 Osram TopLED Black Series LEDs Improve Readability in High Ambient Light Conditions
The TopLED Black series with lens from Osram Opto Semiconductors is a range of medium-power LEDs mounted in an industry-standard package but in matte black material. The black package offers a higher contrast with lower reflectivity than comparable white-package devices without compromising overall luminous intensity. The TopLED Black Series is well suited for display applications where contrast is key for improved legibility, especially in high ambient light conditions.
The new TopLED Black series with lens from Osram Opto Semiconductors is the first TopLED in a black package that can achieve a typical luminous intensity of 1.9 cd (at 20 mA) and is to date the only LED in a black package that provides the same luminous intensity as a comparable LED in a white package. Target applications include information displays for traffic and public transportation systems and price changing displays such as fuel price totem pole signs.
The new TopLED Black series with lens offers high contrast and good legibility in all lighting conditions. Its black package ensures there is hardly any reflection from incident light. Displays equipped with black-body LEDs are therefore razor sharp even in strong sunlight.
The 60° beam angle of these LEDs has been optimized for display applications, so the light is focused for excellent distance legibility. They are suitable as a replacement for conventional through-hole radial LEDs.
The TopLED Black series will be available initially in red and yellow. They are equipped with a thin-film chip that guarantees high luminous efficiency in the black package. As “surface emitters,” thin-film LEDs emit almost all their internally generated light from their surface.
The new LEDs are SMT components suitable for automatic handling and they provide high placement tolerances for highly uniform light dispersion.
Optek Develops Miniature Half-Watt LED Package with High Lumen Output, Long Operating Lifespan
 Providing lighting design engineers with an LED source suitable for large or small, conventional or specialty lighting applications, TT electronics Optek Technology has developed a miniature half-watt LED package. Designated the OVS5MxBCR4 series, the 3.5 mm surface mount device is an energy-efficient LED source featuring high luminous intensity and a long operating lifespan.
“The OVS5MxBCR4 series LED package features high lumen output in a package measuring 3.5 mm by 3.5 mm by 1.2 mm,” said Alan Bennett, vice president of worldwide sales for Optek Technology. “The high luminous intensity in the miniature package size allows the LED source to be employed in a wide range of conventional and specialty lighting applications including automotive interior and exterior lighting, architectural indoor and outdoor lighting, general lighting, and display backlighting.”
Compatible with IR reflow soldering, the half-watt LED package also features low thermal resistance and exceptional spatial uniformity.
Available with white, warm white, blue, green, red, amber and yellow LEDs, the OVS5MxBCR4 series LED packages feature a 120° viewing angle and a water clear lens. Power dissipation at 150 mA is 0.48 W for the white, warm white and blue LEDs; 0.51 W for the green device; and 0.33 W for the red, amber and yellow packages. Typical luminous intensity is 4,000 4,500 and 5,000 mcd for the red, amber and yellow LEDs, respectively, while luminous flux for the white, warm white, blue and green LEDs is 25, 25, 6 and 25 lm, respectively. Operating temperature ranges from -40°C to 100°C.
Typical pricing for the miniature half-watt LEDs in quantities of 1,000 is approximately $0.28 each for the amber, red, and yellow LEDs; $0.45 each for the white and warm white devices; $0.52 each for the blue LED and $0.72 each for the green packages. Lead time, if stock is not available, is from 12 to 14 weeks ARO.
 Highly Efficient LED Driver from Supertex Prolongs Lifetime of Solid-State Lighting Systems
Supertex, Inc. has introduced the HV9918, a buck-mode LED driver IC with hysteretic current control and high-side current sensing. It is well suited for a variety of solid-state lighting applications, such as low voltage industrial and architectural LED lighting, signage or decorative lighting, indicator or emergency lighting, as well as a general purpose constant current source.
The hysteretic control function of the HV9918 maintains a constant output current to the LED string at all times, regardless of input voltage fluctuations. LEDs are proven to be far more reliable and long lasting when driven by a constant current than by a direct voltage source. It drives loads of up to 1.0 A at over 90 percent efficiency with ±5 percent current accuracy from input voltages of 4.5 to 40 V. The IC also features an embedded FET for cost and parts count reduction in solid-state lighting applications.
“Supertex’s HV9918 provides fast transient load response and eliminates the need for feedback-loop compensation,” said Ahmed Masood, vice president of Marketing for Supertex. “With its built-in switching FET, this device reduces overall system cost and board space while delivering accurate current control for LED lighting applications.”
