Method for generating bus voltage for powering lighting device

Abstract

A system may include a plurality of primary lighting modules and a luminaire controller. The light fixture controller may include a power converter circuit configured to generate a bus voltage on a power bus. The plurality of primary lighting modules may be coupled in series on the power bus. The luminaire controller may include a control circuit configured to receive an indication of a magnitude of an end bus voltage at an end main lighting module. The end primary lighting module may be a primary lighting module located farthest from the luminaire controller along the power bus. The control circuit may be configured to generate a target bus voltage control signal based on the magnitude of the end bus voltage. The power converter circuit may be configured to control a magnitude of the bus voltage based on the target bus voltage control signal.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 433,115 filed on December 16, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] Lamps and displays that use efficient light sources, such as light emitting diode (LED) light sources, for illumination are becoming increasingly popular in many different markets. LED light sources offer many advantages over traditional light sources, such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps. For example, LED light sources may have lower power consumption and longer life than traditional light sources. When used for general illumination, LED light sources provide the opportunity to adjust the color (e.g., from white to blue, green, etc.) or color temperature (e.g., from warm white to cool white) of the light emitted from the LED light source to produce different lighting effects.

[0004] A multicolor LED lighting device may have two or more different colored LED emitting devices (e.g., LED emitters) that are combined in the same package to produce light (e.g., white or near-white light). There are many different types of white light LED light sources on the market, some of which combine red, green, and blue (RGB) LED emitters; red, green, blue, and yellow (RGBY) LED emitters; phosphor-converted white and red (WR) LED emitters; red, green, blue, and white (RGBW) LED emitters, etc. By combining LED emitters of different colors in the same package and driving the emitters of different colors with different drive currents, these multicolor LED lighting devices can generate white light or near-white light in a wide color gamut of color points or correlated color temperatures (CCT) ranging from warm white (e.g., approximately 2600K to 3700K) to neutral white (e.g., approximately 3700K to 5000K) to cool white (e.g., approximately 5000K to 8300K). Some multi-color LED lighting devices may also enable the brightness (eg, intensity level or dimming level) and / or color of the lighting to be changed to a specific set point. Summary of the invention

[0005] A lamp controller and a system including a lamp controller are described herein. The system may include a lamp controller and one or more lighting devices. Each lighting device may include one or more master lighting modules and one or more slave lighting modules. Each lighting device may be configured to adjust a present intensity level of light emitted by the lighting device between a low-end intensity level and a high-end intensity level. The lamp controller may include a power converter circuit configured to generate a bus voltage on a power bus. The power bus may be coupled between the lamp controller and the plurality of lighting devices. The plurality of lighting devices may be coupled in series on the power bus.

[0006] The lamp controller may include a control circuit configured to control the one or more lighting devices. The control circuit may be configured to receive an indication of an end bus voltage magnitude of the bus voltage received by an end lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices, and generate a target bus voltage control signal based on the magnitude of the end bus voltage. The end lighting device may be a lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices that is located farthest from the lamp controller along the power bus. For example, the end lighting device may be the lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices that has the longest power bus wiring amount between the lamp controller and the lighting device. The target bus voltage control signal may indicate a target bus voltage magnitude of the power converter circuit. The power converter circuit may be configured to control the magnitude of the bus voltage toward the target bus voltage magnitude based on the target bus voltage control signal.

[0007] In some examples, the control circuit may be configured to send a request to the end lighting device, wherein the request prompts the end lighting device to send the indication of the magnitude of the end bus voltage. The target bus voltage magnitude may be within a range from a minimum target bus voltage magnitude to a maximum target bus voltage magnitude. The control circuit may be configured to determine that the end bus voltage magnitude has dropped below a pre-power saving threshold, and in response to the determination that the end bus voltage magnitude has dropped below the pre-power saving threshold, generate the target bus voltage control signal to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude. For example, the control circuit may be configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude for a predetermined period of time, and at the end of the predetermined period of time, may be configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude. In some examples, at the end of the predetermined period of time, the control circuit may be configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal having a value less than the maximum value. The magnitude of the pre-power saving threshold may be lower than the minimum target bus voltage magnitude. In some examples, the minimum target bus voltage magnitude may be approximately 17 volts and the maximum target bus voltage magnitude may be approximately 21 volts.

[0008] The control circuit may be configured to control the magnitude of the target bus voltage control signal to control the end bus voltage magnitude toward a target end bus voltage magnitude. For example, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude. The target end bus voltage magnitude may be 17 volts. In some examples, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude using a digital proportional integral (PI) controller of the control circuit. For example, the control circuit may include the digital PI controller, and the PI controller may be configured to generate an error value based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude, and generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the error value.

[0009] The control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to cause the power converter circuit to generate the bus voltage having a magnitude within a range between a minimum bus voltage and a maximum bus voltage. The target end bus voltage magnitude may be equal to the minimum bus voltage.

[0010] The control circuitry of the fixture controller may be configured to transmit one or more messages to the master lighting module via a master communication bus, and the master lighting module of each lighting device may be configured to forward the messages to the one or more slave lighting modules of the lighting device. The control circuitry of the fixture controller may be configured to receive an indication of the magnitude of the end bus voltage at an end master lighting module of the end lighting device. The end master lighting module is located farthest along the power bus from the fixture controller. For example, the end master lighting module may be the master lighting module of the plurality of master lighting modules having the longest amount of power bus wiring between the fixture controller and the master lighting module.

[0011] As described herein, a lighting device may include a plurality of controllable light emitting diode (LED) light sources. The lighting device may include an elongated housing, a plurality of lighting modules, and a plurality of emitter modules. The elongated housing may define a cavity. The cavity may extend along a longitudinal axis of the housing. The plurality of lighting modules may be configured to be received within the cavity of the housing. Each of the plurality of lighting modules may include a plurality of emitter modules mounted thereto. Each of the plurality of lighting modules may include a drive circuit configured to receive a bus voltage on a power bus to power the plurality of emitter printed circuit boards. Each of the plurality of lighting modules may include a control circuit configured to control the plurality of emitter modules mounted to the respective lighting modules based on receiving one or more messages. The one or more messages may include control instructions. For example, the control circuit may control an intensity level of the emitter module mounted to a printed circuit board of the respective lighting module. The drive circuit and / or the control circuit may be mounted to the printed circuit board of the lighting module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary lighting device (eg, a linear lighting fixture).

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Partial exploded view of the lighting device.

[0014] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E is used for Figure 1 An exemplary light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit board for a lighting device.

[0015] Figure 4A is a top view of an exemplary transmitter module.

[0016] Figure 4B yes Figure 5 A side cutaway view of the transmitter module.

[0017] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary end-to-end and wired connection of a lighting device.

[0018] Figure 6 is used Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of a linear lighting assembly of a lighting device.

[0019] Figure 7 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary lamp controller.

[0020] Figure 8 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary main transmitter module.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary intermediate transmitter module.

[0022] Fig.10 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary end transmitter module.

[0023] Fig.11 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary process by which a lamp controller adjusts a target bus voltage magnitude of a bus voltage generated by a power converter circuit to adjust a t-end bus voltage magnitude of a bus voltage received by an end master lighting module to the target end bus voltage magnitude.

[0024] Fig.12 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary process for a lamp controller to use a pre-brownout threshold to prevent a brownout event on a power bus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of an exemplary lighting device 100 (e.g., a linear lighting fixture). The lighting device 100 may include a housing 110, a cover lens 120, and end caps 130A, 130B. The housing 110 may be elongated (e.g., in the x-direction). The housing 110 may be configured to be mounted to a certain structure (e.g., a horizontal structure) so that the linear lighting device is attached to the structure. For example, the lighting device 100 may be configured to be mounted under a cabinet, a shelf, a door, a step, and / or some other structure. The housing 110 may define an upper surface 112 and a lower surface 114. When the housing 110 is mounted to the structure, the upper surface 112 may be configured to be close to the structure and the lower surface 114 may be away from the structure.

[0026] The lighting device 100 can define a first end 106A (e.g., an input end) and an opposing second end 106B (e.g., an output end). The end cap 130A can be an input end cap located at the first end 106A, and the end cap 130B can be an output end cap located at the second end 106B. The lighting device 100 can define connectors 132A, 132B that can be accessed via the respective end caps 130A, 130B. The connectors 132A, 132B can be configured to connect the lighting device 100 to a lamp controller (e.g., a controller, a lighting controller, and / or a lamp controller, such as Figure 6 ) and / or other lighting devices. For example, the connector 132A may be configured to connect the lighting device 100 to a controller or another lighting device, and the connector 132B may be configured to connect the lighting device 100 to another lighting device.

[0027] Figure 2 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary linear lighting device 100. The housing 110 can define a cavity 115 extending along a longitudinal axis 108 (e.g., in the x-direction) of the linear lighting device 100 (e.g., the housing 110). The longitudinal axis 108 can be defined by the length of the housing 110. The housing 110 can define an inner surface 112, e.g., defining a boundary of the cavity 115. The inner surface 112 can define a channel 114 on opposite sides of the cavity 115 that extends along the length of the linear lighting device 100 (e.g., in the x-direction). The cover lens 120 can define a sidewall 122 that is configured to extend into the cavity 115 to secure the cover lens 120 to the housing 110. The sidewall 122 can define a ridge 124 that is configured to engage with (e.g., be received within) the channel 114 to secure the cover lens 120 to the housing 110.

[0028] The linear lighting device 100 may include one or more lighting modules (e.g., light generating modules) 150A, 150B, 150C that may be received within the cavity 115. The lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C may each include a respective printed circuit board (PCB). The lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C may each include one or more emitter modules 154 (e.g., emitter assemblies), which may each include one or more emitters, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). In this example, each lighting module 150A, 150B, 150C includes four respective emitter modules 154. The emitter modules 154 may be mounted to respective PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. Each of the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C may include a transmitter processor configured to control a transmitter module 154 mounted to a PCB 152A, 152B, 152C of the corresponding lighting module 150A, 150B, 150C. When the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C include a plurality of transmitter modules 154, each of the plurality of transmitter modules 154 of the corresponding lighting module (e.g., lighting module 150A) may be controlled by one transmitter processor. Controlling the plurality of transmitter modules 154 by one transmitter processor may reduce power consumption of the lighting module, reduce the size of the PCB, and / or reduce the number of messages sent.

[0029] The lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C (e.g., PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C) may be secured within the cavity 115, for example, using thermal tape 170. The thermal tape 170 may be, for example, an adhesive that enables heat to be dissipated from the emitter modules 154 of the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C to the housing 110 while also adhering the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C to the housing 110. The thermal tape 170 may be divided into several sections (e.g., two or more) for each of the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. Alternatively, it should be understood that the thermal tape 170 may be continuous along the length of the linear lighting device 100 (e.g., in the x-direction).

[0030] The PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C of the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C may be connected together using a cable, such as a ribbon cable (not shown). The cable may mechanically, electrically, and / or communicatively connect adjacent ones of the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. For example, PCB 152A may be connected to PCB 152B via one of the cables, and PCB 152B may be connected to PCB 152C via another of the cables. For example, the ends of the cables may be inserted into jacks on the PCBs of adjacent lighting modules, such as zero insertion force (ZIF) connectors. The cables may be flat flexible cable jumpers, as shown. Alternatively, the cables may be round flexible jumpers, rigid jumpers, etc.

[0031] The lighting module 150A may be a master module (e.g., a starter module). For example, the master module may be the first module of the linear lighting device 100 that is positioned proximate to the first end 106A. For example, each linear lighting device 100 may be started by a master module (e.g., such as the lighting module 150A). The master module may receive a message (e.g., including control data and / or commands) and may be configured to control one or more other lighting modules, such as slave lighting modules, based on receiving the message. For example, each master module may include an additional processor (e.g., the master processor 158). The lighting modules 150B, 150C may be slave lighting modules. Each slave lighting module may be controlled by the master module. For example, the lighting modules 150B, 150C may be controlled by the lighting module 150A. The master processor of the lighting module 150A may control the transmitter processor to control the transmitter module 154 of each of the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C. The slave lighting modules may be intermediate slave lighting modules or end slave modules. An intermediate slave lighting module (e.g., such as emitter module 150B) may be connected between a master module and another slave lighting module. An intermediate slave lighting module may be connected between other slave lighting modules. An end slave lighting module (e.g., such as lighting module 150C) may be connected between a master module or another slave lighting module of its corresponding linear lighting device and another linear lighting device. An end slave lighting module may be connected between another slave lighting module and another master module (e.g., when the linear lighting device 100 includes multiple master modules). Although the linear lighting device 100 is shown to have three lighting modules (e.g., master module 150A, intermediate slave lighting module 150B, and end slave lighting module 150C), it should be understood that the linear lighting device may include multiple master modules. Each master module may control multiple (e.g., one or more) slave lighting modules (e.g., up to 5 slave lighting modules).

[0032] Each main module of the linear lighting device 100 (e.g., lighting module 150A) can include a connector 132A (e.g., an input connector) attached to the main module. For example, the connector 132A can be a female connector. The connector 132A can be configured to connect the linear lighting device 100 to a lamp controller (e.g., a controller and / or a lamp controller, such as Figure 6 ). The connector 132A may be configured to connect the linear lighting device 100 to another linear lighting device. The connector 132A may be configured to connect the main module (e.g., lighting module 150A) of the linear lighting device 100 to the slave lighting module (e.g., end slave lighting module) of another linear lighting device. Each end slave lighting module (e.g., lighting module 150C) of the linear lighting device 100 may include a connector 132B (e.g., output connector) attached to the end slave lighting module. For example, the connector 132B may be a male connector. The connector 132B may be configured to connect the linear lighting device 100 to another linear lighting device. The connector 132B may be configured to connect the end slave lighting module (e.g., lighting module 150C) of the linear lighting device 100 to the main module of another linear lighting device.

[0033] The linear lighting device 100 may include end caps 130A, 130B. The end caps 130A, 130B may define an aperture 134 configured to receive the connector 132A and / or the connector 132B. The end caps 130A, 130B may be fastened to the housing 110, for example, using fasteners 136A, 136B. The light gaskets 190A, 190B may be configured to prevent light emitted by the emitter PCBs 150A, 150B, 150C from escaping between the end caps 130A, 130B and the housing 110. The light gasket 190A may be configured to be located between the end caps 130A and the housing 110. The light gasket 190A may be configured to be located between the end caps 130B and the housing 110.

[0034] The linear lighting device 100 may include one or more reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C. The reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may be configured to reflect (e.g., direct) light generated by the emitter module 154, for example, toward the cover lens 120. For example, the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may define a reflective upper surface. Each of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may be configured such that light emitted by the emitter module 154 is ultimately redirected to pass through the cover lens 120. Each of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may be aligned with a corresponding one of the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. For example, reflector 165A may be mounted above and aligned with PCB 152A, reflector 165B may be mounted above and aligned with PCB 152B, and reflector 165C may be mounted above and aligned with PCB 152C. For example, the ends of reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may be aligned with the ends of PCB 152A, 152B, 152C. Each of reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may define a base 168 (e.g., a bottom plate) and a sidewall 163 extending from base 168. Sidewall 163 may be configured to extend beyond the midpoint of housing 110 (e.g., in the z-direction). Each of reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may define a cavity 167, which is an optical structure defined by base 168 and sidewall 163.

[0035] Each of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C (e.g., base 168) may define a plurality of openings 166 configured to align with corresponding ones of the emitter modules 154 such that light generated by the emitter modules 154 passes through the openings 166. The emitter modules 154 may be configured to extend (e.g., partially extend) through the openings 166 into a cavity 167 defined by the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C. Each of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may define a slot 171 on an opposite end that is configured to receive a mounting post 173 on each of the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. Although the figures only show the slot 171 at one end of the reflector 165A, it should be understood that each of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C defines the slot 171 on both ends. For example, the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may be symmetrical in the x-direction. The mounting posts 173 may be configured to be soldered to the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C, for example to secure the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C to the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C and to electrically connect the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C to ground (e.g., which may help prevent electrostatic discharge from reaching and damaging electrical components on the respective PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C). Although the figures show the mounting posts 173 at one end of the PCBs 152A, 152C, it should be understood that the PCBs 152A, 152C may have mounting posts 173 at both ends.

[0036] When installed in the housing 110, adjacent ones of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C (e.g., the bases 168 and sidewalls 163 of adjacent ones of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C) may meet at the seam 161 (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 2). An adjacent pair of reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may be misaligned when installed in the linear lighting device 100. An adjacent pair of misaligned reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C may cause a gap to be formed at a corresponding seam 161 between an adjacent pair of reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C (e.g., between a base 168 and a side wall 163 of a corresponding reflector 165A, 165B, 165C). For example, if one of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C is not adjacent to an adjacent reflector, the corresponding seam 161 may form a gap between the base 168 and the side wall 163 of the adjacent reflector, which may allow light from the emitter module 154 to be irradiated onto the cover lens 120 between the side walls 163 of adjacent reflectors (e.g., adjacent to the side wall 122 of the cover lens 120). The cover lens 120 (e.g., sidewall 122) may define a flange 126 that extends over (e.g., overhangs) the sidewalls 163 of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C to block light entering the gap at one of the seams 161 from contacting the cover lens 122 and forming an undesirable hot spot.

