Abstract: An ignition system for automobile industry is disclosed. The system includes a high voltage source to initiate the spark and a low voltage source to add additional energy to the spark and the initiation of the spark and adding of the additional energy to the spark is carried out while the primary winding of the transformer is conducting. This high energy ignition system is carried out using the transformer with a secondary high voltage winding. The spark generation and adding additional energy is carried out using both capacitive and inductive transfer system using the transformer. Different ways of generating high voltage are also disclosed. Both single switch method and two switch method and multiple switch methods are also disclosed. Current controlled spark generation and multiple pulse method are also disclosed. The system delivers more energy efficiently while the primary is on and with smaller transformer and faster current rise.

Abstract: An inrush current protection circuit for a solid state lighting fixture is provided. The inrush current protection circuit includes one or more current limiting devices and one or more switching devices coupled in parallel with the one or more current limiting devices. The one or more switching devices are configured in a first state when the solid state lighting fixture draws an inrush current from a power source. The inrush current is provided to the one or more current limiting devices when the one or more switching devices are in the first state. The one or more switching devices are configured in a second state when the solid state lighting fixture draws a steady-state current from the power source. The steady-state current bypasses the one or more current limiting devices when the one or more switching devices are in the second state.

Abstract: A DC transformer circuit is provided. A first end of an energy storage inductor in the DC transformer circuit is connected with a module output pin in a DC transformer module, and a second end of the energy storage inductor is connected to a grounded terminal. Using the DC transformer circuit can thus generate a negative voltage for a display device. Compared to a DC buck-boost circuit adopted in the existing arts, the DC transformer circuit has an advantage of low cost.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light board and a light dimmer circuit. The light board includes multiple first light emitting elements and second light emitting elements. The first light emitting elements are disposed in a first area of the light board. The second light emitting elements are disposed in a second area of the light board. The light dimmer circuit is configured to drive the second light emitting elements to generate flickering lights from the second area of the light board, and is configured to drive the first light emitting elements to generate non-flickering lights from the first area of the light board.

Abstract: A device comprises a substrate layer having a first side and a second side. The second side of the substrate layer comprises at least one depression. The device comprises a touch-interface surface on the first side of the substrate layer. The device comprises at least one piezoelectric transducer on the second side of the substrate layer comprising a support plate and a piezoelectric element. The at least one piezoelectric transducer is aligned with the at least one depression of the substrate layer. The device comprises a printed circuit board layer electrically coupled to the piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric transducer. A device and a trackpad are provided.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a balun having a first unbalanced terminal, a second unbalanced terminal, a first balanced terminal, and a second balanced terminal, a grounded vacuum container, a first electrode electrically connected to the first balanced terminal, a second electrode electrically connected to the second balanced terminal, and a ground electrode arranged in the vacuum container and grounded.

Abstract: A system for powering an excimer bulb includes a first inductor configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the excimer bulb. The system further includes a first transistor coupled to the first inductor and having an on state configured to allow current to flow through the first inductor and an off state. The system further includes a second transistor configured to be coupled to the first terminal of the excimer bulb and having an on state configured to allow current to flow through the excimer bulb and an off state. The system further includes a controller coupled to the first transistor and the second transistor, and to control operation of the first transistor and the second transistor to power the excimer bulb.

Abstract: System and method for controlling one or more light emitting diodes. For example, the system includes: a phase detector configured to process information associated with a rectified voltage generated by a rectifier and related to a TRIAC dimmer, the rectified voltage corresponding to a first waveform during a first half cycle of an AC voltage and corresponding to a second waveform during a second half cycle of the AC voltage, the phase detector being further configured to generate a phase detection signal representing a first time duration during which the first waveform indicates that the rectified voltage is larger than a predetermined threshold and representing a second time duration during which the second waveform indicates that the rectified voltage is larger than the predetermined threshold; and a mode detector configured to process information associated with the rectified voltage.

