IP Library Granted Patent US 8,446,108
Granted Patent B2
US 8,446,108 · App. 13/078,568 · Granted May 21, 2013

LED controller with compensation for die-to-die variation and temperature drift

Inventors: Wanfeng Zhang (Palo Alto, CA); Radu Pitigoi-Aron (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,446,108
App. No.
13/078,568
Granted
May 21, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system including a calibration module, a selection module, and a control module. The calibration module is configured to generate calibration data for a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The calibration data include current through the LEDs and corresponding luminosities of the LEDs. The selection module is configured to select one of a plurality of templates corresponding to the LEDs. The selected template includes at least one of temperature, current, and voltage characteristics of the LEDs. The control module is configured to determine a temperature of the LEDs and adjust current through the LEDs based on the temperature, the selected template, and the calibration data to maintain a luminosity of the LEDs at a predetermined luminosity.

Claims (62)

1. A system comprising:

a calibration module configured to generate calibration data for a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the calibration data include current through the LEDs and corresponding luminosities of the LEDs;

a selection module configured to select one of a plurality of templates corresponding to the LEDs, wherein the selected template includes at least one of temperature, current, and voltage characteristics of the LEDs; and

a control module configured to

determine a temperature of the LEDs, and

adjust current through the LEDs based on the temperature, the selected template, and the calibration data to maintain a luminosity of the LEDs at a predetermined luminosity.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a diode in thermal proximity to the LEDs; and

a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) module configured to determine a junction temperature of the diode using a PTAT procedure,

wherein the PTAT procedure includes determining a difference in forward voltage drop across the diode at two different forward currents having a known ratio, and

wherein the control module is configured to determine the temperature of the LEDs based on the junction temperature of the diode.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to:

measure a voltage across one of the LEDs, and

determine the temperature of the LEDs based on the voltage and the selected template.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the LEDs are connected in series between (i) a first node communicating with a supply voltage and (ii) a second node, and

the control module is configured to

measure a first voltage across the first node and the second node,

determine a second voltage across one of the LEDs based on the first voltage and a number of the LEDs, and

determine the temperature of the LEDs based on the second voltage and the selected template.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the calibration module is configured to:

generate the calibration data at one or more predetermined temperatures, and

store the calibration data in a nonvolatile memory.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of templates is stored in a lookup table, and wherein each of the plurality of templates corresponds to a different type of LED.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the selection module is in communication with a pair of resistances and is configured to select the selected template from the lookup table based on values of the resistances.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a switch mode power supply configured to supply power to the LEDs,

wherein the control module is configured to

generate control signals to drive the switch mode power supply, and

adjust the current through the LEDs by adjusting at least one of a switching frequency of the control signals and a pulse width of the control signals.

9. An integrated circuit comprising the system of claim 1 .

10. A display system comprising:

the system of claim 1 ; and

the LEDs.

11. A method comprising:

generating calibration data for a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the calibration data include current through the LEDs and corresponding luminosities of the LEDs;

selecting one of a plurality of templates corresponding to the LEDs, wherein the selected template includes at least one of temperature, current, and voltage characteristics of the LEDs;

determining a temperature of the LEDs; and

adjusting current through the LEDs based on the temperature, the selected template, and the calibration data to maintain a luminosity of the LEDs at a predetermined luminosity.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

arranging a diode in thermal proximity to the LEDs;

determining a junction temperature of the diode using a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) procedure, wherein the PTAT procedure includes determining a difference in forward voltage drop across the diode at two different forward currents having a known ratio; and

determining the temperature of the LEDs based on the junction temperature of the diode.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

measuring a voltage across one of the LEDs; and

determining the temperature of the LEDs based on the voltage and the selected template.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

connecting the LEDs in series between (i) a first node communicating with a supply voltage and (ii) a second node;

measuring a first voltage across the first node and the second node;

determining a second voltage across one of the LEDs based on the first voltage and a number of the LEDs; and

determining the temperature of the LEDs based on the second voltage and the selected template.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

generating the calibration data at one or more predetermined temperatures; and

storing the calibration data in a nonvolatile memory.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

storing the plurality of templates in a lookup table,

wherein each of the plurality of templates corresponds to a different type of LED.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

supplying power to the LEDs using a switch mode power supply;

generating control signals to drive the switch mode power supply; and

adjusting the current through the LEDs by adjusting at least one of a switching frequency of the control signals and a pulse width of the control signals.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising implementing the method in an integrated circuit comprising the LEDs.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2020
From: CAVIUM INTERNATIONAL
To: MARVELL ASIA PTE, LTD.
Reel/Frame 053475/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2020
From: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
To: CAVIUM INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 052918/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2020
From: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.
To: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Reel/Frame 051778/0537 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2011
From: ZHANG, WANFENG; PITIGOI-ARON, RADU
To: MARVELL SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 026291/0177 →
LICENSE Recorded May 17, 2011
From: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.
To: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Reel/Frame 026294/0716 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2011
From: MARVELL SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Reel/Frame 026292/0795 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2011
From: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
To: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.
Reel/Frame 026294/0663 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61323272 · Apr 12, 2010
Provisional Application 61320643 · Apr 2, 2010
Related Publication 20110241572A1 · Oct 6, 2011