Interface multiplexing circuit and LED control device

Abstract

The present invention provides an interface multiplexing circuit and an LED control device, which include: a dimming signal conversion unit that receives a dimming signal or a half-duplex communication signal from a communication / dimming multiplexing interface; a half-duplex communication unit that shares the communication / dimming multiplexing interface with the dimming signal conversion unit to receive a dimming signal or a half-duplex communication signal from the multiplexing interface; and a processing unit that is electrically connected to and receives output signals from the dimming signal conversion unit and the half-duplex communication unit to determine whether the interface multiplexing circuit is in dimming mode or communication mode. The technical solution of the present invention enables the same interface to have both universal dimming functions and communication and digital dimming functions, effectively reducing the number of cables on the input interface, significantly reducing costs and improving the safety of the lighting system, making it easier to use and more compatible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of LED control, in particular to an interface multiplexing circuit and an LED control device. Background Art

[0002] Smart lighting is an emerging technology that uses power line carrier communication technology and wireless GPRS / CDMA communication technology to achieve remote centralized control and management of street lights. It has functions such as automatic brightness adjustment based on traffic flow, remote lighting control, active fault alarm, lamp and cable theft prevention, and remote meter reading. It can significantly save electricity resources, improve the level of public lighting management, and save maintenance costs.

[0003] With the rapid development of smart lighting, the market demand for digital dimming products with communication functions is growing. To meet the demand, existing solutions usually have two dimming interfaces: one is a three-in-one dimming interface, and the other is a digital dimming interface with communication.

[0004] However, the existing technical solution of the two-way dimming interface increases the cables of the input interface, which not only increases the cost, but also greatly increases the risk of connecting the wrong interface, bringing considerable safety risks to the lighting system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology mentioned above, the present invention provides an interface multiplexing circuit and an LED control device to solve the technical problems such as the existing two-way dimming interface technical solution increases the cables of the input interface, which not only increases the cost, but also greatly increases the risk of connecting the wrong interface, bringing considerable safety hazards to the lighting system.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides an interface multiplexing circuit, which includes: a dimming signal conversion unit, which receives a dimming signal or a half-duplex communication signal from a communication / dimming multiplexing interface; a half-duplex communication unit, which shares the communication / dimming multiplexing interface with the dimming signal conversion unit to receive a dimming signal or a half-duplex communication signal from the multiplexing interface; and a processing unit, which is electrically connected to and receives the output signals of the dimming signal conversion unit and the half-duplex communication unit, thereby determining whether the interface multiplexing circuit is in dimming mode or communication mode.

[0007] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the dimming signal conversion unit converts the received dimming signal or half-duplex communication signal into a PWM signal with corresponding frequency and duty cycle; and / or, bidirectional signal transmission is performed between the half-duplex communication unit and the processing unit.

[0008] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the communication / dimming multiplexing interface receives multiple types of dimming signals, including: any one or more combinations of potentiometer dimming signals, 0 / 1-10V dimming signals, and PWM dimming signals.

[0009] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, when the access signal is a potentiometer dimming signal or a 0 / 1-10V dimming signal: the dimming signal conversion unit converts the received potentiometer dimming signal or 0 / 1-10V dimming signal into a PWM signal with corresponding frequency and duty cycle and transmits it to the processing unit; the processing unit determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit only based on the output signal received from the dimming signal conversion unit.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, when the access signal is a PWM dimming signal: the dimming signal conversion unit transmits the received PWM dimming signal to the processing unit; the half-duplex communication unit transmits the received PWM dimming signal to the processing unit; the processing unit determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit based on the output signals received from the dimming signal conversion unit and the half-duplex communication unit.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, when the received signal is a half-duplex communication signal: the dimming signal conversion unit converts the received half-duplex communication signal into a PWM signal of corresponding frequency and duty cycle and transmits it to the processing unit; the half-duplex communication unit transmits the received communication signal to the processing unit; the processing unit determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit based on the output signals received from the dimming signal conversion unit and the half-duplex communication unit.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, when the communication / dimming multiplexing interface input is empty: the dimming signal conversion unit outputs a waveform with a duty cycle of 100% to the processing unit; the processing unit determines the operating mode of the interface multiplexing circuit only based on the output signal received from the dimming signal conversion unit.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, signals are transmitted between the processing unit and the dimming signal conversion unit, and between the processing unit and the half-duplex communication unit through an optical coupler; which includes: the processing unit includes a processing module; the dimming signal conversion unit includes a first optical coupler; the processing unit includes a second optical coupler; the dimming signal conversion unit transmits the converted PWM signal to the second optical coupler through the first optical coupler and then to the processing module; the half-duplex communication unit includes a third optical coupler; the processing unit includes a fourth optical coupler; the half-duplex communication unit transmits the signal to the fourth coupler through the third coupler and then to the processing module; and / or, the half-duplex communication unit includes a fifth optical coupler; the processing unit includes a sixth optical coupler; the processing unit transmits the signal to the fifth coupler through the sixth coupler and then to the half-duplex communication unit.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the way in which the processing unit determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit includes: if it is determined that the frequency of the signal received by the processing unit is unchanged or basically unchanged, it is determined to be a dimming signal, and the dimming signal in the form of a PWM wave is output to the outside; otherwise, it is determined to be a communication signal.