Abstract: A power converter including a piezoelectric resonator. The power converter includes a first transistor coupled between an input terminal and a first plate of the piezoelectric resonator, and a second transistor coupled between the first plate of the piezoelectric resonator and an output terminal. A load may be coupled at the output terminal. Controller circuitry has inputs coupled to the input node, the output node, and to the first plate of the piezoelectric resonator, and outputs coupled to control terminals of the first and second transistors. The controller circuitry operates to turn on the first transistor responsive to a comparison of voltages at the first plate and the input terminal, turn on the second transistor responsive to a comparison of voltages at the first plate and the output terminal, and turn off one of the first and second transistors responsive to an output level at the output terminal.

Abstract: An integrated magnetic component comprises a common mode inductance and a differential mode inductance. The common mode inductance is formed by a common mode core surrounding a winding window and at least two windings wound around the common mode core and through the winding window. The differential mode inductance is formed by the at least two windings and a differential mode core being spaced from the common mode core by a gap. The differential mode core comprises at least one surface being adjacent to each of the at least two windings. Further, a filter for attenuating electromagnetic interference comprises an integrated magnetic component according to the invention. Even further, the integrated magnetic component according to the invention is used for attenuating electromagnetic interference, preferably in a vehicle, a data center, or a telecommunication unit. A method for manufacturing an integrated magnetic component according to the invention comprises two steps.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a balun having a first unbalanced terminal, a second unbalanced terminal, a first balanced terminal, and a second balanced terminal, a grounded vacuum container, a first electrode electrically connected to the first balanced terminal, a second electrode electrically connected to the second balanced terminal, and a ground electrode arranged in the vacuum container and grounded.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes an impedance matching circuit, a balun having a first unbalanced terminal connected to the impedance matching circuit, a grounded second unbalanced terminal, a first balanced terminal and a second balanced terminal, a grounded vacuum container, a first electrode electrically connected to the first balanced terminal, a second electrode electrically connected to the second balanced terminal, an adjustment reactance configured to affect a relationship between a first voltage applied to the first electrode and a second voltage applied to the second electrode, a high-frequency power supply configured to supply a high frequency between the first unbalanced terminal and the second unbalanced terminal via the impedance matching circuit, and a controller configured to control an impedance of the impedance matching circuit and a reactance of the adjustment reactance.

Abstract: A method for controlling an item of electrical equipment of a motor vehicle including a device for controlling the item of equipment including a microcontroller, which is configured to generate an AC electrical signal for controlling the item of equipment characterized by its duty cycle, and a driver interface that is characterized by a maximum operating temperature threshold beyond which the driver interface is inoperative. The method includes determining the internal temperature of the driver interface, comparing the determined internal temperature with a first predetermined warning threshold and decreasing the duty cycle of the electrical signal when the first warning threshold has been exceeded so as to limit the power of the electrical signal and thus to keep the internal temperature of the driver interface below its maximum operating temperature threshold.

Abstract: An instant restrike igniter for use with a high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp and having a bleeder circuit including a resistor in parallel with a capacitor. The bleeder circuit in electrical communication with a voltage source. A transformer is in electrical communication with the bleeder circuit. The transformer includes a first winding that is in communication with and powers a lamp and a second winding. A triggering circuit is in electrical communication with the second winding of the transformer and the bleeder circuit. The triggering circuit has a minimum holding current of 50 mA and is configured to discharge the capacitor to generate high voltage pulses that are sent, via the transformer, to the lamp to reignite the lamp after a power interruption that extinguishes the lamp.

Abstract: A magnetic core according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first magnetic core having pure iron or an Fe-based alloy and a second magnetic core disposed to surround at least a part of an outer circumferential surface of the first magnetic core and including ferrite.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes an impedance matching circuit, a balun having a first unbalanced terminal connected to the impedance matching circuit, a grounded second unbalanced terminal, a first balanced terminal and a second balanced terminal, a grounded vacuum container, a first electrode electrically connected to the first balanced terminal, a second electrode electrically connected to the second balanced terminal, an adjustment reactance configured to affect a relationship between a first voltage applied to the first electrode and a second voltage applied to the second electrode, a high-frequency power supply configured to supply a high frequency between the first unbalanced terminal and the second unbalanced terminal via the impedance matching circuit, and a controller configured to control an impedance of the impedance matching circuit and a reactance of the adjustment reactance.