[0037] The linear lighting device 100 may include one or more insulators 160A, 160B, 160C. The insulators 160A, 160B, 160C may be configured to electrically insulate the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C from the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. For example, the insulators 160A, 160B, 160C may be used as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields. One of the insulators 160A, 160B, 160C may be aligned with a corresponding one of the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. For example, the insulator 160A may be located below and aligned with the PCB 152A, the insulator 160B may be mounted above and aligned with the PCB 152B, and the insulator 160C may be mounted above and aligned with the PCB 152C. For example, the ends of the insulators 160A, 160B, 160C may be aligned with the ends of the PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C. Each of the insulators 160A, 160B, 160C may define a plurality of openings 162. Each of the openings 162 may be configured to align with a corresponding one of the emitter modules 154 so that light generated by the emitter modules 154 passes through the openings 162. Additionally or alternatively, one or more adhesive pads 164 may be used to secure the insulators 160A, 160B, 160C to the respective PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C.

[0038] The emitter modules 154 may emit light toward the cover lens 120. Most of the light (e.g., a center beam) emitted by the emitter modules 154 may radiate toward (e.g., directly toward) the cover lens 120 and form a plurality of hot spots (e.g., high intensity regions) on the cover lens 120. The light emitted by the emitter modules 154 may form a plurality of medium intensity regions and / or a plurality of corresponding low intensity regions between adjacent hot spots on the cover lens 120. The outer beams of light emitted by the emitter modules 154 may radiate further away from the respective emitter modules 154 toward the cover lens 120. The plurality of hot spots may be considered as separate individual light sources within the linear lighting device 100. It may be desirable to achieve uniform light intensity throughout the length of the linear lighting device 100, for example, so that light may be considered as radiating from one source along the length of the linear lighting device 100.

[0039] The linear lighting device 100 may include one or more internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C (e.g., lens assemblies). The internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may be configured to prevent and / or minimize the intensity of hot spots on the cover lens 120 (e.g., so that the hot spots are not perceived by the human eye), for example, to achieve uniform light intensity on the cover lens 120. Each of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may be aligned with a corresponding lighting module of the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C. The internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may be configured to redirect and / or diffuse light emitted by the emitter modules 154 of the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C. For example, the internal optical structure 140A may be aligned with the lighting module 150A, the internal optical structure 140B may be aligned with the lighting module 150B, and the internal optical structure 140C may be aligned with the lighting module 150C. The internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may be adjacent to each other. The combination of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may extend across the entire length (e.g., in the x-direction) of the linear lighting device 100. For example, the length of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C when arranged side by side may be equal to the length of the linear lighting device 100. Each of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may extend to the length of its corresponding lighting module 150A, 150B, 150C. For example, a 3-inch internal optical structure may be used with a 3-inch lighting module and a 4-inch internal optical structure may be used with a 4-inch lighting module.

[0040] Each of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may include an internal lens (e.g., one of the internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C) and one or more light shields 144. The internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may be received in a cavity 167 defined by the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C. The internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C may be configured to diffuse the light emitted by the emitter module 154, for example, before the light passes through the cover lens 120. The one or more light shields 144 may be configured to be located between a corresponding internal lens of the internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C and a corresponding emitter module of the emitter module 154. Each of the internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C may include a plurality of apertures 141 configured to receive a portion of the one or more light shields 144. For example, the apertures 141 can be configured to secure the light shield 144 to the inner lenses 142A, 142B, 142C. Each of the light shields 144 can define one or more clips 145 that are configured to be received by the apertures 141. For example, each clip 145 can extend through one of the apertures 141 and can abut against the upper surface 139 of a corresponding inner lens of the inner lenses 142A, 142B, 142C. The clips 145 abutting against the upper surface 139 can secure the light shield 144 to the corresponding inner lens of the inner lenses 142A, 142B, 142C.

[0041] Each of the inner lenses 142A, 142B, 142C can define a plurality of tabs 143. The plurality of tabs 143 can extend from the inner lenses 142A, 142B, 142C in the y-direction. The tabs 143 can be configured to secure the inner lenses 142A, 142B, 142C within the linear lighting device 100.

[0042] The number of light shields 144 of each of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may correspond to the number of emitter modules 154 of the corresponding ones of the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C. Each of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C may include one of the light shields 144 for each emitter module 154 of its associated lighting module. Each of the light shields 144 may be configured to be positioned proximate to a corresponding one of the emitter modules 154 of the lighting modules 150A, 150B, 150C. That is, the light shield 144 of the internal optical structure 140A can be positioned proximate to (e.g., directly below) the emitter module 154 of the lighting module 150A, the light shield 144 of the internal optical structure 140B can be positioned proximate to (e.g., directly below) the emitter module 154 of the lighting module 150B, and the light shield 144 of the internal optical structure 140C can be positioned proximate to (e.g., directly below) the emitter module 154 of the lighting module 150C. For example, the light shield 144 can be positioned in a path defined by the central beam of each of the emitter modules 154. It should be understood that although Figure 2 1. The light shields 144 are shown positioned above the corresponding emitter modules 154, but the linear lighting device 100 is shown inverted (eg, with the cover lens 120 at the top) for viewing and description purposes.

[0043] The internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C can be configured to achieve a substantially uniform brightness and / or color distribution at the cover lens 120 along the length of the linear lighting device 100. For example, the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C can be configured to suppress a central beam of light emitted by the plurality of emitter modules 154 and form a virtual source between each of the plurality of emitter modules 154. For example, the light shield 144 can prevent hot spots from appearing on the cover lens 120 by redirecting one or more portions of the light emitted by the respective emitter modules 154. As the light is redirected away from the light shield 144, the light is redirected again by the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C (e.g., the bases 168 of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C) toward the cover lens 120 at a location between adjacent emitter modules 154. For example, the redirected light can be considered a virtual light source between adjacent emitter modules 154.

[0044] The internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C (e.g., light shields 144) can prevent a portion of the light (e.g., of the center beam) emitted from the emitter module 154 from extending directly through the cover lens 120. Each of the light shields 144 can be configured to redirect at least a portion of the light emitted by the corresponding emitter module 154. For example, each of the light shields 144 can redirect a first portion 155B (e.g., an outer beam) of the light emitted by the corresponding emitter module 154 in the z-direction (e.g., in a direction having a z component) toward a corresponding reflector 165A, 165B, 165C (e.g., a base 168 of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C). The reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C can redirect the redirected first portion 155B of the light toward the internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C. The redirected first portion 155B of light may pass through the internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C. The internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C may diffuse the redirected first portion 155B of light. The redirected first portion 155B of light that has been diffused by the internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C may then pass through the cover lens 120 in an area between adjacent emitter modules in the plurality of emitter modules 154. The cover lens 120 may further diffuse the redirected first portion 155B of light.

[0045] Each of the light shields 144 can permit a second portion 155A of light emitted by the corresponding emitter module 154 (e.g., at least a portion of the center beam) to pass through the light shield 144 toward the cover lens 120. The second portion 155A of light can be configured such that the unreflected beam of light passes through the cover lens 120 along the length of the linear lighting device 100 (e.g., in the x-direction). The redirected first portion 155B of light and the second portion 155A of light can be substantially uniformly distributed on the cover lens 120, for example, to provide a substantially uniform light emission through the cover lens 120. For example, the substantially uniform light emission provided through the cover lens 120 can be formed by a combination of: directing a beam of light (e.g., the second portion 155A of light) from the emitter module 154; redirecting a first portion of the light 155B toward the base 168 of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C; and reflecting the redirected first portion of the light 155B toward the cover lens 120. The light shields 144 may be evenly spaced along the length of the linear lighting device 100 (eg, in the x-direction).

[0046] The linear lighting device 100 may include an optical system. The optical system may include a cover lens 120, one or more of the inner lenses 142A, 142B, 142C, one or more light shields 144, and one or more of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C. The optical system may be configured to redirect and diffuse the light emitted by the emitter module 154 so that uniformly distributed light is radiated from the cover lens 120.

[0047] The reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C can be configured to hold the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C. For example, each of the reflectors 165A, 165B, 165C can define a plurality of apertures 169 in the sidewall 163. The apertures 169 can be configured to receive corresponding features (e.g., tabs 143) of the internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C. The apertures 169 can receive the tabs 143 of the internal lenses 142A, 142B, 142C to secure the corresponding internal optical structures 140A, 140B, 140C within the cavity 167.

[0048] The linear lighting device 100 may also include mounting brackets 180A, 180B. The mounting brackets 180A, 180B may be configured to attach the linear lighting device 100 to a structure. For example, the mounting brackets 180A, 180B may engage the upper surface 112 of the housing 110. The mounting brackets 180A, 180B may define respective holes 182A, 182B configured to receive respective fasteners 184A, 184B configured to attach the mounting brackets 180A, 180B to the structure.

[0049] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E are exemplary lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E (e.g., such as Figure 21 and 1 . The lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E may be configured to be used in a lighting device (e.g., such as lighting device 100). Each of the lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E may include a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB) 202 (e.g., such as PCB 152A, 152B, 152C of lighting device 100). Each of the PCBs 202 may have a length of 3 or 4 units (e.g., 3 or 4 inches, centimeters, etc.). When the PCBs 202 of the lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E have a length of 3 or 4 units, the lighting device may be configured to have any length of 10 units or more in increments of one unit. And when the PCB 202 has a length of 3 or 4 units, the lighting device can be configured to have a length of 3 units (e.g., one 3-unit PCB), 4 units (e.g., one 4-unit PCB), 6 units (e.g., two 3-unit PCBs), 7 units (e.g., one 3-unit PCB and one 4-unit PCB), 8 units (e.g., two 4-unit PCBs), or 9 units (e.g., three 3-unit PCBs). Each of the lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E may include a plurality of emitter modules 210 (e.g., emitter modules 154) mounted to the corresponding PCB 202. The number of emitter modules 210 may be based on the length of the PCB of the corresponding emitter lighting module. For example, a 3-inch lighting module may include three emitter modules 210, and a 4-inch lighting module may include four emitter modules 210. The emitter modules 210 may be linearly aligned at FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E 2. For example, the transmitter modules 210 may be spaced equally apart, such as approximately 1 inch apart. Although FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E The lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E are shown having three or four emitter modules 210 linearly aligned and equally spaced apart, but the lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E may have any number of emitter modules in any alignment and spaced apart any distance.

[0050] The emitter modules 210 on the lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E may be rotated relative to each other (e.g., in a plane defined by an x-axis and a y-axis). For example, a first emitter module may be arranged in a first orientation and an adjacent emitter module may be arranged in a second orientation that is rotated a predetermined angle relative to the first orientation. Consecutive emitter modules may be arranged in orientations that are rotated a predetermined angle relative to adjacent emitter modules.

[0051] When one of the lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E has four emitter modules (e.g., 4 inches in length), each of the emitter modules 210 may be rotated 90 degrees relative to an adjacent emitter module 210. For example, a second emitter module (e.g., in the x-direction) may be rotated 90 degrees (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) from a first emitter module, a third emitter module (e.g., in the x-direction) may be rotated 90 degrees in the same direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), and a fourth emitter module may be rotated 90 degrees in the same direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) relative to the third emitter module. In other words, the second emitter module may be oriented 90 degrees offset from the first emitter module, the third emitter module may be oriented 180 degrees offset from the first emitter module, and the fourth emitter module may be oriented 270 degrees offset from the first emitter module.

[0052] When one of the lighting modules 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E has three emitter modules (e.g., 3 inches in length), each of the emitter modules 210 may be rotated 120 degrees relative to an adjacent emitter module 210. For example, a second emitter module (e.g., in the x-direction) may be rotated 120 degrees (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise) from a first emitter module, and a third emitter module (e.g., in the x-direction) may be rotated 120 degrees relative to the second emitter module in the same direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). In other words, a second emitter module may be oriented 120 degrees offset from a first emitter module, and a third emitter module may be oriented 240 degrees offset from the first emitter module.

[0053] Figure 3A An exemplary primary lighting module 200A (eg, such as Figure 2150A shown in FIG. 15). The master lighting module 200A may include a plurality of emitter modules 210 (e.g., four) mounted to a PCB 202. The PCB 202 of the master lighting module 200A may have a length defined as four units (e.g., four inches, four centimeters, etc.). It should be understood that the master lighting module 200A may also have a length defined as three units. The master lighting module 200A may include a master control circuit 220 and an emitter control circuit 230. The master lighting module 200A may also include a drive circuit (not shown) configured to conduct current through one or more emitters of each of the emitter modules 210 so that the emitter module emits light. The emitter control circuit 230 may be configured to control the drive circuit to control the intensity level and / or color of light emitted by the plurality of emitter modules 210 mounted to the PCB 202 of the master lighting module 200A. The master control circuit 220 may be configured to receive messages (e.g., from a fixture controller, such as a light fixture controller) via, for example, the communication circuit 240. Figure 6 ). The message may include control data and / or commands for controlling the emitter module 210. The master control circuit 220 may be configured to control one or more other lighting modules, such as slave lighting modules, based on receiving the message. For example, the communication circuit 240 may receive the message. The communication circuit 240 may forward the message to the master control circuit 220. The master control circuit 220 may send the message to the emitter control circuit 230 of the master lighting module 200A and the emitter control circuit 230 of any other slave lighting modules of the lighting device (e.g., such as slave lighting modules 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E).

[0054] The main lighting module 200A may include a connector 250A (eg, Figure 2 ), which is configured to connect the master lighting module 200A to a lamp controller (e.g., such as Figure 6 ) or another lighting module (e.g., a slave lighting module). The connector 250A may be a female connector. The master lighting module 200A may include a socket 260 (e.g., Figure 2 ) which is configured to connect the master lighting module 200A to an adjacent slave lighting module. The socket 260 may be configured to receive a cable (e.g., such as Figure 2 ). For example, the jack 260 may include a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector. Figure 3AA master module 200A is depicted with one receptacle 260, but it should be understood that the master module 200A may have two receptacles 260 (e.g., one on each end of the plate 202). For example, a lighting device may have more than one master module 200A. When there are two or more master modules in a lighting device, the first master module may be a starter master module (e.g., such as master module 200A) with one receptacle 260, and the second master module may be a master intermediate module with two receptacles 260. The master intermediate module may be configured to connect to two slave lighting modules (e.g., one slave lighting module on each side of the master intermediate module).

[0055] Figure 3B An exemplary slave lighting module 200B (eg, an intermediate slave lighting module such as Figure 2 150B). The slave lighting module 200B may include a plurality of emitter modules 210 (e.g., four) mounted to a PCB 202. The PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200B may have a length defined as four units (e.g., four inches, four centimeters, etc.). The slave lighting 200B may include an emitter control circuit 230 (e.g., Figure 2 200B). The slave lighting module 200B may also include a driver circuit (not shown) configured to conduct current through one or more emitters of each of the emitter modules 210 to cause the emitter modules to emit light. The transmitter control circuit 230 of the slave lighting module 200B may receive messages from the master lighting module 200A. The transmitter control circuit 230 may be configured to control the driver circuit to control the intensity level and / or color of light emitted by the multiple emitter modules 210 mounted to the PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200B. The slave lighting module 200B may include a pair of jacks 260 (e.g., Figure 2 ) that are configured to connect the slave lighting module 200B to one or more adjacent slave lighting modules and / or the master lighting module. The socket 260 may be configured to receive a cable (e.g., such as Figure 2 For example, jack 260 may include a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector.

[0056] Figure 3CAnother exemplary slave lighting module 200C (e.g., an intermediate slave lighting module) is depicted. The slave lighting module 200C may include a plurality of emitter modules 210 (e.g., three) mounted to a PCB 202. The PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200C may have a length defined as three units (e.g., three inches, three centimeters, etc.). The slave lighting module 200C may include an emitter control circuit 230 (e.g., an emitter processor). The emitter control circuit 230 of the slave lighting module 200C may receive messages from the master lighting module 200A. The slave lighting module 200C may also include a drive circuit (not shown) configured to conduct current through one or more emitters of each of the emitter modules 210 so that the emitter modules emit light. The emitter control circuit 230 may be configured to control the drive circuit to control the intensity level and / or color of light emitted by the plurality of emitter modules 210 mounted to the PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200C. The slave transmitter PCB 200C may include a pair of jacks 260 (eg, Figure 2 ) that are configured to connect the slave lighting module 200B to one or more adjacent slave lighting modules and / or the master lighting module. The socket 260 may be configured to receive a cable (e.g., such as Figure 2 For example, jack 260 may include a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector.

