Quasi-analog digital pulse-width modulation control

A dimmer apparatus for a light source, the dimmer apparatus comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a control signal for transitioning from a first power output to a second power output;
• an energy storage circuit configured to temporarily store electric energy for driving the light source;
• a semiconductor switch configured to turn on and off during pulse-width modulation (PWM) periods,
• wherein the semiconductor switch is electrically coupled between the energy storage circuit and an electric source;
• a digital controller configured to execute instructions for generating a driving waveform for the semiconductor switch based on the control signal,
• wherein transitioning from the first power output to the second power output requires that the driving waveform traverse at least one intermediate power output, each intermediate power output corresponding to a different ratio of PWM periods of a first type to PWM periods of a second type.

A method for smoothly transitioning between power outputs, the method comprising:

• receiving a control signal for transitioning from a first power output to a second power output;
• determining that a digital controller cannot cause an intermediate power output between the first and second power outputs to be produced by generating a driving waveform that includes pulse-width modulation (PWM) periods of a single type;
• generating a driving waveform that toggles between PWM periods of multiple types based on a single input signal;
• and
• applying a series of power outputs produced by the driving waveform to a load over time,
• wherein the series of power outputs includes at least one intermediate power output through which power applied to the load transitions as the power transitions from the first power output to the second power output.