Abstract: A dynamic step dimming interface is provided that allows a ballast to energize a lamp in a dim mode or a normal mode. The ballast includes a lamp controller that energizes the lamp using an oscillating current. The oscillating current is also provided to a voltage monitor, which indicates the voltage level of the oscillating current, and to a rectifier, which provides an output indicative of the oscillating current. The rectifier is responsive to user input indicating whether the dim mode or the normal mode is to be used. A processing circuit receives the voltage level from the voltage monitor and provides a mode command to the ballast, indicating the lamp mode, based on inputs received, and provides a reference voltage to a comparator. The comparator receives the rectifier output and the reference voltage, and generates a voltage indicative of a power level of the lamp for the processing circuit.

Abstract: A ballast for energizing a lamp at a lighting level selected from a plurality of lamp lighting levels. The ballast includes a buck converter circuit configured to receive a DC voltage signal having a substantially constant magnitude. The buck converter circuit has a duty cycle for generating a lamp voltage output signal from the DC voltage signal. The lamp voltage output signal has a magnitude that is varied by the duty cycle to energize the lamp at the plurality of lamp lighting levels. A controller is configured to receive a dim input signal indicative of the selected lamp lighting level and to provide a control signal to the buck converter circuit as a function of the dim input signal. The control signal indicates a particular duty cycle corresponding to a lamp voltage output signal having a magnitude for energizing the lamp at the selected lamp lighting level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an incorrect load and preventing powering of that load, until a load change is detected, are disclosed. An incorrect load can be removed and a newly attached valid load can be operated without requiring a reset. A power supply or driver system for a lighting system including one or more solid state light sources includes the systems and methods. The power supply or driver system includes a processor and memory arrangement configured to detect whether a load is operable or non-operable while still being responsive to a new load being attached at any time, and to prevent the system from checking the same load more than once. These may be used in conjunction with features like auto-recovery, restart after faults, and load-hot-plug capability, while perhaps simultaneously reducing cyclical flashing of light output.

Abstract: A dynamic step dimming interface is provided that allows a ballast to energize a lamp in a dim mode or a normal mode. The ballast includes a lamp controller that energizes the lamp using an oscillating current. The oscillating current is also provided to a voltage monitor, which indicates the voltage level of the oscillating current, and to a rectifier, which provides an output indicative of the oscillating current. The rectifier is responsive to user input indicating whether the dim mode or the normal mode is to be used. A processing circuit receives the voltage level from the voltage monitor and provides a mode command to the ballast, indicating the lamp mode, based on inputs received, and provides a reference voltage to a comparator. The comparator receives the rectifier output and the reference voltage, and generates a voltage indicative of a power level of the lamp for the processing circuit.

Abstract: A ballast including a driver circuit, a filament heating circuit, a current detector circuit, and a control circuit is provided. The driver circuit generates an oscillating current signal. The filament heating circuit heats filaments of a lamp connected to the ballast and includes a heating transformer with primary and secondary windings and a switching circuit. The primary winding is connected to the driver circuit and the switching circuit. The secondary winding is connected to the primary winding and may be connected to the lamp. The duty cycle of the switching circuit controls current provided from the driver circuit to the primary winding to heat the lamp. The current detector circuit is connected to the switching circuit and detects a parameter of the current in the primary winding, which indicates the number of lamp filaments connected to the ballast. The control circuit controls the driver circuit based on the detected parameter.

Abstract: Systems and method for detecting failure in solid state light sources and recovering from the failure are provided. A light engine including a controller circuit and strings of solid state light sources emits light in response to drive current provided by a driver circuit. The controller circuit monitors an output voltage of the driver circuit, and detects a failure of one of the solid state light sources. The failure is associated with a change in the output voltage of the driver circuit. The controller circuit then transmits a first signal to the driver circuit in response to detecting a failure, and the driver circuit is configured to decrease the drive current in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A multi-strike ballast to ignite an electrodeless lamp is disclosed, and includes an inverter circuit, a protection circuit, and a controller. The inverter circuit, upon activation, sends an ignition pulse to the lamp. The inverter circuit shuts down upon receiving a deactivation signal, and activates upon receiving an activation signal, triggering another ignition pulse. The protection circuit senses a change in a voltage associated with the lamp. The sensed changed may indicate that the lamp has not yet ignited or that the lamp is broken. The controller receives the sensed change in voltage and, in response, sends a deactivation signal to the inverter circuit. The controller waits a predetermined time and then sends an activation signal to the inverter circuit. The controller repeats until a change in voltage associated with the lamp is not sensed, or until a predefined number of repeats occur, providing multiple ignition pulses to the lamp.

Abstract: A ballast for energizing a lamp at a lighting level selected from a plurality of lamp lighting levels. The ballast includes a buck converter circuit configured to receive a DC voltage signal having a substantially constant magnitude. The buck converter circuit has a duty cycle for generating a lamp voltage output signal from the DC voltage signal. The lamp voltage output signal has a magnitude that is varied by the duty cycle to energize the lamp at the plurality of lamp lighting levels. A controller is configured to receive a dim input signal indicative of the selected lamp lighting level and to provide a control signal to the buck converter circuit as a function of the dim input signal. The control signal indicates a particular duty cycle corresponding to a lamp voltage output signal having a magnitude for energizing the lamp at the selected lamp lighting level.

Abstract: A ballast to energize a lamp is provided. The ballast comprises a buck converter connected to an inverter via a switching component. The buck converter includes a transistor, a capacitor, a diode, and an inductor. The switching component has a predetermined breakover voltage value and is configured to provide a start up signal to the inverter when voltage at the switching component increases to the predetermined breakover voltage value. A control circuit is configured to monitor the voltage at the switching component while the voltage at the switching component increases to the predetermined breakover voltage, and is configured to generate a gate drive pulse at a gate terminal of the transistor when the voltage at the switching component reaches a predetermined voltage that is less than the breakover voltage of the switching component.