Abstract: An automated headlight system for vehicles replaces the high and low beam with a continuum of beam patterns, with further variable spatial distribution of intensities and color spectrum. The digital-headlight is comprised of a controller, sensors and multiple, individually-controllable light-sources modified by optical-control elements to form narrow-beams which are then combined to create the overall headlamp beam. Utilizing real-time sensor data regarding beings, objects and vehicles in the way-ahead, as well as optional information on the driver, vehicle and environment, the logical controller dynamically adapts the headlight system's illumination so as to provide vehicle operators with optimal visibility while preventing discomfort-glare from reaching the eyes oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

Abstract: A light fixture having a bulb base connector limited to a DC supply with 10-30 volt DC power. The connector assembly utilizes threading, friction and/or detent connection for connecting a lightbulb assembly to the light fixture in vehicles. A dual threading system and a barrel connector are configured to connect the lightbulb to the light fixture and to supply power from the fixture to the light bulb. The system uses a unique bulb base and connector to adapt to preexisting fixtures.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a power converter and a current detector that is disposed at at least one position out of a primary-side position and a secondary-side position for the power converter and detects a current flowing at the at least one position. A snubber circuit including a capacitor is directly connected in parallel to both ends of the current detector.

Abstract: A LED retrofit driver circuit (3) is provided, comprising at least an input (6) for receiving an operating voltage from a power supply (2), an output (8) for connection to one or more LED units (5), a power converter (7) connected with said input (6) and said output (8) and configured to provide a lamp current (50) at said output (8) during operation in at least a first and a second operating state. To provide a versatile circuit (3), allowing operation with a variety of power supplies and under various load conditions, in said first operating state, the power converter (7) is adapted to switch between a high current generating mode (40), in which the power converter (7) is configured to draw current pulses from said power supply (2) to provide a first average input current (33a), and an OFF mode (42) in which no current is drawn from said power supply (2).

Abstract: A power supply includes a DC to DC converter, a storage capacitor, a voltage detector, a bypass unit, and a voltage-multiplying unit. The DC to DC converter receives a capacitor voltage from the storage capacitor and generates an output voltage; the voltage detector is configured to detect an input voltage. The bypass unit electrically connected to the storage capacitor turns on when the input voltage is equal to or greater than the capacitor voltage and turns off when the input voltage is lower than the capacitor voltage. The voltage-multiplying unit electrically connected to the storage capacitor and the voltage detector includes a first winding and a second winding and performs a voltage-multiplying procedure by coupling the first winding to the second winding while the input voltage is lower than a threshold voltage to ensure that the DC to DC converter can generate the output voltage for a specific period.

Abstract: A discharge lamp driver includes a discharge lamp driving unit configured to supply drive current to a discharge lamp and a control unit configured to control the discharge lamp driving unit. The drive current has a modulation drive period in which a first period in which AC current having a frequency higher than 1 kHz is supplied and a second period in which DC current is supplied are alternately repeated. In the modulation drive period, the control unit periodically changes length of a first DC period included in the second periods and in which DC current of a first polarity is supplied, and length of a second DC period included in the second periods and in which DC current of a second polarity is supplied, and increases one of the length of the first DC period and the length of the second DC period while decrease the other one.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic sheet including a resin film and a thin sheet-shaped magnetic body adhered to the resin film by an adhesive layer sandwiched between the thin sheet-shaped magnetic body and the resin film. The thin sheet-shaped magnetic body is made from an Fe-based metal magnetic material, has a thickness of 15 ?m to 35 ?m, and has an AC relative magnetic permeability (?r) in the range of 220 to 770 at a frequency of 500 kHz.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an alternating current (AC) to AC converter circuit for independently adjusting a current and voltage to adjust a light output of a light operating on AC power. In one embodiment, the AC to AC converter circuit includes a microprocessor, a first switch coupled to the microprocessor, a power factor controller (PFC) module coupled to the first switch, wherein the first switch is controlled by the microprocessor in accordance with a desired power output, one or more boost switches coupled to the PFC module, wherein the one or more boost switches are controlled by the PFC module as a function of an operation of the first switch and one or more load switches coupled to the one or more boost switches, wherein the one or more load switches are controlled by the microprocessor in accordance with the desired power output.