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a second aspect of the present invention provides an LED control device, which includes the interface multiplexing circuit provided by the first aspect of the present invention.

[0016] As described above, the interface multiplexing circuit and LED control device involved in the present invention have the following beneficial effects: the technical solution of the present invention enables the same interface to have both universal dimming function and communication and digital dimming functions, effectively reducing the cables of the input interface, greatly reducing costs and improving the safety of the lighting system, making the application simpler and more compatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 Shown is a structural schematic diagram of an interface multiplexing circuit in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 Shown is a structural diagram of an interface multiplexing circuit in one embodiment of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following describes the implementation of the present invention through specific embodiments. People skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification.

[0020] It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings of this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification for people familiar with this technology to understand and read, and are not used to limit the limiting conditions for the implementation of the present invention. Therefore, they have no technical substantive significance. Any modification of the structure, change in the proportional relationship or adjustment of the size should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed by the present invention without affecting the efficacy and purpose that can be achieved by the present invention. The following detailed description should not be considered restrictive, and the scope of the embodiments of this application is only limited by the claims of the published patents. The terms used here are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. Spatial-related terms, such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc., may be used in the text to facilitate the description of the relationship between an element or feature shown in the figure and another element or feature.

[0021] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," and "holding" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0022] Furthermore, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise", "include" indicate the presence of the described features, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups, but do not exclude the presence, occurrence, or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups. The terms "or" and "and / or" used herein are interpreted as inclusive, or mean any one or any combination. Thus, "A, B, or C" or "A, B, and / or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C". Exceptions to this definition occur only when the combination of elements, functions, or operations is inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

[0023] With the rapid development of smart lighting, market demand for digital dimming products with communication capabilities is growing. To meet this demand, existing solutions typically provide two dimming interfaces: one three-in-one dimming interface and one digital dimming interface with communication. However, the existing two-channel dimming interface solution increases the number of input cables, which not only increases costs but also significantly increases the risk of incorrect connection, posing a significant safety hazard to lighting systems.

[0024] In view of this, the present invention provides a single-line half-duplex communication (UART) and universal dimming interface multiplexing technology, so that the same interface has both universal dimming function and communication and digital dimming functions, effectively reducing the cables of the input interface, greatly reducing costs and improving the safety of the lighting system, making the application simpler and more compatible.

[0025] like Figure 1 FIG2 is a block diagram showing the structure of an interface multiplexing circuit in an embodiment of the present application. The interface multiplexing circuit in this embodiment includes a dimming signal conversion unit 11, a half-duplex communication unit 12, and a processing unit 13. The dimming signal conversion unit 11 receives a dimming signal or a half-duplex communication signal from a communication / dimming multiplexing interface 14. The half-duplex communication unit 12 shares the communication / dimming multiplexing interface 14 with the dimming signal conversion unit 11 to receive the dimming signal or the half-duplex communication signal from the multiplexing interface. The processing unit 13 is electrically connected to and receives the output signals of the dimming signal conversion unit 11 and the half-duplex communication unit 12, and determines whether the interface multiplexing circuit is in dimming mode or communication mode accordingly.

[0026] In some optional implementations, the dimming signal conversion unit 11 is configured to convert the received dimming signal or half-duplex communication signal into a PWM signal with a corresponding frequency and duty cycle. The half-duplex communication unit 12 and the processing unit 13 perform bidirectional signal transmission.

