Configuration of load regulation device for lighting control

Abstract

The invention relates to a configuration of a load regulation device for lighting control. A load regulation device, such as an LED driver, may be configured to control an intensity of a light source based on an analog control signal and a pre-configured dimming profile. The LED driver may sense an amplitude of the analog control signal and determine a new low-side and / or high-side control signal amplitude that falls outside an input signal range of the dimming profile. The LED driver may re-scale the pre-configured dimming curve according to a new low-end and / or high-end control signal amplitude, and dim the light source based on the re-scaled dimming curve. A plurality of LED drivers controlled by the same analog control signal may communicate with each other with respect to the amplitude of the analog control signal sensed by each LED driver, and match their target intensity levels despite sensing different analog control signals. A controller may be provided to coordinate operation of the plurality of LED drivers.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of July 13, 2018, application number 202210485038.7, and invention name “Configuration of a load adjustment device for lighting control”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 532,753, filed on July 14, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0004] Newer light sources, such as high-efficiency light sources such as light emitting diode (LED) light sources and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), require a load regulation device, such as a ballast or driver, to illuminate properly. The load regulation device typically receives an AC voltage from an alternating current (AC) power source and regulates at least one of a load voltage generated across the light source or a load current conducted through the light source. The load regulation device can be configured to control the light output of the light source (e.g., to control the intensity or color of the light source). Example dimming methods can include pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques, constant current reduction (CCR) techniques, and / or a combination of PWM and CCR techniques. Examples of load regulating devices (e.g., LED drivers) are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,492,988, entitled “CONFIGURABLE LOAD CONTROL DEVICE FOR LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LIGHT SOURCE,” issued on July 23, 2010, and U.S. Patent No. 8,680,787, entitled “LOAD CONTROL DEVICE FOR A LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LIGHT SOURCE,” published on March 25, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] The load regulation device can be configured to control the connected light source (e.g., to adjust the intensity or color of the light source) in response to the control signal. The control signal can be an analog control signal or a digital control signal. The digital control signal can be, for example, a digital PWM control signal, a digital message sent using a communication protocol (e.g., a standard protocol (such as the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) protocol) or a proprietary protocol (such as the ECOSYSTEM protocol)), etc. The analog control signal can be, for example, a "zero to ten volts" (0-10V) control signal, a "ten to zero volts" (10-0V) control signal, an analog pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal, etc. The analog control signal can be sent from a remote control device (e.g., an external 0-10V control device). The remote control device can be mounted in an electrical wall box and can include an intensity / color adjustment actuator (e.g., a slider control). The remote control The control device can adjust the amplitude of the control signal (e.g., adjust the direct current (DC) voltage level of the control signal) between a low-end amplitude (e.g., zero to one volt) and a high-end amplitude (e.g., nine to ten volts) in response to actuation of the intensity / color adjustment actuator. The low-end amplitude can correspond to a minimum light level or color temperature of the light source, while the high-end amplitude can correspond to a maximum light level or color temperature of the light source. As the amplitude of the control signal is adjusted between the low-end amplitude and the high-end amplitude, one or more aspects of the light source can be adjusted accordingly. For example, the intensity level of the light output can be adjusted between a minimum light level and a maximum light level according to a dimming curve, the color of the light output (e.g., color temperature) can be controlled according to a color tuning curve, etc.

[0006] When the control signal is an analog signal, the amplitude and / or strength of the control signal can be affected by interference and / or electromagnetic properties of components located between the remote control device and the load adjustment device. For example, a long wire running from the remote control device to the load adjustment device can degrade the amplitude of the control signal received by the load adjustment device (e.g., a voltage drop in the amplitude of the 0-10V control signal due to resistance in the wire). This voltage drop in the amplitude of the control signal can cause the normal dimming range of the light source to shift. For example, instead of receiving a voltage with an amplitude of 1V as a signal to set the light level of the light source to a minimum level, the light source can receive a voltage with an amplitude of 0.8V. Similarly, instead of receiving a voltage with an amplitude of 9V as a signal to set the light level of the light source to a maximum level, the light source can receive a voltage with an amplitude of 8.8V.

[0007] The difference between the amplitude of the originally generated control signal and the actual received control signal can be particularly noticeable when multiple lighting fixtures are controlled by the same control device but are installed at different distances from the remote control device. For example, the control signal received by one lighting fixture may deviate from the original signal amplitude by a greater or lesser degree than the control signal received by another lighting fixture. Thus, the same control signal generated by the remote control device can produce different light intensities and / or colors at different lighting fixtures, causing undesirable visual effects in a multi-light source environment (e.g., inconsistencies in light output may be more easily perceived towards the lower end of the dimming range). Summary of the Invention

[0008] A load adjustment device is described herein that can be configured to control the intensity and / or color of a light source based on an analog control signal (e.g., such as a 0-10V control signal). The load adjustment device can be configured to control the intensity of the light source based on a preconfigured dimming curve and / or control the color of the light source based on a color tuning curve with respect to the analog control signal. If the load adjustment device determines that the amplitude of the analog control signal falls outside the input signal range of the dimming curve or the color tuning curve, the load adjustment device can determine a new low-end control signal amplitude and / or a high-end control signal amplitude. For example, the load adjustment device can rescale the preconfigured dimming curve or the color tuning curve based on the new low-end and / or high-end control signal amplitude. The load adjustment device can adjust the intensity and / or color of the light source based on the rescaled dimming curve or the color tuning curve.

[0009] A load control system may include multiple load adjustment devices that are controlled by the same control device and, therefore, by the same analog control signal. The load adjustment devices may communicate with each other regarding the amplitude of the analog control signal sensed (e.g., received) by each load adjustment device (e.g., to compensate for variations in the amplitude of the control signal received by each load adjustment device). For example, multiple load adjustment devices may match their target intensity levels despite differences in the amplitude of the analog control signal sensed by the load adjustment devices. A controller (e.g., the control device or a separate controller) may coordinate the operation of the multiple load adjustment devices to achieve consistent light output between the light sources within the range of the control signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 An example load control system is shown in which an LED driver is configured to control operation of an LED light source based on an analog control input signal.

[0011] Figure 2 An example load control system is shown that includes a plurality of LED drivers controlled by a remote control device.

[0012] Figure 3 Another example load control system is shown that includes a plurality of LED drivers controlled by a remote control device.

[0013] Figure 4 Example techniques are shown for adjusting a dimming curve of an LED driver in response to a 0-10V control signal during normal operation of the LED driver.

[0014] Figure 5 Example techniques for adjusting the dimming curve of an LED driver in response to a 0-10V control signal during a special mode are shown.

[0015] Figure 6 Example techniques are shown for achieving consistent dimming performance among multiple LED drivers controlled by a remote control.

[0016] Figure 7 Example techniques are shown for using special modes to achieve consistent dimming performance among multiple LED drivers controlled by a remote control.

