Abstract: A method of operating an electrical power supply device having a primary side and a secondary side is provided. The method includes transmitting with an optocoupler arranged between the primary side and the secondary side a wide band control signal and a numerical information signal. The method further includes transmitting the control signal and the information signal over a rectangular-wave signal modulated in combination with frequency modulation and pulse width modulation. The control signal and the information signal are the modulating signals for frequency modulation and pulse width modulation of said rectangular-wave signal.

Abstract: A lighting module may include at least one light source, and an identification element that identifies the supply current required by the light source, wherein the identification element includes a first terminal and a second terminal for connection to an electronic converter. In particular, the identification element includes at least one shunt regulator configured for limiting the voltage across the first terminal and the second terminal to a maximum threshold voltage, wherein the maximum threshold voltage identifies the supply current required by the light source.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving a light source, including a plurality of LED strings by means of a current generator, wherein each said LED string forms a respective current mesh with said current generator, includes: at least one inductor acting on said current meshes, in each of said current meshes, an electronic switch having a first, working node towards the LED string and a second, reference node opposed to the LED string. All the reference nodes of all the electronic switches are connected together, and the working node of each electronic switch is connected to the work node of at least another one of the electronic switches via at least one current averaging capacitor. The electronic switches can be selectively rendered conductive, each one at a respective time interval, thereby selectively distributing the current of the current generator over the LED strings.

Abstract: A converter, for feeding a load via an inductor with a current having a controlled intensity between a maximum and a minimum level, includes a switch to permit or prevent, respectively, current towards said inductor, a first current sensor sensitive to the current flowing through switch when the switch is on, a second current sensor sensitive to the current flowing through said inductor when the switch is off, drive circuitry to turn the switch off and on upon receiving a first and a second logic signal, respectively, and comparison circuitry coupled to the first and the second current sensors to generate first and the second logic signals when, respectively: the current intensity detected by the first current sensor is offset a given amount with respect to the maximum level, and the current intensity detected by the second current sensor is offset a given amount with respect to the minimum level.

Abstract: A converter, for feeding a load via an inductor, includes a switch to permit or prevent the feeding of current towards inductor, and a current sensor with a resistor coupled to the converter output, adapted to sense the current through said inductor when switch is off. A further switch is provided which is conductive when said switch is turned off; moreover, a drive circuitry is provided which is coupled to current sensor to turn said switch on as a function of the detected current. Drive circuitry is fed by a bootstrap circuit which includes: a bootstrap capacitor to accumulate a feeding charge for drive circuitry and coupled to the converter output and to a bootstrap diode, a coupling capacitor interposed between said further switch and bootstrap diode, as well as a bootstrap resistor interposed between a power supply source and bootstrap diode to charge coupling capacitor therefrom.

Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a Light Engine Module including a plurality of series connected LEDs, a positive power supply line, a common ground line, a communication line, a current set resistor) coupled to the communication line, with its value of conductance being indicative for the current demand of the Light Engine Module, and a variable current generator connected to the communication line. The variable current generator is responsive to at least one measurement signal provided by at least one sensor. Various embodiments may further relate to a Power Supply Unit, and a lighting system including the Power Supply Unit with at least one Light Engine Module.

Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a power supply unit including an output for outputting a current, a communications line, a current-measuring device and a microcontroller including an analog-to-digital converter. The current-measuring device generates a current on the communications line which is proportional to the conductance of a current-setting resistance, the current is convertable into a digital value by the analog-to-digital converter, the power supply unit assumes various operating states based on the digital value of the measured current, and at least one light source module is connectable to the output, wherein the at least one light source module has the current-setting resistance, which is connectable to the communications line. Various embodiments may further relate to a light source module including an input, a communications line and a current-setting resistance for setting the current applied to the light source module.

Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a power supply unit, including an output for outputting an operating current depending on an internal measurement signal, a communications line, and a current-measuring device, which is connected to the communications line. The current-measuring device is designed to generate a current on the communications line which is proportional to the conductance of a current-setting resistance. The current-measuring device has a current mirror, which is designed to mirror the generated current on the communications line. The current-measuring device is designed to convert the mirrored current into an internal measurement signal with a reference potential which is different than the communications line. At least one light source module is connectable to the output, wherein the at least one light source module has the current-setting resistance, which is connectable to the communications line.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrical power supply device having a primary side and a secondary side is provided. The method includes transmitting with an optocoupler arranged between the primary side and the secondary side a wide band control signal and a numerical information signal. The method further includes transmitting the control signal and the information signal over a rectangular-wave signal modulated in combination with frequency modulation and pulse width modulation. The control signal and the information signal are the modulating signals for frequency modulation and pulse width modulation of said rectangular-wave signal.

Abstract: A converter, for feeding a load via an inductor with a current having a controlled intensity between a maximum and a minimum level, includes a switch to permit or prevent, respectively, current towards said inductor, a first current sensor sensitive to the current flowing through switch when the switch is on, a second current sensor sensitive to the current flowing through said inductor when the switch is off, drive circuitry to turn the switch off and on upon receiving a first and a second logic signal, respectively, and comparison circuitry coupled to the first and the second current sensors to generate first and the second logic signals when, respectively: the current intensity detected by the first current sensor is offset a given amount with respect to the maximum level, and the current intensity detected by the second current sensor is offset a given amount with respect to the minimum level.

