阅读说明：本技术 用于照明控制的负载调节装置的配置 (Arrangement of load adjusting device for lighting control ) 是由 M·科诺斯 C·尤达尔 于 2018-07-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：诸如LED驱动器的负载调节装置可以被配置为基于模拟控制信号和预配置的调光曲线来控制光源的强度。所述LED驱动器可以感测所述模拟控制信号的幅度并确定落在所述调光曲线的输入信号范围之外的新的低端和/或高端控制信号幅度。所述LED驱动器可以根据新的低端和/或高端控制信号幅度来重新缩放所述预配置的调光曲线,并且基于重新缩放后的调光曲线来对所述光源进行调光。由相同的模拟控制信号控制的多个LED驱动器可以关于由每个LED驱动器感测到的所述模拟控制信号的幅度彼此通信,并且尽管感测到不同的模拟控制信号,但仍使它们的目标强度水平相匹配。可以提供控制器以协调所述多个LED驱动器的操作。(The L ED driver may rescale the preconfigured dimming curve according to the new low-end and/or high-end control signal amplitude and dim the light source based on the rescaled dimming curve, a plurality of L ED drivers controlled by the same analog control signal may communicate with each other regarding the amplitude of the analog control signal sensed by each L ED driver and match their target intensity levels despite sensing different analog control signals.)

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; and

a control circuit configured to receive an analog control signal and control the load regulation circuit to control the operating characteristic of the electrical load based on a stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and an amplitude of the analog control signal, wherein the amplitude of the analog control signal is in a range between a low-end amplitude and a high-end amplitude according to the stored relationship, and wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

measuring the amplitude of the analog control signal;

determining whether the measured amplitude of the analog control signal is less than the low-end amplitude of the stored relationship;

adjusting the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the magnitude of an analog control signal based on the measured magnitude of the analog control signal if the measured magnitude is less than the low-end magnitude; and is

Controlling the load regulation circuit based on the adjusted relationship.

2. The load regulation device of claim 1, wherein the electrical load comprises an L ED light source, and the load regulation device comprises a L ED driver.

3. The load regulation device of claim 2, wherein the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the analog control signal is associated with a dimming curve of the L ED driver.

4. The load regulation device of claim 3, wherein the dimming curve comprises a low-end intensity of the L ED driver corresponding to a low-end amplitude of the analog control signal and a high-end intensity of the L ED driver corresponding to a high-end amplitude of the analog control signal.

5. The load regulation device of claim 4, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the dimming curve based on a determination that the measured amplitude of the analog control signal falls outside a range defined by the low-end amplitude and the high-end amplitude of the analog control signal.

6. The load regulation device of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the analog control signal by rescaling the dimming curve of the L ED driver based on the measured amplitude of the analog control signal.

7. The load regulation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication circuit configured to communicate with at least one other load regulation device regarding the adjusted relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the analog control signal.

8. The load regulation device of claim 7, wherein the communication circuit is configured to communicate with the at least one other load regulation device via a control link over which the analog control input signal is transmitted.

9. The load regulation device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to adjust the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the analog control signal based on the measured magnitude of the analog control signal during a special mode.

10. The load regulation device of claim 9, wherein the control circuit is configured to enter the special mode after power up.

11. The load regulation device of claim 9, wherein the control circuit is configured to enter the special mode upon receiving a command from a user.

12. The load regulation device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

determining whether the measured amplitude of the analog control signal is greater than the high-end amplitude of the stored relationship; and is

Adjusting the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the magnitude of an analog control signal based on the measured magnitude of the analog control signal if the measured magnitude is greater than the high-end magnitude.

13. The load regulation device of claim 1, wherein the analog control signal comprises a 0-10V control signal.

14. A method of configuring a load regulation device for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load, the method comprising:

receiving an analog control signal;

controlling an amplitude of a load current conducted through the electrical load to control the operating characteristic of the electrical load based on a stored relationship between an operating characteristic of the electrical load and an amplitude of the analog control signal, wherein the amplitude of the analog control signal is in a range between a low-end amplitude and a high-end amplitude according to the stored relationship;

measuring the amplitude of the analog control signal;

determining whether the measured amplitude of the analog control signal is less than the low-end amplitude of the stored relationship;

adjusting the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the magnitude of an analog control signal based on the measured magnitude of the analog control signal if the measured magnitude is less than the low-end magnitude; and is

Controlling the magnitude of the load current based on the adjusted relationship.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrical load is a light source and the stored relationship is a dimming curve of the load regulation device, and wherein the dimming curve comprises a low-end intensity of the load regulation device corresponding to a low-end amplitude of the analog control signal and a high-end intensity of the load regulation device corresponding to a high-end amplitude of the analog control signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the stored relationship further comprises adjusting the dimming curve based on determining that the measured amplitude of the analog control signal falls outside a range defined by the low-end amplitude and the high-end amplitude of the analog control signal.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein adjusting the dimming curve further comprises adjusting rescaling the dimming curve based on the measured magnitude of the analog control signal.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining whether the measured amplitude of the analog control signal is greater than the high-end amplitude of the stored relationship; and is

Adjusting the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the magnitude of an analog control signal based on the measured magnitude of the analog control signal if the measured magnitude is greater than the high-end magnitude.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

communicating with at least one other load regulation device regarding the adjusted relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the analog control signal.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein adjusting the stored relationship further comprises adjusting the stored relationship between the operating characteristic of the electrical load and the analog control signal based on the measured magnitude of the analog control signal during a special mode.

21. A lighting control system for controlling a first light source and a second light source, the lighting control system comprising:

a first load regulation device configured to receive an analog control signal and control an intensity of the first light source based on a magnitude of the analog control signal and a first preconfigured dimming curve;

a second load regulation device configured to receive the analog control signal and control an intensity of the second light source based on the magnitude of the analog control signal and a second preconfigured dimming curve;

wherein the first adjustment device is configured to:

measuring a first amplitude of the analog control signal received at the first load regulation device;

sending an indication signal to the second load regulation device in response to the measured first amplitude of the analog control signal; and is

Wherein the second load regulation device is configured to:

receiving the indication signal from the first load regulation device;

measuring a second amplitude of the analog control signal received at the second load regulation device; and is

In response to receiving the indication signal, adjusting the second preconfigured dimming curve based on the measured second magnitude of the analog control signal.

22. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein the first load regulation device is configured to receive the analog control signal via an analog control link and to transmit the indication signal via the analog control link.

23. The lighting control system of claim 22, wherein the second load regulation device is configured to avoid measuring the amplitude of the analog control signal while the first load regulation device is transmitting the indication signal.

24. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein the first load regulation device is configured to transmit the indication signal via a radio frequency communication link.

25. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein the first load regulation device is configured to: sending the indication signal to the second load regulation device if the measured first magnitude of the analog control signal is less than a low-end magnitude of the first preconfigured dimming curve.

26. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein the first load regulation device is configured to determine a controlled intensity of the first light source based on the first preconfigured dimming curve and the measured first magnitude of the analog control signal, and wherein the indication signal sent by the first load regulation device comprises the controlled intensity.

27. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein the indication signal sent by the first load regulation device comprises the measured first amplitude of the analog control signal.

28. The lighting control system of claim 21, wherein the first load regulation device is further configured to adjust the first preconfigured dimming curve based on the measured first magnitude of the analog control signal.

29. A lighting control system for controlling a first L ED light source and a second L ED light source, the lighting control system comprising:

a first load regulation device configured to receive an analog control signal and control an intensity of the first light source based on a magnitude of the analog control signal and a first preconfigured dimming curve;

a second load regulation device configured to receive the analog control signal and control an intensity of the second light source based on the magnitude of the analog control signal and a second preconfigured dimming curve;

wherein the load regulation device is configured to:

measuring a first amplitude of the analog control signal received by the first load regulation device;

determining a first target intensity of the first light source based on the first measured magnitude of the analog control signal and the first preconfigured dimming curve; and is

Communicating the first target intensity to the second load regulation device; and is

Wherein the second load regulation device is configured to:

measuring a second amplitude of the analog control input signal received by the second load regulation device;

determining a second target intensity of the second light source based on a second measured magnitude of the analog control signal and the second preconfigured dimming curve;

receiving the first target intensity from the first load regulation device; and is

Adjusting the second target intensity based on the first target intensity.

30. A lighting control system for controlling a first light source and a second light source, the lighting control system comprising:

a first load regulation device configured to receive an analog control signal and control an intensity of the first light source based on a magnitude of the analog control signal and a first preconfigured dimming curve;

a second load regulation device configured to receive the analog control signal and control an intensity of the second light source based on the magnitude of the analog control signal and a second preconfigured dimming curve; and

a controller configured to communicate with both the first load regulation device and the second load regulation device and to send signals to the first load regulation device and the second load regulation device to place the first load regulation device and the second load regulation device in a calibration mode, wherein during the calibration mode:

the first load regulation device is configured to:

measuring a first amplitude of the analog control signal;

determining a target intensity of the first light source based on the first measured magnitude of the analog control signal and the first preconfigured dimming curve; and is

In response to determining the target intensity of the first light source, sending a signal to the second load regulation device; and is

The second load regulation device is configured to:

receiving the signal from the first load regulation device;

measuring a second amplitude of the analog control signal; and is

Adjusting the second preconfigured dimming curve based on the measured second magnitude of the analog control signal in response to receiving the signal from the first load regulation device.

31. A method of configuring one or more load regulation devices for controlling one or more light sources, the method comprising:

receiving an analog control signal at a first load regulation device;

controlling an intensity of a first light source by the first load regulation device based on the magnitude of the analog control signal and a first preconfigured dimming curve;

receiving the analog control signal at a second load regulation device;

controlling an intensity of a second light source by the second load regulation device based on the magnitude of the analog control signal and a second preconfigured dimming curve;

measuring a first amplitude of the analog control signal received at the first load regulation device;

sending an indication signal from the first load regulation device to the second load regulation device in response to the measured first amplitude of the analog control signal; and

receiving the indication signal at the second load regulation device from the first load regulation device;

measuring a second amplitude of the analog control signal received at the second load regulation device; and

adjusting, by the second load regulation device, the second preconfigured dimming curve based on the measured second magnitude of the analog control signal in response to receiving the indication signal.

32. 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;

a memory; and

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 is

Storing the relationship in the memory in a manner that,

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.

33. The load regulation device of claim 32, wherein the control circuit is configured to periodically measure the amplitude of the analog control signal in response to a wireless message.

34. The load regulation device of claim 32, 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.

35. The load regulation device of claim 32, wherein the control circuit is configured to periodically measure the amplitude of the analog control signal in response to a power cycle command.

36. A remote control device for controlling an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads, the remote control device comprising:

a communication circuit configured to communicate with one or more load regulation devices for controlling an amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads; and

a control circuit configured to:

generating a signal instructing the one or more load regulation devices to enter a special mode; and is

Periodically adjusting an amplitude of an analog control signal, wherein at least one amplitude of the analog control signal corresponds to a low-end intensity of the load regulation device, and wherein at least one amplitude of the analog control signal corresponds to a high-end intensity of the load regulation device.

37. The remote control device of claim 36, wherein the signal commanding the one or more load regulation devices to enter the special mode comprises a power cycle command.

38. The remote control device of claim 36, wherein the signal commanding the one or more load regulation devices to enter the special mode is sent on an analog control line.

39. The remote control device of claim 36, wherein the signal commanding the one or more load regulation devices to enter the special mode comprises a wireless signal.

40. A method implemented in a load regulation device for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load to control an operating characteristic of the electrical load, the method comprising:

upon entering a special mode in response to receiving a 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 a memory; and

after exiting the special mode, controlling the operating characteristic of the electrical load using the stored relationship.

Background

More recent light SOURCEs, such as high efficiency light SOURCEs (such as light EMITTING DIODE (L ED) light SOURCEs and compact fluorescent lamps (CF L), require load regulation DEVICEs (such as ballasts or drivers) to properly illuminate the load regulation DEVICEs typically receive an AC voltage from an Alternating Current (AC) power SOURCE and regulate at least one of the load voltage produced across or load current conducted through the light SOURCE the load regulation DEVICEs may 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 may include Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) techniques, Current Constant Reduction (CCR) techniques, and/or combinations of PWM and CCR techniques, commonly assigned U.S. patent No. 4 and 2014 6323 entitled "configurable load control DEVICE FOR light EMITTING DIODE light SOURCEs (config 387L 0E L1 OAD control L DEVICE FOR L lighting-dimming DIODE L) entitled" and published U.S. patent No. 4 and 2014 633 entitled "light SOURCE control DEVICE FOR light SOURCE L lighting-lighting control DEVICE L lighting" hereby incorporated by reference in detail by reference to the aforementioned U.S. patent No. 7,539 3, L, entitled "load control DEVICE FOR light SOURCE control DEVICE FOR example," incorporated by reference.

The remote control device may be installed in an electrical wallbox and may include an intensity/color adjustment actuator (e.g., slider control) the remote control device may adjust between a low end amplitude (e.g., zero to one volt) to a high end amplitude (e.g., nine to ten volts) in response to actuation of the intensity/color adjustment actuator, the remote control device may adjust between a low end amplitude (e.g., zero to one volt) to a high end amplitude (e.g., nine to ten volt) in response to a light source output voltage, e.g., a maximum light intensity level, a light source output voltage, a maximum light intensity level, a light color temperature output voltage, a light color temperature output voltage, a light color temperature output voltage, a light source output voltage, a light color temperature output voltage, a light source output voltage, a light source output voltage, a light output voltage, a.

When the control signal is an analog signal, the amplitude and/or strength of the control signal may be affected by interference and/or electromagnetic properties of components located between the remote control device and the load regulation device. For example, a long wire running from the remote control device to the load regulation device may degrade the amplitude of the control signal received by the load regulation device (e.g., a voltage drop of the amplitude of the 0-10V control signal due to resistance in the wire). This voltage drop in the amplitude of the control signal may shift the normal dimming range of the light source. 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 may 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 the maximum level, the light source may receive a voltage with an amplitude of 8.8V.