[0017] Figure 8 Another example technique for using special modes to achieve consistent dimming performance among multiple LED drivers controlled by a remote control device is shown.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A simplified equivalent schematic diagram of the example LED driver depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1 FIG1 is a simplified block diagram of an example load control system 100 for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as a light emitting diode (LED) light source 102 (e.g., an LED light engine or other suitable lighting load), another type of lighting fixture, a motorized window shade, an HVAC system, or the like. The load control system 100 may include a load regulating device (e.g., such as an LED driver 104) for controlling the operating characteristics of the LED light source 102 (e.g., the intensity and / or color (e.g., color temperature) of the LED light source 102). The LED driver 104 may be coupled to a power source capable of generating an AC line voltage, such as an alternating current (AC) power source 108. The LED light source 102 may include a single LED, a plurality of LEDs connected in series or parallel, or a suitable combination thereof, one or more organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), or the like. Further, the power source may include a DC power supply capable of generating a direct current (DC) supply voltage for certain electrical loads (e.g., instead of or in addition to the AC line voltage).

[0020] The load control system 100 may include a load control device 120 (e.g., a 0-10V control device) that may be implemented as a wall-mounted control device or a remotely mounted control device (e.g., located in a utility closet and / or in a junction box behind a wall or above a ceiling). The load control device 120 may be configured to generate a control signal V in response to a user input. CS The control signal V is provided to the LED driver 104 to control the electrical load to control the operating characteristics of the LED light source 102. CS This may include, for example, an analog control signal, such as a 0-10V control signal.

[0021] The load control device 120 may receive power from the AC power source 108 (e.g., by being connected to the AC power source) or from a different internal or external power source (e.g., such as Figure 1 As shown, the load control device 120 may not need to be connected to the AC power source 108. For example, Figure 1 As shown, the load control device 120 may be powered by the LED driver 104 .

[0022] The load control device 120 may include a control terminal 122 adapted to be coupled to the LED driver 104 via the control wiring 110. The load control device 120 may include a control terminal 122 for generating a control signal V CS (e.g., 0-10V control signal or 10-0V control signal) driver communication circuit (e.g., Figure 1 The driver communication circuit may include a current sink circuit adapted to sink current through the LED driver 104 via the control wiring 110. The driver communication circuit may also include a circuit for generating a control signal V CS Thus, the LED driver 104 can be configured to generate a link supply voltage to allow the current sink circuit to generate a control signal V on the control wiring 110. CS The load control device 120 may include a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the current sink circuit to generate a control signal V in response to actuation of an intensity adjustment actuator (eg, a linear slider or a knob). CS The control circuit can control the signal V CS The amplitude is adjusted to have the desired DC amplitude V DES , the magnitude indicates a target value for an operating characteristic of the LED light source 102 (eg, the intensity of the LED light source).

[0023] The LED driver 104 may be configured to control the load voltage V developed across the LED light source 102 LOADThe magnitude and / or load current I conducted through the LED light source 102 LOAD The LED driver 104 may be configured to receive a control signal V from the load control device 120 via the control wiring 110. CS To control the load voltage V LOAD and / or load current I LOAD For example, the LED driver 104 may be configured to control the load voltage V based on preconfigured settings and / or preconfigured dimming curves. LOAD and / or load current I LOAD Such a preconfigured dimming curve can depict the target intensity L of the LED light source 102. TRGT (eg, which may correspond to a specific output of the LED driver 104) and the control signal V CS The relationship can be, for example, a linear relationship or a square law relationship.

[0024] The LED driver 104 may store data associated with the preconfigured dimming curve in a memory (eg, one or more lookup tables). CS Then, the LED driver 104 may refer to the data stored in its memory in response to the amplitude of the control signal and determine the target intensity L TRGT For example, according to the preconfigured dimming curve, if the received 0-10V control signal has a low-end amplitude V LE (eg, 1 volt), the LED driver 104 may be configured to set the target intensity L of the LED light source 102 to TRGT Set to low end intensity L LE (For example, approximately 1%). Similarly, if the received 0-10V control signal has a high-end amplitude V HE (eg, 10 volts), the LED driver 104 may be configured to set the target intensity L of the LED light source 102 to TRGT Set to high-end intensity L HE (eg, approximately 100%). If the received 0-10V control signal has a low-end amplitude V LE and high-end amplitude V HE The LED driver 104 can adjust the target intensity L of the LED light source 102 based on the dimming curve. TRGT Set to low intensity L LE and high-end strength L HE The value between .

[0025] The LED driver 104 may be configured to adjust the intensity of the LED light source 102 to the low-end intensity L LE and high-end strength L HEThe LED driver 104 can be configured to adjust the intensity of the LED light source 102 using a constant current reduction (CCR) technique, a pulse width modulation (PWM) technique, and / or a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) technique. Additionally or alternatively, the LED driver 104 can be configured to turn the LED light source 102 on and off to adjust the intensity of the LED light source 102 and / or adjust the color (e.g., color temperature) of the LED light source 102.

[0026] The control signal V generated by the load control device 120 CS The amplitude and / or strength of V may be affected by interference and / or electromagnetic characteristics of components located between the control device 120 and the LED driver 104. For example, the control wiring 110 may cause the control signal V received by the LED driver 104 to be CS The amplitude degradation of the control signal V due to resistance in the wires, for example, CS The control signal V CS The magnitude of the voltage drop can affect the operation of the LED driver 104. For example, the user can manipulate the load control device 120 to control the control signal V CS The amplitude of the LED light source 102 is controlled to an amplitude of 1 V, which is intended to set the light level of the LED light source 102 to the low end intensity L LE Due to signal degradation caused by the control wiring 110, the LED driver 104 may misinterpret the control signal V CS , and the target intensity L of the LED light source 102 TRGT is set to a value different from the value expected by the user. For example, when the load control device 120 generates the control signal V CS To control the LED light source 102 to the low end intensity L LE When the control signal V CS may have an amplitude of 0.8V instead of 1V, which may cause a “dead stroke” during adjustment of the intensity adjustment actuator of the load control device 120 because when the control signal V CS When the amplitude is less than 1V (for example, when the control signal V CS When the amplitude of the control signal V is between 0.8V and 1V) the LED driver 104 may not respond to the control signal V CS Respond.

[0027] The LED driver 104 may be configured to respond to the detection of the control signal V CS The stored low-end amplitude V represents the end point of the dimming curve. LE and the stored high-end amplitude V HEThe LED driver 104 may be configured to rescale the dimming curve in response to the initial stored low-end amplitude V when first powered on. LE and high-end amplitude V HE The LED driver 104 can be configured to measure the control signal V CS The measured voltage is compared with the low-side amplitude V LE and high-end amplitude V HE If the control signal V CS The measured amplitude is less than the low-end amplitude V LE , the LED driver 104 can store the low-end amplitude V LE Updated to be equal to the control signal V CS The measured amplitude of the control signal V is used to rescale the stored dimming curve based on the updated low-end amplitude. CS The measured amplitude is greater than the high-end amplitude V HE , the LED driver 104 can store the high-end amplitude V HE Updated to be equal to the control signal V CS The measured amplitude of the dimming curve is updated and the stored dimming curve is rescaled based on the updated high-end amplitude.

