A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.

A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.

An electronic circuit comprises at least one radiation-emitting element (2), a current regulator (12) with a current-producing terminal (O), and a measurement element (14) generating a signal (V.sub.mes) that is representative of the current flowing therethrough. A switch (6) is controlled by a modulation signal (M) so as to open and close, successively, an electrical path passing through the current-producing terminal (O), the radiation-emitting element (2) and the measurement element (14). A conversion circuit (16) is further interposed between the measurement element (14) and the current regulator (12) so as to transform the representative signal (V.sub.mes) into a smoothed signal (S) that is intended for a regulation terminal (Reg). A time-of-flight sensor comprising such an electronic circuit is also provided.

An electronic circuit comprises at least one radiation-emitting element (2), a current regulator (12) with a current-producing terminal (O), and a measurement element (14) generating a signal (V.sub.mes) that is representative of the current flowing therethrough. A switch (6) is controlled by a modulation signal (M) so as to open and close, successively, an electrical path passing through the current-producing terminal (O), the radiation-emitting element (2) and the measurement element (14). A conversion circuit (16) is further interposed between the measurement element (14) and the current regulator (12) so as to transform the representative signal (V.sub.mes) into a smoothed signal (S) that is intended for a regulation terminal (Reg). A time-of-flight sensor comprising such an electronic circuit is also provided.

A power module includes a power converter having a controller configured to control the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter using feedback for a first load on the power converter, and to allow the power converter to operate without controlling the power converter using the feedback for second load on the power converter higher than the first load.

A power module includes a power converter having a controller configured to control the power converter. The controller is configured to control the power converter using feedback for a first load on the power converter, and to allow the power converter to operate without controlling the power converter using the feedback for second load on the power converter higher than the first load.

A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.

A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.

A load control device for an electrical load is configured to operate in a normal mode and a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in the normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load between a maximum rated current and a minimum rated current. During the normal mode, the control circuit controls the operating period of a load regulation circuit between a high-end operating period and a low-end operating period. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit adjusts the low-end operating period to be less than or equal to a minimum on time of the load regulation circuit.

A load control device for an electrical load is configured to operate in a normal mode and a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in the normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load between a maximum rated current and a minimum rated current. During the normal mode, the control circuit controls the operating period of a load regulation circuit between a high-end operating period and a low-end operating period. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit adjusts the low-end operating period to be less than or equal to a minimum on time of the load regulation circuit.