Abstract: A converter, for feeding a load via an inductor, includes a switch to permit or prevent the feeding of current towards inductor, and a current sensor with a resistor coupled to the converter output, adapted to sense the current through said inductor when switch is off. A further switch is provided which is conductive when said switch is turned off; moreover, a drive circuitry is provided which is coupled to current sensor to turn said switch on as a function of the detected current. Drive circuitry is fed by a bootstrap circuit which includes: a bootstrap capacitor to accumulate a feeding charge for drive circuitry and coupled to the converter output and to a bootstrap diode, a coupling capacitor interposed between said further switch and bootstrap diode, as well as a bootstrap resistor interposed between a power supply source and bootstrap diode to charge coupling capacitor therefrom.

Abstract: A lighting module may include at least one light source, and an identification element that identifies the supply current required by the light source, wherein the identification element includes a first terminal and a second terminal for connection to an electronic converter. In particular, the identification element includes at least one shunt regulator configured for limiting the voltage across the first terminal and the second terminal to a maximum threshold voltage, wherein the maximum threshold voltage identifies the supply current required by the light source.

Abstract: A converter circuit may include: a first node receiving an input voltage; a second node providing an output voltage; a first inductor between the first node and a third node; a capacitor between the third node and a first terminal of a diode, the other terminal of the diode providing said output voltage; a second inductor between the first terminal of the diode and common; an electronic switch acting between the third node and common; a first current generator acting between the first node and the switch to drive the switch to the conductive condition; and a second current generator sensitive to the current through the switch in the “on” condition and/or the output voltage on the second node, the second current generator to draw current from the first current generator to drive the switch to the non-conductive condition.

Abstract: A converter circuit may include: a first node receiving an input voltage; a second node providing an output voltage; a first inductor between the first node and a third node; a capacitor between the third node and a first terminal of a diode, the other terminal of the diode providing said output voltage; a second inductor between the first terminal of the diode and common; an electronic switch acting between the third node and common; a first current generator acting between the first node and the switch to drive the switch to the conductive condition; and a second current generator sensitive to the current through the switch in the “on” condition and/or the output voltage on the second node, the second current generator to draw current from the first current generator to drive the switch to the non-conductive condition.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving a light source, including a plurality of LED strings by means of a current generator, wherein each said LED string forms a respective current mesh with said current generator, includes: at least one inductor acting on said current meshes, in each of said current meshes, an electronic switch having a first, working node towards the LED string and a second, reference node opposed to the LED string. All the reference nodes of all the electronic switches are connected together, and the working node of each electronic switch is connected to the work node of at least another one of the electronic switches via at least one current averaging capacitor. The electronic switches can be selectively rendered conductive, each one at a respective time interval, thereby selectively distributing the current of the current generator over the LED strings.

Abstract: A converter for feeding a load via an inductor with a current having a controlled intensity between a maximum level and a minimum level may include: a switch switchable on and off to permit or prevent, respectively, feeding of current towards said inductor; first and second current sensors sensitive to the current flowing through said switch when said switch is on or off, respectively; comparator circuitry to identify if the current intensity detected by said first current sensor and said second current sensor reaches said maximum level and said minimum level, respectively, by generating respective logical signals; and drive circuitry for said switch sensitive to said logical signals and configured to turn off said switch when the current intensity detected by said first sensor reaches said maximum level and turning on said switch when the current intensity detected by said second current sensor reaches said minimum level.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electrical power supply device may include a transformer with a primary winding having coupled thereto a main switch switchable on and off to connect and disconnect said primary winding from a supply source and a secondary winding having coupled therewith a main branch for feeding a load and at least one auxiliary branch to provide an auxiliary power supply; wherein said at least one auxiliary branch includes a switching regulator with hysteresis with a respective auxiliary switch sensitive to the voltage on said secondary winding and the voltage of said auxiliary power supply, said auxiliary switch configured for closing to draw current from said main branch toward said auxiliary power supply in the presence of a negative transition of the voltage on said secondary winding and for opening when the voltage on said auxiliary power supply reaches an upper reference level.

Abstract: A converter for feeding a load via an inductor with a current having a controlled intensity between a maximum level and a minimum level may include: a switch switchable on and off to permit or prevent, respectively, feeding of current towards said inductor; first and second current sensors sensitive to the current flowing through said switch when said switch is on or off, respectively; comparator circuitry to identify if the current intensity detected by said first current sensor and said second current sensor reaches said maximum level and said minimum level, respectively, by generating respective logical signals; and drive circuitry for said switch sensitive to said logical signals and configured to turn off said switch when the current intensity detected by said first sensor reaches said maximum level and turning on said switch when the current intensity detected by said second current sensor reaches said minimum level.

Abstract: A converter for feeding a load via an inductor with a current having a controlled intensity between a maximum level and a minimum level may include: a switch switchable on and off to permit or prevent, respectively, feeding of current towards said inductor; first and second current sensors sensitive to the current flowing through said switch when said switch is on or off, respectively; comparator circuitry to identify if the current intensity detected by said first current sensor and said second current sensor reaches said maximum level and said minimum level, respectively, by generating respective logical signals; and drive circuitry for said switch sensitive to said logical signals and configured to turn off said switch when the current intensity detected by said first sensor reaches said maximum level and turning on said switch when the current intensity detected by said second current sensor reaches said minimum level.