Configurable LED driver/dimmer for solid state lighting applications

1. A method of powering and controlling a set of light fixture loads in a low voltage distribution system comprising:

converting power for powering the set of light fixture loads;

limiting converted power to multiple current outputs supplied to the set of light fixture loads;

delivering the multiple current outputs to the set of light fixture loads via a set of cables; and

transmitting output current information to the set of light fixture loads via said set of cables;

wherein the output current information includes on time value, an off time value and a period value wherein none of the values are held constant.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, before transmitting the data:

receiving the data via a communication interface.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the set of cables are a set of multi-conductor cables.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein limiting converted power comprises:

limiting converted power via a current sensor.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein limiting power comprises:

limiting converted power to less than 100 watts when an event failure occurs.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein converting power comprises:

receiving an alternating current (AC) power;

converting the AC power to a low voltage direct current (DC) power; and

converting the low voltage DC power to multiple current outputs.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the set of light fixture loads is one of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) load or a light emitting diode (LED) load.

8. Apparatus for powering and controlling a set of light fixture loads in a light emitting diode (LED) low voltage distribution system comprising:

a power circuit including a power limit for limiting power supplied to the set light fixture loads;

a set of load controllers for controlling the set of light fixture loads;

a set of cables connected to an output of the power circuit and to outputs of the set of load controllers and to inputs of the set of light fixture loads; and

a communication interface for receiving dimming or color mixing information;

wherein the dimming or color mixing information includes output current information encoded with three variables where no three variables are held constant, the three variables including on-time, off-time and period;

wherein the set of cables deliver both the limited power and data to the set of light fixture loads.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the set of cables are multi-conductor cables.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the power circuit further comprises:

an inrush current limit;

an apparatus for power factor correction and DC/DC conversion; and

a regulated output voltage bus connected to the apparatus for power factor correction and DC/DC conversion and the power limit.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the power limit comprises a current sensor monitored by a controller.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the power limit limits power to less than 100 watts when an event failure occurs.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a number of light fixture loads within the set of light fixture loads equals a number of load controllers within the set of load controllers.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of the set of light fixture loads is one of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) load or a light emitting diode (LED) load.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of the set of load controllers is located within an output current driver.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein limiting converted power to multiple current outputs supplied to the set of light fixture loads is performed under abnormal operating conditions.

17. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the power limit limits power supplied to the set of light fixture loads under abnormal operating conditions.