[0057] Figure 3D An exemplary slave lighting module 200D (eg, an end slave lighting module such as Figure 2 150C shown in FIG. 150B ). The slave lighting module 200D may include a plurality of lighting modules 210 (e.g., four) mounted to the PCB 202. The PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200D may have a length defined as four units (e.g., four inches, four centimeters, etc.). The slave lighting module 200D may include a transmitter control circuit 230 (e.g., Figure 2 200A). The transmitter control circuit 230 of the slave lighting module 200D may receive messages from the master lighting module 200A. The slave lighting module 200D may also include a driver circuit (not shown) configured to conduct current through one or more emitters of each of the emitter modules 210 to cause the emitter module to emit light. The transmitter control circuit 230 may be configured to control the driver circuit to control the intensity level and / or color of light emitted by the multiple emitter modules 210 mounted to the PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200D. The slave lighting module 200D may include a connector 250B (e.g., Figure 2The connector 250B shown in FIG. 1 is configured to connect the slave lighting module 200D to another lighting device (e.g., a master lighting module of another lighting device). The connector 250B may be a male connector. The slave lighting module 200D may include a socket 260 (e.g., Figure 2 ) which is configured to connect the slave lighting module 200D to an adjacent slave lighting module or a master lighting module. The socket 260 may be configured to receive a cable (e.g., such as Figure 2 For example, jack 260 may include a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector.

[0058] Figure 3E An exemplary slave lighting module 200E (e.g., an end slave lighting module) is depicted. The slave lighting module 200E may include a plurality of emitter modules 210 (e.g., three) mounted to a PCB 202. The PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200E may have a length defined as three units (e.g., three inches, three centimeters, etc.). The slave lighting module 200E may include an emitter control circuit 230 (e.g., an emitter processor). The emitter control circuit 230 of the slave lighting module 200E may receive messages from the master lighting module 200A. The slave lighting module 200E may also include a drive circuit (not shown) configured to conduct current through one or more emitters of each of the emitter modules 210 so that the emitter modules emit light. The emitter control circuit 230 may be configured to control the drive circuit to control the intensity level and / or color of light emitted by the plurality of emitter modules 210 mounted to the PCB 202 of the slave lighting module 200E. The slave lighting module 200E may include a connector 250B (eg, Figure 2 The connector 250B shown in FIG. 1 is configured to connect the slave lighting module 200E to another lighting device (e.g., a master lighting module of another lighting device). The connector 250B may be a male connector. The slave lighting device 200E may include a socket 260 (e.g., Figure 2 ) is configured to connect the slave lighting device 200E to an adjacent slave lighting module or a master lighting module. The socket 260 may be configured to receive a cable (e.g., such as Figure 2 For example, jack 260 may include a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector.

[0059] Figure 4A is an exemplary transmitter module 300 (eg, a transmitter assembly) (eg, Figure 2 The transmitter module 154 shown in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 3A to FIG. 3EA top view of the transmitter module 210 shown in FIG. Figure 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the transmitter module 300, the side cross-sectional view being through the center of the transmitter module (e.g., through Figure 4A ). The emitter module 300 may include an array of emitters 310 (e.g., emitting LEDs). In some examples, the emitter module 300 may also include (e.g., optionally include) a detector 312 (e.g., a detecting LED). For example, the emitter module 300 may include four emitters 310 and two detectors 312, such as Figure 4A . In some examples, the emitter 310 and the detector 312 may be mounted on a substrate 314. The emitter 310 and the detector 312 may be enclosed by a dome 316. The emitter 310, the detector 312, the substrate 314, and the dome 316 may form an optical system. The emitters 310 may each emit light of different colors (e.g., red, green, blue, and white or amber), and may be arranged together in a square array as close as possible in the center of the dome 316 to be close to a point source located in the center. The detector 312 may be any device that generates a current indicative of incident light, such as a silicon photodiode or an LED. For example, the detectors 312 may each be an LED having a peak emission wavelength in the range of approximately 550 nm to 700 nm, so that the detector 312 may not generate a photocurrent in response to infrared light (e.g., to reduce interference from ambient light). For example, a first detector in the detector 312 may include a small red, orange, or yellow LED that can be used to measure the luminous flux of light emitted by the red LED of the emitter 310. A second one of detectors 312 may include a green LED that may be used to measure a respective luminous flux of light emitted by each of the green and blue LEDs of emitter 310. Both detectors 312 may be used to measure the luminous flux of the white LEDs of emitter 310 at different wavelengths (e.g., to characterize the spectrum of light emitted by the white LEDs).

[0060] Substrate 314 may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) (e.g., PCBs 152A, 152B, 152C, and / or PCB 202) that includes drive and control circuitry for emitter module 300. Substrate 314 of emitter module 300 may be a ceramic substrate formed of an aluminum nitride or aluminum oxide material or some other reflective material, and may be used to increase the output efficiency of emitter module 300 by reflecting light from the emitter module through dome 316. In some examples, emitter 310 and / or detector 312 of emitter module 310 may be mounted directly to a printed circuit board that includes drive and control circuitry for emitter module 300. For example, the printed circuit board may be a rigid PCB (e.g., made of FR4 material) and / or a metal core PCB.

[0061] The dome 316 may comprise an optically transmissive material such as silicon, and may be formed, for example, by an overmolding process. The surface of the dome 316 may be slightly textured to increase light scattering and promote color mixing, and reflect a small amount of emitted light back toward the detector 312 mounted on the substrate 314 (e.g., about 5%). The size of the dome 316 (e.g., the diameter of the dome in the plane of the LED 310) may generally depend on the size of the LED array. The diameter of the dome may be significantly larger than the diameter of the array of LEDs 310 (e.g., about 1.5 to 4 times) to prevent total internal reflection from occurring.

[0062] The size and shape (e.g., curvature) of dome 316 may also enhance color mixing when emitter module 300 is mounted adjacent to other emitter modules (e.g., in a manner similar to emitter module 210 mounted to emitter PCBs 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E of lighting device 100). For example, dome 316 may be Figure 4B The radius r of dome 316 in the plane of the emitter array 310 is 圆顶状体 For example, the radius of curvature r of the dome-shaped body 316 may be 曲线 For example, the radius r of the dome 316 in the plane of the LED 310 is about 20% to 30%. 圆顶状体 may be approximately 4.8 mm, and the radius of curvature of the dome-shaped body r 曲线 (For example, the maximum height of the dome 316 above the plane of the LED 310) can be approximately 3.75 mm. Alternatively, the dome 316 can have a hemispherical shape. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative radii and ratios can be used to achieve the same or similar color mixing results.

[0063] By configuring the dome 316 to have a significantly flatter shape, the dome 316 allows a greater portion of the emitted light to emanate laterally from the emitter module 300 (e.g., at Figure 5 A and Figure 5 In other words, the shallow shape of dome 316 allows a significant portion of the light emitted by emitter 310 to be emitted at a small angle θ relative to the horizontal plane of the array of emitters 310. 侧面Exit the dome. For example, dome 316 may allow approximately 40% of the light emitted by the array of emitters 310 to exit dome 316 at approximately 0 to 30 degrees relative to the horizontal plane of the array of emitters 310. When emitter module 300 is mounted adjacent to other emitter modules (e.g., in a light source such as lighting device 100), the shallow shape of dome 316 may improve color mixing in the lighting device by allowing a significant portion (e.g., 40%) of the light emitted from the sides of adjacent emitter modules to mix with each other before reflecting back out of the lighting device. Examples of emitter modules (such as emitter module 200) are described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 10,161,786, issued on December 25, 2018, entitled "EMITTER MODULE FOR AN LED ILLUMINATION DEVICE," the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0064] Figure 5 4 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture assembly 401 including a plurality of exemplary lighting devices 400A, 400B, 400C (eg, linear lighting fixtures) connected together (eg, connected in series). The lighting devices 400A, 400B, 400C may be Figure 1 , Figure 2 . The lighting devices 400A, 400B, 400C may be connected directly (e.g., via an end-to-end connection 410) or via a wired connection 420. For example, lighting device 400A may be directly connected to lighting device 400B using end-to-end connection 410. End-to-end connection 410 may include a male connector (e.g., such as a male connector) of lighting device 400A. Figure 1 The connector 132B shown in FIG. Figure 3D , Figure 3E 250B), the male connector and the female connector (eg, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 The connector 132A and / or Figure 3A 4. The end-to-end connection 410 is shown as a straight connection, but it should be understood that the end-to-end connection 410 may also include an angled connection (e.g., such as a 90 degree connection). The lighting device 400B may be connected to the lighting device 400C using a wired connection 420. The wired connection 420 may include a cable 422 that is configured to connect to the connector (e.g., such as a 90 degree connection) of the lighting device 400B. Figure 1 The connector 132B shown in FIG. Figure 3D , Figure 3E250B) shown in FIG. 250B is engaged with (eg, received by or located within) the connector. The cable 422 can be configured to be coupled to a connector of the lighting device 400C (eg, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 The connector 132A and / or Figure 3A 400B, 400C). The length of the cable 422 can be configured based on the installation location of the lighting device 400B, 400C.

[0065] although Figure 5 Three lighting devices 400A, 400B, 400C are shown connected together using end-to-end connections 410 and wired connections 420, but it should be understood that more than three or less than three lighting devices may be connected together using any combination of end-to-end connections 410 and / or wired connections 420.

[0066] Figure 6 5 is a simplified block diagram of a lighting system 500. The lighting system 500 may include a lamp controller 520 (eg, a controller and / or a lighting controller) and a lighting fixture assembly (eg, such as a Figure 5 The lighting fixture assembly 401 shown in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of lighting devices 510A, 510B (eg, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 The lighting device 100 shown in FIG. 1 and / or Figure 5 400A, 400B, 400C) and wiring (e.g., cable 422) for connecting a lamp controller 520 and / or the lighting devices 510A, 510B to each other. The lamp controller 520 can receive a line voltage input (e.g., an alternating current (AC) mains voltage from an AC power source) and can generate a bus voltage (e.g., a direct current (DC) bus voltage) on a power bus 530 (e.g., power wiring) to power the plurality of lighting devices 510A, 510B. Each of the lighting devices 510A, 510B may include one or more master lighting modules 512 (e.g., such as Figure 3A ) and one or more slave lighting modules 514 (e.g., such as FIG. 3B to FIG. 3E200B, 200C, 200D, 200E shown in FIG. 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E). Each of the master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514 of the lighting devices 510A, 510B can be coupled to the power bus 530 to receive the bus voltage. Although the master lighting module 512 is illustrated as being closest to the light fixture controller 520, in some examples, the lighting device 510A can be connected to the light fixture controller 520 (e.g., rotated or inverted) so that the slave lighting module 514 is located between the light fixture controller 520 and the master lighting module 512.

[0067] The light fixture controller 520 may include one or more communication circuits configured to communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) messages. The light fixture controller 520 may be configured to communicate messages over a wireless communication link (e.g., such as a radio frequency (RF) communication link) (e.g., via a wireless signal) and / or via a wired communication link (e.g., a digital communication link or an analog communication link). The light fixture controller 520 may be configured to receive messages including control data and / or commands for controlling the lighting devices 510A, 510B (e.g., for controlling the intensity level and / or color of the lighting devices 510A, 510B) from an external device (e.g., other control devices of the load control system (e.g., a remote control device and / or a system controller)). In addition, the light fixture controller 520 may be configured to transmit messages including control data and / or commands for controlling the lighting devices 510A, 510B (e.g., for controlling the intensity level and / or color of the lighting devices 510A, 510B) to the lighting devices 510A, 510B (e.g., the master lighting module 512).

[0068] One lamp controller (e.g., such as lamp controller 520) may be used to control and / or power multiple lighting devices (e.g., such as lighting devices 510A, 510B) of the lighting system 500 that are connected together (e.g., connected together in series) via a power bus 530. The lamp controller 520 may be configured to communicate messages with the plurality of linear lighting devices 510A, 510B. For example, the lamp controller 520 may transmit one or more messages to a master lighting module 512 of each of the plurality of lighting devices 510A, 510B via a master communication bus 540 (e.g., a first wired digital communication link, such as an RS-485 communication link). In some examples, the master communication bus 540 may be connected to the master lighting modules 512 (e.g., all of the master lighting modules 512), but not to the slave lighting modules 514. Each of the master lighting modules 512 may include a master communication circuit for transmitting and / or receiving messages on the master communication bus 540. In some examples, such as when the primary communication bus 540 is an RS-485 communication link, the primary communication circuit can be an RS-485 transceiver. The message can include control data and / or commands for controlling the lighting devices 510A, 510B (e.g., intensity levels, color control information, and / or the like, requests for information from the lighting devices 510A, 510B (e.g., such as location information), etc.).

[0069] The magnitude of the bus voltage generated on the power bus 530 may vary based on the length along the power bus 530. For example, the magnitude of the bus voltage may decrease along the length of the power bus 530 due to a voltage drop due to the resistance of the wiring of the power bus 530 and the current drawn to each of the master lighting modules 512 and the slave lighting modules 514 coupled to the power bus 530. Thus, a master lighting module 512 located farther from the light fixture controller 520 may receive a bus voltage of a lower magnitude than a master lighting module located closest to the light fixture controller 520.

[0070] The magnitude of the bus voltage received on the power bus 530 by the master lighting module 512 located farthest from the lamp controller 520 may be the minimum magnitude of the bus voltage received by all the master lighting modules 512 of the lighting system 500. The master lighting module located farthest from the lamp controller 520 among the master lighting modules 512 may be referred to as the "end master lighting module" and the magnitude of the bus voltage received by the end master lighting module may be referred to as the "end bus voltage magnitude". In other words, the end master lighting module may be the master lighting module 512 having the longest wiring amount of the power bus 530 between the master lighting module 512 and the lamp controller 520. As described herein, the total length of the power bus 530 may vary based on the specifications of a particular installation of the lighting system 500, and thus the end bus voltage magnitude may vary between various different power bus wiring topologies.

[0071] The light fixture controller 520 may be configured to determine the order in which the plurality of master lighting modules 512 are coupled to the power bus 530 and the master communication bus 540. For example, the light fixture controller 520 may use the measured voltages and / or communications to determine the order of the plurality of master lighting modules 512. The light fixture controller 520 may be configured to determine which of the master lighting modules 512 is located farthest from the light fixture controller 520 on the power bus 530 (e.g., which of the master lighting modules 512 is the end master lighting module).

[0072] The light fixture controller 520 and / or the master lighting module 512 may be configured to determine which master lighting module 512 coupled to the power bus 530 is the end master lighting module based on the bus voltage measurement performed by the master lighting module 512. For example, the light fixture controller 520 may send a query message to the master lighting module 512 coupled to the power bus 530. The query message may request the master lighting module 512 to send an indication of a measurement of the magnitude of the bus voltage (e.g., the bus voltage measurement) to the light fixture controller 520. The light fixture controller 520 may determine that the end master lighting module is the master lighting module 512 that reported the lowest bus voltage measurement.

[0073] Alternatively or in addition, the master lighting modules 512 coupled to the power bus 530 may be configured to send (e.g., automatically and / or periodically send) a measurement of the magnitude of the bus voltage (e.g., on the power bus 530). Each master lighting module 512 may receive a corresponding measurement of the bus voltage from the other master lighting modules 512 coupled to the power bus 530. In such an example, each master lighting module 512 may be configured to determine whether it sent the lowest bus voltage measurement, and the master lighting module 512 that sent the lowest bus voltage measurement may configure itself as the end master lighting module 512. In such an example, for example, the end master lighting module may be configured to send (e.g., periodically send) the bus voltage measurement to the light fixture controller 520 (e.g., in the event that the light fixture controller 520 does not transmit a query message) so that the master lighting module 512 can determine which master lighting module 512 is the end lighting module.

[0074] The master lighting module 512 may communicate with the slave communication bus 550 (eg, an inter-integrated circuit (I 2 The master lighting module 512 may be coupled to a plurality of slave lighting modules 514 by means of a communication link (C) , a timing signal line 560 (e.g., a timing signal conductor) and / or an interrupt request (IRQ) signal line 570 (e.g., an IRQ conductor) . The master lighting module 512 may receive messages from the light fixture controller 520 and may forward the messages to the slave lighting modules 514 via the slave communication bus 550. For example, the master lighting module 512 may convert messages from the RS-485 communication protocol into an I2C signal. 2 C communication protocol for transmission via the slave communication bus 550. In some examples, the master lighting module 512 can communicate control messages via the slave communication bus 550, the control messages including control data and / or commands (eg, intensity levels and / or color control commands).