Abstract: A discharge device includes a power supply device supplying AC power for generating a discharge in a clearance to a discharge load having a high-voltage electrode and a grounding electrode arranged to face the high-voltage electrode with the clearance and connected to a ground GND and having a connection state detector detecting a connection state of an output path of AC power, and a controller controlling the power supply device by determining the existence of an abnormality in the connection state and deciding whether AC power can be supplied or not. In the case where a disconnection or a connection failure occurs in the output path of AC power to be supplied from the discharge device to the discharge load, apparatuses included in the discharge device are protected from damage as well as occurrence of a secondary disaster can be prevented and suppressed.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an LED driving circuit with which it is possible to easily manage the color temperature by adjusting light.

Abstract: A power converter and a method are disclosed. The power converter includes a plurality of converting modules and a plurality of switching circuits. Each of the converting modules includes a bypass element configured to be shorted when a fault occurs. The switching circuits are electrically coupled in series to each other and electrically coupled in parallel to the converting modules respectively. Any one of the switching circuits is configured to be shorted when the bypass element of the corresponding converting module is shorted.

Abstract: A coupled inductor includes a first end magnetic element, a second end magnetic element, N connecting magnetic elements, and N windings, where N is an integer greater than one. Each of the N connecting magnetic elements connects to both of the first and second end magnetic elements. Each of the N windings is wound around a respective one of the N connecting magnetic elements such that the N windings are wound in alternating opposing directions. Possible applications of the coupled inductor include, but are not limited to, switching power converter applications.

Abstract: An integrated magnetic component includes a magnetic core and a plurality of windings. The magnetic core includes at least four magnetic columns. The windings include a primary winding, a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding, and an inductor winding. The primary winding, the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding are wound on one of the magnetic columns. The inductor winding is wound on another magnetic column, and the inductor winding is coupled to the connection where the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding couple to each other. By integrating a transformer and a filter inductor into the integrated magnetic component, the number of the magnetic components, the overall volume, and the weight may be reduced while the mechanical properties may be promoted and the loss of the component connections may be reduced.

Abstract: A display connector is provided and includes a plate body, a display assembly, and a power source. The plate body includes a panel fastener, and the display assembly is positioned on the plate body. The display assembly includes a light source, with the power source connecting to the light source through the plate body.

Abstract: A power line communication system communicates dimming levels to a lighting circuit over AC power lines. A power line controller generates control signals which are inserted on the AC power signal to the lighting circuit. A first series resonant circuit is coupled across the AC lines to bypass high frequency components from the control signals. A power line receiver receives the AC power signal and extracts the control signal to generate dimming level signals corresponding with the desired dimming level. To extract the control signal out of the AC power signal, the power line receiver has a resonant circuit connected in parallel with the AC power line and tuned to transmit the ballast control signal and to filter out the AC power signal. A dimming level sensing circuit then senses the signal pattern on the control signal and generates a dimming level signal corresponding to the desired dimming level.

Abstract: An apparatus and computer readable storage medium are disclosed for supplying power to a load such as a plurality of light emitting diodes. A representative apparatus comprises a primary module, a first secondary module couplable to a first load, and a second secondary module couplable to a second load. The primary module comprises a transformer having a transformer primary. The first secondary module comprises a first transformer secondary magnetically coupled to the transformer primary, and the second secondary module comprises a second transformer secondary magnetically coupled to the transformer primary, with the second secondary module couplable through the first or second load to the first secondary module.

Abstract: A lighting device includes: a circuit board placed on a base; and a transformer provided in the circuit board. The transformer includes: a winding pattern formed on the circuit board; and a core having an outer leg portion. The circuit board has an outer leg insertion portion through which the outer leg portion of the core is inserted, and the circuit board and the base have therebetween a gap which is air space. The base and at least a lateral face of the outer leg portion are bonded together by a first resin that is insertable from the outer leg insertion portion.

Abstract: A magnetic core and a magnetic component using the same are disclosed. The magnetic core has a first magnetic material and a non-uniform filling section in connection; also, the magnetic core has a magnetic flux direction, for which the non-uniform filling section perpendicular to the magnetic flux direction contains at least two kinds of magnetic material. Comparing to a conventional uniform-filling magnetic core, the non-uniform filling section within the magnetic component of the magnetic core can provide higher initial inductance and better DC-bias characteristics; this improved magnetic component can provide higher inductance in specific mandatory loads, or less efficiency loss in a condition of the same inductance provided.