[0027] Optionally, the communication / dimming multiplexing interface 14 can receive multiple types of dimming signals, such as a three-in-one dimming signal, including a potentiometer dimming signal, a 0 / 1-10V dimming signal, and a PWM dimming signal. Of course, the dimming signal can also be one or both of the potentiometer dimming signal, the 0 / 1-10V dimming signal, and the PWM dimming signal, and this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0028] In some optional implementations, when the access signal is a potentiometer dimming signal or a 0 / 1-10V dimming signal: the dimming signal conversion unit 11 converts the received potentiometer dimming signal or 0 / 1-10V dimming signal into a PWM signal of corresponding frequency and duty cycle and transmits it to the processing unit 13; the half-duplex communication unit 12 does not work; therefore, the processing unit 13 determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit only based on the output signal received from the dimming signal conversion unit 11.

[0029] In some optional implementations, when the access signal is a PWM dimming signal: the dimming signal conversion unit 11 transmits the received PWM dimming signal to the processing unit 13; the half-duplex communication unit 12 transmits the received PWM dimming signal to the processing unit 13; the processing unit 13 determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit based on the output signals received from the dimming signal conversion unit 11 and the half-duplex communication unit 12.

[0030] In some optional implementations, when the received signal is a half-duplex communication signal: the dimming signal conversion unit 11 converts the received half-duplex communication signal into a PWM signal of corresponding frequency and duty cycle and transmits it to the processing unit 13; the half-duplex communication unit 12 transmits the received communication signal to the processing unit 13; the processing unit 13 determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit based on the output signals received from the dimming signal conversion unit 11 and the half-duplex communication unit 12.

[0031] In some optional implementations, when the communication / dimming multiplexing interface input is empty: the dimming signal conversion unit 11 outputs a waveform with a duty cycle of 100% to the processing unit 13; the half-duplex communication unit 12 does not work; therefore, the processing unit 13 determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit only based on the output signal received from the dimming signal conversion unit 11.

[0032] In some optional implementations, the processing unit 13 determines the working mode of the interface multiplexing circuit in the following manner: if it is determined that the frequency of the signal received by the processing unit 13 is unchanged or basically unchanged, it is determined to be a dimming signal, and the dimming signal in the form of a PWM wave is output to the outside; otherwise, it is determined to be a communication signal.

[0033] Specifically, the frequency of the PWM dimming signal output by the dimming signal conversion unit 11 is basically unchanged, only the duty cycle changes, and when the dimming value remains unchanged, the duty cycle is fixed; while the half-duplex communication signal is also a square wave that meets certain rules, and the waveform is similar in form to the PWM waveform, its frequency changes.

[0034] It should be noted that the frequency mentioned in this implementation is constant or substantially constant, which means that the frequency of the signal does not change or the rate of change is lower than a preset threshold. The threshold can be set by technicians in actual application and is not limited in this embodiment.

[0035] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the working principle of the technical solution of the present application will be explained below with reference to a specific circuit diagram.

[0036] like Figure 2Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of an interface multiplexing circuit in one embodiment of the present application. The interface multiplexing circuit in this embodiment is divided into five parts, as indicated by the dashed boxes: Circuit 1, Circuit 2, Circuit 3, Circuit 4, and Circuit 5. Circuit 1 is used to implement the dimming signal conversion unit, Circuit 2 is used to implement the half-duplex communication unit, and Circuit 3, Circuit 4, and Circuit 5 are combined to implement the processing unit. As can be seen from the figure, the dimming signal interface DIM+ of Circuit 1 and the communication signal interface COM+ of Circuit 2 are shared.

[0037] Circuit 1 includes chip U1, optocoupler PC1A (first optocoupler), multiple resistors, capacitors and other components. Chip U1 can be an APC chip (Analog to PWM Convertor) that converts analog signals into PWM signals, such as GP9101 chip or GP9303 chip.

[0038] Specifically, pin 6 of chip U1 receives a signal from the communication / dimming multiplexing interface, converts the received signal into a PWM signal of corresponding frequency and duty cycle, and outputs it from pin 3, and transmits it to the optical coupler PC1A through resistor R309.

[0039] Circuit 2 includes an optocoupler PC2_RxA (third optocoupler) for sending signals, an optocoupler PC3_TxB (fifth optocoupler) for receiving signals, and also includes transistors T306, T307, T308, multiple resistors, a voltage regulator TVS1 and other components.

[0040] The circuit 3 includes components such as an optocoupler PC1B (a second optocoupler), a transistor T1 , and a plurality of resistors.