[0075] The light fixture controller 520 may be configured to control the intensity level and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light emitted by each of the master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514. The light fixture controller 520 may be configured to control the intensity level and / or color of each of the master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514, either individually or collectively. For example, the light fixture controller 520 may be configured to control the master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514 of one of the lighting devices 510A, 510B to the same intensity level and / or the same color, or to different intensity levels and / or different colors. Furthermore, in some examples, the light fixture controller 520 may be configured to control the master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514 of one of the lighting devices 510A, 510B to different intensity levels and / or colors in an organized manner to provide a visual effect, such as providing a gradient of intensity levels and / or colors along the length of one or more of the linear lighting devices 510A, 510B.

[0076] Each of the slave lighting modules 514 can be configured to use the IRQ signal line 570 to signal the corresponding master lighting module 512 that maintenance is required and / or that the slave lighting module 512 has a message to transmit to the master lighting module 512. In some examples, the IRQ signal line 570 can be used to configure the slave lighting modules 514, for example, to determine the order and / or position of each slave lighting module 514 as part of the lighting device.

[0077] As described in more detail herein, the master lighting module 512 can receive messages from the light fixture controller 520 via the master communication bus 540. In some examples, the light fixture controller 520 can be configured to interrupt the transmission of messages on the master communication bus 540 to generate synchronization pulses (e.g., synchronization frames). The light fixture controller 520 can periodically generate synchronization pulses on the master communication bus 540 during periods when no other communications are occurring on the master communication bus 540. The master lighting module 512 can be configured to generate a timing signal that the slave lighting module 514 receives on the timing signal line 560. In some examples, the master lighting module 512 can receive the synchronization pulse from the light fixture controller 520 and, in response, generate a timing signal on the timing signal line 560, where, for example, the timing signal can be a sinusoidal waveform generated at a frequency determined based on the frequency of the synchronization pulse received from the light fixture controller 120. The master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514 may use the timing signals to coordinate the timing at which the master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514 may perform measurement processes (e.g., to reduce the likelihood that any module may interfere with the measurement process of another module). For example, the master lighting module 512 and the slave lighting module 514 may use the timing signals to determine when to measure optical feedback information of the lighting load of their modules, for example, to perform color and / or intensity level control improvements when other master lighting modules and slave lighting modules are not emitting light.

[0078] Figure 7 is an exemplary lamp controller 700 (e.g., a lighting controller such as Figure 6 The lamp controller 700 may include a radio frequency interference (RFI) filter and rectifier circuit 750, which may receive a source voltage, such as an AC mains voltage V, via a hot line connection H and a neutral line connection N. AC The radio frequency interference (RFI) filter and rectifier circuit 750 may be configured to receive the AC mains voltage V AC Generate rectified voltage V R The radio frequency interference (RFI) filter and rectifier circuit 750 may also be configured to minimize noise provided on the AC mains (eg, at the hot connection H and the neutral connection N).

[0079] The lamp controller 700 may further include a power converter circuit 752, which may be configured to connect the bus capacitor C 总线 The rectified voltage V R and generates a bus voltage V 总线 (eg, having a magnitude of approximately 15V to 20V). The power converter circuit 752 may be configured to increase the bus voltage toward the target bus voltage magnitude V TRGTRegulates the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752 总线 The magnitude of the generated bus voltage V 总线-生成 ). For example, the target bus voltage value V TRGT The minimum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX (e.g., approximately 17 V) to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-MAX As described in more detail herein, the lamp controller 700 can be configured to dynamically control the bus voltage V within a certain range. 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 The lamp controller 700 can connect the bus voltage V 总线 Output to a power bus (e.g., power bus 530) electrically connected between the lamp controller 700 and one or more lighting modules. The power converter circuit 752 may include, for example, a boost converter, a buck converter, a buck-boost converter, a flyback converter, a single-ended primary coil inductor converter (SEPIC), a Ćuk converter, and / or any other suitable power converter circuit for generating an appropriate bus voltage. In some examples, the power converter circuit 752 may include a controller (e.g., a processor) within the power converter circuit 752, the controller being configured to control the operation of the power converter circuit 752. The lamp controller 700 may include a power supply 748 that may receive the bus voltage V 总线 And generate the supply voltage V CC , the supply voltage can be used to power one or more circuits (eg, low voltage circuits) of the lamp controller 700 .

[0080] The lamp controller 700 may include a lamp control circuit 736. The lamp control circuit 736 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable processing device or controller. The lamp control circuit 736 may be powered by a power supply 748 (e.g., a supply voltage V CC ) is powered. The lamp control circuit 736 can generate a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 And provide the target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 To drive the power converter circuit 752 toward the target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT Adjust the generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成The lamp controller 700 may include a memory 746 configured to store information associated with the lamp controller 700 (e.g., one or more operating characteristics of the lamp controller 700). For example, the memory 746 may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or an internal circuit of the lamp control circuit 736.

[0081] The lamp controller 700 may include a serial communication circuit 738 that may be configured to communicate on a serial communication bus 740 via the connector 732. For example, the serial communication bus 740 may be an example of a main communication bus 540 (e.g., a wired digital communication link, such as an RS-485 communication link). The serial communication bus 740 may include a terminal resistor 734 that may be coupled across each line of the serial communication bus 740. For example, the resistance of the terminal resistor 734 may be matched to the differential characteristic impedance of the main communication bus 740 to minimize reflections on the main communication bus 740.

[0082] The lamp control circuit 736 may control the serial communication circuit 738 to transmit messages to one or more master lighting modules (e.g., master lighting module 200A, master lighting module 512, and / or master lighting module 800) via the serial communication bus 740, for example, to control one or more characteristics of the master lighting module. For example, the lamp control circuit 736 may transmit control signals to the master lighting module to control the intensity level (e.g., brightness) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the light emitted by the master lighting module (e.g., the light source of the master lighting module). In addition, the lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to indirectly control the operation of the slave modules (e.g., intermediate slave modules and / or end slave modules, such as slave lighting modules 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E, and / or 514) by communicating messages to the master lighting module via the serial communication circuit 738 and the serial communication bus 740. For example, the lamp control circuit 736 may control the intensity level and / or color of the light emitted by the slave lighting module.

[0083] The lamp control circuit 736 may receive input from the line synchronization circuit 754. The line synchronization circuit 754 may receive the rectified voltage V R Alternatively or in addition, the line synchronization circuit 754 may receive the AC mains voltage V directly from the live connection H and the neutral connection N. AC For example, the line synchronization circuit 754 may include a zero-crossing detection circuit, which may be configured to generate a zero-crossing signal V ZC , the zero-crossing signal may indicate the AC mains voltage V AC The lamp control circuit 736 can use the zero-crossing signal V from the line synchronization circuit 754 ZCFor example, a synchronization pulse may be generated on the main communication bus 740 (eg, the main communication bus 540), for example, according to the AC mains voltage V AC frequency (e.g., using the AC mains voltage V AC The timing of the zero crossing of the lamp controller 700) synchronizes the lamp controller 700 and / or the device controlled by the lamp controller 700.

[0084] The lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to generate a synchronization pulse (eg, a synchronization frame) on the serial communication bus 740. The lamp control circuit 736 may use the zero-crossing signal V from the line synchronization circuit 754 to generate a synchronization pulse (eg, a synchronization frame) on the serial communication bus 740. ZC For example, according to the AC mains voltage V AC frequency (e.g., using the AC mains voltage V AC The master lighting module 514 may be connected to the serial communication bus 740 and the master lighting module 514 may be connected to the serial communication bus 740 to generate a synchronization pulse. The synchronization pulse may include a digital signal or an analog signal. In some examples, the synchronization pulse is a synchronization frame generated on the serial communication bus 740. In such an example, the lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to stop transmitting messages on the serial communication bus 740 when the synchronization pulse is generated on the serial communication bus 740. In this way, the master lighting module can use the synchronization pulse to generate a timing signal, which can be used by the master lighting module and the slave lighting module to coordinate the timing of the master lighting module and the slave lighting module to perform the measurement process. For example, the synchronization pulse can be generated during a frame synchronization period that can occur periodically and can generate a synchronization pulse. In addition, as described in more detail herein, the master lighting module connected to the serial communication bus 740 can receive the synchronization pulse, and the master lighting module can be configured to generate a timing signal that can be received by the slave lighting module 514 via a separate electrical connection (e.g., the timing signal line 560).

[0085] The fixture control circuit 736 may be configured to receive messages (e.g., one or more signals) from the master lighting module via the serial communication bus 740. For example, the master lighting module may transmit feedback information regarding the status of the master lighting module and / or the slave lighting modules via the serial communication bus 740. The serial communication circuit 738 may receive a message from the master lighting module, for example, in response to a query transmitted by the fixture control circuit 736.

[0086] The lamp controller 700 may include a wireless communication circuit 744. The lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to transmit and / or receive messages via the wireless communication circuit 744. The wireless communication circuit 744 may include a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to an antenna 742 for transmitting and / or receiving RF signals. The wireless communication circuit 744 may be an RF transmitter for transmitting RF signals, an RF receiver for receiving RF signals, or an infrared (IR) transmitter and / or receiver for transmitting and / or receiving IR signals. The wireless communication circuit 744 may be configured to transmit and / or receive messages (e.g., via the antenna 742). For example, the wireless communication circuit 744 may transmit messages in response to signals received from the lamp control circuit 736. The lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to transmit and / or receive, for example, feedback information and / or messages (including control data and / or commands for controlling one or more lighting devices) regarding the status of one or more lighting devices (such as lighting devices 100, 400A, 400B, 400C, 510A, 510B).

[0087] The lamp controller 700 may include a voltage feedback circuit 756. The voltage feedback circuit 756 may be coupled between the output of the power converter circuit 752 and the connection 730 via a power bus (e.g., a portion of the power bus 530 that resides within the lamp controller 700). The voltage feedback circuit 756 may generate a voltage indicative of the bus voltage V 总线 The magnitude of the voltage feedback signal V V-FB , and the voltage feedback signal V V-FB Provided to the lamp control circuit 736. In this way, the lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to V-FB To determine the bus voltage V 总线 The value of .

[0088] In addition, as described in more detail herein, in some examples, the lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to control the lamp control circuit 736 based on the bus voltage V 总线 The overload condition is detected when the magnitude of drops below a threshold voltage (e.g., 15 V) (e.g., and in some instances rises above another threshold voltage (such as 19 V) multiple times). In response to detecting the overload condition, the fixture control circuit 736 may be configured to cause one or more of the lighting modules of the lighting assembly connected to the power bus to reduce their maximum power (e.g., the power delivered to each of the emitters of the emitter module of each of the one or more lighting modules and / or the luminous flux of light emitted by each of the emitters).

[0089] Lamp controller 700 may include current feedback circuit 758. Current feedback circuit 758 may be coupled in series between the output of power converter circuit 752 and connection 730 on a power bus (e.g., a portion of power bus 530 that resides within lamp controller 700). Current feedback circuit 758 may generate a current indicative of a bus current I conducted through the power bus. 总线 The magnitude of the current feedback signal V I-FB , and the current feedback signal V I-FB Provided to the lamp control circuit 736. In this way, the lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to I-FB Determine the bus current I 总线 The value of .

[0090] The lamp controller 700 may be configured to adjust (eg, dynamically adjust) the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752. 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 To adjust the bus voltage V received by the terminal main lighting module on the power bus 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to adjust the target bus voltage value V TRGT (For example, via the target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 ) to drive the power converter circuit 752 toward the target bus voltage value V TRGT Adjust the generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 For example, the lamp controller 700 may be configured to adjust the target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT Towards the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 Adjust the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 In some examples, the target end bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-末端 It can be a constant value, such as 17 V. The bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752 总线 The target bus voltage value V TRGT can be within a certain range (e.g., having a magnitude of approximately 17 V to 21 V), so that the end bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 Control to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 .

[0091] The lamp controller 700 can set the terminal bus voltage value V to be independent of the power bus wiring topology (eg, the length of the wiring of the power bus between the lamp controller and the terminal master lighting module). 总线-末端 Control to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端, for example, to increase the efficiency of the lighting system between various different power bus wiring topologies. As noted above, the bus voltage V 总线 The magnitude of V may experience voltage drops along the power bus due to the resistance of the wiring of the power bus and the current drawn by each of the master and slave lighting modules coupled to the power bus. 总线-末端 The voltage drop may be due to the length of the wiring of the power bus and the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752. 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 If the generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 Reduce (eg, by reducing the target bus voltage magnitude V of the power converter circuit 752) TRGT ), then the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The power consumption of the lighting system may be reduced and the efficiency of the lighting system may be improved (eg, at least in some power bus wiring topologies).

[0092] The lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to respond to a bus voltage V at an end master lighting module (eg, master lighting module 512) along a power bus (eg, power bus 530). 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 The end master lighting module may be the master lighting module located farthest from the lamp controller 700 along the power bus. The lamp control circuit 736 may receive the end bus voltage magnitude V at the end master lighting module on the communication bus 740, for example, in one or more messages received from the end master lighting module via the serial communication circuit 738. 总线-末端 In some examples, the lamp control circuit 736 may send a request to the end master lighting module (eg, only the end master lighting module) prompting the end master lighting module to increase the end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The instruction is sent to the lighting control circuit 736.

[0093] The lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to generate a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 Towards the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 Control the end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to use a digital proportional integral (PI) controller based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 and the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 The target bus voltage control signal V is generated 总线-控制 For example, the PI controller can be configured to be based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 and the target end bus voltage value VTRGT-末端 Generate an error value, and generate a target bus voltage control signal V based on the error value 总线-控制 The power converter circuit 752 may receive a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 , and can be directed toward the target bus voltage value V TRGT (For example, it is based on the target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 ) adjusts the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752 on the power bus 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 Thus, the lamp controller 700 can be configured to adjust (eg, dynamically adjust) the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752. 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 The bus voltage V across the power bus at the end master module is 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 Adjust to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 .

[0094] Thus, the lamp controller 700 may be configured to manage multiple control loops, such as a first control loop where the power converter circuit 752 is configured to control the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752. 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 and a second control loop, in which the lamp control circuit 736 is configured to receive the bus voltage V received by the terminal master module 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 Control to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 For example, the power converter circuit 752 may be configured to generate a bus voltage V based on the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752. 总线-生成 The feedback and target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 (For example, it indicates the target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT ) to adjust the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 The first control loop may be executed within the power converter circuit 752. The second control loop may be executed by the lamp control circuit 736 and the power converter circuit 752. For example, the lamp control circuit 736 may receive the terminal bus voltage value V at the terminal master lighting module. 总线-末端 and, in response, adjusting the target bus voltage magnitude V of the power converter circuit 752. TRGT In an attempt to calculate the terminal bus voltage value V at the terminal main lighting module 总线-末端The bus voltage V received by the end master module is 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 Adjust to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 .

[0095] The lamp controller 700 can be configured to manage multiple control loops operating at different rates. For example, the power converter circuit 752 can be configured to operate at a rate higher than the lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to move toward the target terminal bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-末端 Control the bus voltage V received by the terminal main lighting module 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 A faster rate towards the target bus voltage value V TRGT Controls the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 752 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 For example, the power converter circuit 752 may manage the first control loop at a faster rate than the lamp control circuit 736 manages the second control loop. This rate difference may produce a terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 The magnitude of falls below the target terminal bus voltage magnitude V in response to a large increase in the current drawn by the lighting module TRGT-末端 , which in turn allows the second control loop to have time to set the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 Increase back to above the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 Previously caused a power saving event.

[0096] Towards a value less than the maximum target bus voltage V TRGT-MAX The target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 Control the end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The terminal main lighting module may experience a power saving event (eg, due to the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 When the bus current I 总线 When the magnitude of increases, such as when the intensity level of one or more of the lighting modules is increasing, a power-down event may occur. Therefore, the lamp control circuit 736 may be configured with a pre-power-down threshold V TH-BO (e.g., approximately 15.5 V) to prevent a brownout event from occurring on the power bus. For example, the lamp control circuit 736 may determine the terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 has dropped below the pre-save threshold V TH-BO , and in response, the target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT (For example, the target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 indicated) is controlled to be equal to the maximum target voltage value V TRGT-MAXIn some examples, the lamp control circuit 736 may determine the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 has dropped below the pre-save threshold V TH-BO Then the target bus voltage value V TRGT Control to the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX When the predetermined time period expires, the lamp control circuit 736 may be configured to reset the lamp based on the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 (For example, and the target end bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-末端 ) and control the target bus voltage value V TRGT For example, at the end of the predetermined time period, the lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to set the target bus voltage value V TRGT Controlled to be less than the maximum target voltage value V TRGT-MAX .