[0028] The LED driver 104 may be configured to measure the control signal V CS The amplitude of the control signal V CS Whether the amplitude falls below the stored low-end amplitude V LE and the stored high-end amplitude V HE In addition, the LED driver 104 can be configured to periodically measure the control signal V CS The amplitude of the control signal V CS Whether the amplitude falls within the stored low-end amplitude V LE and the stored high-end amplitude V HE Finally, the LED driver 104 can be configured to be placed in a special calibration mode, in which the LED driver 104 can measure the control signal V CS The amplitude of the control signal V CS Whether the amplitude falls within the stored low-end amplitude V LE and the stored high-end amplitude V HE outside the scope of .

[0029] Figure 2An example load control system 200 is shown that includes a plurality of LED light sources 202A-202C having corresponding LED drivers 204A-204C controlled by a remote control device (e.g., a 0-10V control device 220). It should be understood that while three LED drivers and corresponding LED light sources are shown in the figure, the load control system 200 can include any number of LED drivers and corresponding LED light sources. Further, while primarily described with reference to 0-10V control signals, it should be understood that the load regulation devices described herein (e.g., LED drivers 204A-204C, etc.) can perform any of the techniques described herein in response to other types of analog control signals.

[0030] Each LED driver 204A-204C can be adapted to receive a line voltage from an AC power source 208. The LED driver can be further adapted to be coupled to a 0-10V control device 220 via control wiring 210. The 0-10V control device 220 can receive power from the AC power source 208 (e.g., by being connected to the AC power source). Alternatively or additionally, the 0-10V control device can receive power from a different internal or external power source (e.g., the 0-10V control device 220 may not need to be connected to the AC power source 208). The 0-10V control device 220 can be configured to generate an analog control signal V on the control wiring 210 to the plurality of LED light sources 202A-202C in response to receiving a user input (e.g., a dimming command). CS (eg, 0-10V control signal).

[0031] Since the LED light sources 202A-202C may be installed at different locations and / or connected to the 0-10V control device 220 via wiring with different characteristics (e.g., the length of the wiring may be different, the electromagnetic characteristics of the wiring may be different, etc.), the control signal V generated by the 0-10V control device 220 may be different. CS can exhibit varying degrees of degradation as received by the respective LED drivers 204A-204C. For example, the 0-10V control device 220 can adjust the control signal V CS The amplitude control is a pre-configured low-end amplitude (e.g., 1V) to set all LED light sources to the low-end intensity L LE (e.g., approximately 1%). Due to different characteristics (e.g., different resistances) and / or other electromagnetic conditions of the wiring between the 0-10V control device 220 and the LED drivers 204A-204C, the first LED driver 204A may sense the control signal V CSThe amplitude of the control signal V is 1.2V, while the second LED driver 204B may sense that the amplitude of the control signal is 1.1V. If both LED drivers 204A and 204B are configured to dim the control signal V according to a preconfigured dimming curve, CS responds and is not configured to adapt to the control signal V received by the two LED drivers 204A, 204B CS If the magnitude of the change is too large, then even if the user's intention is to set both light sources to the same intensity level (e.g., the low-end intensity L LE ), the light outputs of the two LED light sources 202A and 202B may also be adjusted to different intensity levels.

[0032] The LED drivers 204A-204C may be configured to communicate with each other to synchronize their dimming curves to ensure that each LED light source 202A-202C is controlled to the same intensity in response to the 0-10V control device 220. The LED drivers 204A-204C may be configured to communicate with each other to synchronize their dimming curves to ensure that each LED light source 202A-202C is controlled to the same intensity in response to the 0-10V control device 220. CS Based on the communication, the LED drivers 204A-204C can adjust their preconfigured intensity levels (e.g., the LED drivers can rescale the corresponding dimming curves) and control their associated LED light sources 202A-202C accordingly (e.g., based on the rescaled dimming curves). The LED drivers 204A-204C can communicate with each other about the measured amplitudes of the LEDs and / or the preconfigured intensity levels of the LED drivers corresponding to the measured amplitudes. Based on the communication, the LED drivers 204A-204C can adjust their preconfigured intensity levels (e.g., the LED drivers can rescale the corresponding dimming curves) and control their associated LED light sources 202A-202C accordingly (e.g., based on the rescaled dimming curves). The LED drivers 204A-204C can communicate with each other about the control signal V CS The LED drivers 204A-204C can then agree on a common intensity level corresponding to the current amplitude of the control signal. The LED drivers 204A-204C can then dim their associated LED light sources 202A-202C to the common intensity level, so that despite variations in the amplitude of the control signal at each LED driver, a consistent light output can be produced across the plurality of LED light sources. The LED drivers 204A-204C can be configured to perform one or more of the foregoing operations in a special mode (e.g., during commissioning, at startup, and / or when initiated by a user). The LED drivers 204A-204C can be configured to constantly perform one or more of the foregoing operations (e.g., during normal operation of the electrical load without entering a special mode).

[0033] For example, when the control signal V is received by one of the LED drivers 204A-204C CS The amplitude is equal to (or less than) the stored low-end amplitude V LE When the LED driver is in the low end intensity L LEFor example, the LED drivers 204A-204C may send the indication signal by sending a wireless signal (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) signal) and / or generating a high frequency signal and / or pulse on the control wiring 210. The LED drivers 204A-204C that receive the indication signal may send the control signal V CS The current amplitude is stored as the low-end amplitude V in the dimming curve LE , and the stored high-end amplitude V HE and the updated low-end amplitude V LE The LED drivers 204A-204C can also be configured to adjust the high-side voltage V in a similar manner. HE In addition, the LED drivers 204A-204C can be configured to have multiple points at the low end amplitude V LE and high-end amplitude V HE When one of the LED drivers 204A-204C generates a high frequency signal and / or pulse on the control wiring 210 to send an indication signal, the LED driver can be configured to respond to the control signal V CS To control the corresponding LED light sources 202A-202C.

[0034] Additionally, the LED drivers 204A-204C may each be configured as described above with reference to Figure 1 The LED driver 104 updates the stored low-end amplitude V LE and / or the stored high-end amplitude V HE (eg, they do not communicate with each other.) For example, each LED driver 204A-204C may be configured to measure the control signal V CS The amplitude, and if the measured amplitude is within the stored low-end amplitude V LE and the stored high-end amplitude V HE If the low-end amplitude V is out of the range, the stored low-end amplitude V LE and / or the stored high-end amplitude V HE .

[0035] Figure 3Another example load control system 300 is shown that includes a plurality of LED light sources 302A-302C having corresponding LED drivers 304A-304C controlled by a remote control device (e.g., a 0-10V control device 320). The 0-10V control device 306 can be connected to an AC power source 308 (e.g., to the hot side of the AC power source) and can generate a switched heat output SH for controlling the power delivered to the LED drivers 304A-304C. The 0-10V control device 320 can be configured to (e.g., in response to receiving a user input such as a dimming command) additionally generate an analog control signal (e.g., a 0-10V control signal V) via control wiring 310. CS Each LED driver 304A-304C may be adapted to receive a line voltage between the switched hot side SH of the 0-10V control device and the neutral side N of the AC power source 308. Each LED driver 304A-304C may be adapted to receive a 0-10V control signal V via the control wiring 310. CS .

