Driving arrays of diodes. At least some of the example embodiments are methods of driving an array of diodes including: charging an inductor to increase an inductor current, the charging ceases when the inductor current reaches a predetermined threshold; driving the inductor current through a first portion of the array of diodes, the driving ceases prior to the inductor current reaching zero; and recirculating the inductor current through the inductor until a next charging event.

Method for multi-zone temperature control system having temperature control matrix and gate driver; N*M temperature control modules form N-row M-column matrix, power supply line, and power return line; each temperature control module comprising: a temperature control unit adapts to be heated up by electrical power for temperature controlling; semiconductor switch provided with a gate electrode connected with the gate driver, two ends of the gate being connected with the power supply line, and the power return line through the temperature control unit, respectively. In the temperature control matrix, one ends, which are connected with a power return line, of the temperature control units of temperature control modules in a same row or same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line; one ends, which are connected with the power supply line at same row or same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line.

Diode drivers, LIDAR systems, and methods for driving arrays of diodes. The diode driver includes a plurality of driver terminals, a plurality of row switches, a high-side switch, a low-side switch, a shorting switch, and a controller. Each of the plurality of row switches is coupled to an inductor and one of the plurality of driver terminals. The controller is configured to close the high-side switch, close the shorting switch, and open the low-side switch to increase an inductor current through the inductor. The controller is also configured to close a first row switch of the plurality of row switches. The controller is further configured to open the high-side switch, close the low-side switch, and open the shorting switch to drive the inductor current to a first driver terminal of the plurality of driver terminals. The controller is also configured to close the shorting switch to recirculate the inductor current.

A dimmable ballast circuit for a compact fluorescent lamp controls the intensity of a lamp tube in response to a phase-control voltage received from a dimmer switch. The ballast circuit comprises a phase-control-to-DC converter circuit that receives the phase-control voltage, which is characterized by a duty cycle defining a target intensity of the lamp tube, and generates a DC voltage representative of the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage. Changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage that are below a threshold amount are filtered out by the converter circuit, while intentional changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage are reflected in changes in the target intensity level and thereby the intensity level of the lamp tube.

A dimmable ballast circuit for a compact fluorescent lamp controls the intensity of a lamp tube in response to a phase-control voltage received from a dimmer switch. The ballast circuit comprises a phase-control-to-DC converter circuit that receives the phase-control voltage, which is characterized by a duty cycle defining a target intensity of the lamp tube, and generates a DC voltage representative of the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage. Changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage that are below a threshold amount are filtered out by the converter circuit, while intentional changes in the duty cycle of the phase-control voltage are reflected in changes in the target intensity level and thereby the intensity level of the lamp tube.

Disclosed is a driver that include a switching circuit for guiding current signal during time-intervals for the sequential driving of light emitting circuit. The time-intervals are defined by the fact that amplitudes of a mains signal are in ranges during the time-intervals. More specifically, there is a bypass switching circuit for guiding a bypass current signal which bypasses all light emitting circuit during an initial time-interval. An adaptation circuit adapts amplitudes of the respective current signals during the respective time-intervals, to reduce a total harmonic distortion. Said adapting may comprise an adaptation in response to information derived from the amplitude of the mains signal, and may comprise shaping the amplitudes of the current signals in response to information derived from the amplitude of the mains signal.

A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting device has an LED and a power supply including an inductor coupled to the LED. A cathode of the LED is coupled to the inductor opposite an anode of the LED. The inductor is coupled for receiving a first power signal. A transistor includes a conduction terminal coupled to the inductor to enable current through the inductor. A current from the first power signal is switched to generate a second power signal. A first diode includes an anode coupled to the inductor opposite the cathode of the LED. A controller includes a first terminal coupled to a cathode of the first diode and a second terminal coupled to a control terminal of the transistor. A zener diode is coupled to the first terminal of the controller. A capacitor is coupled between the first diode and inductor. A second diode is coupled to the first diode.

Driving arrays of diodes. At least some of the example embodiments are methods of driving an array of diodes including: charging an inductor to increase an inductor current, the charging ceases when the inductor current reaches a predetermined threshold; driving the inductor current through a first portion of the array of diodes, the driving ceases prior to the inductor current reaching zero; and recirculating the inductor current through the inductor until a next charging event.

A discharge lamp drive device includes a discharge lamp driver adapted to supply a drive current to a discharge lamp, a control section adapted to control the discharge lamp driver, and a storage section adapted to store a plurality of drive patterns of the drive current. Each of the drive patterns has a plurality of drive parameters. The plurality of drive patterns includes a first drive pattern and a second drive pattern different from each other in a value of at least one of the plurality of drive parameters. The control section is configured to execute the first drive pattern and the second drive pattern in accordance with at least one of accumulated lighting time of the discharge lamp and an individual of the discharge lamp in a case in which an inter-electrode voltage of the discharge lamp is at a predetermined voltage value.

A sanitization apparatus includes an excimer lamp, a power converter configured to power the excimer lamp and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor an impedance of the excimer lamp and vary an output voltage waveform of the power converter based upon the impedance.