The difference between the amplitude of the originally generated control signal and the actually received control signal may be particularly pronounced when a plurality of lighting fixtures are controlled by the same control device but are installed at different distances from the remote control device. For example, a control signal received by one lighting fixture may deviate from the original signal amplitude more or less than a control signal received by another lighting fixture. In this way, the same control signal generated by the remote control device may produce different light intensities and/or colors at different lighting fixtures, thereby causing undesirable visual effects in a multiple light source environment (e.g., inconsistencies in light output may be more easily perceived towards the low end of the dimming range).

Disclosure of Invention

A load regulation device is described herein that may 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 adjusting means may be configured to control the intensity of the light source based on a preconfigured dimming curve and/or to control the color of the light source based on a color tuning curve with respect to the analog control signal. If the load regulation device determines that the magnitude of the analog control signal falls outside the input signal range of the dimming curve or the color tuning curve, the load regulation device may determine a new low-end control signal magnitude and/or high-end control signal magnitude. For example, the load regulation device may rescale the pre-configured dimming curve or color tuning curve according to the new low-end and/or high-end control signal amplitude. The load adjustment device may adjust the intensity and/or color of the light source based on the rescaled dimming curve or color tuning curve.

The load control system may comprise a plurality of load regulating devices controlled by the same control device and thus by the same analogue control signal. The load regulation devices may communicate with each other regarding the magnitude of the analog control signal sensed (e.g., received) by each load regulation device (e.g., to compensate for variations in the magnitude of the control signal received by each load regulation device). For example, multiple load regulators may match their target intensity levels despite differences in the amplitude of the analog control signal sensed by the load regulators. A controller (e.g., a control device or a separate controller) may coordinate the operation of the plurality of load regulation devices to achieve a consistent light output between the light sources over a range of control signals.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an example load control system in which an L ED driver is configured to control L ED light source operation based on an analog control input signal.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example load control system that includes a plurality L ED drivers controlled by a remote control device.

Fig. 3 illustrates another example load control system that includes a plurality L ED drivers controlled by a remote control device.

Fig. 4 shows an example technique for adjusting L the dimming curve of an ED driver in response to a 0-10V control signal during normal operation of an L ED driver.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example technique for adjusting L the dimming curve of an ED driver in response to a 0-10V control signal during special mode.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example technique for achieving consistent dimming performance among multiple L ED drivers controlled by a remote control device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example technique for using a special mode to achieve consistent dimming performance among multiple L ED drivers controlled by a remote control.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example technique for using a special mode to achieve consistent dimming performance among multiple L ED drivers controlled by a remote control.

Fig. 9 is a simplified equivalent schematic diagram of the example L ED driver depicted in fig. 1.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example load control system 100 for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as a light emitting diode (L ED) light source 102 (e.g., a L ED light engine or other suitable lighting load), another type of lighting device, a motorized window treatment, an HVAC system, etc. the load control system 100 may include a load regulation device (e.g., such as a L ED driver 104) for controlling an operating characteristic of the L ED light source 102 (e.g., an intensity and/or color (e.g., color temperature) of the L ED light source 102. the L ED 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 L ED light source 102 may include a single L, a plurality L ED's connected in series or parallel, or a suitable combination thereof, one or more organic light emitting diodes (O L ED), etc.

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 the control signal V by generating the control signal V in response to a user input_CSAnd provided to L ED driver 104 to control the electrical load to control L the operating characteristics of ED light source 102_CSMay include, for example, analog control signals, such as 0-10V control signals.

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., the load control device 120 may not need to be connected to the AC power source 108, as shown in fig. 1.) for example, the load control device 120 may be powered by the L ED driver 104, as shown in fig. 1.

Load control device 120 may include a control terminal 122 adapted to be coupled to L ED driver 104 via a control wiring 110 load control device 120 may include a circuit for generating a control signal V_CS(e.g., 0-10V control signals or 10-0V control signals), the driver communication circuitry may include current sinking circuitry adapted to sink current through L ED driver 104 via control wiring 110_CSL ED driver 104 may thus be configured to generate a link supply voltage to allow the current sink circuit to generate a control signal V on control wiring 110_CS. The load control device 120 may include a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the loadControlling a current sink circuit to generate a control signal V in response to actuation of an intensity adjustment actuator (e.g., a linear slider or knob)_CS. The control circuit can control the signal V_CSIs adjusted to have a desired DC amplitude V_DESThe amplitude indicates L a target value for an operating characteristic of the ED light source 102 (e.g., the intensity of the L ED light source).

L ED driver 104 may be configured to control a load voltage V developed across L ED light source 102_LOADAnd/or the load current I conducted through the L ED light source 102_LOADL ED driver 104 may be configured to respond to receiving a control signal V from load control device 120 via control wiring 110_CSTo control the load voltage V_LOADAnd/or the load current I_LOADL ED driver 104 may be configured to control load voltage V based on preconfigured settings and/or preconfigured dimming curves, for example_LOADAnd/or the load current I_LOADSuch a preconfigured dimming curve may depict L a target intensity L of the ED light source 102_TRGT(which may correspond to a particular output of L ED driver 104, for example) and a control signal V_CSThe relationship between them. The relationship may be, for example, a linear relationship or a square law relationship.

L ED driver 104 may store data associated with the preconfigured dimming curve in a memory (e.g., one or more look-up tables)_CSThereafter, L ED driver 104 may consult the data stored in its memory and determine target intensity L in response to the magnitude of the control signal_TRGT. For example, according to a pre-configured dimming curve, if the received 0-10V control signal has a low-end amplitude V_LE(e.g., 1 volt), the L ED driver 104 may be configured to target an intensity L of the L ED light source 102_TRGTSet to low end intensity L_LE(e.g., about 1%). Similarly, if the received 0-10V control signal has a high end amplitude V_HE(e.g., 10 volts), the L ED driver 104 may be configured to target an intensity L of the L ED light source 102_TRGTSet to high end intensity L_HE(e.g., about 100%). If receivedThe 0-10V control signal has an amplitude V at the low end_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEIn between, the L ED driver 104 may then target an intensity L of the L ED light source 102 based on the dimming curve_TRGTSet to intensity L at the low end_LEAnd high end intensity L_HEA value in between.

L ED driver 104 may, for example, be configured to adjust the intensity of L ED light source 102 at a low-end intensity L_LEAnd high end intensity L_HEAdditionally or alternatively, the L ED driver 104 may be configured to turn on and off L ED light sources 102 to adjust L the intensity of the ED light sources 102 and/or to adjust L the color (e.g., color temperature) of the ED light sources 102.

