Part 1 of this FAQ looked at the basics of using LEDs in series, parallel, and series/parallel arrays, the implications on the power-sourcing requirements, and the impact of an LED failure. Part 2 looks at other practical issues associated with powering the array. Q: Given the various configurations, what sort of drive is “best” for […]
Applications
Linear equation said to optimize LED positioning for energy efficiency
Open up a typical low-cost LED bulb and you may find LEDs positioned willy nilly around a metal heat-sinking plate. It turns out that not a lot of thought goes into LED positioning on many bulbs aimed at consumers. Often the result is a bulb that consumes far less power than an equivalent incandescent device but […]
Driving LED arrays, Part 1: topologies
Light-emitting diodes – often referred to simply as LEDs – have become the preferred light source in many applications, whether for area illumination, spotlighting, signage, or backlighting. While there are some applications which prefer to use a smaller number of very high-power LEDs, many applications benefit from, or must use, a larger number of lower-to-moderate-power […]
Safety-isolated LED-driver ICs deliver flicker-free output up to 65 W
The LYTSwitch-6 family of safety-isolated LED-driver ICs target smart lighting applications. The new ICs deliver flicker-free output up to 65 W and feature up to 94% efficiency and as little as 15 mW standby power with configuration options for two-stage or single-stage PFC support. Targeting smart residential and commercial fixtures and low-profile ceiling troffers, LYTSwitch-6 […]
Power Electronics Top Talks in January on EDABoard.com forums
Peer-to-peer, engineer-to-engineer questions and answers from the EDABoard.com engineering community around power electronics. Click the “Read more” link and follow the entire conversation and maybe add your two cents by logging in to EDAboard.com Extremely simple overnight AAA Ni-MH charger – I want to build an ultra simple charger, to charge a 750mAh 1.2V AAA Ni-MH […]
LED drivers in ultra-low profile suitable for LED edge-lighting
In response to growing demand for smaller LED lighting installations that also provide high efficiency and ultra-low EMI, Diodes Incorporated has extended its popular BCR420U and BCR421U families of linear LED drivers to include the BCR420UFD and BCR421UFD devices in the ultra-low profile DFN2020 package, making them well-suited for 12V and 24V LED edge-lighting applications. […]
Constant-current linear driver IC powers LEDs without external transistor
Infineon Technologies AG released BCR430U, a constant current linear LED driver IC. The BCR430U provides industry-leading drop performance for regulating LED current in standalone operation. No external power transistor is needed. Typical applications for the BCR430U include LED strips, architectural LED lighting, LED displays as well as retail, appliance and emergency lighting. The voltage drop at […]
Ultra-Low-Power battery protection IC targets wearables and small IoT devices
The GLF73510 IQSmart IC is designed to virtually eliminate wearable and IoT device battery discharge during standby or deep-sleep operation. The GLF73510 consumes an industry-leading ultra-low leakage current (ISD) of 2 nA (typ.), as much as 1,000 times less than other chips commonly used in this application. Applications for wearable and smaller IoT battery powered […]
Wireless charging products to incorporate Qi- and PMA-compliant controller
ON Semiconductor has announced a strategic collaboration with ConvenientPower Systems (CPS) whereby CPS will design, develop and market in-vehicle wireless charging solutions using ON Semiconductor’s NCV6500 application dedicated, power management controller. The combined initiative is based around a single architecture that is scalable for multiple devices and coils to 15 W. A novel and patented technique for […]
Top power electronics stories of 2017
Here are the power electronics features that got the most interest from readers in 2017. Teardown: Inside Ikea’s smart LED bulb As smart LED bulbs go, this one is pretty simple. It doesn’t incorporate any sort of smartphone app and can’t be controlled over the Internet, like some other smart bulbs […]