[0036] Since the LED light sources 302A-302C may be installed in different locations and / or connected to the 0-10V control device 320 via wiring with different characteristics (e.g., the length of the wiring may be different, the electromagnetic characteristics of the wiring may be different, etc.), the control signal V generated by the 0-10V control device 320 may be different. CS can exhibit varying degrees of degradation as received by the respective LED drivers 304A-304C. For example, the 0-10V control device 320 may send a signal having a preconfigured low-end amplitude V in response to a user input. LE (e.g., 1 volt) control signal V CS To set all LED light sources to low intensity L LE (e.g., approximately 1%). Due to varying characteristics (e.g., different resistances) and / or other electromagnetic conditions in the wiring between the 0-10V control device 320 and the LED drivers 304A-304C, the first LED driver 304A may sense the control signal V CS The amplitude of the control signal V is 1.2V, while the second LED driver 304B may sense that the amplitude of the control signal is 1.1V. If both LED drivers are configured to dim the control signal V according to the preconfigured dimming curve CS reacts and is not configured to adapt to the control signal V received by the two LED drivers 304A, 304B CS If the magnitude of the change is too large, then even if the user's intention is to set the two light sources to the same intensity level (for example, the low-end intensity L LE), the light outputs of the two LED light sources 302A, 302B may also be dimmed to different intensity levels.

[0037] The 0-10V control device 320 can communicate with the LED drivers 304A-304C to cause the LED drivers to adjust their pre-configured intensity levels (e.g., the LED drivers can rescale the corresponding dimming curves) and control their associated LED light sources accordingly (e.g., based on the rescaled dimming curves). The 0-10V control device 320 can be configured to initiate a calibration procedure to synchronize the dimming curves of the LED drivers 304A-304C to ensure that the 0-10V control device 320 is responsive to the control signal V generated by the 0-10V control device 320. CS , each LED light source 202A-202C is controlled to the same intensity. For example, the 0-10V control device 320 can be controlled at the low end amplitude V LE and high-end amplitude V HE The step between the control signal V CS The LED drivers 304A-304C can measure and store the control signal V at the corresponding LED driver for each step. CS The LED drivers 304A-304C can be controlled by the control signal V CS The stored amplitude of can generate a dimming curve for use during normal operation. Then, the LED drivers 304A-304C can generate a dimming curve based on the stored amplitude of can generate a dimming curve for use during normal operation. CS The dimming curves determined by the stored amplitudes are used to control their associated LED light sources.

[0038] Additionally, the LED drivers 304A-304C may each be configured to communicate with one another so as to communicate with one another as described above with reference to FIG. Figure 2 The LED drivers 204A-204C are described to synchronize their dimming curves. Figure 1 As described above for LED driver 104, LED drivers 304A-304C may each be configured to: if the measured amplitude is within the stored low-end amplitude V LE and the stored high-end amplitude V HE range, by measuring the control signal V CS The amplitude and update the stored low-end amplitude V LE and / or the stored high-end amplitude V HE To update the stored low-end amplitude V LE and / or the stored high-end amplitude V HE .

[0039] Although the LED drivers are described herein as being able to communicate directly with each other, it will be understood that the LED drivers may also be able to communicate with each other via an intermediary device. For example, the LED drivers may communicate wirelessly (e.g., via RF signals) with a system controller or a smart personal device (e.g., a smartphone), which may then relay the communication message(s) to other LED drivers.

[0040] Figure 4 An example technique 400 is shown for adjusting the target intensity of a load regulating device (e.g., an LED driver) in response to an analog control signal (e.g., a 0-10V control signal) during normal operation of an LED driver (e.g., LED driver 104, LED drivers 204A-204C, and / or LED drivers 304A-304C). The LED driver can be pre-configured with a dimming curve that defines a relationship between the target intensity and the amplitude of the 0-10V control signal. According to the pre-configured dimming curve, the amplitude of the 0-10V control signal can be adjusted from a low-end amplitude V LE To high-end amplitude V HE Low end amplitude V LE , high-end amplitude V HE And each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity for the LED driver.The amplitudes of the 0-10V control signals (eg, control input voltages) and / or their associated target intensities may be stored in a memory of the LED driver.

[0041] The LED driver may be powered on at 410 and read (eg, measure) a 0-10V control signal at 412. At 414, the LED driver may compare the 0-10V control signal to a preconfigured high-side amplitude V stored in memory. HE If the LED driver determines that the 0-10V control signal is greater than the pre-configured high-end amplitude V HE , then at 416, the LED driver may replace the preconfigured high-end amplitude V with the sensed 0-10V control signal. HE If the 0-10V control signal is not greater than the pre-configured high-end amplitude V HE , then at 418, the LED driver can combine the 0-10V control signal with the preconfigured low-end amplitude V LE If the LED driver determines that the 0-10V control signal is less than the pre-configured low-end amplitude V LE , then at 420, the LED driver may replace the preconfigured low-end amplitude V with the sensed 0-10V control signal. LE If the LED driver determines after the comparison at 414 and 418 that the 0-10V control signal falls within the preconfigured low end amplitude V LEand preconfigured high-end amplitude V HE If the LED driver is within the preconfigured low-side and high-side control input voltages, it can maintain the same.

[0042] In determining the low-end amplitude V LE and / or high-end amplitude V HE After the change has been made, the LED driver can be based on the new low-end amplitude V LE and / or high-end amplitude V HE Rescaling the preconfigured dimming curve. The LED driver can perform rescaling in various ways. The LED driver can be configured to rescale the light intensity level to the control input voltage actually received by the LED driver. For example, if the LED driver receives a low-end amplitude of 0.8V instead of the preconfigured amplitude of 1V, the LED driver may rescale the preconfigured low-end intensity level L LE (e.g., 1% of the intensity level) is remapped to 0.8V (e.g., 0.8V may become the new low-end amplitude). The LED driver may be configured to rescale the amplitude of the control signal actually measured by the LED driver to a voltage on the preconfigured dimming curve (e.g., so that the preconfigured mapping between light intensity levels and control input voltages does not need to be changed). For example, if the LED driver receives a low-end amplitude of 0.8V instead of the preconfigured amplitude of 1V, the LED driver may rescale 0.8V to 1V so that the preconfigured low-end intensity level L LE (e.g., 1%) can be set as the target intensity level for the light source in response to the LED driver sensing a 0.8V control input. The LED driver can save the rescaled dimming curve (e.g., update the mapping between light intensity levels and control input voltages in memory). Alternatively, the LED driver can determine the rescaled light intensity levels without saving them in memory.

