Dual mode analog and digital LED dimming via mains voltage

摘要

A controller for a lamp assembly is disclosed. The controller comprises:
a mains sensing unit arranged to detect a mains voltage supplied to the lamp assembly;a waveform evaluation unit coupled with the mains sensing unit and arranged to generate a light control signal based on the mains voltage waveform;a demodulation unit coupled with the mains sensing unit and arranged to demodulate a data signal modulated on the mains voltage;an arbitration unit coupled with the demodulation unit and arranged to evaluate the results of the waveform evaluation unit and the demodulation unit and to decide an operation mode; anda control unit coupled with the arbitration unit and arranged to generate a drive signal to drive a light source of the lamp assembly based on the determined light control signal or the demodulated data signal depending on the decided operation mode.

主权项

1. A method for controlling a lamp assembly, comprising the steps of:
detecting a mains voltage supplied to the lamp assembly; evaluating the waveform of the mains voltage and determining a light control signal based on the mains voltage waveform; applying a demodulation process to the mains voltage to demodulate a digital data signal; deciding a control operation mode based on the result of applying a demodulation process to the mains voltage; and generating a drive signal to drive a light source of the lamp assembly based on the determined light control signal or the demodulated data signal depending on the decided control operation mode, the method further comprising detecting whether a phase cut was applied to the mains voltage waveform and deciding the control operation mode based on whether a phase cut is detected or a digital data signal can be demodulated.