eNewsletter

July 2009

Powering High Brightness LEDs in Camera Phones
By Pierre Mars, Vice President of Applications Engineering, CAP-XX Ltd.

High-end camera phones are greatly improving, with better lenses and higher resolution, but they need a better light source for taking photos in low light. Until now, high-end phones such as Sony Ericsson’s K850 and Nokia’s N82 have used a xenon flash. However, the large electrolytic capacitor in these xenon solutions precludes slimline phones. A new solution with a total thickness of less than 3 mm is now possible using very high-brightness LEDs and CAP-XX supercapacitors. Read full article here.

True Natural Colors Through High Color Rendering LEDs From Sharp
Sharp is expanding its LED portfolio with eight new white light high color rendering SMD LEDs in the PLCC2 package. The high CRI value of 80 is reached by a combination of a blue LED die covered with a special mixture of green and red phosphor. The chip LEDs of the new GM5SAExxP0A series, the so called E-series, ensure natural colors and true to detail images. This is important where artificial light may not hinder the depiction of the illuminated objects. Typical applications for high color rendering (HCR) LEDs are in photography, shop windows and store decorations as well as product presentation, but also find uses in medical lighting; for example in surgery lamps.

The E-series covers a wide spectrum of color temperatures; beginning with warm white LEDs in the area of 2,700 K to the cold white LEDs of 6,500 K. Combining high CRI values and a light efficiency of up to 90 lm/W (depending on model); the new HCR LEDs from Sharp show characteristics equal to traditional fluorescent lamps in terms of efficiency, color temperature and Color Rendering Index (CRI). Therewith the E series complies with the requirements of the international energy star program. Due to this, the LEDs of the GM5SAExxP0A are suitable for new generation LED lighting applications as well as occasions where fluorescent lamps are traditionally used. Furthermore, the E-Series is characterized by an extreme long lifetime of 40.000(*) hours of operation.

The chip LEDs of the E-series are equipped with a Zener Diode, integrated directly in the package. They protect the LED reliably against voltage peaks that may occur through electrostatic charge. This will spare developers the integration of additional ESD components on an external circuit. Despite the high integration level the E-series is marked by an extremely compact and primarily slim housing. The package of 3.2 by 2.8 by 1.9 mm (PLCC2) makes this LED series from Sharp a suitable fit for applications that require a high amount of brightness with a compact form factor.

With the wide spectrum of color temperatures, the compact package as well as the high CRI values, the new HCR LED series from Sharp give lighting designers more freedom and flexibility when creating illumination systems, which are not necessarily determined by the form factor of the illuminant. Above all, LEDs offer benefits of high light efficiency and longer lifetime. Typical applications are office and commercial lighting, street lighting, architectural lighting, display lighting, backlighting etc.

Samples are already available from Sharp sales offices or distribution partners throughout Europe.

(*) 40.000h operation at brightness value (Flux) of 70 percent compared to the basic value Tc= 60°C (IF  20 mA)

Osram Expands LED Portfolio Across The Entire Performance Range
Osram Opto Semiconductors has expanded its LED portfolio for the projection market with two new LEDs, Ostar Compact and Ostar Power Projection. Ostar Compact is designed for small, efficient systems in cell phones, PDAs and MP4 players. Ostar Power Projection is targeted at high-performance projection applications such as home cinema systems with displays of 70 inches and more. Osram’s LED portfolio now provides full coverage of the projection system range from 1 W all the way up to 300 W.

Ostar Compact expands the Osram family of LEDs for small applications at the lower end of the performance range. It measures 3.9 mm by 3.6 mm and is available in red, blue, green and white. These new small LEDs are cost-effective components, particularly for pico projectors for small mobile devices. Manufacturers wanting very compact units can use a double-chip version that contains a red chip and a blue chip in one LED. This saves space compared with the usual configuration of three individual LEDs (red, blue, green). As an SMT component, the LED can be easily integrated into standard manufacturing processes. Integrated ESD protection diodes guard against electrostatic effects.

The Ostar Power Projection LED brings a new dimension to projection applications delivering high performance and low thermal resistance. It can be operated at a maximum of 36 A and produces light of impressive brightness. Typical values are 2700 lm in red, 3500 lm in green and an optical output of 13 W in blue. While the dimensions of 45 mm by 25 mm seem large for a standard LED, the thermal resistance is only 0.77 K/W. This LED is suitable for all types of cooling, including water cooling. A uniform cooling system can therefore be used for all colors because the junction temperature is the same for all colors (125°C).