[0041] The circuit 5 includes a chip U2 serving as a processing module, an optical coupler PC2_RxB (a fourth optical coupler), an optical coupler PC3_TxA (a sixth optical coupler), transistors T2 and T3, and multiple resistors, capacitors, and other components.

[0042] Specifically, the chip U2 can use controllers such as MCU (Microcontroller Unit), ARM (Advanced RISC Machines), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), SoC (System on Chip), DSP (Digital Signal Processing), etc., which are not limited in this embodiment.

[0043] Among them, pin 10 of chip U2 is the output Tx signal, which is connected to PC3_TxA (sixth optocoupler) through resistor R6; pin 12 of chip U2 is the input Rx signal, which is connected to optocoupler PC2_RxB (fourth optocoupler) through transistor T2, transistor T3, and resistor component; pin 8 of chip U2 is connected to optocoupler PC1B (second optocoupler) through resistor R2 and transistor T1.

[0044] In some application scenarios, the DIM+ / COM+ interface input is empty, and the circuit 1 will output a waveform with a duty cycle of 100% to the chip U2. The chip U2 will determine the working mode of DIM+ / COM+ accordingly.

[0045] Specifically, circuit 1 outputs a waveform with a duty cycle of 100% through pin 3 of chip U1, which is transmitted to optocoupler PC1A (first optocoupler) through resistor R309. Optocoupler PC1A (first optocoupler) transmits this waveform to optocoupler PC1B (second optocoupler) through optocoupler, and then transmits it to pin 8 of chip U2 through transistor T1 and resistor R2.

[0046] In some applications, when a half-duplex communication signal is input to the DIM+ / COM+ interface, both Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 will operate. A half-duplex communication signal is a square wave that meets certain rules, similar in form to a PWM waveform. Therefore, Circuit 1 will also operate when receiving a half-duplex communication signal. Circuit 1 transmits the half-duplex communication signal to chip U2 for frequency and duty cycle analysis; Circuit 2 also transmits the half-duplex communication signal to chip U2 for decoding and analysis. Chip U2 determines the DIM+ / COM+ operating mode based on the outputs of Circuits 1 and 2.

[0047] Specifically, after receiving a half-duplex communication signal, circuit 2 transmits it to PC2_RxA (the third optocoupler) via transistor T308 and a resistor. PC2_RxA (the third optocoupler) then transmits this signal to PC2_RxB (the fourth optocoupler) via an optocoupler. The signal is then transmitted via transistors T2, T3, and a resistor to pin 12 of chip U2. The details of how circuit 1 transmits its signal to chip U2 have already been explained in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0048] Optionally, there is a bidirectional interaction between circuit 2 and chip U2, that is, circuit 2 can transmit the received signal to chip U2, and chip U2 can also transmit the signal to circuit 2 and then transmit it externally. How to realize that circuit 2 transmits the received signal to chip U2 has been implemented in the previous embodiment and will not be repeated here. The path for chip U2 to transmit the signal externally through circuit 2 includes: pin 10 of chip U2 sends a Tx signal, which is transmitted to PC3_TxA (sixth optical coupler) through resistor R6, PC3_TxA (sixth optical coupler) couples the signal and transmits it to optical coupler PC3_TxB (fifth optical coupler), and then sends the signal to the DIM+ / COM+ interface via transistors T306, T307 and resistor components.

[0049] In some application scenarios, the DIM+ / COM+ interface inputs a potentiometer dimming signal or a 0 / 1-10V dimming signal. Circuit 1 converts the received potentiometer dimming signal or 0 / 1-10V dimming signal into a PWM signal with corresponding frequency and duty cycle and transmits it to chip U2. Circuit 2 does not work. Chip U2 of circuit 5 determines the working mode of DIM+ / COM+ based on the signal from circuit 1.

[0050] In some application scenarios, the DIM+ / COM+ interface inputs a PWM dimming signal. Circuit 1 transmits the received PWM dimming signal to chip U2, and circuit 2 also transmits the received PWM dimming signal to chip U2. Chip U2 determines the operating mode of DIM+ / COM+ based on the signals from circuits 1 and 2.

[0051] In one embodiment, circuit 4, which is connected to pin 17 of chip U2, includes resistor R8 and capacitor C2 and is used to generate a PWM dimming signal for dimming. When chip U2 of circuit 5 determines that the interface multiplexing circuit is in dimming mode, it outputs a PWM dimming signal through circuit 4 to drive the LED lamp.

