Current regulator for multimode operation of solid state lighting

摘要

An exemplary apparatus embodiment provides a plurality of operating modes for solid state lighting, such as a flash mode and a constant or background lighting mode for use with devices such as cameras. An exemplary apparatus comprises a memory adapted to store a plurality of average current parameters; and a controller adapted to modulate an energizing cycle time period ("T") for providing power to the solid state lighting as proportional to the product of the selected average current parameter ("a") and a reset time period ("T_R") for an inductor current to return to a substantially zero level from a predetermined peak level (T∝a.T_R). The average current parameter is predetermined as substantially proportional to a ratio of a peak inductor current level ("I_P") to an average output D.C. current level $\left("I_O"\right)\left(a\propto \frac{I_P}{I_O}\right).$