The control signal V generated by the load control device 120_CSMay be affected by interference and/or electromagnetic characteristics of components located between the control device 120 and the L ED driver 104, for example, the control wiring 110 may cause the L ED driver 104 to receive a control signal V_CSIs degraded (e.g. due to resistance in the wires_CSVoltage drop of magnitude of). Control signal V_CSMay affect L ED driver 104 operation, for example, a user may manipulate load control device 120 to control signal V_CSIs controlled to an amplitude of 1V to aim at setting the light level of the L ED light source 102 to the low-end intensity L_LEL ED driver 104 may misinterpret control signal V due to signal degradation caused by control wiring 110_CSAnd L ED light source 102 target intensity L_TRGTSet to a value different from the value intended by the user. For example, when the load control device 120 generates the control signal V_CSTo control L ED light source 102 to a low-end intensity L_LEControl signal V received by L ED driver 104_CSMay have an amplitude of 0.8V instead of 1V, which may result in a "dead stroke" during adjustment of the intensity adjustment actuator of the load control device 120, because when the control signal V is present_CSIs less than 1VWhen (e.g., when L ED driver 104 receives control signal V_CSBetween 0.8V and 1V) L ED driver 104 may not be able to adjust control signal V_CSAnd responding.

L ED driver 104 may be configured to respond to detecting control signal V_CSAt a stored low end amplitude V representing the end point of the dimming curve_LEAnd a stored high-end amplitude V_HEL ED driver 104 may be configured to respond to a first power-up by initially storing a low-end magnitude V_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEA defined dimming curve to adjust L the intensity of the ED light source L ED driver 104 may be configured to measure the control signal V_CSAnd the measured voltage is compared with the low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEA comparison is made. If the control signal V_CSIs less than the low-end amplitude V_LEThen L ED driver 104 may store the low-end magnitude V_LEUpdated to be equal to the control signal V_CSAnd rescaling the stored dimming curve based on the updated low-end amplitude. If the control signal V_CSIs greater than the high-end amplitude V_HEL ED driver 104 may store the high-end amplitude V stored_HEUpdated to be equal to the control signal V_CSAnd rescaling the stored dimming curve based on the updated high-end amplitude.

L ED driver 104 may be configured to measure control signal V_CSTo determine the control signal V at the first power-up_CSWhether the amplitude of (d) falls within the stored low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a stored high-end amplitude V_HEIn addition, L ED driver 104 may be configured to periodically measure control signal V_CSTo determine the control signal V during normal operation of L ED driver 104_CSWhether the amplitude of (d) falls within the stored low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a stored high-end amplitude V_HEFinally, L ED driver 104 may be configured to be placed in a special calibration mode, where L ED driver 104 may measureQuantity control signal V_CSTo determine the control signal V_CSWhether the amplitude of (d) falls within the stored low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a stored high-end amplitude V_HEOut of the range of (a).

Fig. 2 illustrates an example load control system 200 that includes a plurality L ED light sources 202A-202C having respective L ED drivers 204A-204C controlled by a remote control device (e.g., 0-10V control device 220). it should be understood that, although three L ED drivers and respective L ED light sources are illustrated in the figure, the load control system 200 may include any number of L ED drivers and respective L ED light sources.

Each L ED driver 204A-204C may be adapted to receive line voltage from the AC power source 208. L ED drivers may be further adapted to be coupled to the 0-10V control 220 via the control wiring 210. the 0-10V control 220 may 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 may receive power from a different internal or external power source (e.g., the 0-10V control 220 may not need to be connected to the AC power source 208.) the 0-10V control 220 may be configured to generate an analog control signal V on the control wiring 210 to the plurality of L ED light sources 202A-202C in response to receiving user input (e.g., a dimming command)_CS(e.g., 0-10V control signal).

Since L ED light sources 202A-202C may be mounted in different locations and/or connected to 0-10V control device 220 via different characteristics of wiring (e.g., the length of wiring may be different, the electromagnetic characteristics of wiring may be different, etc.), control signals V generated by 0-10V control device 220_CSMay exhibit varying degrees of degradation as received by the respective L ED drivers 204A-204C, for example, the 0-10V control 220 may respond to user input by applying a control signal V_CSIs controlled to a preconfigured low-end amplitude (e.g., 1V) to set all L ED light sources toSet to low end intensity L_LE(e.g., about 1%). due to different characteristics (e.g., different resistances) and/or other electromagnetic conditions of the wiring between the 0-10V control 220 and the L ED drivers 204A-204C, the first L ED driver 204A may sense the control signal V, V_CSIs 1.2V, while the second L ED driver 204B may sense that the control signal is 1.1V if both L ED drivers 204A, 204B are configured to couple the control signal V according to a preconfigured dimming curve_CSIn response, and not configured to accommodate the control signals V received by the two L ED drivers 204A, 204B_CSEven if the user's intention is to set both light sources to the same intensity level (e.g., low-end intensity L)_LE) The light output of the two L ED light sources 202A, 202B may also be adjusted to different intensity levels.

L ED drivers 204A-204C may be configured to communicate with each other in order to synchronize their dimming curves to ensure that each L ED light source 202A-202C is controlled to the same intensity in response to the 0-10V control 220. L ED drivers 204A-204C may be related to control signal V_CSL ED drivers 204A-204C may adjust their preconfigured intensity levels (e.g., L ED drivers may rescale respective dimming curves) and control their associated L ED light sources 202A-202C accordingly (e.g., based on the rescaled dimming curves.) L ED drivers 204A-204C may communicate with control signal V via the communication_CSThe L ED drivers 204A-204C may then dim their associated L ED light sources 202A-202C to a universal intensity level, such that consistent light output may be produced at the plurality of L ED light sources despite variations in the amplitude of the control signals at each L ED driver, L ED drivers 204A-204C may be configured to perform one or more of the foregoing operations in a special mode (e.g., during commissioning, at startup, and/or upon initiation by a user). L ED drivers 204A-204C may be configured (e.g., during normal operation of an electrical load)During which no special mode is entered) to constantly perform one or more of the aforementioned operations.

For example, when the control signal V is received by L ED one of the drivers 204A-204C_CSIs equal to (or less than) the stored low-end amplitude V_LEWhen L ED driver may be configured to send an indication signal (e.g., a simple signal) to indicate that L ED driver is at low-end intensity L_LEFor example, L ED drivers 204A-204C may transmit an indication signal by transmitting a wireless signal (e.g., a Radio Frequency (RF) signal) and/or generating a high frequency signal and/or pulse on control wiring 210. L ED drivers 204A-204C receiving the indication signal may transmit a control signal V_CSIs stored as the low-end amplitude V in the dimming curve_LEAnd at the stored high end amplitude V_HEAnd an updated low-end amplitude V_LEL ED drivers 204A-204C may also be configured to adjust the high-end voltage V in a similar manner_HEIn addition, the L ED drivers 204A-204C may be configured to have multiple points at the low-end magnitude V_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEWhen L ED drivers 204A-204C generate a high frequency signal and/or pulse on control wiring 210 to send an indication signal, L ED drivers may be configured to respond to control signal V_CSTo control the respective L ED light sources 202A-202C.