The HV9918 is available in an 8-Lead DFN package (HV9918K7-G). The part is Green and RoHS compliant. Samples are available from stock. Lead-time for production quantities is 4 to 6 weeks ARO. Pricing is $0.68 for the HV9918K7-G in 1,000 quantities.
 e:cue lighting control Introduces Light-Drive Elite DMX Controller
e:cue lighting control, an Osram company, has introduced light-drive elite, its first standalone DMX controller and user interface for dynamic RGB LED lighting, which does not require software programming. Users can easily control intensity, color and speed as well as setup their favorite color-changing effects through light-drive elite’s glass interface with touch-sensitive keys and touch wheel.
Specifically designed for the end-user, this innovative DMX controller features a high-end sleek design and an intuitive interface that allows anyone to create static and dynamic lighting scenes. Jan Julius Miebach, e:cue’s Managing director for Product Strategy said, “We designed this product to allow end-users to experience dynamic lighting as well create dynamic lighting scenes themselves. We specifically paid great attention to the user interaction with the device, as well its aesthetic design.”
The glassy interface features an LED ring around the touch wheel to guide users in selecting and adjusting colors, intensity and speed, as well as the ability to select four colors for graceful color-changing lighting scenes.
The light-drive elite does not require software programming and is easily connected to fixtures through an RJ45 connection for power and data, outputting DMX directly.
 Crydom Introduces the HS Series of Heat Sinks and Solid State Relay Assemblies
Crydom, an operation of Custom Sensors and Technologies (CST), has introduced a new line of heat sinks, solid state relay/heat sink assemblies and accessories. Designed with “state of the art” thermal analysis software tools, the Crydom HS series includes heat sinks accepting 1, 2 or 3 industry standard, single, dual or 3 phase SSRs. Designed for DIN rail or panel mounting, models are available with thermal impedance ratings from 5.0 to 0.5 degrees C per watt.
Combining Crydom Solid State Relays with the new HS series heat sinks allows Crydom to offer a variety of standard and adapted “ready to use” Solid State Relay/Heat Sink Assemblies. Ratings from 10 to 82.5 amps are available at either 280 or 600 VAC. Standard features include 3 to 32 VDC input control voltage, zero voltage turn on, and output RC snubber networks. Single, Dual and 3 phase SSR Assemblies are suitable for controlling most heating, motion or lighting loads.
Additional features of the HS series include RoHS compliance, UL/CSA/TUV or VDE approved CE compliant Solid State Relays, accessories including clear plastic touch safe SSR covers for single and 3 phase SSRs, thermal interface pads for single and 3 phase SSR packages, DIN rail mounting kits, and SSR hardware mounting kits.
Crydom also welcomes SSR and Heat Sink adaptations combining not only any standard Crydom Heat Sink and SSR products, but Customer Specific modifications to Heat Sinks, SSRs or Assemblies.
 Applications Engineering Department Offers Personalized Technical Support
The DYMAX Corp. Applications Engineering department provides extensive application development support to optimize customer manufacturing processes. Assistance is available by phone, email, or by visiting the state-of-the-art Applications Engineering (AE) laboratory. The Applications Engineering team helps customers choose the best combination of DYMAX adhesives, coatings, sealants and curing systems for their manufacturing process, and offers assistance with the integration of Asymtek/EFD, PVA and Tridak dispensing systems into the manufacturing process.
The DYMAX laboratory is fully equipped to perform mechanical testing under a variety of environmental conditions. A range of tests, typically designed using ASTM standards, may be completed including tensile or shear strength, adhesion strength between substrates, compression set and humidity aging. Adhesive samples are available to customers for testing in their own lab. DYMAX has an extensive library of formulations developed to solve a wide variety of manufacturing problems. If an application or assembly method is unique, customization of a formula is a possibility.
Customers have the opportunity to visit the AE lab and work side-by-side with DYMAX and Tridak engineers to evaluate a variety of manual and robotic dispensing systems, UV/visible light-curing spot, flood, and LED lamps, and conveyorized curing systems. The lab also has fully automated and industry proven X, Y, Z application systems and manual spray or dispense valves to demonstrate conformal coating technology, cured-in-place gaskets, or to provide conceptual test samples for the customer’s own testing. If an on-site visit is not possible, applications engineers, territory managers, and authorized sales partners can coordinate evaluation of a project in the AE Laboratory.
