter voltage includes steps of receiving as input a digitized feedback signal representative of an inverter voltage that varies with frequency according to a transfer function, calculating a frequency of a digital switch control signal in firmware in an inverter voltage microcontroller by the transfer function from the digitized feedback signal to adjust the inverter voltage to a set point value, and generating the digital switch control signal having the calculated frequency by firmware in the inverter voltage microcontroller as output to generate the inverter voltage at the set point value.

Abstract: A method and firmware for controlling voltage and current in an electrical load includes steps of calculating a numerically quantized duty cycle of a pulse-width modulated, digital switch control signal by firmware in an inverter voltage microcontroller as a function of an inverter voltage and controlling the inverter voltage by adjusting the duty cycle of the digital switch control signal to generate a load current in the electrical load.

Abstract: A method and firmware for method of generating a digital dimming waveform for an inverter includes steps of receiving programmable parameters as input to firmware in an inverter voltage microcontroller including a soft start duration, a restrike voltage, a restrike duration, a recovery duration, a sustaining voltage, a dimming duty cycle, and an inverter frequency; and generating by firmware in the inverter voltage microcontroller a first portion of a pulse-width modulated digital switch control signal having a frequency equal to the inverter frequency and a duty cycle that varies from a first value to a second value during a time interval equal to the soft start duration.

Abstract: A method and electrical circuit corrects a difference in light output at opposite ends of a fluorescent lamp array. An electrical circuit for correcting a difference in light output at the ends of a fluorescent lamp array includes a microcontroller and firmware for generating a first pulse-width modulated inverter switch control signal having a first duty cycle that may be varied by computer program instructions executed by the microcontroller. An inverter bridge driver is coupled to the microcontroller for generating a switching signal for a first inverter bridge from the first pulse-width modulated inverter switch control signal to generate a first inverter voltage having a magnitude determined by the first duty cycle.

Abstract: A controller (320) for controlling various operational parameters of the Laser Module (303). The modulation drive signal (300) causes the circuits in the driver (301) to send a signal to the output (302) so that the laser can send an optical power output (304) proportional to the drive signal (300). The control methods in Laser Controller IC (320) consist of control algorithms embedded in firmware. The Laser Controller IC (320) includes support circuits for control of a laser. Some of the distinguishing features in the present invention are 1) feedback information from the sensors is obtained in a synchronous manner as a snapshot of the laser performance, and 2) algorithms handle the entire set of controls in firmware. The algorithm feature allows for advanced servo controls, which precisely stabilize the laser, can accommodate adaptive controls, and can be leveraged from one laser transmitter design to another.

Abstract: A system contains a laser output measurement circuit used in a laser control system (210). The circuits contain a photodiode (109), sample and hold amplifier (202), IC with synchronizer and delay circuits (206), and an analog to digital converter (204). The circuits measure the laser light output (107) while the laser Module (106) transmits signals. The measurement circuit tracks and stores the laser light output (107) signal using a Photodiode Sensor (109) and with a Sample/hold (202). The methods calculate the value of the laser light output (107) from mathematical relationships, which correlate the light output (107) of the laser Module (106) to the current value of the drive signal (100). Some of the distinguishing features in the present invention are 1) feedback information from the photodiode is obtained in a synchronous manner as a snapshot of the laser performance, and 2) the measurements are precise and calibrated, and 3) no disruption of the signal transmission occurs.

Abstract: A system contains a laser output measurement circuit used in a laser control system (210). The circuits contain a photodiode sensor (109), sample and hold amplifier (202), IC with synchronizer and delay circuits (206), and an analog to digital converter (204). The circuits measure the laser light output (107) while the laser Module (106) transmits signals. The measurement circuit tracks and stores the laser light output (107) signal using a Photodiode Sensor (109) and with a Sample/hold (202). The methods calculate the value of the laser light output (107) from mathematical relationships, which correlate the light output (107) of the laser Module (106) to the current value of the drive signal (100). Some of the distinguishing features in the present invention are 1) feedback information from the photodiode is obtained in a synchronous manner as a snapshot of the laser performance, and 2) the measurements are precise and calibrated, and 3) no disruption of the signal transmission occurs.