[0097] Target bus voltage value V TRGT (For example, the target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 indicated) may be at the minimum target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-MIN- to the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX The target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 The power converter circuit 752 can generate a voltage at the minimum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MIN (e.g., approximately 17V) and the maximum target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-MAX (e.g., about 21V) 总线 . Pre-save threshold V TH-BO can be lower than the minimum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MIN , but greater than the bus voltage V that can cause a power saving condition 总线 of magnitude (e.g., approximately 15 volts).

[0098] Figure 8 Is the lighting system (e.g. Figure 6 500) of a lighting device (e.g., such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 The lighting device 100 shown in Figure 5 The lighting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and / or Figure 68 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary master lighting module 800 (e.g., a starter module, such as master modules 150A, 200A, and / or 512) of a lighting device 510A, 510B) shown in FIG. Each lighting device of the lighting system may include a master lighting module 800 and one or more slave lighting modules (e.g., slave modules 150B, 150C, 200B-200E, 514). The master lighting module 800 may be the first module of the lighting device. That is, when reviewing the physical order of the master lighting module and the slave lighting modules of the lighting device, the master lighting module 800 may be the first lighting module to receive the bus voltage. Alternatively, in other examples, one or more slave lighting modules may be the first module of the lighting device (e.g., the slave lighting modules may receive the bus voltage before the master lighting module 800).

[0099] The master lighting module 800 may include one or more emitter modules 810 (eg, emitter modules 154, 210, and / or 300), wherein each emitter module 810 may include one or more strings of emitters 811, 812, 813, 814. Figure 8 814 is shown as a single LED, but each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 may include a plurality of LEDs connected in series (e.g., a series of LEDs), a plurality of LEDs connected in parallel, or a suitable combination thereof, depending on the particular lighting system. In addition, each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 may include one or more organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). For example, the first emitter 811 may represent a series of red LEDs, the second emitter 812 may represent a series of blue LEDs, the third emitter 813 may represent a series of green LEDs, and the fourth emitter 814 may represent a series of white or amber LEDs.

[0100] The master lighting module 800 may control the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 to adjust the intensity level (e.g., luminous flux or brightness) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the cumulative light output of the master lighting module 800. The emitter module 810 may also include one or more detectors 816, 818 (e.g., detector 312), which may generate corresponding detector signals (e.g., photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 ). In an example, the detectors 816, 818 may be photodiodes. For example, the first detector 816 may represent a single red, orange, or yellow LED, or multiple red, orange, or yellow LEDs in parallel, and the second detector 818 may represent a single green LED or multiple green LEDs in parallel.

[0101] The master lighting module 800 may include a power supply 848 that may receive a source voltage, such as a bus voltage (eg, a bus voltage V on the power bus 530) via a first connector 830. 总线 The power supply 848 can generate an internal DC supply voltage V that can be used to power one or more circuits (eg, low voltage circuits) of the main lighting module 800. CC .

[0102] The master lighting module 800 may include an LED driver circuit 832. The LED driver circuit 832 may be configured to control (e.g., individually control) the power delivered to each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 of the emitter module 810 and / or the luminous flux of light emitted by each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 of the emitter module 810. The LED driver circuit 832 may receive a bus voltage V 总线 And the corresponding LED driving current I conducted through the transmitters 811, 812, 813, 814 can be adjusted LED1 ,I LED2 ,I LED3 ,I LED4 The LED driving circuit 832 may include one or more regulating circuits (eg, four regulating circuits), such as for controlling the corresponding LED driving current I LED1 To I LED4 An example of LED drive circuit 832 is described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 9,485,813, issued on November 1, 2016, entitled “ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND METHODFOR AVOIDING AN OVER-POWER OR OVER-CURRENT CONDITION IN A POWER CONVERTER,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0103] The master lighting module 800 may include a receiver circuit 834 that may be electrically coupled to the detectors 816, 818 of the transmitter module 810 for responding to the photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 The corresponding optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2 The receiver circuit 834 may include one or more transimpedance amplifiers (eg, two transimpedance amplifiers) for converting the corresponding photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 Converted into an optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2For example, the optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2 may have a DC magnitude indicative of the corresponding photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 The value of .

[0104] The master lighting module 800 may include a transmitter control circuit 836 for controlling the LED driver circuit 832 to control the intensity and / or color of the transmitters 811, 812, 813, 814 of the transmitter module 810. The transmitter control circuit 836 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable processing device or controller. The transmitter control circuit 836 may be powered by a power supply 848 (e.g., receiving a voltage V CC ). The transmitter control circuit 836 may generate one or more drive signals V DR1 、V DR2 、V DR3 、V DR4 The transmitter control circuit 836 can receive the optical feedback signal V from the receiver circuit 834. FB1 、V FB2 To determine the luminous flux L of the light emitted by emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 E .

[0105] The emitter control circuit 836 can receive a plurality of emitter forward voltage feedback signals V from the LED driving circuit 832. FE1 、V FE2 、V FE3 、V FE4 and receives multiple detector positive voltage feedback signals V from the receiver circuit 834 FD1 、V FD2 . Emitter forward voltage feedback signal V FE1 -V FE4 The magnitude of the forward voltage of the corresponding emitter 811, 812, 813, 814 may indicate the temperature T of the corresponding emitter. E1 、T E2 、T E3 、T E4 If each emitter 811, 812, 813, 814 includes a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series, then the emitter forward voltage feedback signal V FE1 -V FE4The detector forward voltage feedback signal V may represent the magnitude of the forward voltage on a single LED in the LED or the cumulative forward voltage generated across multiple LEDs in a series (e.g., all series-connected LEDs in a series). FD1 、V FD2 The magnitude of the forward voltage of the respective detector 816, 818 may represent the magnitude of the forward voltage, which may indicate the temperature T of the respective detector. D1 、T D2 For example, the detector positive voltage feedback signal V FD1 、V FD2 may be equal to the forward voltage V of the corresponding detector 816, 818 FD .

[0106] The master lighting module 800 may include a master control circuit 850. The master control circuit 850 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable processing device or controller. The master control circuit 850 may be electrically coupled to a lamp controller (e.g., lamp controller 520, 700) via a communication bus 840 (e.g., a master communication bus such as an RS-485 communication link). The master control circuit 850 may be electrically coupled to a lamp controller (e.g., lamp controller 520, 700) via one or more electrical connections (e.g., a communication bus 842 (e.g., a slave communication bus such as an I 2 C communication link), timing signal line 844 and / or IRQ signal line 846) are electrically connected to the slave lighting module. The master control circuit 850 can be powered by a power supply 848 (e.g., receiving a voltage V CC ).

[0107] The master lighting module 800 may include a serial communication circuit 854 that couples the master control circuit 850 to the communication bus 840. The serial communication circuit 854 may be configured to communicate with the light fixture controller via the communication bus 840. For example, the communication bus 840 may be an example of the communication bus 540 and / or the communication bus 740. The master lighting module 800 may include a terminal resistor 858 that is coupled in series with the controllable switch circuit 856 between the lines of the communication bus 840. For example, the resistance of the terminal resistor 858 may be matched to the differential characteristic impedance of the master communication bus 840 to minimize reflections on the communication bus 840. The master control circuit 850 may be configured to control the controllable switch circuit 856 to control when the terminal resistor 858 is coupled between the lines of the communication bus 840. For example, if the master lighting module 800 is the end master lighting module (e.g., if the master lighting module is farthest from the fixture controller of the lighting system), the master control circuit 850 can be configured to turn on the controllable switch circuit 856 to electrically connect the terminal resistor 858 between the lines of the communication bus 840.

[0108] The master control circuit 850 is configured to determine a target intensity level L for the master lighting module 800 and / or one or more slave lighting modules in response to a message received via the serial communication circuit 854 (e.g., from a light fixture controller via the communication bus 840). TRGT For example, the master control circuit 850 may be configured to control the emitter control circuit 836, for example, in response to a message received via the communication bus 840, to control the intensity level (e.g., brightness or luminous flux) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the cumulative light emitted by the emitter module 810 of the master lighting module 800. That is, the master control circuit 850 may be configured to control the emitter control circuit 836, for example, to control the LED drive circuit 832 and the emitter module 810.

[0109] The main control circuit 850 can be configured to communicate with the user via the communication bus 842 (e.g., using I 2 The master control circuit 850 may be configured to communicate with one or more slave lighting modules via the communication bus 842, for example, in response to a message received via the communication bus 840, and transmit a message including control data and / or commands to the slave lighting modules via the communication bus 842 to control the emitter modules of the one or more slave lighting modules to control the intensity level (e.g., brightness or luminous flux) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the accumulated light emitted by the emitter modules of the slave lighting modules.

[0110] The master control circuit 850 may be configured to calculate the current intensity level L of the accumulated light emitted by the master lighting module 800 and / or the slave lighting modules. PRES (e.g., current brightness) towards the target intensity level L TRGT (e.g., target brightness) adjustment. Target intensity level L TRGT can be within a range across the dimming range, for example at the low end intensity level L LE (e.g., a minimum intensity level, such as approximately 0.1% to 1.0%) and a high-end intensity level L HE (e.g., maximum intensity level, such as approximately 100%). The master lighting module 800 (e.g., and / or the slave lighting module) may be configured to set the current color temperature T of the accumulated light emitted by the master lighting module 800 (e.g., and / or the slave lighting module) to PRES Towards target color temperature T TRGT In some examples, the target color temperature T TRGT The color temperature may range between a cool white color temperature (eg, approximately 3100-4500 K) and a warm white color temperature (eg, approximately 2000-3000 K).

[0111] In an example, the master control circuit 850 may receive a synchronization pulse on the communication bus 840 (e.g., from the light fixture controller 700). The synchronization pulse may include a digital signal or an analog signal. In some examples, the synchronization pulse is a synchronization frame generated on the communication bus 840. In such an example, the master control circuit 850 may be configured not to transmit messages with the light fixture controller on the communication bus 840 during a frame synchronization period in which the synchronization pulse may be received. As such, the master control circuit 850 may use the synchronization pulse to generate a timing signal that may be used by the master lighting module and the slave lighting module to coordinate the timing at which the master lighting module 800 and the slave lighting module may perform a measurement process. For example, the synchronization pulse may be generated during a frame synchronization period that may occur periodically and in which the synchronization pulse may be generated.

[0112] The master control circuit 850 can be configured to generate a timing signal, for example, on a timing signal line 844 (e.g., timing signal line 560). The master control circuit 850 can be configured to generate the timing signal in response to the synchronization pulse. In some examples, the timing signal can be a sinusoidal waveform generated at a frequency determined based on the frequency of the synchronization pulse received from the light fixture controller. The transmitter control circuit 836 of the master lighting module 800 and the transmitter module control circuit of the slave lighting module (e.g., a slave lighting module connected to the communication bus 844) can receive the timing signal generated by the master control circuit 850. As described herein, the master lighting module 800 and the slave lighting module can use the timing signal to coordinate the timing of the measurement process that the master lighting module 800 and the slave lighting module 514 can perform (e.g., to reduce the possibility of any module interfering with the measurement process of another module). For example, master lighting module 800 and slave lighting modules may use timing signals to determine when to measure optical feedback information of their module's lighting load to, for example, perform color and / or intensity level control improvements when other master and slave lighting modules are not emitting light.

[0113] The master control circuit 850 may also be configured to receive a message from the transmitter control circuit 836 and / or the transmitter control circuit of one of the slave lighting modules that requires maintenance and / or has a message to be sent via the IRQ signal line 846 (e.g., such as Figure 6 846) to the master lighting module 800. In an example, the transmitter control circuit may signal the master control circuit 850 via the IRQ signal line 846 that the transmitter control circuit needs to be serviced. In addition, the transmitter control circuit may signal the master control circuit 850 via the IRQ signal line 846 that the transmitter control circuit has a message to transmit to the master control circuit 850. In addition, the master control circuit 850 may be configured to use the IRQ signal line 846 to determine the order and / or position of each slave lighting module.

[0114] The master lighting module 800 may include a memory 852 configured to store information (e.g., one or more operating characteristics of the master lighting module 800, such as a target intensity level L TRGT 、Target color temperature T TRGT , low end strength level L LE , high-end strength level L HE The memory 852 may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or an internal circuit of the main control circuit 850 .

[0115] When the master lighting module 800 is powered on, the master control circuit 850 can be configured to control the master lighting module 800 (e.g., the emitter of the master lighting module 800) to emit light substantially all the time. The emitter control circuit 836 can be configured to interrupt the normal emission of light during the periodic measurement interval to perform the measurement process. During the periodic measurement interval, the emitter control circuit 836 can measure one or more operating characteristics of the master lighting module 800. The measurement interval can be based on a timing signal on the synchronization line 844 (e.g., which can be based on the AC mains voltage V AC The emitter control circuit 836 may be configured to receive the timing signal and determine the specific timing of the periodic measurement interval (e.g., the frequency of the periodic measurement interval) based on (e.g., in response to) the timing signal. For example, during the measurement interval, the emitter control circuit 836 may be configured to individually turn on each of the different color emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 of the main lighting module 800 (e.g., while turning off the other emitters) and use one of the two detectors 816, 818 to measure the luminous flux of the light emitted by the emitter. For example, the emitter control circuit 836 may turn on the first emitter 811 of the emitter module 810 (e.g., while turning off the other emitters 812, 813, 814) and respond to the first optical feedback signal V generated from the first detector 816. FB1 The luminous flux L of the light emitted by the first emitter 811 is determined E In addition, the transmitter control circuit 836 can be configured to drive the transmitters 811, 812, 813, 814 and the detectors 816, 818 to generate the transmitter forward voltage feedback signal V during the measurement interval. FE1 -V FE4 and the detector positive voltage feedback signal V FD1 、V FD2 .

[0116] U.S. Patent No. 9,332,598, issued on May 3, 2016, entitled “INTERFERENCE-RESISTANT COMPENSATION FOR ILLUMINATION DEVICES HAVING MULTIPLE EMITTER MODULES,” U.S. Patent No. 9,392,660, issued on July 12, 2016, entitled “LED ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND CALIBRATION METHOD FOR ACCURATELY CHARACTERIZING THE EMISSION LEDS AND PHOTODETECTOR(S) INCLUDED WITHIN THE LED ILLUMINATION DEVICE,” and U.S. Patent No. 9,392,663, issued on July 12, 2016, entitled “ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ILLUMINATION DEVICE OVER CHANGES IN DRIVE CURRENT A method of measuring operating characteristics of an emitter module in a lighting device is described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 4,877,979, entitled "AND TEMPERATURE", the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0117] Calibration values ​​for various operational characteristics of the master lighting module 800 may be stored in the memory 852 as part of a calibration process performed during manufacture of the master lighting module 800. Calibration values ​​for each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814, and / or detectors 816, 818 of the emitter module 800 may be stored. For example, calibration values ​​for measurements of luminous flux (e.g., in lumens), x chromaticity, y chromaticity, emitter forward voltage, photodiode current, and / or detector forward voltage may be stored. For example, luminous flux, x chromaticity, and / or y chromaticity measurements may be obtained from the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 using an external calibration tool such as a spectrophotometer. In an example, the master lighting module 800 may measure the values ​​of the emitter forward voltage, photodiode current, and / or detector forward voltage internally. The external calibration tool and / or the master lighting module 800 may measure calibration values ​​for each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 and / or detectors 816, 818 at a plurality of different drive currents and / or at a plurality of different operating temperatures.

[0118] After installation, the master lighting module 800 of the lighting device can use the calibration values ​​stored in the memory 852 to maintain a constant light output from the master lighting module 800. The master control circuit 850 can determine the target value of the luminous flux to be emitted from the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 to achieve the target intensity level L of the master lighting module 800. TRGT and / or target color temperature T TRGT The emitter control circuit 836 may determine the respective drive currents I of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 based on the determined target value of the luminous flux to be emitted from the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814. LED1 -I LED4 When the aging of the main lighting module 800 is zero, the corresponding driving currents I of the emitters 811, 812, 813, and 814 can be LED1 -I LED4 The value of is controlled to be the initial value I LED-初始 .

