Simulation tool for analysis of the inductive lamp driven by a half bridge inverter

A dedicated simulation tool was built to provide a user friendly interface for defining parameters of the ICETRON/sup TM/ lamp driven by a resonant half bridge inverter. The input parameters that affect the lamp are the discharge length and cold spot temperature. For the inverter, the parameters are the driving frequency, DC supply voltage and the component values. The program calculates power in the lamp and lumen output. It also estimates power loss in magnetic components and switches. This article describes an algorithm for the network analysis and the underlying assumptions in modeling the nonlinear components. Simulating the system under various conditions illustrates the application of this program. The stability of the lamp-ballast system is discussed in conjunction with simulation examples.