“LEDs will one day become the standard for all projection applications, including high-end applications,” said Wolfgang Schnabel, Marketing manager LED Projection at Osram Opto Semiconductors. “We are well positioned for this swift migration of LEDs into projection applications and offer several Ostar LED versions, namely Compact (up to 25 W), SMT (10 to 40 W), Projection (25 to 70 W) and Power Projection (90 to 150 W), to cover numerous applications – from cost-effective pico projectors to home cinema equipment as well as mobile projection systems for mid-range applications.”

Caption: The new OSTAR LEDs for projection applications expand the performance range at the low and high ends. OSTAR Compact is ideal for pico projector applications, whereas OSTAR Power Projection is designed for applications in high-power projectors such as those in home cinema systems and mobile projection systems.

Brillia Offers Off-the-Shelf LED Light Engines
Brillia a provider of LED light engines, now provides off-the-shelf light engines that will enable luminaire manufacturers greater speed to market with their LED lines.

“By providing luminaire manufacturers with the option to choose off-the-shelf light engines and our patented components, our customers now have the advantage of getting their LED products to market much quicker and with greater ease,” said Chris Primous, director of Sales & Business Development. “Our focus is to collaborate with our customers to find the best way to integrate bright, efficient, long-lasting LED light engines into luminaires and lighting systems designed for both residential and commercial use.”

Since an LED light engine combines the driver and LED module together into a simplified complete LED source, customers seeking to integrate LEDs into their luminaires now have a greatly simplified means to do so. By offering a vast array of light engines that are readily available today, luminaire providers are able to quickly incorporate the components into their designs and get to market with a proven efficient LED solution for their customers. Such availability significantly shortens the design process, and allows manufacturers to expand their LED fixture packages using the same set of standard LED modules and drivers, all from one source. These engines will enable energy efficient LED products to enter the market sooner and with greater ease, helping to enhance the consumers’ needs for greater energy efficient products.

AVX Expands LED Lighting Connector Family to Include Board-to-Board Versions
AVX Corp., a manufacturer of advanced passive components and interconnect solutions, has expanded its wire-to-board connector product offering to include board-to-board connectors specifically designed for the LED lighting industry.  Designated the 9159 Series, the cost-effective connectors provide design flexibility by providing both card edge (one-piece) and plug and socket (two-piece) interconnect options. The connectors feature a small footprint, making them ideal for applications where multiple printed circuit boards need to be plugged together, such as LED lighting strips.

The double-ended card edge version provides a simple and direct connection to both ends of a standard PCB with tin plated pads in 2, 3, 4 and 5 positions. These 2 mm pitch connectors support 3 amp current and 250 voltage ratings. The connectors are 5 mm high and come in both black and white options.

The two-piece connector version is surface mounted on one side of the PCB, which allows the LEDs to be placed on the other side to maintain consistent spacing.  These 3 mm pitch and 3 mm high connectors are 5.5 mm wide when mated together, thus maximizing board space for other components.  Tooled in 2, 3, 4 and 5 position, these connectors are also available in black and white options.

“The application value of AVX’s original Insulation Displacement Connectors (IDC), which provides simple and reliable wire-to-board interconnection for the LED market, is now being carried over into the board-to-board arena. AVX is committed to developing new connectors specifically for the LED lighting market as it evolves and matures.” said Tom Anderson, Product Marketing manager at AVX.  “These new connectors provide simple and cost effective packaging options to help our customers achieve their product goals and application requirements.”

The 9159 series connectors provide simple, yet reliable termination of PCB’s. The 9159 series is tested to industrial levels of shock, vibration and temperature cycling per IEC specifications to assure they can withstand the harsh environments they were designed for.  The connectors are well suited for use in LED lighting strips for sports arena signs, display cases, lighted cabinets, fluorescent tube replacement and architectural lights used for building feature enhancement or internal feature lighting. The connectors also suited for rugged industrial and automotive applications.
Both versions of the 9159 series connectors are rated in current at 3 A and have an operating temperature ranges of -55°C to 125°C.

These connectors are supplied in tape and reel packing and are RoHS-compliant. Pricing for the 9159 series is set at competitive market levels with a lead time of eight weeks.

G15 Candelabra Base White LED Bulbs Shine in 270° Wide Beam Angle
LEDtronics has released the G15-Style DécorLED lamps that consume less than 1 watt and directly replace 10 W incandescent bulbs. The DEC-G15E12 series of globe-style clear-lens with standard candelabra-based LED light bulbs provide architects, entertainment designers and other lighting professionals with the means to integrate ornamental illumination into maintenance-intensive applications.