[0052] It should be noted that although the circuit 4 serves as a PWM dimming signal generating circuit, the dimming signal it outputs can be a PWM signal, or an analog dimming signal, or a digital dimming signal, which depends on the interface form of the LED dimming driver power supply in actual application and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0053] In one embodiment, the present invention further provides an LED control device, which includes the interface multiplexing circuit described in the above embodiment. Since its implementation is similar to that of the interface multiplexing circuit, it will not be described in detail.

[0054] In summary, the technical solution of the present invention enables a single interface to function as both universal dimming and communication and digital dimming. This effectively reduces input interface cables, significantly lowers costs, and improves the safety of lighting systems, simplifying their use and enhancing compatibility. Therefore, the present invention effectively overcomes the shortcomings of existing technologies and possesses high industrial value.

[0055] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical principles disclosed herein are intended to be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An interface multiplexing circuit, characterized in that: include: a dimming signal conversion unit receiving a dimming signal or a half-duplex communication signal from a communication / dimming multiplexing interface; a half-duplex communication unit, which shares the communication / dimming multiplexing interface with the dimming signal conversion unit to receive a dimming signal or a half-duplex communication signal from the multiplexing interface; the dimming signal conversion unit converts the received dimming signal or half-duplex communication signal into a PWM signal of corresponding frequency and duty cycle; and / or performs bidirectional signal transmission between the half-duplex communication unit and the processing unit; a processing unit electrically connected to and receiving output signals from the dimming signal conversion unit and the half-duplex communication unit, and determining whether the interface multiplexing circuit is in a dimming mode or a communication mode based on the output signals; the processing unit determining the operating mode of the interface multiplexing circuit includes: if it is determined that the frequency of the signal received by the processing unit is unchanged or substantially unchanged, determining it as a dimming signal and outputting the dimming signal in the form of a PWM wave; otherwise, determining it as a communication signal; Signals are transmitted between the processing unit and the dimming signal conversion unit, and between the processing unit and the half-duplex communication unit through optical couplers; it includes: the processing unit includes a processing module; the dimming signal conversion unit includes a first optical coupler; the processing unit includes a second optical coupler; the dimming signal conversion unit transmits the converted PWM signal to the second optical coupler through the first optical coupler and then to the processing module; the half-duplex communication unit includes a third optical coupler; the processing unit includes a fourth optical coupler; the half-duplex communication unit transmits the signal to the fourth coupler through the third coupler and then to the processing module; and / or, the half-duplex communication unit includes a fifth optical coupler; the processing unit includes a sixth optical coupler; the processing unit transmits the signal to the fifth coupler through the sixth coupler and then to the half-duplex communication unit.

2. The interface multiplexing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The communication / dimming multiplexing interface receives multiple types of dimming signals, including any one or more combinations of potentiometer dimming signals, 0 / 1-10V dimming signals, and PWM dimming signals.

3. The interface multiplexing circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the input signal is a potentiometer dimming signal or a 0 / 1-10V dimming signal: The dimming signal conversion unit converts the received potentiometer dimming signal or 0 / 1-10V dimming signal into a PWM signal with corresponding frequency and duty cycle and transmits it to the processing unit; The processing unit determines the operating mode of the interface multiplexing circuit only according to the output signal received from the dimming signal conversion unit.

4. The interface multiplexing circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the input signal is a PWM dimming signal: The dimming signal conversion unit transmits the received PWM dimming signal to the processing unit; The half-duplex communication unit transmits the received PWM dimming signal to the processing unit; The processing unit determines an operating mode of the interface multiplexing circuit according to output signals received from the dimming signal conversion unit and the half-duplex communication unit.

5. The interface multiplexing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the received signal is a half-duplex communication signal: The dimming signal conversion unit converts the received half-duplex communication signal into a PWM signal of corresponding frequency and duty cycle and transmits the signal to the processing unit; The half-duplex communication unit transmits the received communication signal to the processing unit; The processing unit determines an operating mode of the interface multiplexing circuit according to output signals received from the dimming signal conversion unit and the half-duplex communication unit.

6. The interface multiplexing circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the communication / dimming multiplexing interface input is empty: The dimming signal conversion unit outputs a waveform with a duty cycle of 100% to the processing unit; The processing unit determines the operating mode of the interface multiplexing circuit only according to the output signal received from the dimming signal conversion unit.

7. An LED control device, characterized in that: The invention comprises the interface multiplexing circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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