An ASIC controlled ignitor for HI/HS-lamps

A new functional principle is described which is largely independent from tolerances of components, guarantees a maximum of ignition pulses and of ignition energy and offers a switch-off capability to terminate cyclical on-off of old lamps. The new ignitor is pin-compatible to the ignitors introduced on the market. All functions of the ignitor are controlled by an ASIC which analyses the mains frequency, the lamp voltage and the ignition pulses. The project has been concluded successfully. Four new ignitors are available. Results from ignitor and lamp lifetime tests and from field applications are reported