[0043] At 424, the LED driver may dim the LED light source (e.g., whether the dimming curve has been rescaled). If the magnitudes of the low-end amplitude and the high-end amplitude are the same as their preconfigured values, the LED driver may dim the LED light source based on the preconfigured dimming curve. If either or both of the low-end amplitude and the high-end amplitude have changed from their preconfigured values, the LED driver may set the intensity of the LED light source based on the rescaled version of the preconfigured dimming curve.

[0044] Figure 5An example technique 500 is shown for adjusting a dimming curve of an LED driver (e.g., LED driver 104, LED drivers 204A-204C, and / or LED drivers 304A-304C) in response to a 0-10V control signal using a special mode. The LED driver can be preconfigured with a dimming curve for a 0-10V control signal. The preconfigured range of the control signal can be at a low end amplitude V LE With high-end amplitude V HE Low-end amplitude V LE , high-end amplitude V HE And each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity level for the LED light source.The amplitudes and / or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of the LED driver.

[0045] The LED driver may be powered on at 510. After powering on, the LED driver may receive (e.g., measure) a 0-10V control signal at 512. At 514, the LED driver may determine whether it should enter a special mode in which the LED driver may adjust its preconfigured dimming curve relative to the 0-10V control signal received by the LED driver. The LED driver may be configured to automatically enter the special mode or wait for a user command to enter the special mode. The LED driver may decide not to enter the special mode, in which case the LED driver may maintain the preconfigured dimming curve and continue normal operation. During normal operation, the LED driver may enter the special mode, for example, in response to a user command.

[0046] If the LED driver decides to enter the special mode at 514, the LED driver may combine the 0-10V control signal with the preconfigured high-side control input voltage V at 516. HE If the LED driver determines that the 0-10V control signal is greater than the pre-configured high-end amplitude V HE , then at 518, the LED driver may replace the preconfigured high-end amplitude V with the sensed 0-10V control signal. HE If the 0-10V control signal is not greater than the pre-configured high-side control input voltage V HE , then at 520, the LED driver can further combine the 0-10V control signal with the preconfigured low-end amplitude V LE If the LED driver determines that the received 0-10V control signal is less than the pre-configured low-end amplitude V LE , then the LED driver can replace the pre-configured low-side control input voltage V with a 0-10V control signal at 522 LE .

[0047] If the preconfigured low-end amplitude VLE and high-end amplitude V HE If either or both of the values ​​are updated, the LED driver may adjust the preconfigured dimming curve using the new values ​​at 524 (e.g., using the rescaling techniques described herein). The LED driver may then select a target intensity for the LED light source based on the received 0-10V control signal and the rescaled dimming curve at 526 before exiting the special mode. If the LED driver determines, after performing the comparisons at 516 and 520, that the received 0-10V control signal falls within the preconfigured low-end amplitude V LE and preconfigured high-end amplitude V HE within the range, the LED driver can maintain the low-end amplitude V LE and high-end amplitude V HE Then, at 526 , the LED driver may dim the LED light source according to the preconfigured dimming curve.

[0048] Multiple LED drivers controlled by a remote control device (e.g., a 0-10V control device) can be configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a wired or wireless communication scheme as described herein). The transmitted information can include the status of the LED driver (e.g., reporting an operational fault), the output current / power of the LED driver, the intensity of the LED light source, the color temperature of the LED light source, the color of the LED light source, a power outage condition occurring at the LED light source, etc. This communication can be received by the other LED drivers, which can adjust their own operations based on the information included in the communication (e.g., so that despite differences in the amplitudes received by the LED drivers, the multiple LED drivers can have matching target intensity levels in response to a control signal sent by the remote control device).

[0049] Figure 6 An example technique 600 is shown for achieving consistent dimming performance between multiple LED drivers (e.g., LED drivers 204A-204C and / or LED drivers 304A-304C) controlled by a remote control device (e.g., a 0-10V control device). The LED drivers can each be pre-configured with a dimming curve for a control signal generated by the 0-10V control device. The pre-configured range of the control signal can be at a low end amplitude V LE With high-end amplitude V HE Low-end amplitude V LE , high-end amplitude V HE And each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity level for the LED light source.The amplitudes and / or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of the LED driver.

[0050] A plurality of LED drivers may be powered on at 610 and, at 620, measure a 0-10V control signal transmitted by a 0-10V control device. At 630, each LED driver may determine a target intensity level for its associated LED light source based on the measured 0-10V control signal. At 640, one or more of the LED drivers (e.g., all of the LED drivers) may attempt to communicate with the other LED drivers regarding the measured amplitude of the control signal and / or the LED driver's preconfigured intensity level corresponding to the measured amplitude. This communication may indicate the LED driver's actual preconfigured intensity level (e.g., 1%, 5%, 50%, etc.) corresponding to the measured amplitude of the 0-10V control signal (e.g., based on a preconfigured dimming curve for the LED driver). Alternatively or additionally, this communication may indicate where the corresponding intensity level lies along the transmitted dimming curve of the LED driver. For example, an LED driver may indicate that its intensity level corresponding to the measured amplitude of the control signal is at the low end of the dimming range without specifying the actual value of the target intensity level.

[0051] For example, as described herein, communication can be performed via a wired (e.g., via DALI, EcoSystem link, power line communication (PLC) technology, etc.) or wireless (e.g., via RF signals) communication scheme. Communication can be performed on the 0-10V control line during a selected time period, during which the LED drivers participating in the communication can temporarily stop measuring the 0-10V control signal on the control line (e.g., a receiving LED driver can avoid measuring the amplitude of the 0-10V control signal while the sending LED driver is using the control line to send a communication signal). For example, the LED drivers can be configured to short the 0-10V control line to transmit a "0" or "1", the LED drivers can be configured to perform another type of PLC on the control line, and / or the LED drivers can be configured to communicate wirelessly with each other.

[0052] At 650, the other LED drivers in the system may receive one of the communications. At 660, the recipients of the communication may check whether their own target intensity levels are lower than the level indicated in the communication in response to measuring the 0-10V control signal. At 670, the LED drivers with lower target intensity levels may transmit their respective levels, and the operations described in conjunction with 650-670 may be repeated until the lowest target intensity level is identified. At 680, the LED driver that reported the lowest target intensity level may be designated as the leader for future communications (e.g., all other LED drivers may then listen for communications from the leader and adapt their respective dimming operations based on the actions taken by the leader). In an alternative implementation, one of the LED drivers may be preconfigured (e.g., preprogrammed) as the leader of LED drivers, and a common intensity level may be specified for all LED drivers in response to the measured control signal. In yet another alternative implementation, the actions taken at 680 may be omitted and no leader may be designated (e.g., the LED drivers may adapt their respective dimming operations based on the lowest intensity level communicated between the drivers without designating a leader for future operations).

