Unpowered RF Tuning Interface for LED Drivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED driver technologies lack a cost-effective and efficient method for unpowered tuning that allows simultaneous tuning of multiple LED drivers without significant internal current draw, limiting flexibility and increasing the size of required interface circuitry.

Innovation Solution

An unpowered tuning interface circuit utilizing a radio frequency (RF) signal, comprising an RF coupling circuit, a DC generator circuit, an RF demodulation circuit, a voltage regulator, and a microcontroller, which receives RF bursts, rectifies them, and converts them into DC pulses to control LED driver operations without the need for traditional power sources, minimizing internal current draw and maximizing payload delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional powered tuning interface circuitry is used, then tuning functionality is achieved, but internal current draw increases and cost/size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal current drawVSAvoidinterface circuitry size

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional powered electronic tuning interface circuitry with an unpowered RF-based tuning system. The RF coupling circuit receives RF signals from a development tool and converts them to DC control signals without requiring internal power consumption for the interface itself, thereby eliminating the trade-off between tuning functionality and current draw/circuit size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple LED drivers are tuned simultaneously, then productivity increases, but the complexity of the tuning system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetuning speedVSAvoidtuning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RF coupling circuit and demodulation circuit are designed to handle multiple LED drivers simultaneously through a single development tool. The system uses universal RF signal transmission that can address multiple drivers in sequence or parallel, enabling batch tuning operations without requiring separate interface circuits for each driver, thus increasing productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If unpowered tuning is implemented, then flexibility improves, but reliable signal reception and conversion becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetuning flexibilityVSAvoidsignal reception reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an RF coupling circuit as an intermediary that receives RF signals from the development tool and converts them to DC control signals for the LED driver. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable signal transmission without requiring power at the LED driver end, achieving both unpowered operation and reliable signal reception/conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables simultaneous tuning of multiple LED drivers with reduced internal current consumption and cost, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in LED lighting systems by using RF signals for unpowered tuning, thereby maximizing the number of drivers that can be controlled by a development tool.

Implementation Method 1

The RF coupling circuit receives an RF tuning signal having a plurality of bursts of RF energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The direct current (DC) generator circuit uses a bridge rectifier to rectify the coupled RF tuning signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Implementation Method 3

The RF demodulation circuit receives the rectified RF tuning signal and selectively converts each burst of the rectified RF tuning signal to a single DC pulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransistor switching:

Implementation Method 4

The transistor base is also connected to a Zener diode which limits the base voltage and thereby limits the emitted voltage on the output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectZener breakdown: Diode

Implementation Method 5

The voltage regulator receives the rectified RF tuning voltage and outputs a regulated voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS9913354B1Unpowered tuning interface circuit for an LED driver

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

An LED driver circuit capable of being tuned via an unpowered tuning process and associated methods are provided. A radio frequency (RF) coupling circuit receives an RF tuning signal having a plurality of cycles of an RF carrier. The RF coupling circuit outputs a coupled RF tuning signal to a direct current (DC) generator circuit which rectifies the coupled RF tuning signal and outputs a rectified RF tuning voltage. A RF demodulation circuit receives the rectified RF tuning signal and selectively converts each burst of the rectified RF tuning signal to a single DC pulse. The RF demodulation circuit includes a Zener diode limiting the emitted voltage from the RF demodulation circuit. The microcontroller receives the output of the RF demodulation circuit, receives the regulated voltage, and controls one or more tuning operations of the LED driver circuit.