Flexible-controlled high power-density automotive HID electronic ballast using full-digital control mode

A flexible-controlled high power density electronic ballast for automotive high intensity discharge (HID) lamp is proposed. This paper also introduces a decreased power control method for the startup phase of the headlamp. Conventional digital controlled automotive HID electronic ballast needs extra analog IC and realizes the power control by current control means. The proposed one uses one high speed microprocessor to realize full digital control. As a result, it not only has the advantages of low-cost and small-size, but also easily realizes voltage control, current control and power control. Experimental results demonstrate that both the design of hardware stage and software stage are successful.