Avago Technologies Introduces New Family of High-Brightness Surface Mount Tricolor LEDs for Indoor and Outdoor Full Color Signs and Video Displays

Avago Technologies, a supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, has introduced a new family of compact high-brightness tricolor surface mount (SMT) LEDs for indoor and outdoor full color signs and video displays. Avago’s ASMT-YTB0 LEDs, which are available in a PLCC-6 package, provides full color display and video application designers with better color control and contrast, and a 115° viewing angle. With dimensions of 4.4 mm by 4.4 mm by 3.5 mm, this new family of LEDs from Avago also incorporates silicone material to extend light output performance over time.

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High Efficiency White LED Driver Powers up to 10 LEDs, Offering 32:1 Dimming Ratio

Linear Technology has released the LT3593, a high efficiency constant current white LED driver packaged in a 2 mm by 2 mm DFN (or ThinSOT) package. It features a unique high-side LED current sense topology that enables the LED cathode to be connected directly to ground, creating a single wire current source. Also a single digital control pin enables set-and-forget LED dimming with ratios as high as 32:1. The LT3593 is designed to drive up to 10 white LEDs from a single Li-Ion cell at efficiencies over 80 percent. It operates from an input voltage from 2.7 V to 5.5 V, optimizing it for single cell Li-Ion and multicell alkaline/NiCd/NiMH sources. Its 1 MHz constant switching frequency allows the use of tiny, low profile inductors and capacitors while keeping input and out put noise low and well controlled. The combination of high efficiency, low noise and extremely small total solution footprint makes the LT3593 well suited for handheld applications, requiring up to 10 white LEDs for backlighting.

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The Alamo Captivates Audience with Philips LED Lighting Technology

Photo by Bill FitzGibbons, Blue Star Contemporary Art Center

Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, the new entity formed by Philips' acquisition of Color Kinetics, recently added the Alamo to a growing number of landmarks to be transformed by its intelligent LED lighting systems. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo is an important symbol of Texas liberty and American history.

The temporary installation marked the first time the Alamo was illuminated on a grand scale, demonstrating the ease with which LED lighting can transform venues for special occasions. The structure served as the backdrop for a visually striking light installation held in conjunction with Luminaria, a one-day celebration of San Antonio's diverse artistic community. The lighting design was conceived by Bill FitzGibbons of Blue Star Contemporary Art Center using Philips ColorBlast 12 fixtures, which combine LED sources with digital control technology to produce near-endless color combinations. FitzGibbons refers to these art installations as "architectural interventions," emphasizing the dynamic effects that are made possible with ColorBlast 12 fixtures.

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Consumers Warming To LEDs as an Energy-Efficient Solution for Lighting, Finds Arrow Electronics Study

With consumer interest in energy-efficient lighting growing rapidly, the next wave of mass-market residential and business lighting could be coming from LEDs, also known as solid-state lighting. That's the key finding of a new consumer survey commissioned by Arrow Electronics, Inc., a leading global provider of products, services and solutions to users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. The survey was conducted for Arrow by Harris Interactive.

Commonly used today in flashlights and electronic devices, LEDs are being adapted by manufacturers to replace the common light bulb. Although more expensive than other lighting options, LEDs use a fraction of electricity of traditional light bulbs, last longer than regular incandescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and contain no hazardous materials.

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