LED Lamp Control via Shared MCU Port Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lamp control systems face challenges in efficiently managing the light output and temperature of LEDs, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the insufficient number of pins on the microcontroller unit (MCU) required to handle light and temperature information for multiple LEDs.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method where a microcontroller unit (MCU) receives light amount information and temperature information for multiple LEDs through shared ports, allowing the controller to calculate resistance values from BIN and thermal resistors to adjust the driving current, thereby reducing the need for additional pins and lowering manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pins are allocated to each LED board for receiving light amount information and temperature information, then the control precision and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to insufficient MCU pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data reception functions into shared pins by implementing a multiplexing scheme where the same pin can sequentially receive different types of data (light amount information from BIN resistors and temperature information from NTC sensors) by switching the connected LED boards through control signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the MCU pins multi-functional by enabling them to serve multiple purposes: the same pin can receive light amount information from different LED boards at different times, and can also receive temperature information, thereby making each pin universal rather than dedicated to a single function
2Adaptability or versatility
If a larger package MCU is used to increase the number of pins, then the pin availability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data acquisition channels into fewer physical pins by implementing time-division multiplexing, where data from multiple LED boards are sequentially sampled through shared pins controlled by a switching mechanism, thereby reducing the total pin count required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the MCU pins by dynamically switching their function and connected component based on the current sampling phase, allowing pins to be reassigned to different LED boards or sensor types at different time intervals, effectively increasing pin utilization efficiency
3Loss of information
If multiple pins are allocated for receiving data from multiple LED boards, then the information collection capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent data collection channels into a unified multiplexed system where a single pin can collect information from multiple LED boards sequentially, maintaining complete information collection capability while reducing the number of physical channels required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic sampling of data from different LED boards through the shared pins, where each LED board is sequentially connected and its data is sampled at regular intervals, ensuring that all information is collected systematically over time without requiring simultaneous dedicated pins for each board
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are apparatus for controlling a lamp and a method thereof. The apparatus for controlling a lamp includes an information collection device that receives light amount information and temperature information of LED chips, which correspond to a plurality of LED boards, respectively, from the plurality of LED boards through one port, and a controller that controls a driving current for driving the LED chip based on the light amount information of the LED chip or the temperature information of the LED chip.