MICRO-CONTROLLER-OPERATED HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LAMP BALLAST SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

The present invention is related to a micro-controller-operated high intensity d ischarge lamp ballast system. This system comprises the following elements: a boost pre-regula tor means to convert a DC voltage into a high voltage DC bus to facilitate proper lamp power regulation, an inverter means to convert the high voltage DC bus into a high frequency FM modul ated square wave voltage, a lamp matching network and filter means to convert the high frequ ency FM modulated square wave voltage into a high frequency FM modulated current facilit ating the proper lamp power regulation, a lamp current and voltage sensing means to sense a lamp voltage and a lamp current across the high intensity discharge lamp and to feed the lamp voltage and lamp current into a micro-controller means adapted to facilitate proper functioning o f the high intensity discharge lamp ballast system by means of sending a predetermined set of command s provided to monitor and control all elements of this system. The micro-controller means is a dapted to control the lamp power by means of sending control signals to the boost pre-regulator me ans adapted to adjust the high voltage DC bus. The micro-controller means is also adapted to se nd drive signals to the inverter means to generate a high frequency FM modulated gating and shapi ng of the inverter means provided to obtain a stable operation of the high intensity disch arge lamp at high frequencies and to eliminate acoustical resonance.