Patent attributes
An LED driver includes a temperature sensing circuit integrated within its housing. The sensing circuit generates signals corresponding to actual temperature values within the driver housing to a controller. The controller receives programmable temperature derating parameters at least partially related to a light fixture receiving the driver housing, converts the temperature sensor signal into the actual temperature value, and derates the output current in linear fashion according to a transfer function when the actual temperature value falls within the temperature derating parameters. The parameters may include starting and ending temperatures, and an ending current parameter. The temperature sensing circuit may include a voltage divider with a negative thermal coefficient (NTC) device, preferably as the high side resistor. The temperature sensing circuit may typically provide a non-linear output across the temperature range, wherein the controller converts the non-linear output from the sensing circuit into a linear output for the transfer function.
