CCFL controller with multi-function terminal

1. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller exhibiting a multi-function terminal and operative alternately in a strike mode and a run mode, the controller comprising:

a phase locked loop arranged for synchronization of an oscillator, associated with the controller, with an external signal, said phase locked loop comprising a capacitor coupled to the multi-function terminal; and

a soft start circuit arranged to limit drive current immediately after reset of the controller responsive to a signal at the multi-function terminal.

2. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 1 , wherein said phase locked loop is arranged for synchronization of the associated oscillator with the external signal when the controller is in the run mode.

3. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 1 , further comprising an oscillator terminal, wherein the oscillator associated with the controller comprises an external capacitor coupled to the controller via said oscillator terminal.

4. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 1 , further comprising a synchronization terminal, wherein the external signal is coupled to the controller via said synchronization terminal.

5. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 1 , further comprising a frequency sweeping circuit operative to sweep the frequency of a drive signal output by the controller during the strike mode, the frequency of the drive signal being swept by the frequency sweeping circuit responsive to a signal at the multi-function terminal.

6. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 5 , wherein said frequency sweeping circuit comprises a current source coupled to the multi-function terminal during the strike mode.

7. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 6 , further comprising a capacitor coupled to the multi-function terminal, said capacitor being charged by said current source during the strike mode thereby providing the signal sweeping the frequency of the drive signal.

8. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 1 , wherein said soft start circuit is operative only in the strike mode.

9. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 8 , wherein said soft start circuit comprises a clamping circuit coupled to the output of an error amplifier, said clamping circuit arranged to limit the output of the error amplifier to a value responsive to the signal at the multi-function terminal.

10. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 1 , wherein said soft start circuit comprises a clamping circuit coupled to the output of an error amplifier, said clamping circuit arranged to limit the output of the error amplifier to a value responsive to the signal at the multi-function terminal.

11. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 10 , wherein said soft start circuit comprises a current source coupled to the multi-function terminal during the strike mode.

12. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 11 , further comprising a frequency sweeping circuit operative to sweep the frequency of a drive signal output by the controller during the strike mode, the frequency of the drive signal being swept by the frequency sweeping circuit responsive to a signal at the multi-function terminal, wherein said current source is further associated with said frequency sweeping circuit.

13. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 1 , further comprising an error detection circuit arranged to output an error signal on the multi-function terminal.

14. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 13 , wherein said error detection circuit is arranged to couple the multi-functional terminal to a ground potential thereby outputting the error signal.

15. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller comprising:

a multi-function terminal;

an oscillator;

a synchronization functionality arranged for synchronization of said oscillator with an external signal, said synchronization functionality comprising a capacitor coupled to said multi-function terminal; and

a soft start functionality arranged to limit drive current immediately after reset of the controller responsive to a signal at said multi-function terminal.

16. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 15 , wherein said synchronization functionality is operative in a run mode of the controller.

17. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 15 , further comprising an oscillator terminal, wherein the oscillator comprises an external capacitor coupled to the controller via said oscillator terminal.

18. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 15 , further comprising a synchronization terminal, wherein the external signal is coupled to the controller via said synchronization terminal.

19. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 15 , further comprising a frequency sweeping functionality operative to sweep the frequency of a drive signal output by the controller during a strike mode of the controller, the frequency of the drive signal being swept by the frequency sweeping functionality responsive to a signal at said multi-function terminal.

20. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 19 , wherein said frequency sweeping functionality comprises a current source coupled to said multi-function terminal during the strike mode.

21. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 20 , further comprising a capacitor coupled to the multi-function terminal, said capacitor being charged by said current source during the strike mode thereby providing the signal sweeping the frequency of the drive signal.

22. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 19 , wherein said soft start functionality is operative only in the strike mode.

23. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 22 , wherein said soft start functionality comprises a clamping circuit coupled to the output of an error amplifier, said clamping circuit arranged to limit the output of the error amplifier to a value responsive to the signal at said multi-function terminal.

24. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 15 , wherein said soft start functionality comprises a clamping circuit coupled to the output of an error amplifier, said clamping circuit arranged to limit the output of the error amplifier to a value responsive to the signal at said multi-function terminal.

25. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 24 , wherein said soft start functionality comprises a current source coupled to said multi-function terminal during the strike mode.

26. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 25 , further comprising a frequency sweeping functionality operative to sweep the frequency of a drive signal output by the controller during the strike mode, the frequency of the drive signal being swept by the frequency sweeping functionality responsive to a signal at the multi-function terminal, wherein said current source is further associated with said frequency sweeping functionality.

27. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 15 , further comprising an error detection functionality arranged to output an error signal on the multi-function terminal.

28. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller according to claim 27 , wherein said error detection functionality is arranged to couple the multi-functional terminal to a ground potential thereby outputting the error signal.