[0119] When the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 age, the light output of the master lighting module 800 (e.g., maximum light output and / or light output at a specific current or frequency) may decrease. The emitter control circuit 836 may be configured to set the drive current I DR The value of increases to the adjusted value I LED-调整 , to achieve the target intensity level L TRGT Luminous flux and / or target color temperature T TRGT A method for adjusting the drive current of an emitter to achieve a constant light output as the emitter ages is described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 9,769,899, issued on September 19, 2017, entitled “ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND AGE COMPENSATION METHOD,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0120] Additionally, in some examples, the master lighting module 800 can include a voltage feedback circuit 866. The voltage feedback circuit 866 can be coupled to the power bus (e.g., a portion of the power bus 530 that resides within the master lighting module 800) between the connectors 830. The voltage feedback circuit 866 can generate a voltage indicating the bus voltage V 总线 The voltage value of the voltage feedback signal V V-FB , and the voltage feedback signal V V-FB Provided to the main control circuit 850. In this way, the main control circuit 850 can be configured to V-FB To determine the bus voltage V 总线As described in more detail below, in some examples, if the master control circuit 850 detects that the bus voltage V 总线 When the value of bus voltage V drops below a threshold voltage (e.g., 15 V), the master control circuit 850 may be configured to turn off the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 of the master lighting module 800 (e.g., control the power delivered to each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 of the emitter module 810 and / or the luminous flux of the light emitted by each of the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 of the emitter module 810 to zero). The master control circuit 850 may be configured to turn off the bus voltage V 总线 When the value of drops below the threshold voltage, the emitters 811, 812, 813, 814 are turned off to ensure, for example, that the circuits controlling the master lighting module 800 and the communication circuits (e.g., the master control circuit 850, the emitter control circuit 836, and / or the serial communication circuit 854) remain powered. In addition, although described with reference to the master control circuit 850, in some examples, the emitter control circuit 836 may receive a voltage feedback signal V V-FB And the transmitters 811, 812, 813, 814 are controlled accordingly.

[0121] The main control circuit 850 can be configured to be based on the voltage feedback signal V V-FB The bus voltage V received by the main lighting module 800 is determined 总线 The bus voltage V received by the master lighting module 800 is then transmitted via the serial communication circuit 854. 总线 In some examples, the lamp controller may send a request to the master control circuit 850 (e.g., via the serial communication circuit 854) prompting the master control circuit 850 to send the terminal bus voltage V received by the master lighting module 800 to the lamp controller. 总线 Therefore, the lamp controller can receive the bus voltage V received by the main lighting module 800. 总线 An indication of the value of .

[0122] The master lighting module 800 may include a current feedback circuit 868. The current feedback circuit 868 may be connected in series on the power bus (e.g., the portion of the power bus 530 that resides within the master lighting module 800) between the connectors 830. The current feedback circuit 868 may generate a current indicating the bus current I 总线 The magnitude of the current feedback signal V I-FB , and the current feedback signal V I-FB Provided to the main control circuit 850. In this way, the main control circuit 850 can be configured to I-FB Determine the bus current I总线 In addition, although described with reference to the main control circuit 850, in some examples, the transmitter control circuit 836 may receive the current feedback signal V I-FB .

[0123] Fig. 9 Is the lighting system (e.g. Figure 6 500) of a lighting device (e.g., such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 The lighting device 100 shown in Figure 5 The lighting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and / or Figure 6 510A, 510B) of the lighting device shown in FIG. 5 (e.g., an intermediate slave lighting module such as Figure 2 , Figure 3B and Figure 3C 1 and 12. The intermediate slave lighting module 900 may be an intermediate module of a lighting fixture. The intermediate slave lighting module 900 may include any slave lighting module residing between a master lighting module (e.g., master module 150A, 200A, 512, and / or master lighting module 800) and another slave lighting module of the lighting fixture.

[0124] The intermediate slave lighting module 900 may include one or more emitter modules 910 (e.g., such as emitter modules 154, 210, and / or 300). For example, the intermediate slave lighting module 900 may include an emitter module 910, which may include one or more strings of emitters 911, 912, 913, 914. Fig. 9 , each of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 is shown as a single LED, but each of the emitters may include multiple LEDs connected in series (e.g., a series of LEDs), multiple LEDs connected in parallel, or a suitable combination thereof, depending on the specific lighting system. In addition, each of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 may include one or more organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). For example, the first emitter 911 may represent a series of red LEDs, the second emitter 912 may represent a series of blue LEDs, the third emitter 913 may represent a series of green LEDs, and the fourth emitter 914 may represent a series of white or amber LEDs.

[0125] The intermediate slave lighting module 900 can control the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 to adjust the intensity level (e.g., luminous flux or brightness) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the cumulative light output of the intermediate slave lighting module 900. The emitter module 910 can also include one or more detectors 916, 918 (e.g., detector 312), which can generate corresponding photodiode currents I in response to incident light. PD1 ,I PD2 (e.g., detector signal). In an example, the detectors 916, 918 may be photodiodes. For example, the first detector 916 may represent a single red, orange, or yellow LED or multiple red, orange, or yellow LEDs in parallel, and the second detector 918 may represent a single green LED or multiple green LEDs in parallel.

[0126] The intermediate slave lighting module 900 may include a power supply 948 that may receive a source voltage, such as a bus voltage (eg, a bus voltage V on the power bus 530) via a first connection 930. 总线 The power supply 948 may generate an internal DC supply voltage V that may be used to power one or more circuits (eg, low voltage circuits) of the intermediate slave lighting module 900, such as the transmitter control circuit 936. CC .

[0127] The intermediate slave lighting module 900 may include an LED driver circuit 932. The LED driver circuit 932 may be configured to control (e.g., individually control) the power delivered to each of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 of the emitter module 910 and / or the luminous flux of light emitted by each of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 of the emitter module 910. The LED driver circuit 932 may receive a bus voltage V 总线 , and can adjust the corresponding LED drive current I conducted through the transmitters 911, 912, 913, 914 LED1 ,I LED2 ,I LED3 ,I LED4 The LED driving circuit 932 may include one or more regulating circuits (eg, four regulating circuits), such as for controlling the corresponding LED driving current I LED1 -I LED4 A switching regulator (e.g., a buck converter) of the magnitude.

[0128] The intermediate slave lighting module 900 may include a receiver circuit 934 that may be electrically coupled to the detectors 916, 918 of the transmitter module 910 for detecting the photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2The corresponding optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2 The receiver circuit 934 may include one or more transimpedance amplifiers (eg, two transimpedance amplifiers) for converting the corresponding photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 Converted into an optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2 For example, the optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2 may have a DC magnitude indicative of the corresponding photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 The value of .

[0129] The intermediate slave lighting module 900 may include an emitter control circuit 936 for controlling the LED driver circuit 932 to control the intensity and / or color of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 of the emitter module 910. The emitter control circuit 936 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable processing device or controller. The emitter control circuit 936 may be electrically coupled to the master lighting module via one or more electrical connections, such as a communication bus 842 (e.g., a slave communication bus such as an I2C communication link), a timing signal line 844, and / or an IRQ signal line 846.

[0130] The transmitter control circuit 936 may be configured to communicate with the transmitter via the communication bus 842 (eg, using I 2 C communication protocol) to communicate with the master lighting module. The communication bus 842 may be, for example, the slave communication bus 550. For example, the emitter control circuit 936 may be configured to receive messages including control data and / or commands from the master lighting module via the communication bus 842 to control the emitter module 910 to control the intensity level (e.g., brightness or luminous flux) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the cumulative light emitted by the emitter module 910 of the intermediate slave lighting module 900.

[0131] The transmitter control circuit 936 may be powered by a power supply 948 (eg, receiving a voltage V CC ). The transmitter control circuit 936 may generate one or more drive signals V DR1 、V DR2 、V DR3 、V DR4 The transmitter control circuit 936 can receive the optical feedback signal V from the receiver circuit 934. FB1 、V FB2To determine the luminous flux L of the light emitted by emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 E .

[0132] The transmitter control circuit 936 can be configured to receive a signal when the transmitter control circuit 936 requires maintenance and / or has a message to be sent via the IRQ signal line 846 (e.g., such as Figure 6 The transmitter control circuit 936 may transmit an indication to the master control circuit 850 when the transmitter control circuit 936 is transmitted to the master lighting module 800 via the IRQ signal line 846. For example, the transmitter control circuit 936 may signal the master control circuit (e.g., the master control circuit 850) via the IRQ signal line 846 that service is required on the transmitter control circuit 936. In addition, the transmitter control circuit 936 may signal the master control circuit via the IRQ signal line 846 that the transmitter control circuit 936 has a message to transmit to the master control circuit.

[0133] The transmitter control circuit 936 can receive a plurality of transmitter forward voltage feedback signals V from the LED driving circuit 932. FE1 、V FE2 、V FE3 、V FE4 , and receives multiple detector positive voltage feedback signals V from the receiver circuit 934 FD1 、V FD2 . Emitter forward voltage feedback signal V FE1 -V FE4 The magnitude of the forward voltage of the corresponding emitter 911, 912, 913, 914 may indicate the temperature T of the corresponding emitter. E1 、T E2 、T E3 、T E4 If each emitter 911, 912, 913, 914 includes a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series, then the emitter forward voltage feedback signal V FE1 -V FE4 The detector forward voltage feedback signal V may represent the magnitude of the forward voltage on a single LED in the LED or the cumulative forward voltage generated across multiple LEDs in a series (e.g., all series-connected LEDs in a series). FD1 、V FD2 The magnitude of the forward voltage of the respective detector 916, 918 may represent the magnitude of the forward voltage, which may indicate the temperature T of the respective detector. D1 、T D2 For example, the detector positive voltage feedback signal V FD1 、V FD2 can be equal to the forward voltage V of the corresponding detector 916, 918 FD .

[0134] It is worth noting that the intermediate slave lighting module 900 is not connected to the communication bus 840 (e.g., RS-485 communication link). Therefore, the transmitter control circuit 936 of the intermediate slave lighting module 900 can be connected via the communication bus 842 (e.g., using I 2 C communication protocol). For example, the intermediate slave lighting module 900 may receive a message from a master lighting module (e.g., master modules 150A, 200A, 512 and / or master lighting module 800). The master control circuit (e.g., master control circuit 850) of the master lighting module may be configured to control the intermediate slave lighting module 900 to control the intensity level (e.g., brightness or luminous flux) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the accumulated light emitted by the intermediate slave lighting module 900.

[0135] The master control circuit can be configured to calculate the current intensity level L of the accumulated light emitted by the intermediate slave lighting module 900. PRES (e.g., current brightness) towards the target intensity level L TRGT (e.g., target brightness) adjustment. Target intensity level L TRGT may be within a range across the dimming range of the intermediate slave lighting module 900, for example at a low end intensity level L LE (e.g., a minimum intensity level, such as approximately 0.1% to 1.0%) and a high-end intensity level L HE (eg, maximum intensity level, such as approximately 100%). The master control circuit may be configured to adjust the current color temperature T of the accumulated light emitted by the intermediate slave lighting module 900 to PRES Towards target color temperature T TRGT In some examples, the target color temperature T TRGT The color temperature may range between a cool white color temperature (eg, approximately 3100-4500 K) and a warm white color temperature (eg, approximately 2000-3000 K).

[0136] When the intermediate slave lighting module 900 is powered on, the master control circuit can be configured to control the intermediate slave lighting module 900 (e.g., the emitter of the intermediate slave lighting module 900) to emit light substantially all the time. The emitter control circuit 936 can be configured to receive a timing signal (e.g., via the timing signal line 844 and / or the IRQ signal line 846). The emitter control circuit 936 can use the timing signal to coordinate the timing of the measurement process that the emitter control circuit 936 can perform (e.g., to reduce the possibility of any module interfering with the measurement process of another module). For example, the emitter control circuit 936 can use the timing signal to determine the time to measure the optical feedback information of the lighting load of its module, for example, to perform color and / or intensity control improvements when other master lighting modules and slave lighting modules are not emitting light.

[0137] The emitter control circuit 936 may be configured to interrupt normal emission of light during periodic measurement intervals to perform a measurement process. During the periodic measurement intervals, the emitter control circuit 936 may measure one or more operating characteristics of the intermediate slave lighting module 900. The measurement interval may be based on a timing signal on the synchronization line 844 (e.g., which may be based on the AC mains voltage V AC The emitter control circuit 936 may be configured to receive the timing signal and determine the specific timing of the periodic measurement interval (e.g., the frequency of the periodic measurement interval) based on (e.g., in response to) the timing signal. For example, during the measurement interval, the emitter control circuit 936 may be configured to individually turn on each of the different color emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 of the intermediate slave lighting module 900 (e.g., while turning off other emitters) and use one of the two detectors 916, 918 to measure the luminous flux L of the light emitted by the emitter. E For example, the emitter control circuit 936 may turn on the first emitter 911 of the emitter module 910 (e.g., while turning off the other emitters 912, 913, 914), and in response to the first optical feedback signal V generated from the first detector 916, FB1 The luminous flux L of the light emitted by the first emitter 911 is determined E In addition, the transmitter control circuit 936 can be configured to drive the transmitters 911, 912, 913, 914 and the detectors 916, 918 to generate the transmitter forward voltage feedback signal V during the measurement interval. FE1 -V FE4 and the detector positive voltage feedback signal V FD1 、V FD2 .

[0138] Calibration values ​​for various operational characteristics of the intermediate slave lighting module 900 may be stored in a memory as part of a calibration process performed during manufacturing. For example, the memory 852 of the master lighting module 800. Calibration values ​​for each of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 and / or detectors 916, 918 of the intermediate slave module 900 may be stored. For example, calibration values ​​for measurements of luminous flux (e.g., in lumens), x chromaticity, y chromaticity, emitter forward voltage, photodiode current, and detector forward voltage may be stored. For example, luminous flux, x chromaticity, and / or y chromaticity measurements may be obtained from the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 using an external calibration tool such as a spectrophotometer. In an example, the intermediate slave lighting module 900 may measure the values ​​of the emitter forward voltage, photodiode current, and / or detector forward voltage internally. The external calibration tool and / or the intermediate slave lighting module 900 may measure calibration values ​​for each of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 and / or detectors 916, 918 at multiple different drive currents and / or at multiple different operating temperatures.

[0139] After installation, the master lighting module of the lighting device (e.g., master lighting module 800) can use the calibration values ​​stored in the memory (e.g., memory 852) to maintain a constant light output from the intermediate slave lighting module 900. The emitter control circuit 936 can determine the target value of the luminous flux to be emitted from the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 to achieve the target intensity L of the intermediate slave lighting module 900. TRGT and / or target color temperature T TRGT The emitter control circuit 936 may determine the respective drive currents I of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 based on the determined target value of the luminous flux to be emitted from the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914. LED1 -I LED4 When the aging of the intermediate slave lighting module 900 is zero, the corresponding drive currents I of the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 can be LED1 -I LED4 The value of is controlled to be the initial value I LED-初始 .

[0140] As the emitters 911, 912, 913, 914 age, the light output (e.g., maximum light output and / or light output at a particular current or frequency) of the intermediate slave lighting module 900 may decrease. The emitter control circuit 936 may be configured to set the drive current I DR The value of increases to the adjusted value I LED-调整 To achieve the target intensity L TRGT Luminous flux and / or target color temperature TTRGT The determined target value.

[0141] Fig.10 Is the lighting system (e.g. Figure 6 500) of a lighting device (e.g., such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 The lighting device 100 shown in Figure 5 The lighting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and / or Figure 6 510A, 510B) of the lighting device shown in FIG. 1000 (eg, an end slave module such as a Figure 2 , Figure 3D and Figure 3E The end slave lighting module 1000 may be an end lighting module of a lighting device. The end slave lighting module 1000 may include one or more emitter modules 1010 (e.g., Figure 2 , FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E , Figure 4A and Figure 4B 1010). Transmitter module 1010 may include one or more strings of transmitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014. Fig.10 1014 is shown as a single LED, but each of the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 may include a plurality of LEDs connected in series (e.g., a series of LEDs), a plurality of LEDs connected in parallel, or a suitable combination thereof, depending on the particular lighting system. In addition, each of the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 may include one or more organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). For example, the first emitter 1011 may represent a series of red LEDs, the second emitter 1012 may represent a series of blue LEDs, the third emitter 1013 may represent a series of green LEDs, and the fourth emitter 1014 may represent a series of white or amber LEDs.

[0142] The end slave lighting module 1000 can control the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 to adjust the intensity level (e.g., brightness or luminous flux) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the cumulative light output of the end slave lighting module 1000. The emitter module 1010 can also include one or more detectors 1016, 1018 (e.g., detector 312), which can generate corresponding photodiode currents I in response to incident light. PD1 ,I PD2(e.g., detector signal). In an example, the detectors 1016, 1018 may be photodiodes. For example, the first detector 1016 may represent a single red, orange, or yellow LED or multiple red, orange, or yellow LEDs in parallel, and the second detector 1018 may represent a single green LED or multiple green LEDs in parallel.

[0143] The end slave lighting module 1000 may include a power supply 1048 that may receive a source voltage, such as a bus voltage (eg, a bus voltage V on the power bus 530) via the first connector 1030. 总线 The power supply 1048 may generate an internal DC supply voltage V that may be used to power one or more circuits (eg, low voltage circuits) of the end slave lighting module 1000, such as the transmitter control circuit 1036. CC .

