Abstract: Multi-driver configuration apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for multi-driver configuration of a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) drivers. The system includes a plurality of LED drivers having a transformer, an input interface coupleable to the configuration device via a common communication medium, a microcontroller, a direct current (DC) sensing section to detect at least a portion of a tuning signal received at the input interface and to transmit a driver control input signal corresponding to the at least a portion of the tuning signal to the microcontroller, and a transmit switch configured to receive a driver control output signal from the microcontroller and to cause at least one output signal to be output from the LED driver via the input interface. A configuration device transmits the tuning signal to at least one LED driver.

Abstract: A portable apparatus is provided for configuring and/or programming lighting drivers without mains power application. An apparatus housing comprises first and second connectors and an antenna. During a first mode wherein the first connector is coupled to an external computing device, a battery receives and stores power therefrom, and a first controller receives and stores at least driver configuration settings therefrom. When the external device is disconnected the battery powers the apparatus, which polls a transceiver circuit to detect a driver antenna proximate to the apparatus antenna. The apparatus housing is configured to mount to a luminaire comprising the detected driver, wherein the second connector is coupled to the driver and the battery provides power to a driver controller. The first controller also during this second mode transfers the stored at least driver configuration settings to the driver controller via the operably proximate antennae, for example via bidirectional negotiations therewith.

Abstract: A luminaire otherwise lacking connectivity is provided hereby with an isolated method for connecting to a lighting control system. The luminaire comprises an NFC-equipped LED driver having a first antenna. A digital control device with a second antenna is permanently or semi-permanently mounted in or on the luminaire wherein the second antenna is positioned in operable proximity with the first antenna. The digital control device includes a first transceiver in communication with the external device and a first controller to receive and store device configuration data from the external device in volatile memory associated with a second transceiver linked to the first antenna. A controller associated with the LED driver selectively obtains the device configuration data from the volatile memory via the NFC field, and generates output current reference signals for regulating the output current from the LED driver, said reference signals corresponding to the device configuration data.

Abstract: A lighting device (e.g. LED driver) includes digital dimming, configuration and firmware updating via wireless communication circuitry and associated volatile memory (e.g., SRAM). A power stage converts AC mains input into a DC bus voltage, and further converts the DC bus voltage into output current for driving a load. A power distribution circuit generates a regulated DC voltage based on the DC bus voltage. A wireless interface circuit is linked to a wireless communications network (e.g., NFC), and configured to receive device configuration data during at least first operating conditions when the regulated DC voltage is unavailable, and further to receive dimming control data during second operating conditions when the regulated DC voltage is available. A controller generates gate driving signals for regulating the output current from the power stage, said gate driving signals generated based at least in part on the device configuration data and the dimming control data.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided with input terminals that receive corresponding terminals from any one of an analog or digital dimming device or a driver configuration device. Depending on the type of connected device, different circuits are enabled by a controller to receive dimming control signals from an analog or digital dimming device, or to receive device configuration data from a multiple driver configuration device. A wireless interface circuit receives and stores configuration data via an antenna. The controller automatically detects whether one of the analog or digital dimming device or the driver configuration device is coupled to the input terminals, enables a corresponding one of the analog and digital interface circuit or the driver configuration interface circuit, and generates output current reference signals for regulating the output current from the driving circuit, said reference signals corresponding to the received dimming control signals via the analog and digital interface circuit.

Abstract: A lighting system includes various ballasts or LED drivers having respective dimming interface circuits coupled in parallel to an external dimming device. Each device includes a controller regulating output to a lighting load based on desired dimming output. Dimming interface circuits coupled are between the controller and the external dimming device, each configured to dynamically adapt a level of constant current sourced from the dimming interface circuit to the external dimming device via first and second interface terminals, based on a determined analog mode or digital mode associated with the external device. The dimming interface circuit generates dimming control signals to the controller based on dimming input signals received via the first and second interface terminals, and in a digital mode, the interface circuit generates digital pulse signals to the external dimming device via the interface terminals for bidirectional communications therewith.