 Martin FlexDOT S1 the Simple, Customizable Video Display Solution
With Martin Professional’s new FlexDOT S1, LED video displays break free from the flat, rectangular format. Fully customizable and DMX512 controllable, these bright and lightweight strings of LED pixels allow for the creation of customized video solutions with maximum artistic flexibility and a minimum of effort.
FlexDOT is a well suited solution for integrating LED video technology in stage sets, clubs, retail, even outdoor environments, enabling unique display solutions to be realized without the long lead times or costs associated with a ‘from scratch’ design.
The FlexDOT concept is simple – individually controlled, intelligent, full color pixels mounted on a flexible cable that allows designers/architects to create unique and customized LED video displays. Each pixel (dot) consists of a bright RGB LED driven by its own processor and individually addressable for independent control of color, special effects, and animation. Pixels can be arranged as needed and later mapped to the image using pixelmapping software. FlexDOT can be controlled from any DMX512 source such as Martin's Maxedia media server.
At 2.5 candela per pixel, FlexDOT is twice as bright as competitive products and provides an image quality and level of performance on par with the best conventional LED screens. This flexible, lightweight solution is also efficient and long-lasting and can be arranged into nearly any form to provide designers unlimited options to enhance interior and exterior spaces.
Standard pixel spacing is 100 mm or 200 mm with each FlexDOT string comprising 100 pixels. A string of FlexDOTs can in fact extend to 120 pixels, more than twice as many as competitive products. The string can be cut into any desired length or number of pixels. Custom pixel spaced strings are available to order.
FlexDOT is light and requires substantially less supporting hardware than conventional LED display solutions. The flexible cable mounting gives a high degree of creative freedom and an IP66 rating in combination with a wide operating temperature range means that it can be used in virtually any environment, even outdoors.
A range of accessories is available for mounting, driving and optically modifying FlexDOT to fit any application.
 Outwater Releases LED Ribbon Flex Light
Outwater has introduced its new LED Ribbon Flex Light, a versatile and thin new light on the market. With no fixture to hide, Outwater's LED Ribbon Flex Light can be mounted anywhere. Easy to install, via incorporated peel and stick tape on its underside, Outwater's LED Ribbon Flex Light is well suited for showcases, toe kicks, cove or cornice accents, wall units, in or under cabinets, or any type of installation that warrants an almost nonexistent profile.
Outwater's low cost, energy efficient 24-volt LED Ribbon Flex Light is similar in illumination to a 20 watt halogen bulb, and consumes 4.8 watts per 22.5-inch field trimmable strip with an approximate 50,000 hour bulb life.
Comprising 22 high powered cool white LED's spaced 1-inch on center affixed to a low profile 3/8-inch wide flexible backing, the LED Ribbon Flex Light's diminutive physical profile not only enables it to practically vanish within the décor of any environment, up to 21-feet can be connected to one power supply in either dry or damp environments via supplied solder free, end- to-end (male/female) plug-in capability for continuous lighting.
 Evluma to Release Wide Optic LED Luminaire for Area Lighting
Evluma has released the new Clearlight 40 W Wide Optic LED luminaire for dusk-till-dawn area lights, the latest in its line of energy efficient, LED replacement lamp / luminaries. With a peak intensity vertical angle of 53º the new wide optic delivers light in an evenly dispersed NEMA Type 5 (circular) pattern.
Evluma developed the new wide optic version of the 40 W Clearlight as a companion to its existing narrow optic, or lambertian luminaire. Both luminaries are designed for use in 50 to 175 W Mercury Vapor (MV), or 70 to 150 W High Pressure Sodium (HPS) mogul base, dusk-till-dawn fixtures. With peak intensity vertical angle of 0º, the narrow optic Clearlight is recommended for areas over doorways or loading docks where more light is required directly under the fixture. The wide optic is recommended for parking lots and roadways, anywhere lighting design dictates an even wash of light.
“The Clearlight family of luminaries takes the guess work out of retrofitting for energy efficiency,” said David Tanonis, VP of Sales and Marketing at Evluma. “This simple screw in replacement is more than 75 percent efficient than Mercury Vapor and 60 percent more efficient than the High Pressure Sodium bulbs it replaces.” The Clearlight contains no mercury, and is dark-sky friendly with full cut off; the highest percentage of lamp lumens falling in the 0º to 60º zone for both models.