[0053] At 690, the LED drivers may store the lowest target intensity level identified by the aforementioned process as a common intensity level corresponding to the respective amplitudes of the control signals measured by the LED drivers. For example, where the LED drivers are configured to only indicate whether their light intensity is at the low end rather than reporting the actual light intensity, one of the LED drivers may report that its target light intensity is the low end intensity L in response to the measured 0-10V control signal. LE , while other LED drivers may report their target light intensity to be higher than the low-end intensity L LE In this way, the LED drivers can determine that the light intensity of the measured amplitude mapped to their corresponding 0-10V control signal should be the low-end intensity L LE , and the LED drivers can adjust their respective preconfigured dimming curves accordingly (e.g., using the rescaling techniques described herein). At 695, the LED drivers can tune the respective intensities of their associated LED light sources based on the adjusted dimming curves.

[0054] As another example (e.g., where the LED drivers are configured to report their actual light intensities corresponding to the measured 0-10V control signals), the LED drivers can synchronize their dimming behavior at multiple points along the dimming range. For example, in response to a common 0-10V control signal, a first LED driver might report 49% of the target light intensity, a second LED driver might report 50% of the target light intensity, and a third LED driver might report 51% of the target light intensity. In this way, the LED drivers can determine that the common target intensity level corresponding to the 0-10V control signal should be the lowest level (e.g., 49%), and the LED drivers can map this level to the measured amplitude of their corresponding 0-10V control signals. Other schemes can also be used to determine the common intensity level. For example, the average of the reported target intensity levels can be taken as the common intensity level (e.g., if the reported light intensity levels are 49%, 50%, and 51%, the common intensity level can be determined to be 50%). As another example, a leader of LED drivers (eg, designated via the techniques described herein) can determine a common intensity level in response to the 0-10V control signal and instruct the other drivers to tune their respective target intensities to the common intensity level.

[0055] The communication and / or coordination described herein may occur in a special mode (eg, a calibration mode). Figure 7 An example technique 700 is shown for using this special mode to achieve consistent dimming performance between multiple LED drivers (e.g., LED drivers 304A-304C) controlled by a remote control device (e.g., 0-10V control device 320). Each LED driver can be pre-configured with respect to an analog control signal (e.g., control signal V CS ) dimming curve. The preconfigured range of the control signal can be set at the low end amplitude V LE (e.g., 1 volt) and a high-side amplitude of V HE (For example, 10 volts). Low-end amplitude V LE , high-end amplitude V HE Each of the plurality of intermediate control input voltages may correspond to a target intensity level of the LED light source. The amplitudes and / or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of the LED driver.

[0056] The LED driver may be powered on at 710 and receive a signal (e.g., the signal may include a command and / or notification to enter a special mode (such as a calibration mode)). The command or notification may be sent to the LED driver from a remote control device, which may be configured to communicate with the LED driver and initiate a special mode (e.g., to coordinate calibration of multiple LED drivers). The LED driver that receives the command or notification may enter the special mode at 720 and may send a confirmation message to the remote control device. Once in calibration mode, the LED driver may receive and measure a control signal V at 730. CS The multiple amplitudes may include a low-end amplitude V LE , high-end amplitude V HE and / or at the low end amplitude V LE and high-end amplitude V HE For example, an LED driver may receive and measure a control signal V intended to synchronize the dimming operation of the LED driver at multiple intensity levels (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, etc.). CS The remote control device can be configured to send the amplitudes in response to receiving a user input or command from the central controller. At 740, each LED driver can determine a target intensity level for its associated LED light source in response to the measured amplitudes (e.g., based on a predetermined dimming curve for the LED driver).

[0057] At 750, one or more of the LED drivers (eg, all of the LED drivers) may attempt to transmit information about their respective target intensity levels (eg, in response to receiving and measuring the control signal V CS ) is transmitted to other LED drivers. This information can instruct the sending LED driver to respond to receiving and measuring the control signal V CS Alternatively or additionally, the information may include an indication of where the target intensity level is located along the dimming range of the LED driver (e.g., the information may indicate that the target intensity level is at the low end of the dimming range, L LE Still high-end strength L HE , without specifying the actual value of the target intensity level). For example, as described herein, communication can be performed via a wired (e.g., via DALI, EcoSystem link, PLC technology, etc.) or wireless (e.g., via RF signals) communication scheme. Communication can be performed over the 0-10V control line during selected time periods, during which the participating LED drivers can temporarily stop reading the analog control signal from the control line (e.g., a receiving LED driver can avoid measuring the control signal V while the sending LED driver is using the control line to send the control signal). CSFor example, the LED drivers may be configured to short the 0-10V control line to transmit a "0" or "1", the LED drivers may be configured to perform another type of PLC on the control line, and / or the LED drivers may be configured to communicate wirelessly with each other.

[0058] At 760, the other LED drivers in the system may receive one of the communications. At 770, each recipient of the communication may check whether its own target intensity level is lower than the communicated level. At 780, LED drivers having target intensity levels lower than the communicated level may communicate their respective levels to the other drivers, and the operations described in conjunction with 760-780 may be repeated until the lowest target intensity level is identified. For example, one of the LED drivers may report that its target light intensity corresponding to the measured amplitude of the 0-10V control signal is a low-end intensity L. LE , while other LED drivers may report a higher low-end intensity than L LE In this way, the LED driver can determine the target light intensity mapped to the control signal V CS The intensity level of the measured amplitude should be the low end intensity L LE .

[0059] At 790, the LED driver with the lowest target intensity level can be designated as the leader for future communications (e.g., all other LED drivers can then listen for communications from the leader and can adapt their respective dimming operations based on the actions taken by the leader). In an alternative implementation, one of the LED drivers can be preconfigured (e.g., preprogrammed) as the leader of the LED drivers, and a common intensity level can be specified for all LED drivers in response to the measured control signal. In yet another alternative implementation, the actions taken at 790 can be omitted and no leader can be designated (e.g., the LED drivers can adapt their respective dimming operations based on the lowest intensity level communicated between the drivers without designating a leader for future operations). At 795, the LED drivers can rescale their respective preconfigured dimming curves based on the lowest target intensity level reported among the LED drivers (e.g., using the rescaling techniques described herein), for example, so that the dimming behavior of the LED drivers can be synchronized. Once synchronization is achieved, the drivers can exit calibration mode.

[0060] In examples described herein, a designated controller (e.g., a control device such as a 0-10V control device, a system controller, etc.) can coordinate the operation of multiple load regulating devices (e.g., LED drivers). Alternatively, one of the multiple load regulating devices can serve as the controller. The load regulating devices can be controlled by a common load control device (e.g., a 0-10V control device) and can communicate with each other (e.g., via a 0-10V control line connecting the LED driver and the load control device, using a wireless communication scheme, etc.). The controller can communicate with the load regulating devices using one or more of the communication techniques described herein (e.g., via a 0-10V control line) and can send control signals / messages (e.g., such as a notification to enter a calibration mode) to the load regulating devices. In an example implementation of this feature, the controller can notify the start of a special mode for calibration, and each LED driver that receives the notification can enter the special mode and send a confirmation message to the controller upon completion of calibration.

