Current-protected driver circuit for ignition exciter unit

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for driving an ignition exciter unit. An apparatus is provided for a driver circuit (12) for use with an ignition exciter unit (14), the driver circuit (12) having an input terminal (21) and an output terminal (23). A first current-protected circuit (20) is coupled to the input terminal (21) and the output terminal (23), wherein the first current-protected circuit (20) is current-limited. A second current-protected circuit (22) is coupled to the input terminal (21) and the output terminal (23). The driver circuit (12) further comprises a controller (24) coupled to the first current-protected circuit (20) and the second current-protected circuit (22). The controller (24) is configured to activate the first current-protected circuit (20) for a first time interval and activate the second current-protected circuit (22) after the first time interval and prior to when the ignition exciter unit (14) begins operating.