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: An inverter switches input voltage Vin to flow an excitation current to excitation winding Np of a transformer and output to a discharger an alternating voltage Vout from the output winding Ns. In an output circuit flowing a current to the discharger, a voltage-responsive connector is connected in series with the winding Ns to interrupt or connect the output circuit according to a voltage applied to between opposed electrodes. The voltage-responsive connector has characteristics of keeping the electrodes in an insulated state until an instantaneous value of the alternating voltage reaches a predetermined value, and holding the electrodes in a conduction state while the instantaneous value of the alternating voltage has reached the predetermined value and continues to exceed the predetermined value, and quickly returning the electrodes to the insulated state when the instantaneous value of the alternating voltage has fallen below the predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dimmable, multi-channel voltage/current source (47) with several outputs (CH1, CH2) for connecting an electrical load (10, 20), which provides a regulated direct current (I1, I2) at every output (CH1, CH2). The voltage source (47) comprises, for every output (CH1, CH2), a first dimming device (3), with which part of the current (I1?, I2?) flowing to the output (CH1, CH2) can be conducted to a reference potential (GND) and which in each case comprises a switch (17, 27) that is controlled by a first PWM signal, and a second dimming device (4) with a second switch (12, 22) that is arranged in series to the electrical load (10, 20) and which is controlled by a second PWM signal (open1, open2).

Abstract: The power supply system for one or more lighting modules with light-emitting diodes comprises an electrical power source able to be connected to each lighting module via an electrical connection and a detection device to detect a connection direction of each lighting module. The detection device comprises an injection circuit to inject a setpoint current, a first comparison circuit to compute a voltage measured on the corresponding electrical connection following the injection of the setpoint with a first voltage threshold, and an inversion circuit to invert the polarity of the lighting module when the voltage measured on the corresponding electrical connection is greater than or equal to the first voltage threshold.

Abstract: When an operator operates an operation tool of a dimming operation terminal device in order to set the brightness of a lighting load to desired brightness, an energization electric signal, for example, a voltage level detected by a dimming control section changes. The dimming control section generates a dimming signal modulated according to the voltage level. Power supply to the dimming control section is performed by an insulated auxiliary power supply. Transmission of the dimming signal is performed via an insulating section.

Abstract: A control method is disclosed for light dimming. A dimming condition signal is provided to represent whether a light emitting device is expected to be emitting light. The duration when the dimming condition signal is at a logic value indicating the light emitting device is emitting light is a dimming-ON time, in which a close loop is provided to make a power converter convert electric energy to the light emitting device such that the light emitting device is capable of emitting light. A power-ON time is the duration when the power converter converts electric energy to the light emitting device. When the dimming-ON time ends and is less than a minimum power-ON time, the power converter continues converting the electric energy to the light emitting device so as to keep the power-ON time not less than the minimum power-ON time.

Abstract: A self-oscillating resonator (SOR) may be used to control current through light emitting diodes (LEDs). The SOR may be started and stopped by a controller coupled to a transistor switch in the SOR. The controller may output a control signal that starts and stops the SOR by coupling a supply voltage or a ground to a base of the transistor switch in the SOR. Additional control over the current output to the LEDs may be gained through a resistive DAC coupled to the SOR and duty cycling the SOR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power converter architecture and its operation principle that supplies an electric load with a controlled direct voltage from both a local direct current electricity source as well as an alternating current (AC) mains with maximum power conversion efficiency. For the case that the local electricity source can not provide enough electricity to the local load it is additionally supplied with electricity from the AC mains. In other case electricity is also feed into the AC grid when a local source can provide more electricity than needed to supply local loads.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes controller of a switching power converter to control the switching power converter and determine one or more switching power converter control parameters. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter utilizes a transformer to transfer energy from a primary-side of the transformer to a secondary-side of the transformer. In at least one embodiment, the switching power converter control parameters includes a secondary-side conduction time delay that represents a time delay between when the primary-side ceases conducting a primary-side current and the secondary-side begins to conduct a secondary-side current. In at least one embodiment, determining and accounting for this secondary-side conduction time delay increases the prediction accuracy of the secondary-side current value and accurate delivery of energy to a load when the controller does not directly sense the secondary-side current provided to the load.