Abstract: A system for a linear isolated power supply circuit may include a boost converter having a boost inductor winding and an auxiliary side winding, the auxiliary side winding configured to be magnetically coupled to the boost inductor winding. The linear isolated power supply circuit includes a voltage sensing circuit coupled to the auxiliary side winding, the voltage sensing circuit configured to measure an input voltage at an isolated circuit associated with the auxiliary winding. The linear isolated power supply circuit includes a processor configured to receive the measured input voltage from the voltage sensing circuit and to cause at least one operation to be performed by the processor based at least in part upon the measured input voltage. Methods and apparatuses corresponding to the system are provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for configuring an unpowered light emitting diode (LED) driver using an RS-232 interface are provided. An LED driver includes an RS-232 serial connector and an RS-232 serial interface controller coupled to the RS-232 serial connector. The RS-232 serial interface controller is configured to provide an RS-232 port for the LED driver. The LED driver includes a voltage regulator coupled between the RS-232 serial connector and the RS-232 serial interface controller. The voltage regulator is configured (i) to receive a voltage regulator input voltage at least in part from the RS-232 serial connector when operating in an unpowered tuning mode, and (ii) to output a regulated voltage. A controller of the LED driver is powered by the regulated voltage during an unpowered tuning operation of the LED driver.

Abstract: A light fixture is provided or retrofitted with wireless LED lighting system requiring no additional wireless devices. An LED driver housing has power output terminals and control input terminals for an LED driver disposed therein. An LED lighting device includes driver input terminals to receive the output power from the LED driver, and to which an LED array and a wireless communication module are coupled to receive power therefrom. The wireless communication module comprises a transceiver configured to send and receive wireless communication signals with respect to an external device, and a controller linked to the transceiver and configured to generate lighting output control signals. Dimming control signals received via the transceiver may be processed by the controller and transmitted to the driver without requiring additional hardware or wiring within or attached to the driver. The lighting device also can wirelessly receive occupancy sensor data or LED configuration information.

Abstract: An LED driver circuit capable of being tuned via an unpowered tuning process and associated methods are provided. A radio frequency (RF) coupling circuit receives an RF tuning signal having a plurality of cycles of an RF carrier. The RF coupling circuit outputs a coupled RF tuning signal to a direct current (DC) generator circuit which rectifies the coupled RF tuning signal and outputs a rectified RF tuning voltage. A RF demodulation circuit receives the rectified RF tuning signal and selectively converts each burst of the rectified RF tuning signal to a single DC pulse. The RF demodulation circuit includes a Zener diode limiting the emitted voltage from the RF demodulation circuit. The microcontroller receives the output of the RF demodulation circuit, receives the regulated voltage, and controls one or more tuning operations of the LED driver circuit.

Abstract: A control system for a light emitting diode (LED) driver is provided. The control system includes a control module, a command interface, and a combined signal interface. The control module includes a microcontroller configured to receive at least one signal and to determine an LED driver command signal and a command module connected to the microcontroller and capable of communicating with both the lighting dimmer and the wireless control module. The control system includes a command interface which communicatively couples the control module to the LED driver. A combined signal interface communicatively couples the command module and at least one of the lighting dimmer and the wireless control module. The combined signal interface conveys one or more signals between the control module and at least one of the lighting dimmer and the wireless control module. Associated methods and modules are also provided.

Abstract: An isolated buck converter protects inverter switches during non-zero voltage switching and reduces output ripple current by maintaining operation of an output inductor of the isolated buck converter in a continuous current mode. Continuous current mode operation is maintained by various combinations of: shifting the frequency of operation of the inverter switches of the isolated buck converter as a function of output current of the isolated buck converter; employing pulse density modulation to decrease the off time of the isolated buck converter which will decrease the magnitude of the current ripple; and use a step gap core (i.e., a swinging choke) for the output inductor that saturates to a lower value of inductance for high load current and a higher value of inductance at low load current.

