Use of very high frequency switching power converters for also modulating light output from solid state emitter to communicate data

摘要

An example of a power and modulation circuit utilizes a very high frequency switching power converter to supply drive current power to cause a solid state light source to emit light. The power converter is configured to convert power from a power source to direct current to supply via the output to the light source, at least in part by a switching function of the power converter at a very high frequency rate. The circuit, in such an example, also includes a control circuit coupled to be responsive to input data and control operation of the power converter so that the current output to drive the light source modulates the light emitted from the light source to also carry the input data.

主权项

1. A device, comprising:
a solid state light emitting source; a very high frequency switching power converter, having an output connected to supply current to drive the solid state light emitting source to emit light and being configured to be coupled to a source of power, the power converter being further configured to convert power from the source of power to direct current to supply via the output to the solid state light emitting source, at least in part by a switching function of the power converter at a very high frequency rate; a control circuit coupled to be responsive to input data and to the power converter, to control at least one parameter of operation of the very high frequency power converter and thus current output from the power converter to drive the solid state light emitting source, such that light emitted from the solid state light emitting source is modulated to carry the input data; a baseband signal processor responsive to the input data to provide a baseband signal representing the data as an input to the control circuit; and wherein the control circuit comprises a comparator coupled to compare a feedback signal related to operation of the solid state light emitting source to the baseband signal representing the data.