An integrated digital control for electronic lighting

The SYSTEL-IR integrated digital control is a digital ASIC which accomplishes all the control functions of a fluorescent dimming ballast in a single component: critical-mode control of the power factor correcting boost regulator; light level (current control) of the lamp drive inverter; lamp-optimized starting control, and, potentially, end of life control; and ballast control via power line communication. The most technically interesting feature of the IDC is the powerline control which allows the wall switch to communicate with the ballast over existing power wiring. This will make the product easy to retrofit, especially in older buildings where installing new wiring can be expensive due to existing hazardous insulation. Powerline control is not new, but making it compatible with a lighting product is new.