Additionally, L ED drivers 204A-204C may each be configured to update the stored low-end amplitude V as described above with reference to L ED driver 104 of FIG. 1_LEAnd/or a stored high-end amplitude V_HE(e.g., not in communication with each other.) for example, each L ED driver 204A-204C may be configured to measure a control signal V_CSAnd if the measured amplitude is at the stored low end amplitude V_LEAnd a stored high-end amplitude V_HEIs out of range, the stored low-end amplitude V is updated_LEAnd/or a stored high-end amplitude V_HE。

Fig. 3 illustrates another example load control system 300 that includes a plurality L ED light sources 302A-302C having light sources that are controlled by a remote control device (e.g.,0-10V control 320) may be connected to the AC power source 308 (e.g., to the hot side of the AC power source), and the switched thermal output sh.0-10V control 320, which may generate power for control of delivery to the L ED drivers 304A-304C, may be configured to additionally generate an analog control signal (e.g., a 0-10V control signal V) via the control wiring 310 (e.g., in response to receiving a user input such as a dimming command) via the control wiring 310_CS) Each L ED driver 304A-304C can be adapted to receive a line voltage between the switched hot side SH of a 0-10V control device and the neutral side N of the AC power source 308 Each L ED driver 304A-304C can be adapted to receive a 0-10V control signal V via control wiring 310_CS。

Since L ED light sources 302A-302C may be mounted in different locations and/or connected to 0-10V control device 320 via wires having different characteristics (e.g., the wires may differ in length, the wires may differ in electromagnetic characteristics, etc.), the control signals V generated by 0-10V control device 320 are_CSMay exhibit varying degrees of degradation as received by the respective L ED drivers 304A-304C, for example, the 0-10V control device 320 may send a signal having a preconfigured low-end magnitude V in response to a user input_LE(e.g., 1 volt) control signal V_CSTo set all L ED light sources to the low-end intensity L_LE(e.g., about 1%). due to varying characteristics (e.g., different resistances) and/or other electromagnetic conditions of wiring between the 0-10V control device 320 and the L ED drivers 304A-304C, the first L ED driver 304A may sense the control signal V_CSIs 1.2V, while the second L ED driver 304B may sense that the control signal is 1.1V if both L ED drivers are configured to couple the control signal V according to a preconfigured dimming curve_CSReacts and is not configured to accommodate the control signal V received by the two L ED drivers 304A, 304B_CSEven if the user's intention is to set both light sources to the same intensity level (e.g., low-end intensity L)_LE) The light output of the two L ED light sources 302A, 302B may also be dimmed to different intensity levels.

0-10V controlThe apparatus 320 may communicate with the L ED drivers 304A-304C to cause the L ED drivers to adjust their preconfigured intensity levels (e.g., the L ED drivers may rescale the respective dimming curves) and control their associated L ED light sources accordingly (e.g., based on the rescaled dimming curves). The 0-10V control apparatus 320 may be configured to initiate a calibration procedure to synchronize the dimming curves of the L ED drivers 304A-304C to ensure that the V control signals generated by the 0-10V control apparatus 320 are responsive_CSEach L ED light source 202A-202C is controlled to the same intensity, for example, the 0-10V control device 320 may have a low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEIs stepped by a control signal V_CSAnd L ED drivers 304A-304C may measure and store, for each step, the control signal V at the respective L ED driver_CSL ED drivers 304A-304C may be driven from the control signal V_CSL ED drivers 304A-304C may then generate a dimming curve according to the slave control signal V_CSTo control their associated L ED light sources.

Additionally, L ED drivers 304A-304C may each be configured to communicate with each other to synchronize their dimming curves as described above with reference to L ED drivers 204A-204C of FIG. 2 further, as described above with reference to L ED driver 104 of FIG. 1, L ED drivers 304A-304C may each be configured to store the low-end amplitude V if the measured amplitude is at the low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a stored high-end amplitude V_HEIs out of range, by measuring the control signal V_CSAnd updates the stored low-end amplitude V_LEAnd/or a stored high-end amplitude V_HETo update the stored low-end amplitude V_LEAnd/or a stored high-end amplitude V_HE。

For example, L ED drivers may communicate wirelessly (e.g., via RF signals) with a system controller or an intelligent personal device (e.g., a smartphone), and then may relay the communication message(s) to other L ED drivers.

FIG. 4 shows an example technique 400 for adjusting a target intensity of a load regulation device (e.g., L ED driver) in response to an analog control signal (e.g., a 0-10V control signal) during normal operation of L ED drivers (e.g., L ED drivers 104, L ED drivers 204A-204C, and/or L ED drivers 304A-304℃) L ED drivers may be preconfigured with a dimming curve that defines a relationship between the target intensity and an amplitude of the 0-10V control signal_LETo a high end amplitude V_HEWithin the range of (1). Low end amplitude V_LEHigh end amplitude V_HEAnd each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity for the L ED driver the amplitudes of the 0-10V control signals (e.g., control input voltages) and/or their associated target intensities may be stored in a memory of the L ED driver.

L ED driver may power up at 410 and read (e.g., measure) the 0-10V control signal at 412 at 414, L ED driver may compare the 0-10V control signal with a preconfigured high-side amplitude V stored in memory_HEIf the L ED driver determines that the 0-10V control signal is greater than the preconfigured high-side amplitude V_HEThen at 416, the L ED 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 preconfigured high-end magnitude V_HEThen at 418 the L ED driver may sum the 0-10V control signal with the preconfigured low-end amplitude V_LEIf the L ED driver determines that the 0-10V control signal is less than the preconfigured low-end magnitude V_LEThen at 420, the L ED driver may replace the preconfigured low-end amplitude V with the sensed 0-10V control signal_LEIf L ED driver determines after comparison at 414 and 418 that the 0-10V control signal falls within the preconfigured low-end magnitude V_LEAnd a preconfigured high-end amplitude V_HEThen L ED driver may keep the preconfigured low-side and high-side control input voltages unchanged.

At the low end of determinationAmplitude V_LEAnd/or high end amplitude V_HEAfter having changed, the L ED driver may base its new low-end amplitude V at 422_LEAnd/or high end amplitude V_HEFor example, if the L ED driver receives a low-end amplitude of 0.8V instead of the preconfigured amplitude of 1V, the L ED driver may re-scale the preconfigured low-end intensity level L_LE(e.g., 1% intensity level) to 0.8V (e.g., 0.8V may become the new low-end amplitude). L ED driver may be configured to rescale the amplitude of the control signal actually measured by the L ED driver to the voltage on the preconfigured dimming curve (e.g., such that the preconfigured mapping between light intensity level and control input voltage may not have to be changed). for example, if the L ED driver receives a low-end amplitude of 0.8V instead of the preconfigured amplitude of 1V, the L ED driver may rescale 0.8V to 1V such that the preconfigured low-end intensity level L V_LE(e.g., 1%) may be set to a target intensity level for the light source in response to the L ED driver sensing a 0.8V control input L ED driver may save the rescaled dimming curves (e.g., updating the mapping between the light intensity levels and the control input voltage in memory).