Abstract: A ballast to energize a lamp is provided. The ballast comprises a buck converter connected to an inverter via a switching component. The buck converter includes a transistor, a capacitor, a diode, and an inductor. The switching component has a predetermined breakover voltage value and is configured to provide a start up signal to the inverter when voltage at the switching component increases to the predetermined breakover voltage value. A control circuit is configured to monitor the voltage at the switching component while the voltage at the switching component increases to the predetermined breakover voltage, and is configured to generate a gate drive pulse at a gate terminal of the transistor when the voltage at the switching component reaches a predetermined voltage that is less than the breakover voltage of the switching component.

Abstract: A ballast to energize a lamp at a selected lighting level is provided. The ballast includes a rectifier, a buck converter, and a controller. The rectifier produces a DC voltage with a substantially constant magnitude. The buck converter generates a lamp voltage output from the DC voltage based on a duty cycle. The output has a magnitude that is varied based on the duty cycle to energize the lamp at a selected lighting level. The controller receives a dim input signal indicating the selected lighting level, and provides an appropriate control signal to the buck converter. The appropriate control signal indicates a particular duty cycle corresponding to magnitude of the output to produce the selected lighting level. In response to receiving the control signal, the buck converter adjusts the duty cycle accordingly, producing the output having the magnitude to energize the lamp at the selected lighting level.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating at least one first and second lamp each provided with a first and second coil electrode includes a first and second terminal for the first coil electrode of the first lamp, a first and second terminal for the second coil electrode of the first lamp, a first and second terminal for the first coil electrode of the second lamp, a first and second terminal for the second coil electrode of the second lamp, at least one supply connection for supplying voltage to the respective first coil electrode of the at least one first and second lamp, and at least one preheating device for the respective first coil electrode of the at least one first and second lamp. The second terminal of the first coil electrode of the first lamp is coupled to the second terminal of the first coil electrode of the second lamp while the preheating device encompasses a first preheating inductor and a second preheating inductor.

Abstract: A ballast used with an input power source for energizing a lamp. The ballast includes a power stage, a controller, an internal power supply for the power stage and the controller, and an input switch. The power stage energizes the lamp with power supplied by the input power source. The internal power supply is connected to the power stage for receiving power from the power stage and is connected to the input power source via the input switch for receiving power from the input power supply when the input switch operates in a closed mode. When the input switch operates in an open mode it electrically disconnects the internal power supply from the input power source. The controller selectively operates the input switch in the open mode and the closed mode as a function of the voltage of the internal power supply while the lamp is energized.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating at least one first and second lamp each provided with a first and second coil electrode includes a first and second terminal for the first coil electrode of the first lamp, a first and second terminal for the second coil electrode of the first lamp, a first and second terminal for the first coil electrode of the second lamp, a first and second terminal for the second coil electrode of the second lamp, at least one supply connection for supplying voltage to the respective first coil electrode of the at least one first and second lamp, and at least one preheating device for the respective first coil electrode of the at least one first and second lamp. The second terminal of the first coil electrode of the first lamp is coupled to the second terminal of the first coil electrode of the second lamp while the preheating device encompasses a first preheating inductor and a second preheating inductor.

Abstract: A ballast used with an input power source for energizing a lamp. The ballast includes a power stage, a controller, an internal power supply for the power stage and the controller, and an input switch. The power stage energizes the lamp with power supplied by the input power source. The internal power supply is connected to the power stage for receiving power from the power stage and is connected to the input power source via the input switch for receiving power from the input power supply when the input switch operates in a closed mode. When the input switch operates in an open mode it electrically disconnects the internal power supply from the input power source. The controller selectively operates the input switch in the open mode and the closed mode as a function of the voltage of the internal power supply while the lamp is energized.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic ballast and to an operating method for high-pressure discharge lamps. During a current measurement, in particular for current regulation, only switching phases of a specific polarity of the current are taken into consideration.

Abstract: A circuit (300) for igniting a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises input terminals (302,304), output terminal (306,308), a charging circuit (RIGN,CIGN), a transformer (320) having a primary winding (322) and a secondary winding (324), a MOSFET (340), and a clamping diode (DCLAMP). During operation, ignitor circuit (300) provides a high voltage (VIGN) for igniting an HID lamp. Ignitor circuit (300) provides an ignition voltage (VIGN) having a peak magnitude that is more predictable and less prone to degradation due to the influences of parasitic components. Additionally, ignitor circuit (300) may be realized in a manner that is significantly more cost-effective than comparable prior art circuits.

Abstract: A circuit (300) for igniting a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises input terminals (302,304), output terminal (306,308), a charging circuit (RIGN,CIGN), a transformer (320) having a primary winding (322) and a secondary winding (324), a MOSFET (340), and a clamping diode (DCLAMP). During operation, ignitor circuit (300) provides a high voltage (VIGN) for igniting an HID lamp. Ignitor circuit (300) provides an ignition voltage (VIGN) having a peak magnitude that is more predictable and less prone to degradation due to the influences of parasitic components. Additionally, ignitor circuit (300) may be realized in a manner that is significantly more cost-effective than comparable prior art circuits.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic ballast and to an operating method for high-pressure discharge lamps. During a current measurement, in particular for current regulation, only switching phases of a specific polarity of the current are taken into consideration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for fluorescent lamps and a corresponding ballast, in which the brightness of the fluorescent lamps (LP) is set to the desired value by varying the switching frequency of the inverter switches (T1, T2). In order to prevent oscillations between different operating states in a critical dimming range, the power consumption of the fluorescent lamps (LP) is stabilized according to the invention by way of an additional control loop.