Standalone LED Controller with Local Polynomial Curve Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED controller systems require a central microcontroller to manage light output for matrix LED displays, leading to high bandwidth requirements and increased complexity, especially in applications like automotive headlight systems where coordinating light intensity across numerous channels is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A standalone LED controller that uses pulse width modulation (PWM) signals generated based on locally calculated light intensity values from polynomial functions, eliminating the need for a central microcontroller by storing PWM curve profiles and using synchronization lines for coordinated light output across multiple displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a central microcontroller is used to manage light output for matrix LED displays, then coordinated control of light intensity across numerous channels is achieved, but bandwidth requirements increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the LED display into multiple independent matrix blocks, each controlled by its own dedicated controller. Each controller manages a specific portion of the display (e.g., 64 LEDs per controller), allowing distributed control without requiring a single central microcontroller to manage all channels, thereby reducing overall system complexity and bandwidth requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated LED controllers act as intermediary devices between the power supply and LED matrices. These intermediate controllers handle the complex task of coordinating light intensity across their assigned channels using PWM signals, eliminating the need for a central microcontroller while maintaining coordinated control capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If a central microcontroller manages all LED channels, then centralized control is achieved, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent controllers, each handling a specific subset of LED channels. This segmentation distributes the control bandwidth requirements across multiple devices rather than concentrating all bandwidth demands on a single central microcontroller, thereby reducing the bandwidth burden on any single communication channel.
Solution Approach 2:
Each LED controller independently generates PWM signals and manages its own LED matrix without requiring continuous communication with a central controller. The controllers autonomously handle light intensity coordination for their assigned channels, eliminating the need for high-bandwidth centralized communication and reducing overall system bandwidth requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments are provided that include a light emitting diode (LED) controller connectable to a matrix of LEDs. A start code is received via at least one input pin, and a selected curve profile is retrieved from a programmable local memory in response to receipt of the start code, wherein the programmable local memory stores a set of curve profiles, each of which is associated with a different start code. A set of coefficients of a polynomial calculator are initialized to a set of values defined in the selected curve profile, wherein the set of values represent a light output curve. A sequence of light intensity values is calculated according to the polynomial calculator, and at least one pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is generated based on the sequence of light intensity values, wherein the at least one PWM signal controls light output of at least one LED.