[0144] The end slave lighting module 1000 may include an LED driver circuit 1032. The LED driver circuit 1032 may be configured to control (e.g., individually control) the power delivered to each of the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 of the emitter module 1010 and / or the luminous flux of light emitted by each of the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 of the emitter module 1010. The LED driver circuit 1032 may receive a bus voltage V 总线 And the corresponding LED driving current I conducted through the transmitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 can be adjusted LED1 ,I LED2 ,I LED3 ,I LED4 The LED driving circuit 1032 may include one or more regulating circuits (eg, four regulating circuits), such as for controlling the corresponding LED driving current I LED1 -I LED4 A switching regulator (e.g., a buck converter) of the magnitude.

[0145] The end slave lighting module 1000 may include a receiver circuit 1034 that may be electrically coupled to the detectors 1016, 1018 of the transmitter module 1010 for detecting the photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 The corresponding optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2 The receiver circuit 1034 may include one or more transimpedance amplifiers (eg, two transimpedance amplifiers) for converting the corresponding photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 Converted into an optical feedback signal V FB1 、VFB2 For example, the optical feedback signal V FB1 、V FB2 may have a DC magnitude indicative of the corresponding photodiode current I PD1 ,I PD2 The value of .

[0146] The intermediate slave lighting module 1000 may include a transmitter control circuit 1036 for controlling the LED driver circuit 1032 to control the intensity and / or color of the transmitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 of the transmitter module 1010. The transmitter control circuit 1036 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable processing device or controller. The transmitter control circuit 1036 may be powered by a power supply 1048 (e.g., receiving a voltage V CC ). The transmitter control circuit 1036 may generate one or more drive signals V DR1 、V DR2 、V DR3 、V DR4 The transmitter control circuit 1036 can receive the optical feedback signal V from the receiver circuit 934. FB1 、V FB2 To determine the luminous flux L of the light emitted by emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 E .

[0147] The transmitter control circuit 1036 can be configured to receive a signal when the transmitter control circuit 1036 needs maintenance and / or has a message to be sent via the IRQ signal line 846 (e.g., such as Figure 6 846) to the master lighting module 800. For example, the transmitter control circuit 1036 may signal the master control circuit (e.g., the master control circuit 850) via the IRQ signal line 846 that service is required on the transmitter control circuit 1036. Additionally, the transmitter control circuit 1036 may signal the master control circuit via the IRQ signal line 846 that the transmitter control circuit 1036 has a message to transmit to the master control circuit.

[0148] The transmitter control circuit 1036 can receive a plurality of transmitter forward voltage feedback signals V from the LED driving circuit 1032. FE1 、V FE2 、V FE3 、V FE4 , and receives multiple detector positive voltage feedback signals V from the receiver circuit 1034 FD1 、VFD2 . Emitter forward voltage feedback signal V FE1 -V FE4 The magnitude of the forward voltage of the corresponding emitter 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 may indicate the temperature T of the corresponding emitter. E1 , T E2 , T E3 , T E4 If each emitter 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 includes a plurality of LEDs electrically connected in series, then the emitter forward voltage feedback signal V FE1 -V FE4 The detector forward voltage feedback signal V may represent the magnitude of the forward voltage on a single LED in the LED or the cumulative forward voltage generated across multiple LEDs in a series (e.g., all series-connected LEDs in a series). FD1 、V FD2 The magnitude of the forward voltage of the respective detector 1016, 1018 may represent the magnitude of the forward voltage, which may indicate the temperature T of the respective detector. D1 , T D2 For example, the detector positive voltage feedback signal V FD1 、V FD2 can be equal to the forward voltage V of the corresponding detector 1016, 1018 FD .

[0149] The transmitter control circuit 1036 of the end slave lighting module 1000 can communicate with the end slave lighting module 1000 via the communication bus 842 (eg, the slave communication bus 550), for example, using I 2 C communication protocol. For example, the end slave lighting module 1000 may receive a message from a master lighting module (e.g., master modules 150A, 200A, 512 and / or master lighting module 800). The master control circuit of the master lighting module (e.g., master control circuit 850) may be configured to control the end slave lighting module 1000 so as to control the intensity level (e.g., brightness or luminous flux) and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the accumulated light emitted by the end slave lighting module 1000.

[0150] The master control circuit can be configured to calculate the current intensity level L of the accumulated light emitted by the end slave lighting module 1000. PRES (e.g., current brightness) towards the target intensity level L TRGT (e.g., target brightness) adjustment. Target intensity level L TRGT may be within a range across the dimming range of the end slave lighting module 1000, for example, at a low end intensity level L LE (e.g., a minimum intensity level, such as approximately 0.1% to 1.0%) and a high-end intensity level LHE (eg, maximum intensity level, such as approximately 100%). The master control circuit may be configured to adjust the current color temperature T of the accumulated light emitted by the end slave lighting module 1000 to PRES Towards target color temperature T TRGT Adjust. Target color temperature T TRGT The color temperature may range between a cool white color temperature (eg, approximately 3100-4500 K) and a warm white color temperature (eg, approximately 2000-3000 K).

[0151] When power is applied to the end slave lighting module 1000, the master control circuit can be configured to control the end slave lighting module 1000 (e.g., the transmitter of the end slave lighting module 1000) to emit light substantially all the time. The emitter control circuit 1036 can be configured to receive a timing signal (e.g., via the timing signal line 844 and / or the IRQ signal line 846). The emitter control circuit 1036 can use the timing signal to coordinate the timing of the measurement process that the emitter control circuit 1036 can perform (e.g., to reduce the possibility of any module interfering with the measurement process of another module). For example, the emitter control circuit 1036 can use the timing signal to determine the time to measure the optical feedback information of the lighting load of its module, for example, to perform color and / or intensity control improvements when other master lighting modules and slave lighting modules are not emitting light.

[0152] The transmitter control circuit 1036 may be configured to interrupt the normal emission of light during periodic measurement intervals to perform a measurement process. During the periodic measurement intervals, the transmitter control circuit 1036 may measure one or more operating characteristics of the end slave lighting module 1000. The measurement interval may be based on a timing signal on the synchronization line 844 (e.g., which may be based on the AC mains voltage V AC The emitter control circuit 1036 may be configured to receive the timing signal and determine the specific timing of the periodic measurement interval (e.g., the frequency of the periodic measurement interval) based on (e.g., in response to) the timing signal. For example, during the measurement interval, the emitter control circuit 1036 may be configured to individually turn on each of the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 of different colors of the end slave lighting module 1000 (e.g., while turning off other emitters) and use one of the two detectors 1016, 1018 to measure the luminous flux L of the light emitted by the emitter. E For example, the emitter control circuit 1036 may turn on the first emitter 1011 of the emitter module 1010 (e.g., while turning off the other emitters 1012, 1013, 1014), and in response to the first optical feedback signal V generated from the first detector 1016, FB1The luminous flux L of the light emitted by the first emitter 1011 is determined E In addition, the transmitter control circuit 1036 can be configured to drive the transmitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 and the detectors 1016, 1018 to generate the transmitter forward voltage feedback signal V during the measurement interval. FE1 -V FE4 and the detector positive voltage feedback signal V FD1 、V FD2 .

[0153] Calibration values ​​for various operational characteristics of the end slave lighting module 1000 may be stored in a memory as part of a calibration process performed during manufacturing. For example, the memory 852 of the master lighting module 800. Calibration values ​​for each of the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 and / or detectors 1016, 1018 of the end slave module 1000 may be stored. For example, calibration values ​​for measurements of luminous flux (e.g., in lumens), x chromaticity, y chromaticity, emitter forward voltage, photodiode current, and / or detector forward voltage may be stored. For example, luminous flux, x chromaticity, and / or y chromaticity measurements may be obtained from the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 using an external calibration tool such as a spectrophotometer. In an example, the end slave lighting module 1000 may measure the values ​​of the emitter forward voltage, photodiode current, and / or detector forward voltage internally. An external calibration tool and / or end slave lighting module 1000 may measure calibration values ​​for each of emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 and / or detectors 1016, 1018 at multiple different drive currents and / or at multiple different operating temperatures.

[0154] After installation, the master lighting module of the lighting device (e.g., master lighting module 800) can use the calibration values ​​stored in the memory (e.g., memory 852) to maintain a constant light output from the end slave module 1000. The emitter control circuit 1036 can determine the target value of the luminous flux to be emitted from the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 to achieve the target intensity level L of the end slave module 1000. TRGT and / or target color temperature T TRGT The emitter control circuit 1036 may determine the respective drive currents I of the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 based on the determined target value of the luminous flux to be emitted from the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014. LED1 -I LED4 When the aging of the end slave module 1000 is zero, the corresponding drive current I of the transmitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 can be LED1 -ILED4 The value of is controlled to be the initial value I LED-初始 .

[0155] As the emitters 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014 age, the light output (e.g., maximum light output and / or light output at a specific current or frequency) of the end slave module 1000 may decrease. The emitter control circuit 1036 may be configured to set the drive current I DR The value of increases to the adjusted value I LED-调整 , to achieve the target intensity level L TRGT and / or target color temperature T TRGT The determined target value of the luminous flux.

[0156] Fig.11 is a diagram depicting the lamp controller adjusting (eg, dynamically adjusting) the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 总线 The target bus voltage value V TRGT The bus voltage V received by the terminal main lighting module 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 Adjust to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 1100. Process 1100 may be performed by a control circuit of a lamp controller (e.g., lamp control circuit 736 of lamp controller 700). The lamp controller may be part of a lighting system (e.g., lighting system 500) that includes one or more master lighting modules and / or one or more slave lighting modules. The control circuit may periodically perform process 1100. The control circuit may perform process 1100 to set the terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 Controlled to be as small as possible (eg, the length of wiring independent of the power bus) to, for example, improve the efficiency of a lighting system (eg, as described herein).

[0157] Process 1100 may begin at 1102. At 1104, the control circuit may receive a terminal bus voltage magnitude V at the terminal master lighting module. 总线-末端 The terminal master lighting module may be a master lighting module located farthest from the lamp controller along the power bus. For example, the lighting system may include a plurality of master lighting modules and a plurality of slave lighting modules, wherein the master lighting modules and the slave lighting modules are connected in series on the power bus. The terminal master lighting module may be a master lighting module connected to the power bus at the farthest distance from the lamp controller. In some examples, the control circuit may receive a terminal bus voltage magnitude V at the terminal master lighting module in one or more messages received from the terminal master lighting module on the communication bus via the serial communication circuit. 总线-末端 instructions.

[0158] For example, as described herein, a lamp controller and / or a master lighting module can be configured to determine which master lighting module coupled to the power bus is the end master lighting module based on bus voltage measurements performed by the master lighting module. For example, the lamp controller can send a query message to the master lighting module coupled to the power bus, and in response, the master lighting module can send the bus voltage measurement to the lamp controller. The lamp controller can determine that the end master lighting module is the one reporting the lowest bus voltage measurement (e.g., the end bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 ) of the main lighting module. In such an example, the lamp controller may send the query message to the end lighting module (e.g., only the end lighting module) before 1104.

[0159] Alternatively or in addition, the master lighting module may send (e.g., automatically and / or periodically) a bus voltage measurement to the light fixture controller (e.g., without first receiving a query message from the light fixture controller). The master lighting module (e.g., each master lighting module) may receive corresponding measurements of the bus voltage from other master lighting modules, and the master lighting module with the lower bus voltage measurement may configure itself as the end master lighting module. In such an example, the end lighting module may send its bus voltage measurement (e.g., the end bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 ) is sent (e.g., periodically) to the lamp controller (e.g., before 1104 and in the absence of a query message transmitted by the lamp controller).

[0160] At 1106, the control circuit can be configured to determine the output voltage based on the terminal bus voltage V 总线-末端 The target bus voltage control signal V is generated by the value of the target terminal bus voltage value 总线-控制 For example, the control circuit may be configured to generate a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 To indicate the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 The adjusted target bus voltage value V TRGT . Target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 It can be a constant voltage, such as approximately 17 V. In some examples, the control circuit can be configured to use a digital proportional integral (PI) controller based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 and the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 The target bus voltage control signal V is generated 总线-控制 For example, the PI controller can be configured to be based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 and the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 Generate an error value, and generate a target bus voltage control signal V based on the error value 总线-控制The power converter circuit may receive a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 , and can be directed toward the target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT (For example, it can be based on the target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 ) controls the bus voltage V generated on the power bus 总线 Therefore, the lamp controller can adjust (eg, dynamically adjust) the target bus voltage value V TRGT To generate the bus voltage V generated by the power converter circuit 总线 , to set the bus voltage V on the power bus of the terminal main module 总线 The end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 Adjust to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 To, for example, increase the efficiency of lighting systems.

[0161] Fig.12 is to describe the lighting controller using the pre-save threshold V TH-BO Flowchart of an exemplary process 1200 for preventing brownout events on a power bus. Process 1200 may be performed by a control circuit of a lamp controller (e.g., lamp control circuit 736 of lamp controller 700). The lamp controller may be part of a lighting system (e.g., lighting system 500) that includes one or more master lighting modules and / or one or more slave lighting modules. The control circuit may periodically perform process 1200. In some examples, the control circuit may Fig.12 The process 1200 and Fig.11 Towards a target terminal bus voltage magnitude V selected to achieve maximum efficiency of the lighting system across various power bus wiring topologies TRGT-末端 Control the end bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The terminal main lighting module may experience a power-saving event (for example, due to the terminal bus voltage V 总线-末端 drops too low, such as when the lighting module is fading in or out). Therefore, the control circuit can perform process 1200 to prevent a brownout event from occurring.

[0162] Process 1200 may begin at 1202. At 1204, the control circuit may determine the end bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 Is it lower than the pre-power-saving threshold V TH-BO As described herein, the end master lighting module may be the master lighting module having the longest power bus wiring between the master lighting module and the lamp controller. In addition, as also described herein, the control circuit may receive the end bus voltage value V from the end master lighting module in one or more messages received on the communication bus via the serial communication circuit. 总线-末端 If the control circuit determines that the terminal bus voltage value V总线-末端 Not less than the pre-save threshold V TH-BO , the control circuit can be based on the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 The target bus voltage control signal V is generated 总线-控制 , and process 1200 can be exited.

[0163] At 1204, if the control circuit determines that the terminal bus voltage magnitude V 总线-末端 Below the pre-save threshold V TH-BO , then at 1206, the control circuit may set the target bus voltage value V TRGT Set to the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX For example, the control circuit can control the target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 To make the target bus voltage V TRGT Equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-MAX To make the power converter circuit of the lamp controller towards the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX (e.g., about 21 V) to control the bus voltage V 总线 As described in this article, the target bus voltage value V TRGT The minimum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MIN to the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX The target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 The power converter circuit can be directed toward the minimum target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-MIN (e.g., approximately 17 V) to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude V TRGT-MAX (eg, approximately 21 V) within a range of TRGT Control bus voltage V 总线 The value of the pre-power-down threshold V TH-BO can be lower than the minimum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MIN .

[0164] At 1208, the control circuit may wait for a predetermined amount of time. For example, the control circuit may generate a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 To set the target bus voltage value V TRGT Adjust to the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX For a predetermined period of time (e.g., approximately 3 seconds). The predetermined period of time may allow the bus voltage V 总线 The generated bus voltage magnitude V 总线-生成 Stabilize and / or increase to the target end bus voltage value V TRGT-末端 (eg, above the pre-power-down threshold). For example, by waiting for a predetermined period of time, the control circuit may allow the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端rises above the pre-save threshold V TH-BO (For example, it may occur after the lighting module has completed its fade-in or fade-out).

[0165] At 1210, at the end of the predetermined time period, the lamp control circuit 736 can be configured to 总线-末端 The target bus voltage control signal V is generated 总线-控制 For example, at the end of the predetermined time period, the control circuit may be configured to generate a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 To set the target bus voltage value V TRGT Adjusted to be less than the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX Therefore, the lamp controller can perform process 1200 to use the pre-power-down threshold V TH-BO Prevent brownout events on the power bus.

[0166] Alternatively, the control circuit may generate a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 To set the target bus voltage value V TRGT Adjust to the maximum target bus voltage value V TRGT-MAX , until the bus voltage V 总线 until the bus voltage V 总线 The value of the bus voltage V 总线 When stable, and in response to determining the bus voltage V 总线 The control circuit can be based on the terminal bus voltage value V 总线-末端 (eg, at 1210) and generating a target bus voltage control signal V 总线-控制 .