These solid-state G15 DécorLED lamps are available in extra pure white (5,000 K) or extra warm white (3,000 K). Eighteen discrete LEDs are optimally configured to disperse light in an omnidirectional 270°-wide beam, with each high-intensity LED incorporating optical-grade epoxy to produce vivid illumination between 25.4 to 27.4 lumens, depending on model number. A molded polycarbonate, UV-protected and shatter-resistant 1.9 inch-diameter globe protects the LED cluster from environmental stresses. They perform especially well in applications that are prone to voltage dips or surges. Integrated, current-limited resistors and polarity-protection diodes assure that no circuit modifications are required. Custom options are available for large orders: White-Frosted, Tinted-Color and Color-Frosted bulbs; other voltages or other base types.

PerkinElmer Introduces New LED Fiber Optic Illuminator
PerkinElmer, Inc. has introduced its new LED fiber optic illuminator that exceeds the brightness levels of 150-watt halogen technology while using 50 percent less power.

PerkinElmer's new LED fiber optic illuminator offers an energy efficient, maintenance-free alternative to halogen-based and metal-halide fiber optic illuminators and is the latest addition to the company's range of capabilities for medical and industrial lighting. The LED illuminator uses a proprietary optical light engine designed to couple high intensity white light into 3 mm to 10 mm fiber optic bundles for applications including endoscopy, microscopy and machine vision. Additionally, in contrast to other light sources, the color temperature of the LED light does not change when the light is dimmed or increased.

"PerkinElmer is pleased to introduce its new energy efficient LED fiber optic illuminator for medical and industrial markets, reflecting our commitment to providing a robust pipeline of custom and standard LED solutions," said Joel Falcone, vice president and general manager, PerkinElmer's global Illumination business. "We are focused on new solutions not only for medical lighting, but a range of other demanding specialty markets including safety and security."

LuxDot MR16 Replacement Lamp Breaks 35 W Halogen Performance Barrier
LedEngin, Inc. has launched LuxDot, its newest LED MR16 lamp capable of replacing 35 W halogen lamps. While LuxDot’s high flux density is par of 35 W halogen, the precision optical design enables LuxDot to exceed the halogen beam quality by providing a bright, uniform light distribution that eliminates hot spots and dark rings. LuxDot is available in both 2,900 K and 3,100 K color temperatures (CCT) with excellent color rendering particularly in the warmer red and flesh-tone regions of the spectrum that have been a challenge for some LED solutions. LuxDot gives users 80 percent reduction in power use and a 50,000 hours of service life for pay back times less than 9 months.

LuxDot offers the quality and quantity of light suited for spot, accent, track and down lighting applications in a narrow flood beam pattern. It is plug-and-play compatible with standard MR16 based fixtures and provides uncompromising fit, form and performance compared to 35 W halogen MR16 lamps. Museums, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and many other venues will benefit from incorporating LuxDot into their directional lighting installations.

“LuxDot responds to the priorities of the lighting community because it maximizes usable light in addition to addressing energy efficiency demands,” said Leonard Livschitz, vice president of marketing and business development, LedEngin, Inc. “It’s designed with emphasis on delivering targeted, quality light which we call ‘Lux on Target’. Superior performance combined with LuxDot’s uncompromising fit into the MR16 format will bring LED MR16 lamps into the forefront for lighting specification.”

Everbrite Unveils New Recessed LED for MRI Suites
Everbrite Lighting has launched its newest environmentally friendly lighting product, the MedLux XLS-2. This recessed LED luminaire is MRI safe and well suited for the healthcare industry looking to cut its escalating energy costs.

The new LED fixture is brighter and more energy-efficient – 2.5 times brighter than Everbrite’s current XLS LED down light. The XLS-2 uses less than 60 watts of electrical energy to deliver 50 foot candles of light at task level, its 2,000 lm output is equivalent to that of standard 150 W incandescent light bulb. Additionally, because it is more efficient it reduces the overall number of fixtures needed in an MRI room, further lowering energy costs and operational expenses. In engineering this new LED recessed down light, Everbrite considered the importance of keeping a facility’s design and architectural integrity while also meeting sustainable goals and MRI safety issues.

