Texas Instruments Corporation

Astec International Limited

Geoffrey Potter

Hong Mao

Joseph Maurice Khayat

Victor Samuel Sinow

Apparatus and methods operate to perform digital time sampling of a waveform associated with a rectified alternating current, edge-controlled power signal, whether leading or trailing edge-controlled. A dimming code (DIM code) is generated based upon rising and falling edge zero crossing timing. The DIM code is normalized with respect to an allowable edge control window synchronized with the waveform. A minimally-dimmed waveform results in a maximum DIM code corresponding to a full-scale DAC maximum brightness analog output signal. The DIM code is loaded into a DAC to be converted to an analog brightness signal. The analog brightness signal may be used by a lighting power controller to control the brightness of one or more lighting elements. Accurate and repeatable light intensities independent of dimmer type may result.

Digital phase angle detection and processing

A light driving system is provided that includes a light dimmer that receives an AC input signal and provides a dimmer output signal that includes a fast rising leading edge, a rectifier that receives the dimmer output signal and provide a rectified dimmer output signal and an AC/DC converter that filters the rectified dimmer output signal to provide a DC input signal that is employed to drive a light. The light driving system also comprises a protection circuit that limits current to the AC/DC converter during the fast rising leading edge of the dimmer output signal.

Light driving system and method

A DC-DC switching cell module includes a switch, a rectifier, an output filter coupled to the rectifier, and an input port for receiving an external PWM control signal from a controller. The switching cell module is configured to control the switch in response to the external PWM control signal to generate a DC output voltage from a DC input voltage. The switching cell module is configured for attachment to a circuit board as a discrete component.

DC-DC switching cell modules for on-board power systems

A controller for controlling a plurality of DC-DC switching cells each configured to generate an output voltage in response to receiving a PWM control signal from the controller. The controller includes a plurality of output ports for outputting a plurality of PWM control signals, and at least one input port for receiving a plurality of output voltages from the plurality of switching cells. The controller is configured to sample the plurality of output voltages one at a time via a multiplexer and to regulate the output voltages in response to the sampling.

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New Castle, NH, United States of America

Geoffrey Potter