Claims

1. A system comprising: a plurality of lighting devices, wherein each lighting device is configured to adjust a present intensity level of light emitted by the lighting device between a low-end intensity level and a high-end intensity level; as well as A lamp controller, the lamp controller comprising: a power converter circuit configured to generate a bus voltage on a power bus, wherein the power bus is coupled between the lamp controller and the plurality of lighting devices, and wherein the plurality of lighting devices are coupled in series on the power bus; and A control circuit, the control circuit being configured to control the one or more lighting devices, the control circuit being configured to: receiving an indication of an end bus voltage magnitude of the bus voltage received by an end lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices, wherein the end lighting device is a lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices that is located farthest from the lamp controller along the power bus; and generating a target bus voltage control signal based on the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage, wherein the target bus voltage control signal indicates a target bus voltage magnitude for the power converter circuit; Wherein the power converter circuit is configured to control a magnitude of the bus voltage towards the target bus voltage magnitude based on the target bus voltage control signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to: A request is sent to the terminal lighting device, wherein the request prompts the terminal lighting device to send the indication of the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target bus voltage magnitude is within a range of a minimum target bus voltage magnitude to a maximum target bus voltage magnitude; and The control circuit is configured to: determining that the terminal bus voltage value drops below a pre-power-down threshold; and The target bus voltage control signal is generated to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude in response to the determining that the end bus voltage magnitude has dropped below the pre-power-down threshold.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude for a predetermined period of time; and Wherein, when the predetermined time period expires, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude. 5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein at the end of the predetermined time period, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal having a value less than the maximum value.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the pre-power-down threshold has a magnitude lower than the minimum target bus voltage magnitude.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the minimum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 17 volts and the maximum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 21 volts.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to control a magnitude of the target bus voltage control signal to control the end bus voltage magnitude toward a target end bus voltage magnitude. 9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the control circuit comprises a digital proportional integral (PI) controller, and the PI controller is configured to generate an error value based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude, and to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the error value.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the power converter circuit is configured to generate the bus voltage based on a feedback signal indicative of a magnitude of the bus voltage generated by the power converter circuit and the target bus voltage control signal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to cause the power converter circuit to generate the bus voltage having a magnitude within a range between a minimum bus voltage and a maximum bus voltage, and wherein the target end bus voltage magnitude is equal to the minimum bus voltage.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of lighting devices comprises one or more master lighting modules and one or more slave lighting modules; and wherein the control circuitry of the fixture controller is configured to transmit one or more messages to the master lighting module via a master communication bus, and wherein the master lighting module of each lighting fixture is configured to forward the messages to the one or more slave lighting modules of the lighting fixture; and Wherein the control circuit is configured to receive the indication of the magnitude of the end bus voltage at an end master lighting module of the end lighting device, wherein the end master lighting module is located farthest from the light fixture controller along the power bus.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the end lighting device is the lighting device among the plurality of lighting devices having the longest amount of power bus wiring between the lamp controller and the lighting device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to: sending a query message to the plurality of lighting devices, wherein the query message instructs each of the plurality of lighting devices to send a bus voltage measurement to the lamp controller; and A determination is made as to which of the plurality of lighting devices is an end lighting device based on respective bus voltage measurements received from the plurality of lighting devices.

16. A system comprising: a plurality of master lighting modules, wherein each of the master lighting modules is configured to adjust a present intensity level of light emitted by one or more emitters of the respective master lighting module; as well as A lamp controller, the lamp controller comprising: a power converter circuit configured to generate a bus voltage on a power bus, wherein the power bus is coupled between the lamp controller and the plurality of master lighting modules, and wherein the plurality of master lighting modules are coupled in series on the power bus; and A control circuit, the control circuit being configured to: receiving an indication of an end bus voltage magnitude of the bus voltage received by an end master lighting module, wherein the end master lighting module is a master lighting module of the plurality of master lighting modules that is located farthest from the light fixture controller along the power bus; and generating a target bus voltage control signal based on the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage, wherein the target bus voltage control signal indicates a target bus voltage magnitude for the power converter circuit; Wherein the power converter circuit is configured to control a magnitude of the bus voltage towards the target bus voltage magnitude based on the target bus voltage control signal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the control circuit of the lamp controller is configured to send and receive messages with each of the plurality of master lighting modules, and wherein each master lighting module is configured to send the message to at least one slave lighting module.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising: A plurality of lighting devices, wherein each of the lighting devices comprises at least one primary lighting module.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the control circuit is configured to: A request is sent to the terminal lighting device, wherein the request prompts the terminal lighting device to send the indication of the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the target bus voltage magnitude is within a range of a minimum target bus voltage magnitude to a maximum target bus voltage magnitude; and The control circuit is configured to: determining that the terminal bus voltage value drops below a pre-power-down threshold; and The target bus voltage control signal is generated to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude in response to the determining that the end bus voltage magnitude has dropped below the pre-power-down threshold.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude for a predetermined period of time; and Wherein, when the predetermined time period expires, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein at the end of the predetermined time period, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal having a value less than the maximum value.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the pre-power-down threshold has a magnitude lower than the minimum target bus voltage magnitude.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the minimum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 17 volts and the maximum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 21 volts.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the control circuit is configured to control a magnitude of the target bus voltage control signal to control the end bus voltage magnitude toward a target end bus voltage magnitude.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude using a digital proportional integral (PI) controller of the control circuit.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuit comprises a digital proportional integral (PI) controller, and the PI controller is configured to generate an error value based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude, and to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the error value.

29. The system of claim 16, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to cause the power converter circuit to generate the bus voltage having a magnitude within a range between a minimum bus voltage and a maximum bus voltage, and wherein the target end bus voltage magnitude is equal to the minimum bus voltage.

30. The system of claim 16, wherein the end master lighting module is the master lighting module of the plurality of master lighting modules having the longest amount of power bus wiring between the light fixture controller and the master lighting module.

31. The system of claim 16, wherein the control circuit is configured to: sending a query message to the plurality of master lighting modules, wherein the query message instructs each of the plurality of master lighting modules to send a bus voltage measurement to the lamp controller; and A determination is made as to which of the plurality of master lighting modules is an end master lighting module based on respective bus voltage measurements received from the plurality of master lighting modules.

32. A lamp controller, comprising: a power converter circuit configured to generate a bus voltage on a power bus, wherein the power bus is coupled between the lamp controller and a plurality of master lighting modules, and wherein the plurality of master lighting modules are coupled in series on the power bus; as well as A control circuit, the control circuit being configured to: receiving an indication of an end bus voltage magnitude of the bus voltage received by an end master lighting module, wherein the end master lighting module is the master lighting module of the plurality of master lighting modules having the longest amount of power bus wiring between the lamp controller and the master lighting module; and generating a target bus voltage control signal based on the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage, wherein the target bus voltage control signal indicates a target bus voltage magnitude for the power converter circuit; Wherein the power converter circuit is configured to control a magnitude of the bus voltage towards the target bus voltage magnitude based on the target bus voltage control signal.

33. A lamp controller as described in claim 32, wherein the control circuit is configured to send and receive messages with each of the plurality of master lighting modules, and wherein each master lighting module is configured to send the message to at least one slave lighting module.

34. The lamp controller of claim 32, wherein the control circuit is configured to: A request is sent to the terminal lighting device, wherein the request prompts the terminal lighting device to send the indication of the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage.

35. The lamp controller of claim 32, wherein the target bus voltage magnitude is within a range of a minimum target bus voltage magnitude to a maximum target bus voltage magnitude; and The control circuit is configured to: determining that the terminal bus voltage value drops below a pre-power-down threshold; and The target bus voltage control signal is generated to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude in response to the determining that the end bus voltage magnitude has dropped below the pre-power-down threshold.

36. The lamp controller of claim 35, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude for a predetermined period of time; and Wherein, when the predetermined time period expires, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude.

37. The lamp controller of claim 36, wherein at the end of the predetermined time period, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal having a value less than the maximum value.

38. The lamp controller of claim 35, wherein the pre-power-down threshold has a magnitude lower than the minimum target bus voltage magnitude.

39. The lamp controller of claim 38, wherein the minimum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 17 volts and the maximum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 21 volts.

40. The lamp controller of claim 39, wherein the control circuit is configured to control a magnitude of the target bus voltage control signal to control the end bus voltage magnitude toward a target end bus voltage magnitude.

41. The lamp controller of claim 40, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude.

42. The lamp controller of claim 40, wherein the target end bus voltage magnitude is 17 volts.

43. The lamp controller of claim 40, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude using a digital proportional integral (PI) controller of the control circuit.

44. A lamp controller as described in claim 40, wherein the control circuit includes a digital proportional integral (PI) controller, and the PI controller is configured to generate an error value based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude, and generate the target bus voltage control signal based on the error value.

45. A lamp controller as described in claim 32, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal to cause the power converter circuit to generate the bus voltage having a magnitude within a range between a minimum bus voltage and a maximum bus voltage, and wherein the target end bus voltage magnitude is equal to the minimum bus voltage.

46. ​​The light fixture controller of claim 32, wherein the end master lighting module is the master lighting module among the plurality of master lighting modules having the longest amount of power bus wiring between the light fixture controller and the master lighting modules.

47. A lighting device comprising: a connector, the connector being coupled to a power bus, wherein the power bus is coupled between a lamp controller and the lighting device; one or more emitters configured to emit light; as well as A control circuit, the control circuit being configured to: receiving a bus voltage on a power bus; adjusting a present intensity level of light emitted by the one or more emitters between a low end intensity level and a high end intensity level; measuring a magnitude of the bus voltage; as well as A message is sent to the lamp controller, wherein the message indicates the magnitude of the bus voltage.

48. The lighting device of claim 47, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive a request message from the lamp controller, wherein the request message prompts the control circuit to send the message indicating the magnitude of the bus voltage to the lamp controller.

49. The lighting device of claim 47, wherein the control circuit is configured to periodically measure the magnitude of the bus voltage and send the message indicative of the magnitude of the bus voltage to the lamp controller.

50. The lighting device of claim 47, wherein the control circuit is configured to measure the magnitude of the bus voltage and to send the message indicating the magnitude of the bus voltage to the lamp controller without receiving a request message from the lamp controller.

51. The lighting device of claim 47, further comprising: a communication bus configured to be electrically coupled to the light fixture controller; as well as A communication circuit is provided, wherein the control circuit is configured to send the message to the light fixture controller using the communication circuit via the communication bus.

52. The lighting device of claim 47, wherein the lighting device is a master lighting module.

53. The lighting device of claim 47, wherein the lighting device comprises at least one slave lighting module and at least one master lighting module.

54. The lighting device of claim 47, further comprising: A power supply is configured to generate an internal DC supply voltage for powering one or more circuits of the lighting device.

55. A method performed by a lamp controller, the method comprising: generating a bus voltage on a power bus; receiving an indication of a terminal bus voltage magnitude of the bus voltage received by an end lighting device of a plurality of lighting devices, wherein the end lighting device is a lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices that is located farthest from the lamp controller along the power bus; generating a target bus voltage control signal based on the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage; as well as The magnitude of the bus voltage is controlled toward the target bus voltage magnitude based on the target bus voltage control signal.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising: A request is sent to the terminal lighting device, wherein the request prompts the terminal lighting device to send the indication of the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the target bus voltage magnitude is within a range of a minimum target bus voltage magnitude to a maximum target bus voltage magnitude; and The method further comprises: Determining that the terminal bus voltage value drops below a pre-power saving threshold; and The target bus voltage control signal is generated to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude in response to the determining that the end bus voltage magnitude has dropped below the pre-power-down threshold.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising: generating the target bus voltage control signal to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude for a predetermined period of time; and At the end of the predetermined time period, the target bus voltage control signal is generated based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein at the end of the predetermined time period, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal having a value less than the maximum value.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the pre-power-down threshold has a magnitude lower than the minimum target bus voltage magnitude.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the minimum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 17 volts and the maximum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 21 volts.

62. The method of claim 55, further comprising: The magnitude of the target bus voltage control signal is controlled to control the end bus voltage magnitude toward a target end bus voltage magnitude.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising: The target bus voltage control signal is generated based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude.

64. The method of claim 62, further comprising: generating an error value based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude; as well as The target bus voltage control signal is generated based on the error value.

65. The method of claim 62, further comprising: The bus voltage is generated based on a feedback signal indicative of a magnitude of the bus voltage generated by the power converter circuit and the target bus voltage control signal.

66. The method of claim 55, further comprising: The target bus voltage control signal is generated to cause the power converter circuit to generate the bus voltage having a magnitude within a range between a minimum bus voltage and a maximum bus voltage, and wherein the target end bus voltage magnitude is equal to the minimum bus voltage.

67. The method of claim 55, wherein each of the plurality of lighting devices comprises one or more master lighting modules and one or more slave lighting modules; and The method further comprises: transmitting one or more messages to the master lighting module via a master communication bus, and wherein the master lighting module of each lighting fixture is configured to forward the messages to the one or more slave lighting modules of the lighting fixture; and The indication of the magnitude of the end bus voltage at an end master lighting module of the end lighting device is received, wherein the end master lighting module is located farthest along the power bus from the light fixture controller.

68. The method of claim 55, wherein the end lighting fixture is the lighting fixture of the plurality of lighting fixtures having the longest amount of power bus wiring between the lamp controller and the lighting fixture.

69. The method of claim 55, further comprising: sending a query message to the plurality of lighting devices, wherein the query message instructs each of the plurality of lighting devices to send a bus voltage measurement to the lamp controller; and A determination is made as to which of the plurality of lighting devices is an end lighting device based on respective bus voltage measurements received from the plurality of lighting devices.

70. The method of claim 55, wherein the power bus is coupled between the fixture controller and the plurality of lighting devices, and wherein the plurality of lighting devices are coupled in series on the power bus.

71. At least one computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions configured to cause at least one control circuit to: generating a bus voltage on a power bus; as well as receiving an indication of a terminal bus voltage magnitude of the bus voltage received by an end lighting device of a plurality of lighting devices, wherein the end lighting device is a lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices that is located farthest from the lamp controller along the power bus; generating a target bus voltage control signal based on the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage; as well as The magnitude of the bus voltage is controlled toward the target bus voltage magnitude based on the target bus voltage control signal.

72. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 71, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: A request is sent to the terminal lighting device, wherein the request prompts the terminal lighting device to send the indication of the magnitude of the terminal bus voltage.

73. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 71, wherein the target bus voltage magnitude is within a range of a minimum target bus voltage magnitude to a maximum target bus voltage magnitude; and The executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: determining that the terminal bus voltage value drops below a pre-power-down threshold; and The target bus voltage control signal is generated to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude in response to the determining that the end bus voltage magnitude has dropped below the pre-power-down threshold.

74. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 73, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: generating the target bus voltage control signal to control the target bus voltage magnitude to be equal to the maximum target bus voltage magnitude for a predetermined period of time; and At the end of the predetermined time period, the target bus voltage control signal is generated based on the terminal bus voltage magnitude.

75. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 74, wherein at the end of the predetermined time period, the control circuit is configured to generate the target bus voltage control signal having a value less than the maximum value.

76. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 73, wherein the pre-power-down threshold has a magnitude lower than the minimum target bus voltage magnitude.

77. The at least one computer readable storage medium of claim 76, wherein the minimum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 17 volts and the maximum target bus voltage magnitude is approximately 21 volts.

78. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: The magnitude of the target bus voltage control signal is controlled to control the end bus voltage magnitude toward a target end bus voltage magnitude.

79. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 78, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: The target bus voltage control signal is generated based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude.

80. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 78, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: generating an error value based on the end bus voltage magnitude and the target end bus voltage magnitude; and The target bus voltage control signal is generated based on the error value.

81. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 78, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: The bus voltage is generated based on a feedback signal indicative of a magnitude of the bus voltage generated by the power converter circuit and the target bus voltage control signal.

82. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 71, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: The target bus voltage control signal is generated to cause the power converter circuit to generate the bus voltage having a magnitude within a range between a minimum bus voltage and a maximum bus voltage, and wherein the target end bus voltage magnitude is equal to the minimum bus voltage.

83. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 71, wherein each of the plurality of lighting devices comprises one or more master lighting modules and one or more slave lighting modules; and The executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: transmitting one or more messages to the master lighting module via a master communication bus, and wherein the master lighting module of each lighting fixture is configured to forward the messages to the one or more slave lighting modules of the lighting fixture; and The indication of the magnitude of the end bus voltage at an end master lighting module of the end lighting device is received, wherein the end master lighting module is located farthest along the power bus from the light fixture controller.

84. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 71, wherein the end lighting device is the lighting device of the plurality of lighting devices having the longest amount of power bus wiring between the light fixture controller and the lighting device.

85. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 71, wherein the executable instructions are further configured to cause the at least one control circuit to: sending a query message to the plurality of lighting devices, wherein the query message instructs each of the plurality of lighting devices to send a bus voltage measurement to the lamp controller; and A determination is made as to which of the plurality of lighting devices is an end lighting device based on respective bus voltage measurements received from the plurality of lighting devices.

86. The at least one computer-readable storage medium of claim 71, wherein the power bus is coupled between the fixture controller and the plurality of lighting devices, and wherein the plurality of lighting devices are coupled in series on the power bus.

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