“With an overall projected life-time well beyond an L70 of 70,000 hours, the Clearlight requires very little maintenance compared to legacy HPS and MV,” said Tanonis. Evluma distributors are currently taking orders for the new Clearlight 40 W Wide Optic LED luminaries with stock available mid-August, 2009.
 curveLED and Hippotizer at Microsoft
The newly constructed Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA includes a unique interactive experience: Each major building lobby features a 12 ft. wide by 27 ft. high curveLED transparent video display, driven by custom Mode Studios interactive software, with Hippotizer media servers as an integral part of the control system.
The installation was designed and specified by Callison Architects of Seattle, in conjunction with Mode Studios’ Bob Bonniol. Scott Bokowski, the Project Producer, headed up installation and system integration along with Larry Darling of Epic Production Technologies. Show Control systems, control racks and audio systems were designed and provided by Electrosonic, Inc. and include four Hippotizer Stage media servers. Custom media content and live, real-time interactive control was provided by Mode Studios.
“This project presented a number of challenges,” says Bob Bonniol. “The goal was to create interactive installations representing the energy and activity of the buildings. To remain compelling, the interactive experience had to be constantly evolving. The curveLED is well suited to the concept of subtly blending display and atrium architecture. Among many other benefits, adding the Hippotizers to our own bespoke interactive programming allowed ease of content management, and access to the numerous effects that otherwise could never have been coded on time.”
One of the advantages of the curveLED display system is its true 75 percent transparency. A person standing on a balcony located behind the system has a virtually unobstructed view of the main lobby areas, with no visible frames, wires, or connections. The curveLED system also offers unprecedented flexibility for creating three-dimensional video displays. It can be configured to conform to any shape, such as waves or curves, and can be installed suspended or free-standing. The system’s super bright SMD pixels provide high-quality 40 mm video resolution. At Microsoft, curveLED’s intensity control feature allows for daylight and nighttime viewing at a constant level via light sensors located throughout the lobbies.
“It is truly great to see a project like this come to fruition,” said TMB’s Architectural Director Chris Curran. “All the work and effort was definitely worth it: The end result, giving the ability to interact with this breathtaking visual work of art, is truly memorable, befitting a company of Microsoft’s stature. This is an impressive, exciting landmark that combines the best of 21st Century art and technology.”
 Enfis Sheds New Light on LED Street Lighting
Enfis Group Plc. has launched their new Innovate series of LED arrays for use in myriad street lighting applications throughout North America.
“Over the past few years the emerging use of power LEDs in street lighting has yielded lower total ownership costs, much improved lighting and significant energy savings, as much as 50 percent, over standard lighting technologies,” said Dan Polito, president of Enfis Lighting North America. “Governments, municipalities and utilities face an ongoing effort to serve the public with better lighting and to reduce their carbon footprints and energy costs. LED street light installations are being tested around the world and are demonstrating their ability to improve results for both the operators of street lights and the people that use them.”
With a 10- to 15-year rated lifetime, the Innovate series of LED arrays from Enfis are at least triple that of current technologies and offer maintenance advantages that easily win the argument for transitioning to LED-based systems. Moreover, street lamps using Enfis power LEDs are fully capable of meeting standard regulations for luminance levels and uniformity. Enfis LED solutions, unlike many other technologies, provide a sufficiently even light distribution to meet recommended street light uniformity levels. This is a valuable benefit that is capable of eliminating glare, hot spots and related visibility, safety and energy-wasting problems. Even light distribution improves the street lighting function and creates a better environment.
The Enfis Innovate series of LED arrays can be easily installed in most existing street light, roadway and pedestrian walkway fixtures and deliver >2,500 lumens of intense white light ranging from 3,600 K to 6,500 K. As an added benefit, light output from Enfis arrays can be monitored and controlled via an integrated photo-detection system, enabling precise control of light output. Array temperature monitoring is also available. |
LED Thermal Management Report 
When considering white light needs for architectural lighting applications, solutions may range from a dedicated single color (e.g. warm-white, neutralwhite or cool-white) to solutions that can deliver the entire white color range within the same fixture leveraging the principle of color mixing. An important factor is how well a light source renders the true colors of objects. This factor is known as color rendering index (CRI). White LEDs provide a simple solution but they don’t provide a high CRI over a wide range of color
temperatures. A preferred solution is one that provides the flexibility of dynamically changing the color temperature of the light source while maintaining a high CRI. 
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