Abstract: A high efficiency electronic ballast or driver circuit provides striation control at reduced power levels. The driver circuit includes a controller operating a half-bridge inverter to drive a resonant tank circuit. The controller provides asymmetric on-times to upper and lower switches of the half-bridge inverter when operating at low duty cycles (e.g., duty cycles of 50% or less). The resulting asymmetric output current eliminates striation in lamps driven by the ballast. In order to maintain light output (i.e., output current), the controller reduces the operating frequency of the half-bridge inverter to increase the gain and impedance of the resonant tank circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes first and second magnetic cores defining first, second, and middle legs extending between first and second back walls, an air gap defined in the middle leg. First, second, and middle legs, and first and second back walls have a substantially equal width. A first winding is located on the first leg, a second winding located on the second leg, and a third winding located on the middle leg. The magnetic device can be part of an electronic ballast circuit including an AC power source, a positive AC rail, a negative AC rail, a resonant capacitor coupled between the positive and negative AC rails, multiple positive and negative lamp terminals configured to couple to respective gas discharge lamps, and windings on a magnetic device coupled between the positive AC rail and respective positive lamp terminals. The third winding is coupled between AC power source and positive AC rail to define a resonant inductor.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a light source driver circuit and a light engine. The light engine includes a light source and a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the light source. The driver circuit includes a temperatures sensing circuit operable to connect to the temperature sensor and provide a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the light source. The driver circuit monitors the temperature signal and shuts down an output current provided to the light source when the temperature is outside of a predetermined operating range. The driver circuit is configured to interface with a thermistor or normally bi-metal switch temperature sensor without alteration.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a driver circuit that fully defines operational characteristics for operation outside of “Nominal Operation” of the driver circuit. The driver circuit increases a target current or set point when the current of the light source (i.e., output current of the driver circuit) or the voltage of the light source (i.e., output voltage of the driver circuit) is below a minimum operating current or minimum operating voltage of the driver circuit regardless of a command current level of the driver circuit. The driver circuit implements a soft start ramp up scheme having a default rate of increase for a set point or target current. After a shutdown, the driver circuit periodically attempts to restart operation by increasing the set point or target current from zero (i.e., shutdown) at a reduced rate as compared to the default rate.

Abstract: A constant current LED driver circuit includes a unified controller operable to control start up peripheral circuits and control power output of the driver circuit. The unified controller initializes, starts driver circuit components in a predetermined order, and controls operation to prevent runaway operation, failure to start, and nuisance shut downs. Additionally, due to centralized operational condition monitoring, the controller can detect conditions that would cause unnecessary shut downs and prevent such nuisance shutdowns. The unified controller enables fast, finite control over switches of a DC-to-DC converter of the driver circuit to improve output current and voltage control, improving closed loop responsiveness and operation of the DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: A lighting device such as an electronic ballast or LED driver includes circuitry to detect power converter activity and act accordingly. A power factor correction (PFC) circuit includes an inductor, a power converter switch, and a PFC controller effective to provide driving signals the power converter switch to turn on and off. A power converter activity detection circuit includes a first capacitor coupled between the PFC controller and the power converter switch, a zener diode, and a second capacitor coupled between the first capacitor and ground. An output voltage for the power converter activity detection circuit as referenced from a node between the first capacitor and the second capacitor is representative of activity by the power converter switch, and is provided to a lighting device controller which may accordingly maintain operation of the lighting device where a mains power interruption is only temporary but would otherwise disable the device.

Abstract: A lighting ballast includes a filament drive reduction circuit with a first inductor coupled across a filament drive source, and a second inductor and a capacitor coupled in parallel to define an LC tank between a first end of the first inductor and the filament drive source. The inductance value of the second inductor and the capacitance value of the capacitor are selected such that the natural resonance of the LC tank is substantially equal to the normal operating frequency of the filament drive source, wherein the LC tank acts as an open circuit during normal operation and the first inductor acts to balance the pin currents of series connected lamp filaments. The first and second inductors are further substantially equal in value, wherein excess filament drive current is shunted away in accordance with a normal operating frequency.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a driver circuit that fully defines operational characteristics for operation outside of “Nominal Operation” of the driver circuit. The driver circuit increases a target current or set point when the current of the light source (i.e., output current of the driver circuit) or the voltage of the light source (i.e., output voltage of the driver circuit) is below a minimum operating current or minimum operating voltage of the driver circuit regardless of a command current level of the driver circuit. The driver circuit implements a soft start ramp up scheme having a default rate of increase for a set point or target current. After a shutdown, the driver circuit periodically attempts to restart operation by increasing the set point or target current from zero (i.e., shutdown) at a reduced rate as compared to the default rate.