FLOATING DRIVER HAVING COMMON EMITTER DRIVE STAGE

摘要

A driver for a gas discharge lamp is claimed. The driver comprises a timer having an output that varies from a high state to a low state and has a pin connected to a common line. A first and a second transistor is electrically connected to the timer output in a half-bridge complimentary common-emitter configuration. A common node is disposed between the first and second transistors, connecting in circuit to an output transformer that drives a lamp. An electrical conduit is connected between the common node and the common line such that the potential of the common line is substantially the same as the potential at the common node. The present invention also includes a source of DC power whereby the output of the timer going to a high state turns on the first transistor to apply a positive DC voltage to the transformer and to the common line, and whereby the output going to a low state line, and whereby the timer output going to a low state turns off the first transistor and turns on the second transistor to apply a low state signal to the transformer and to the common line connected to the timer.