LEDS driver

A power supply for an LED light source, said power supply comprising:

• a power converter operable to provide a regulated power including a LED current and a LED voltage;
• an LED control switch operable to control a flow of the LED current through the LED light source;
• and
• a detection circuit operable to provide a detection signal indicative of an operating condition of the LED light source associated with the LED voltage,
• wherein said LED control switch is further operable to clamp a peak of the LED current during an initial loading stage of the LED light source,
• wherein the detection signal has a first level representative of a load condition of the LED light source, and
• wherein the detection signal has a second level representative of either a short condition or an open condition of the LED light source.

A power supply for an LED light source, said power supply comprising:

• a power converter operable to provide a regulated power including a LED current and a LED voltage;
• an LED control switch operable to control a flow of the LED current through the LED light source;
• and
• a current sensor operable to sense the LED current flowing through the LED light source, said current sensor including
• an differential amplifier, and
• means for adjusting a gain of said differential amplifier,
• wherein said LED control switch is further operable to clamp a peak of the LED current during an initial loading stage of the LED light source.

A power supply for an LED light source, said power supply comprising:

• a power converter operable to provide a regulated power including a LED current and a LED voltage;
• an LED control switch operable to control a flow of the LED current through the LED light source;
• and
• a voltage sensor operable to sense the LED voltage applied to the LED light source, said voltage sensor including
• an differential amplifier, and
• means for adjusting a gain of said differential amplifier,
• wherein said LED control switch is further operable to clamp a peak of the LED current during an initial loading stage of the LED light source.

A method of operating an LED light source, said method comprising:

• providing a regulated power to the LED light source, the regulated power including an LED current and an LED voltage;
• controlling a flow of the LED current through the LED light source;
• clamping a peak of the LED current during an initial loading stage of the LED light source;
• and
• generating a detection signal indicative of an operating condition of the LED light source associated with the LED voltage,
• wherein the detection signal has a first level representative of a normal operating condition of the LED light source, and wherein the detection signal has a second level representative of either a short operating condition or an open operating condition of the LED light source.