METHOD FOR LAMP LIFE CONTROL OF A GAS DISCHARGE LAMP, A GAS DISCHARGE LAMP DRIVER CIRCUIT, A GAS DISCHARGE LAMP AND AN ASSEMBLY OF A GAS DISCHARGE LAMP AND A LAMP DRIVER CIRCUIT

摘要

The lamp life of a gas discharge lamp (6) depends inter alia on the deterioration of an electrode of the lamp during operation. The deterioration depends on an operating temperature of the electrode. A method according to the present invention for controlling the lamp life includes controlling the electrode temperature during operation by generating a temperature signal (12) representing the electrode temperature and providing said signal to a lamp driver circuit (4) operating said lamp. The lamp driver circuit controls an operating signal (10) supplied to the lamp (6) in order to control the electrode temperature to lie within a predetermined temperature range, thereby minimizing damage to the electrode during operation.