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

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for adjusting L ED drivers (e.g., L ED drivers) in response to 0-10V control signals using special modesExample techniques 500 for dimming curves of 104, L ED drivers 204A-204C and/or L ED drivers 304A-304℃) L ED drivers may be preconfigured with dimming curves with 0-10V control signals_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEIn the meantime. Low end amplitude V_LEHigh end amplitude V_HEAnd each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity level for the L ED light source the amplitudes and/or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of the L ED driver.

L ED driver may power up at 510, L ED driver may receive (e.g., measure) 0-10V control signal at 512 after power up, at 514, L ED driver may determine whether it should enter a special mode in which L ED driver may adjust its preconfigured dimming curve with respect to the 0-10V control signal received by L ED driver.

If the L ED driver decides to enter special mode at 514, the L ED driver may sum the 0-10V control signal with the preconfigured high-side control input voltage V at 516_HEIf the L ED driver determines that the 0-10V control signal is greater than the preconfigured high-side amplitude V_HEThen at 518, the L ED 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 preconfigured high-side control input voltage V_HEThen at 520, the L ED driver may further sum the 0-10V control signal with the preconfigured low-end amplitude V_LEIf the L ED driver determines that the received 0-10V control signal is less than the preconfigured low-end magnitude V_LEThen at 522 the L ED driver may replace the preconfigured low-side control input voltage V with a 0-10V control signal_LE。

If the preconfigured low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEEither or both are updated, the L ED driver may adjust the preconfigured dimming curve using the new values at 524 (e.g., using the rescaling techniques described herein) — then, before exiting the special mode, the L ED driver may select a target intensity for the L ED light source based on the received 0-10V control signal and the rescaled dimming curve at 526, if the L ED driver determines that the received 0-10V control signal falls at the preconfigured low-end magnitude V after making the comparisons at 516 and 520_LEAnd a preconfigured high-end amplitude V_HEIn turn, the L ED driver can maintain the low-end amplitude V_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEThen, at 526, the L ED driver may dim the L ED light source according to the preconfigured dimming curve.

The communicated information may include the status of the L ED driver (e.g., reporting an operational failure), the output current/power of the L ED driver, the intensity of the L ED light source, the color temperature of the L ED light source, the color of the L ED light source, a power-off condition occurring at the L ED light source, etc. this communication may be received by other L ED drivers, which may adjust their own operation based on the information included in the communication (e.g., such that the plurality of L ED drivers may have matching target intensity levels in response to control signals sent by the remote control device despite differences in the amplitude received by the L ED drivers).

FIG. 6 illustrates an example technique 600 for achieving consistent dimming performance among a plurality L ED drivers (e.g., L ED drivers 204A-204C and/or L ED drivers 304A-304C) controlled by a remote control device (e.g., a 0-10V control device.) L ED drivers may each be preconfigured with a dimming curve with respect to a control signal generated by the 0-10V control device_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEIn the meantime. Low end amplitude V_LEHigh end widthDegree V_HEAnd each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity level for the L ED light source the amplitudes and/or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of the L ED driver.

Multiple L ED drivers may power up at 610 and measure 0-10V control signals sent by 0-10V control devices at 620 each L ED driver may determine a target intensity level of its associated L0 ED light source based on the measured 0-10V control signals at 630 one or more of the L ED drivers (e.g., all L ED drivers) may attempt to communicate with other L ED drivers regarding the measured amplitude of the control signals and/or the preconfigured intensity levels of the L ED drivers corresponding to the measured amplitude at 640, the communication may indicate L actual preconfigured intensity levels (e.g., 1%, 5%, 50%, etc.) of the respective 0-10V control signals corresponding to the measured amplitude (e.g., based on the preconfigured dimming curve of the L ED drivers), alternatively or additionally, the communication may indicate where the respective intensity levels are located along the dimming curve of the sent L ED driver, e.g., where the actual preconfigured intensity levels of the respective intensity drivers may indicate their corresponding low-end dimming levels without specifying the target intensity levels of the actual dimming signal.

For example, as described herein, communication may be via a wired (e.g., via a DA L I, EcoSystem link, power line communication (P L C) technology, etc.) or wireless (e.g., via RF signals) communication scheme, communication may be over a 0-10V control line for a selected period of time, during which the L ED drivers engaged in communication may temporarily stop measuring 0-10V control signals over the control line (e.g., receiving L ED drivers may avoid measuring the amplitude of 0-10V control signals while transmitting L ED drivers are transmitting communication signals using the control line). for example, L ED drivers may be configured to short the 0-10V control line to transmit a "0" or "1", L ED drivers may be configured to perform another type of P L C over the control line, and/or L ED drivers may be configured to communicate wirelessly with each other.

At 650, other L ED drivers in the system may receive one of the communications at 660, recipients of the communications may check whether their own target intensity level is below the level indicated in the communications in response to measuring a 0-10V control signal, at 670, L ED drivers with lower target intensity levels may transmit their respective levels, and the operations described in connection with 650-.

For example, where L ED drivers are configured to only indicate whether their light intensities are at the low end, rather than reporting actual light intensities, one of L ED drivers may report that its target light intensity is a low-end intensity L, possibly in response to a measured 0-10V control signal_LEWhile other L ED drivers may report their target light intensity above the low-end intensity L_LEThus, the L ED drivers can determine that the light intensities mapped to the measured amplitudes of their respective 0-10V control signals should be the low-end intensity L_LEAnd L ED drivers may adjust their respective preconfigured dimming curves accordingly (e.g., may be adjusted using rescaling techniques described herein.) at 695, L ED drivers may tune the respective intensities of their associated L ED light sources based on the adjusted dimming curves.

As another example (e.g., where L ED drivers are configured to report their actual light intensity corresponding to a measured 0-10V control signal), L ED drivers may synchronize their dimming behavior at multiple points along the dimming range, e.g., in response to a common 0-10V control signal, a first L ED driver may report a 49% target light intensity, a second L ED driver may report a 50% target light intensity, and a third L ED driver may report a 51% target light intensity, as such, a L ED driver may determine that the common target intensity level corresponding to a 0-10V control signal should be the lowest level (e.g., 49%), and an ED L ED driver may map that level to a measured amplitude of their respective 0-10V control signal.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example technique 700 for using this special mode to achieve consistent dimming performance among a plurality L ED drivers (e.g., L ED drivers 304A-304C) controlled by a remote control (e.g., 0-10V control 320). Each L ED driver may be preconfigured with analog control signals (e.g., control signal V) generated by a 0-10V control_CS) The dimming curve of (1). The pre-configured range of control signals may be at the low end amplitude V_LE(e.g., 1 volt) and a high-end amplitude V_HE(e.g., 10 volts). Low end amplitude V_LEHigh end amplitude V_HEAnd each of the plurality of intermediate control input voltages may correspond to L ED light source target intensity levels the amplitudes and/or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of the L ED driver.