[0061] The calibration procedure can also be performed on a remote control device (e.g. Figure 3 The remote control may be configured to enter a special mode (e.g., calibration mode) in response to a signal received from a remote control device. The remote control device may be configured to control the LED driver (e.g., LED driver 304A-304C) with limited or no communication between the remote control device 320 and the LED driver (e.g., LED driver 304A-304C). CS The amplitude is adjusted (e.g., stepped) to the high-end amplitude V HE and low-end amplitude V LE The LED driver can measure and store the control signal V for each step. CS The remote control device can first control the signal V CS The amplitude control is high-end amplitude V HE (for example, 10 volts), and then the control signal V CS The amplitude of the step voltage V STEP (e.g., 1 volt), until the control signal V CS The amplitude reaches the low end amplitude V LE (For example, 1 volt). The remote control device can control the signal V CS The amplitude is maintained for the step time period T STEP (e.g., 10 seconds) to allow the LED driver to measure the control signal V at each step CS The LED driver can control the signal V CS The stored amplitude generates a dimming curve for use during normal operation. The LED driver can then adjust the dimming curve according to the control signal V CSThe dimming curves determined by the stored amplitudes are used to control their associated LED light sources.

[0062] Figure 8 An example technique 800 is shown for achieving consistent dimming performance between one or more LED drivers (e.g., LED drivers 304A-304C) controlled by a remote control device (e.g., 0-10V control device 320) using a special mode. The LED drivers can each be pre-configured with a dimming curve for a control signal generated by the 0-10V control device. The pre-configured range of the control signal can be at a low end amplitude V LE (e.g., 1 volt) and a high-side amplitude of V HE (For example, 10 volts). Low-end amplitude V LE , high-end amplitude V HE And each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity level for the LED light source.The amplitudes and / or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of each LED driver.

[0063] The LED driver may receive a signal (e.g., the signal may include a command and / or notification to enter a special mode (such as a calibration mode)) and enter the special mode at 810. The command or notification may be sent to the LED driver from a remote control device (e.g., the 0-10V control device 320), which may be configured to communicate with the LED driver and initiate the special mode (e.g., to coordinate calibration of multiple LED drivers). For example, the remote control device may send a digital message including a command to enter the special mode to the LED driver via one or more wireless signals (e.g., RF signals) and / or via one or more signals conducted on the 0-10V control line. In addition, the remote control device may be configured to cause the LED driver to enter the special mode by cycling power to the LED driver (e.g., turning the LED driver off and on) a predetermined number of times (e.g., three times within ten seconds) within a certain time period.

[0064] During the special mode, the LED driver can use the variable n to store the control signal V CS The measured amplitude, while the remote control device steps through the control signal V CS Multiple amplitudes. Since the control signal V CS The low-end amplitude V LE and high-end amplitude V HE It can be 1V and 10V, so the variable n can be the smallest number N MIN and the maximum number N MAX(The minimum number and the maximum number may be equal to 1 and 10, respectively). After entering the special mode at 810, the LED driver may initialize the variable n to the maximum number N at 820. MAX (For example, 10).

[0065] At 830, the LED driver can measure the control signal V CS The amplitude of the LED driver is measured to generate the measured amplitude sample V[n]. At 840, the LED driver can store the measured amplitude sample V[n] in a memory corresponding to the intensity L[n]. For example, when n is in the range of 1 to 10 and the corresponding intensity range of the LED driver is between 10% and 100%, the intensity L[n] can be derived using the example formula shown below:

[0066] L[n]=n·10%.

[0067] For example, for a low-end strength L with 10% MIN and 100% high-end strength L MAX For an LED driver, when variable n is equal to 10, the intensity L[n] can be 100%, when variable n is equal to 9, the intensity L[n] can be 90%, when variable n is equal to 8, the intensity L[n] can be 80%, and so on. If variable n is not equal to the minimum number N at 850 MIN , then the control signal V is measured again at 830 CS Before the magnitude of the control signal V is reached, the LED driver can decrement the variable n by 1 at 860 and wait at 870. At 830, the control signal V CS The LED driver may wait for a step time period T at 870 before the amplitude STEP In addition, the control signal V is measured at 830. CS Before the amplitude of the LED driver can wait until the remote control device sets the control signal V CS The amplitude of the control signal V CS Multiple amplitudes of 100% can be used to synchronize the dimming operation of the LED driver at multiple intensity levels (e.g., 100%, 90%, 80%, etc.).

[0068] When the variable n is equal to the minimum number N at 850 MIN At 880, for a range from the minimum number N MIN To the maximum number N MAXWith the variable n, the LED drivers can each generate a relationship (eg, a dimming curve) defined by the measured amplitude samples V[n] at each intensity L[n]. At 890, all LED drivers can exit the special mode, and technique 800 can exit.

[0069] In addition to using the calibration and / or communication techniques described herein, the 0-10V control device can also be configured to adjust its control signal using closed-loop control. For example, the 0-10V control device can be configured to increase or decrease the amplitude of the 0-10V control signal based on feedback from one or more load regulating devices (e.g., LED drivers). The feedback can indicate, for example, the amplitude of the output voltage applied across the light source or the amplitude of the load current conducted through the light source. Using this feedback, the 0-10V control device can automatically account for signal degradation on long wiring to ensure that uniform and consistent light output can be produced at multiple light sources.

[0070] Figure 9 is a simplified block diagram of a load regulation device (eg, LED driver 900) that can be deployed as Figure 1 The load regulating device (e.g., LED driver 104) in the load control system 100 shown, one or more of the LED drivers 204A-204C in the load control system 200, one or more of the LED drivers 304A-304C in the load control system 300, etc. The LED driver 900 can be configured to implement one or more of the techniques described herein. For example, the LED driver 900 can be configured to control the amount of power delivered to the LED light source 902, and thereby control certain functional aspects of the LED light source (such as the intensity of the LED light source). The LED driver 900 can be powered by an AC or DC power source. When configured to use AC power, the LED driver 900 can include a switched hot terminal SH and a neutral terminal N, which are respectively suitable for connecting to a load control device (e.g., the load control device 120) and an alternating current (AC) power source) (e.g., the AC power source 108). The LED driver 900 can include a terminal configured to receive an analog control signal V CS (e.g., 0-10V signal) control terminal C.

[0071] The LED driver 900 may include a load regulation circuit 910 that may control the amount of power delivered to the LED light source 902. For example, the load regulation circuit 910 may control the amount of power delivered to the LED light source 902 by adjusting the output voltage V OUT Pulse width modulation and / or pulse frequency modulation are performed to control the intensity of the LED light source 902 to be at the low end (ie, minimum) intensity L LE (e.g., about 1-5%) and a high-end (e.g., maximum) intensity LHE (e.g., approximately 100%). Load regulation circuit 910 may include, for example, a forward converter, a boost converter, a buck converter, a flyback converter, a linear regulator, or any suitable LED driver circuit for adjusting the intensity of an LED light source. Examples of load regulation circuits for LED drivers are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 8,492,987, issued on July 23, 2010, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0009085, filed on January 9, 2014, both entitled "LOAD CONTROL DEVICE FOR ALIGHT-EMITTING DIODE LIGHT SOURCE," the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] The LED driver 900 may include a control circuit 920 (e.g., a controller) for controlling the operation of the load regulation circuit 910. The control circuit 920 may include, for example, a digital controller or any other suitable processing device, such as, for example, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The control circuit 920 may generate a drive control signal V DRIVE The drive control signal is provided to the load regulation circuit 910 to adjust the output voltage V OUT The magnitude (eg, thereby adjusting the load voltage V generated across the LED light source 902) LOAD and / or the load current I conducted through the LED light source 902. LOAD amplitude (e.g., thereby controlling the intensity of an LED light source).