Abstract: The present application discloses a LED driver including: a first and a second auxiliary windings connected in series with each other; a first rectifying device coupled with a terminal of the first auxiliary winding while the other terminal is coupled with the second auxiliary winding; a second rectifying device coupled with a terminal of the second auxiliary winding; a first voltage regulator coupled with the first rectifying device; an unidirectional conducting device having a positive and a negative terminals; and a DC output terminal coupled with the negative terminal of the unidirectional conducting device and configured to provide required DC electricity to a control circuit in the LED driver. The LED driver can guarantee that Vcc voltages provided under a heavy or light load state can always meet the DC power supplying requirements of respective control devices in the driver and meanwhile losses can be reduced.

Abstract: An LED lamp is provided in which the output light intensity of the LEDs in the LED lamp is adjusted based on the input voltage to the LED lamp. A dimmer control unit detects a type of dimmer switch during a configuration process. Using the detected dimmer type, the dimmer control unit generates control signals appropriate for the detected dimmer type to provide regulated current to the LEDs and to achieve the desired dimming effect. The LED lamp can be a direct replacement of conventional incandescent lamps in typical wiring configurations found in residential and commercial building lighting applications that use conventional dimmer switches.

Abstract: A system for implementing mains-voltage-based dimming of a solid state lighting module includes a transformer, a mains sensing circuit and a processing circuit. The transformer includes a primary side connected to a primary side circuit and a secondary side connected to a secondary side circuit, the primary and second side circuits being separated by an isolation barrier. The mains sensing circuit receives a rectified mains voltage from the primary side circuit and generates a mains sense signal indicating amplitude of the rectified mains voltage. The processing circuit receives the mains sense signal from the mains sensing circuit across the isolation barrier, and outputs a dimming reference signal to the secondary side circuit in response to the mains sense signal. Light output by the solid state lighting module, connected to the secondary side circuit, is adjusted in response to the dimming reference signal output by the processing circuit.

Abstract: A power drive system of light-emitting diode (LED) strings includes an isolation transformer, a current-sharing capacitor, two rectifying units, and a current control integrated circuit (IC). The isolation transformer has a primary-side winding and a secondary-side winding with a dotted terminal and a non-dotted terminal. The current-sharing capacitor is connected to the dotted terminal at one terminal thereof. One rectifying units is connected to the other terminal of the current-sharing capacitor, and the other rectifying unit is connected to the non-dotted terminal of the secondary-side winding. Each rectifying unit is connected to one LED string. The current control IC is connected between common points of the rectifying units and corresponding anode terminals of the LED strings and corresponding cathode terminals of the LED strings.

Abstract: A driver for an LED lamp assembly includes a rectifier configured to receive an AC power and produce a first DC power and a switching regulator coupled to the rectifier. The switching regulator is configured to receive the first DC power and produce an output DC power. The driver also includes a current controller coupled between the rectifier and the switching regulator. The current controller is configured to damp and stabilize an electric current flowing between the switching regulator and the rectifier.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for a lighting unit may include a Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit, an inverter, and a control circuit for controlling startup of the inverter, wherein the control circuit is coupled between the PFC circuit and the inverter and includes a switching device coupled in a startup loop for the inverter; a unidirectional conductive device coupled between a PFC power supply circuit for providing an operation current to a PFC controller of the PFC circuit and an input of the PFC controller for preventing a startup current flowing through the PFC circuit from triggering the switching device; and a triggering device coupled to the switching device and a connection point between the unidirectional conductive device and the PFC power supply circuit for controlling switch-on and switch-off of the switching device.

Abstract: A method for operating a HID lamp using a bi-power electromagnetic ballast. The method includes applying a full power level to the lamp to produce full brightness and applying a dimmed power level to the lamp to produce a dimmed brightness. The lamp may be dimmed by switching the lamp power from the full power level to the dimmed power level and then applying a full power pulse to the lamp. The dimmed power level is less than the full power level.