L ED driverAn actuator may power up at 710 and receive a signal (e.g., the signal may include a command and/or announcement to enter a special mode, such as a calibration mode). the command or announcement may be sent from a remote control device to a L ED driver, the remote control device may be configured to communicate with a L ED driver and initiate the special mode (e.g., to coordinate calibration of a plurality of L ED drivers.) a L ED driver that receives the command or announcement may enter the special mode at 720 and may send an acknowledgement message to the remote control device_CSMay include a low-end amplitude V_LEHigh end amplitude V_HEAnd/or at the low end amplitude V_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HEFor example, the L ED driver may receive and measure a control signal V intended to synchronize the dimming operation of the L ED driver at multiple intensity levels (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, etc.)_CSAt 740, each L ED driver may determine a target intensity level of its associated L ED light source in response to the measured amplitude (e.g., based on a predetermined dimming curve of the L ED driver).

At 750, one or more of the L ED drivers (e.g., all L ED drivers) may attempt to convey information about their respective target intensity levels (e.g., in response to receiving and measuring control signal V_CS) To the other L ED drivers this information may indicate that the transmitting L ED driver is responsive to receiving and measuring the control signal V_CSAlternatively or additionally, the information may include an indication of where the target intensity level is located along the dimming range of the L ED driver (e.g., the information may indicate that the target intensity level is at the low end intensity L of the dimming range_LEOr high end intensity L_HEWithout specifying an actual value for the target intensity level) for example, as described herein, this may be via a wired (e.g., via a DA L I, EcoSystem link, P L C technology, etc.) or wireless (e.g., via RF signals) communication schemeCommunication may be over the 0-10V control line for a selected period of time, during which the communicating L ED driver may temporarily stop reading analog control signals from the control line (e.g., the receiving L ED driver may avoid measuring the control signal V while the sending L ED driver is sending control signals using the control line_CSE.g., L ED drivers may be configured to short 0-10V control lines to transmit a "0" or "1", L ED drivers may be configured to perform another type of P L C on the control lines, and/or L ED drivers may be configured to communicate wirelessly with each other.

At 760, other L ED 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 below the transmitted level L ED drivers having a target intensity level lower than the transmitted level may transmit their respective levels to the other drivers at 780, and the operations described in connection with 760 and 780 may be repeated until the lowest target intensity level is identified, e.g., one of the L ED drivers may report its target light intensity corresponding to the measured amplitude of the 0-10V control signal as the low-end intensity L_LEWhile other L ED drivers may report higher than low-end intensity L_LEThus, the L ED driver can determine the mapping to the control signal V_CSShould the intensity level of the measured amplitude be the low-end intensity L_LE。

At 790, the L ED driver with the lowest target intensity level may be designated as the leader of future communications (e.g., all other L ED drivers may subsequently listen for communications from the leader and may adapt their respective dimming operations according to the actions taken by the leader). in an alternative implementation, one of the L ED drivers may be preconfigured (e.g., preprogrammed) as the leader of the L ED driver and may specify a common intensity level for all L ED drivers in response to the measured control signals.

In the examples described herein, a designated controller (e.g., a control device such as a 0-10V control device, a system controller, etc.) may coordinate operation of multiple load regulation devices (e.g., L ED drivers.) alternatively, one of the multiple load regulation devices may function as a controller, the load regulation devices may be controlled by a common load control device (e.g., a 0-10V control device) and may be able to communicate with each other (e.g., via a 0-10V control line connecting L ED drivers and load control devices, using a wireless communication scheme, etc.).

The calibration procedure may also be performed with limited or no communication between a remote control device (e.g., 0-10V control device 320 shown in FIG. 3) and L ED drivers (e.g., L ED drivers 304A-304℃) the L ED driver may be configured to enter a special mode (e.g., a calibration mode) in response to a signal received from the remote control device_CSIs adjusted (e.g., stepped) to a high-end amplitude V_HEAnd a low-end amplitude V_LEAnd L ED driver can measure and store the control signal V for each step_CSOf the amplitude of (c). The remote control device may first initiate a control signal V_CSAmplitude of (2)Controlled to a high end amplitude V_HE(e.g., 10 volts) and then apply the control signal V_CSIs reduced by the step voltage V_STEP(e.g., 1 volt) until the control signal V_CSUp to a low end amplitude V_LE(e.g., 1 volt). The remote control device can control the signal V at each step_CSIs maintained for a step period T_STEP(e.g., 10 seconds) to allow the L ED driver to measure the control signal V at each step_CSL ED driver may control the signal V from each step individually_CSGenerates a dimming curve for use during normal operation, the L ED driver may then be driven according to the slave control signal V_CSTo control their associated L ED light sources.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example technique 800 for using a special mode to achieve consistent dimming performance between one or more L ED drivers (e.g., L ED drivers 304A-304C) controlled by a remote control (e.g., 0-10V control 320). L ED drivers may each be preconfigured with a dimming curve with respect to control signals generated by the 0-10V control_LE(e.g., 1 volt) and a high-end amplitude V_HE(e.g., 10 volts). Low end amplitude V_LEHigh end amplitude V_HEAnd each of the plurality of intermediate amplitudes may correspond to a target intensity level for the L ED light source the amplitudes and/or their associated target intensity levels may be stored in a memory of each L ED driver.

The L ED driver may receive a signal (e.g., the signal may include a command and/or announcement to enter a special mode, such as a calibration mode) and enter the special mode at 810. the command or announcement may be sent from a remote control device (e.g., 0-10V control device 320) to the L ED driver, which may be configured to communicate with the L ED driver and initiate the special mode (e.g., to coordinate calibration of the plurality of L ED drivers). The remote control device may send a digital message including a command to enter the special mode to the L ED driver via one or more wireless signals (e.g., RF signals) and/or via one or more signals conducted on a 0-10V control line, for example.

During special mode, the L ED driver may use the variable n to store the control signal V_CSWhile the remote control device steps through the control signal V_CSA plurality of amplitudes of (a). Due to the control signal V_CSLow end amplitude V of_LEAnd a high end amplitude V_HECan be 1 volt and 10 volts, so the variable N can be at the minimum number N_MINAnd a maximum number N_MAX(the minimum number and the maximum number may equal 1 and 10, respectively.) after entering the special mode at 810, the L ED driver may initialize the variable N to the maximum number N at 820_MAX(e.g., 10).

At 830, the L ED driver may measure the control signal V_CSTo produce a measured amplitude sample V n]At 840, the L ED driver may sample the measured amplitude V [ n ]]And intensity L [ n ]]For example, when n is in the range between 1 and 10 and the corresponding intensity range of L ED drives is between 10% and 100%, intensity L [ n ] may be derived using the example formula shown below]：

L[n]＝n·10％。

For example, L for a low end intensity having 10%_MINAnd high end intensity of 100% L_MAXL ED driver, intensity L [ n ] when variable n equals 10]May be 100%, when the variable n is equal to 9, the intensity L n]May be 90%, when the variable n is equal to 8, the intensity L n]May be 80%, and so on. If the variable N is not equal to the minimum number N at 850_MINThen the control signal V is measured again at 830_CSUntil the amplitude of (d) is reached, the L ED driver may decrement the variable n by 1 at 860 and wait at 870. the control signal V is measured at 830_CSBefore the amplitude of (d), the L ED driver may wait a step time period T at 870_STEPLength (e.g., 10 seconds). In addition, the first and second substrates are,the control signal V is measured at 830_CSBefore the amplitude of (V), the L ED driver may wait at 870 for the remote control device to send the control signal V_CSThus, the L ED driver can measure the control signal V_CSIn order to synchronize the dimming operation of the L ED driver at multiple intensity levels (e.g., 100%, 90%, 80%, etc.).