[0073] The LED driver 900 may further include a voltage sensing circuit 922 (which may be configured to generate a voltage that may indicate the output voltage V OUT The amplitude of the output voltage feedback signal V FB-VOLT ) and the current sensing circuit 924 (which may be configured to generate a current that may indicate the load current I LOAD The amplitude of the load current feedback signal V FB-CRNT ). The control circuit 920 can receive a voltage feedback signal V FB-VOLT and the load current feedback signal V FB-CRNT , and use the control loop to control the drive control signal V DRIVE To adjust the output voltage V OUT The magnitude and / or load current I LOAD The amplitude (for example, the intensity of the LED light source is controlled to be the target intensity L TRGT ).

[0074] The control circuit 920 may be coupled to a controller configured to store operating parameters of the LED driver 900 (eg, target intensity L of the LED light source). TRGT , low-end strength L LE , high-end strength L HE The LED driver 900 may further include a power supply 928 that can generate a direct current (DC) supply voltage V for powering the circuits of the LED driver 900. CC .

[0075] The LED driver 900 may include a communication circuit 930 that can be coupled to, for example, a wired communication link or a wireless communication link, such as a radio frequency (RF) communication link or an infrared (IR) communication link. The LED driver 900 may be configured to receive digital messages via the communication circuit 930 and update data stored in the memory 926 in response to receiving the digital messages. The LED driver 900 may be configured to communicate with other devices (e.g., other LED drivers) using the communication circuit 930 (e.g., using a wired or wireless communication scheme). Alternatively or additionally, the LED driver 900 may not include the communication circuit 230 and may communicate with other devices (e.g., other LED drivers) via a 0-10V control line (e.g., via a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) or using power line communication (PLC) technology). The technology for providing communication via existing power wiring is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 9,392,675, entitled “DIGITAL LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM PROVIDING POWER AND COMMUNICATION VIA EXISTING POWER WIRING,” issued on July 12, 2016, and U.S. Patent No. 8,068,814, entitled “SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF LIGHTS AND MOTORS,” issued on November 29, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] The LED driver 900 may further include a load controller (eg, The load controller allows the LED driver 900 to be integrated with a wireless control device (e.g., a wireless occupancy sensor, a wireless daylight sensor, and / or other wireless control). Thus, the LED driver 900 can be configured to receive wireless control signals from the control device (e.g., a sensor) and to control the LED light source 902 accordingly (e.g., turning the LED light source 902 on / off, adjusting one or more characteristics such as the color, color temperature, and / or intensity of the LED light source 902, etc.).

[0077] The LED driver 900 may be configured to respond to a signal from a load control device (e.g., Figure 1 The load control device 120 depicted in FIG receives the analog control signal V CS The amount of power delivered to the LED light source 902 can be controlled by a 0-10V control signal. The control circuit 920 of the LED driver 900 can be configured to generate a link supply voltage for the control terminal C, for example, via the link voltage communication circuit 932. The link supply voltage can have an amplitude of, for example, approximately 10V and can allow the current sinking circuit of the load control device to generate a control signal V on the control wiring 908. CS The control circuit 920 of the LED driver 900 may be configured to sense the control signal V CS , and based on the control signal and the control signal V CS and the operating characteristics of the LED light source to adjust the operating characteristics of the LED light source 902. For example, the control circuit 920 can be configured to adjust the operating characteristics of the LED light source 902 based on the control signal V CS and represent the target light intensity and the control signal V CS The relationship between the dimming curve (eg, a predetermined dimming curve) at the low end (minimum) intensity L LE and high-end (maximum) intensity L HE The target intensity of the LED light source 902 is adjusted between.

[0078] Although the examples provided herein are described with reference to one or more light sources, the examples can be applied to other electrical loads. For example, one or more of the embodiments described herein can be used to control a variety of electrical load types, such as, for example, motorized curtains or projection screens, motorized interior or exterior blinds, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, air conditioners, compressors, humidity control units, dehumidifiers, water heaters, pool pumps, refrigerators, freezers, televisions or computer monitors, power supplies, audio systems or amplifiers, generators, chargers (such as electric vehicle chargers), and alternative energy controllers (e.g., solar, wind, or thermal energy controllers). A single control circuit can be coupled to and / or adapted to control a variety of electrical loads in a load control system.

Claims

1. A load regulation device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, the load regulation device comprising: a load regulation circuit configured to control a magnitude of a load current conducted through the electrical load to control an operating characteristic of the electrical load; Memory; as well as A control circuit configured to: receiving an analog control signal; periodically measuring the amplitude of the analog control signal; determining a relationship between the measured amplitude of the analog control signal and a corresponding value of the operating characteristic of the electrical load; and storing the relationship in the memory, Wherein the control circuit is configured to use the stored relationship to control the operating characteristic of the electrical load in response to a subsequent measurement of the amplitude of the analog control signal. 2 . The load regulation device of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to periodically measure the amplitude of the analog control signal in response to a wireless message. 3 . The load regulator of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to periodically measure the amplitude of the analog control signal in response to a signal sent on an analog control line. 4 . The load regulation device of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to periodically measure the amplitude of the analog control signal in response to a power cycling command.

5. A remote control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads, the remote control device comprising: communications circuitry configured to communicate with one or more load regulating devices for controlling an amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads; as well as A control circuit configured to: generating a signal commanding the one or more load regulating devices to enter a special mode; and The amplitude of the analog control signal is periodically adjusted, wherein at least one amplitude of the analog control signal corresponds to a low-end strength of the load regulating device, and wherein at least one amplitude of the analog control signal corresponds to a high-end strength of the load regulating device.

6. The remote control device of claim 5, wherein the signal commanding the one or more load regulating devices to enter the special mode comprises a power cycle command.

7. The remote control device of claim 5, wherein the signal commanding the one or more load regulators to enter the special mode is sent over an analog control line.

8. The remote control device of claim 5, wherein the signal commanding the one or more load regulating devices to enter the special mode comprises a wireless signal.

9. A method implemented in a load conditioning device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load to control an operating characteristic of the electrical load, the method comprising: After entering a special mode in response to receiving a signal: periodically measuring the amplitude of the analog control signal; determining a relationship between a measured amplitude of the analog control signal and a corresponding value of the operating characteristic of the electrical load; as well as storing the relationship in a memory; as well as After exiting the special mode, the stored relationship is used to control the operating characteristics of the electrical load.

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