Flashing indicator on top of iPad screen

Background: iPad (8th Gen) Model Number MYLD2LL/A iPadOS version 17.2

Issue.

An annoying indicator constantly appears and disappears at the top centre of my iPad. It has the Sun symbol, so I interpret that to do with screen brightness levels. I've turned off the Automatic Light/Dark Mode in the 'Display & Brightness' Settings, and the Brightness level is fixed at Max. Everything else is off. But I can't get rid of this distracting indicator. I think that it also affects the battery level