Abstract: A multi-channel driver for driving an illuminating unit includes: a plurality of output channels for coupling with the illuminating unit; a power supply unit for supplying a driving current; a current distributing unit, which includes at least one current distributing circuit, wherein the at least one current distributing circuit includes two output channels respectively, and distributes the driving current provided by the power supply unit to the two output channels; a current detecting unit for detecting the output current output by the output channels, wherein the unit is configured with at least one current detecting circuit for the two output channels, and a control unit, wherein the control unit regulates the driving current according to the output current detected by the at least one current detecting circuit of the current detecting unit, to maintain constant output current in the output channels.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for light sources may include: a connection line to feed a light source, a switch element coupled to said line to apply on/off signals to said line, and a controller to control operation of said switch, said controller being sensitive to at least one of a dimming signal representative of a desired dimming level for said light source and an information-carrying digital signal, wherein said controller is configured to control operation of said switch to: a) PWM modulate an on/off signal applied to said line as a function of said dimming signal, whereby the average current conveyed towards said light source and determined by said PWM modulated on/off signal controls the brightness of said light source, b) transmit said information-carrying digital signal as an on/off information signal applied to said line, whereby the information carried by said information-carrying digital signal is transmitted over said line.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a power supply circuit for light sources is provided. The power supply circuit may include a ground line and a current feed line towards said light source, wherein said circuit includes an output inductor interposed in said current feed line, the circuit including an electronic switch interposed in said feed line switchable between an on condition, wherein said electronic switch is configured to ensure continuity of said feed line, and an off condition, wherein said electronic switch is configured to interrupt said current feed line, the circuit further including a rectifier set interposed between said output inductor and said electronic switch to rectify the voltage across said output inductor, the voltage produced by said rectifier set constituting a drive voltage to maintain said electronic switch in said on condition.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for light sources may include: a connection line to feed a light source, a switch element coupled to said line to apply on/off signals to said line, and a controller to control operation of said switch, said controller being sensitive to at least one of a dimming signal representative of a desired dimming level for said light source and an information-carrying digital signal, wherein said controller is configured to control operation of said switch to: a) PWM modulate an on/off signal applied to said line as a function of said dimming signal, whereby the average current conveyed towards said light source and determined by said PWM modulated on/off signal controls the brightness of said light source, b) transmit said information-carrying digital signal as an on/off information signal applied to said line, whereby the information carried by said information-carrying digital signal is transmitted over said line.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a driver device, which may include a transistor for providing a regulated current, said transistor having a control electrode; and a stabilization circuit acting on said control electrode of said transistor to produce a stabilized reference value for said current; a bipolar transistor coupled to said control electrode of said transistor in a feedback relationship, whereby, with said bipolar transistor conducting, increase and decrease of said current induce decrease and increase of the collector current in said bipolar transistor, respectively; and interposed between the base and the emitter of said bipolar transistor, a cascade arrangement of a diode and a resistance sensitive to said current so that said stabilized reference value for said current is determined by the value of said resistance as a function of the difference between the base-emitter voltage of said bipolar transistor and the voltage across the anode and cathode of said diode.

Abstract: Circuit with a switch-off device for the operation of light sources The invention relates to a circuit with a switch-off device for the operation of light sources (Lp), have the following features: a self-commutated half-bridge inverter having a series circuit of an upper electronic switch and a lower electronic switch (T1, T2), which are joined at a half-bridge midpoint (M) and are connected between a supply voltage (+) and a ground potential, a start capacitor (C3) which is joined via a trigger element (DIAC) to a control electrode of the lower electronic switch (T2), and a switch-off device having an input (E) and an output, which are configured and connected so that they discharge the start capacitor (C3) if a switch-off signal is applied to the input (E). The switch-off device contains a time delay.

Abstract: A circuit with a switch-off device for the operation of light sources (Lp), has the following features: a self-commutated half-bridge inverter having a series circuit of an upper electronic switch and a lower electronic switch, which are joined at a half-bridge midpoint and are connected between a supply voltage and a ground potential, a start capacitor which is joined via a trigger element to a control electrode of the lower electronic switch, and a switch-off device having an input and an output, which are configured and connected so that they discharge the start capacitor if a switch-off signal is applied to the input. The switch-off device contains a time delay. In order to be able to keep the components in the time delay small, it is proposed that the switch-off device should comprise two successively connected transistor stages with bipolar transistors.