When the variable N equals the minimum number N at 850_MINThen, at 880, for ranges from the minimum number N_MINTo a maximum number N_MAXThe variable n, L ED drivers may each produce a signal consisting of L [ n ] per intensity]Measured amplitude sample V [ n ] of]Defined relationship (e.g., dimming curve) at 890 all L ED drivers may exit special mode and technique 800 may exit.

For example, the 0-10V control device may be configured to increase or decrease the magnitude of the 0-10V control signal based on feedback from one or more load regulation devices (e.g., L ED drivers). The feedback may indicate, for example, the magnitude of the output voltage applied across the light source or the magnitude of the load current conducted through the light source.

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a load regulation device (e.g., L ED driver 900) that may be deployed as a load regulation device (e.g., L ED driver 104) in load control system 100 shown in FIG. 1, one or more of L ED drivers 204A-204C in load control system 200, one or more of L ED drivers 304A-304C in load control system 300, etc. L ED driver 900 may be configured to implement one or more of the techniques described herein. for example, L ED driver 900 may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to L ED light source 902 and thus certain functional aspects of L ED light source (such as the intensity of L ED light source). L ED driver 900 may be powered by an AC or DC power sourceWhen configured to use AC power, L ED driver 900 may include switched hot terminal SH and neutral terminal N, which are adapted to be coupled to a load control device (e.g., load control device 120) and an Alternating Current (AC) power source) (e.g., AC power source 108), respectively, L ED driver 900 may include a switch configured to receive an analog control signal V_CSA control terminal C (e.g., a 0-10V signal).

L ED driver 900 may include a load regulation circuit 910 that may control the amount of power delivered to L ED light source 902_OUTPulse width and/or pulse frequency modulation controls the intensity of the L ED light source 902 to a low-end (i.e., minimum) intensity L_LE(e.g., about 1-5%) and high-end (e.g., maximum) intensity L_HE(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 L ED drive circuit FOR adjusting the intensity of L ED light SOURCEs examples of load regulation circuits FOR L ED drivers are described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent nos. 8,492,987, granted on 7/23 2010 and U.S. patent application publication No. 2014/0009085, filed on 1/9/2014 (both entitled load control apparatus FOR light EMITTING DIODE light SOURCEs (L OAD ro L DEVICE FOR a L IGHT-EMITTING DIODE L IGHT SOURCE), the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

L ED driver 900 may include a control circuit 920 (e.g., a controller) for controlling operation of 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 (P L D), a microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The control circuit 920 may generate the drive control signal V_DRIVEThe driving control signal is provided to the load regulation circuit 910 for adjusting the output voltage V_OUTE.g., to adjust the load voltage V generated across L ED light source 902_LOADAmplitude) and/or conducted through L ED light sources902 of the load current I_LOADE.g., to control L the intensity of the ED light source.

L ED driver 900 may further include a voltage sensing circuit 922 (which may be configured to generate a signal indicative of the output voltage V_OUTOutput voltage feedback signal V of amplitude_FB-VOLT) And a current sense circuit 924 (which may be configured to generate a current indicative of the load current I)_LOADLoad current feedback signal V of amplitude of_FB-CRNT). The control circuit 920 may receive the voltage feedback signal V_FB-VOLTAnd a load current feedback signal V_FB-CRNTAnd controlling the drive control signal V using a control loop_DRIVETo adjust the output voltage V_OUTAmplitude of and/or load current I_LOADIs detected (e.g., so the intensity of the L ED light source is controlled to the target intensity L_TRGT)。

The control circuit 920 may be coupled to a circuit configured to save L an operating parameter of the ED driver 900 (e.g., target intensity L for L ED light source)_TRGTLow end intensity L_LEHigh end intensity L_HEEtc.) may be provided, the L ED driver 900 may further include a power supply 928 that may generate a Direct Current (DC) supply voltage V for powering the circuitry of the L ED driver 900_CC。

L ED driver 900 may include a COMMUNICATION circuit 930 that may be coupled to, FOR example, a wired or wireless COMMUNICATION link, such as a Radio Frequency (RF) COMMUNICATION link or an Infrared (IR) COMMUNICATION link L ED driver 900 may be configured to receive digital messages VIA COMMUNICATION circuit 930 AND update data stored in memory 926 in response to receiving the digital messages L ED driver 900 may be configured to communicate with other devices (e.g., other L1 ED drivers) using COMMUNICATION circuit 930 (e.g., using a wired or wireless COMMUNICATION scheme). alternatively or additionally, 3876 2ED driver 900 may not include COMMUNICATION circuit 230 AND may communicate with other devices (e.g., other L ED drivers) over a 0-10V control line (e.g., VIA a digital addressable lighting interface (DA L I) or using POWER line COMMUNICATION (P L C) technology). the detailed title "digital load control SYSTEM (digital control SYSTEM) PROVIDING POWER AND COMMUNICATION VIA EXISTING POWER WIRING L L (straight control) control SYSTEM (P L C) technology", filed on year 12 th 2016, entitled "POWER AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING POWER AND POWER control over lights published by the united states patent No. wo year 7,539, published by the patent No. wo year 2 rs 6311).

L ED driver 900 may further include a load controller (e.g.,l ED driver 900 may be configured to receive wireless control signals from a control device (e.g., a sensor) and to control L ED light sources 902 accordingly (e.g., turn on/off L ED light sources 902, adjust one or more characteristics such as color, color temperature, and/or intensity of L ED light sources 902, etc.).

L ED driver 900 may be configured to respond to receiving an analog control signal V from a load control device (e.g., load control device 120 depicted in FIG. 1)_CS(such as 0-10V control signals) to control the amount of power delivered to L ED light sources 902. the control circuit 920 of L ED driver 900 may be configured to generate a link supply voltage to control terminal C, e.g., via link voltage communication circuit 932. the link supply voltage may have a magnitude of, e.g., about 10V, and may allow the current sink circuit of the load control device to generate a control signal V on control wiring 908_CSL ED driver 900's control circuit 920 may be configured to sense the control signal V_CSAnd based on the control signal and the control signal V_CSAnd L ED light source to adjust L ED light source 902 operating characteristics, for example, control circuit 920 may be configured to adjust the operating characteristics of the ED light source based on a control signal V_CSAnd indicating target light intensity and control informationNumber V_CSDimming curve (e.g., predetermined dimming curve) of the relationship between (i) at a low end (minimum) intensity L_LEAnd high end (maximum) intensity L_HEThe target intensity of the ED light source 902 is adjusted L.

Although the examples provided herein are described with reference to one or more light sources, the examples may be applied to other electrical loads. For example, one or more of the embodiments described herein may be used to control a variety of electrical load types, such as, for example, motorized window shades 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 may be coupled to and/or adapted to control multiple types of electrical loads in a load control system.