“While high quality health care must be the driving factor in hospitals’ new construction or renovations, by identifying sustainable design and products early in the process, it is possible to achieve sustainable objectives without sacrificing services, care or budget,” said Jeff Gatzow, Everbrite Lighting’s product manager. “By installing LED luminaires such as the MedLux XLS-2, healthcare facilities can decrease the amount of energy they use and lower costs while increasing the productivity of their MRI suite.”

The XLS-2 works with a dimmer control system that can be located in or outside of the shield room. This LED down light provides consistent color temperature at all lighting levels and is quick to come up to full light when needed.

LEDs used in radiology address a number of important issues: reducing accidents in the MRI suite, decreasing maintenance and operational costs, and sustainability. Since more than 10 million MRI scans are performed each year in the United States, there is plenty of opportunity to confront these challenges.
Because LEDs don’t have filaments, which are affected by an MRI’s magnetic field, the typical premature lamp failure is eliminated. In other words, for the complete life of the magnet, maintenance crews will never enter the suite to change a light bulb. Not surprising, many healthcare facilities are replacing entire light systems [with LEDs] because they can't handle the frequency at which the bulbs have to be replaced.

“Healthcare administrators are well aware that when an MRI suite is down, it can cost up to $20 for each minute it isn’t operational,” Gatzow pointed out. “Preventive maintenance is one way healthcare facilities can keep costs down, and that’s where Everbrite’s MedLux XLS-2 offers a much-needed solution.”

Thermal Management & Technology Symposium Adds Pre-Conference Workshop
The newly added workshop has a track record of selling out. It will provide an interactive forum for attendees to learn and discuss the thermal systems modeling in a relaxed, classroom setting.

Introduction to Thermal Systems Modeling with Excel/VBA
Matt Moran, Owner, Isotherm Technologies LLC
October 19th, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. with a one hour lunch break (lunch provided)

Save $100 if you register by September 18th!

This one-day workshop is for engineers, scientists, and others interested in developing custom thermal system models. Principles and practices are established for creating integrated models using Excel and its built-in programming environment, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Real-world techniques and tips not found in any other course, book or other resource are revealed. Step-by-step implementation, instructor-led interactive examples, and integrated participant exercises solidify the concepts introduced.

Read more about this workshop.

Albeo Awarded Two Patents for C-Series SSL High-Bay
Albeo Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of white-LED general illumination lighting systems, has been granted two design patents, D592786 and D592785, for its C-Series High-Bay general illumination light fixture.  The patents cover Albeo’s designs that allow Albeo fixtures to run cooler at higher efficiencies with longer lifetimes. 

“These patents are the first in a series of filings that Albeo has branded as TEMPR technology.  TEMPR technology provides the lowest thermal resistances, from LED junction to ambient environment, at the lowest costs in a scalable architecture,” said Jeff Bisberg, CEO, Albeo Technologies.  “The effectiveness of this technology is apparent in the high performance levels (25,000 lumens at 79lm/W) and industry leading price.”

“LED solutions make great sense in High-Bay lighting.  The C-Series replaces any metal halide light at half the energy usage,” said Neil Cannon, EVP of Business Development, Albeo Technologies.  “The heights associated with High-Bay drive up maintenance costs.  Even the best fluorescent fixtures will have bulb failures in the first year of operation; it is the nature of fluorescent technology.  Albeo’s C-Series High Bay provides years of maintenance free operation.” 

Bridgelux Launches Lighting Services Group
Bridgelux, Inc., a US lighting company and supplier of energy-saving LED based light sources, has launched a Lighting Services Group offering its customers a wide range of design and support services. As an increasing number of lamp and luminaire manufacturers transition to solid-state lighting, new system-level design opportunities arise. The charter of the Bridgelux Lighting Services Group is to support customers in developing application specific designs both cost effectively and with reduced time-to-market.

“Rapid adoption of Bridgelux LED Arrays has opened up new opportunities for lamp and luminaire designs. Many customers have already incorporated our array products into new lighting products, taking advantage of the ease of use and plug and play aspects of the product line,” said Keith Scott, Bridgelux vice president of business development. “To enable additional opportunities and further support design activities, we have developed a Lighting Services Group. This group will work with our customers on designing and developing new optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical designs to further simplify the task of adopting solid state technology.”

Bridgelux now offers a full range of design and support services to help customers develop their lighting products. Core members of the Bridgelux Lighting Services Group have more than 15 years of experience in developing solid state lighting systems and complementary components including precision optics, electronics, and module designs. Through close engagement with customers, this team will help to accelerate market penetration of this new lighting technology, the promise of increased energy efficiency, and enable new design possibilities for lamps and luminaires.

“With the recent market introduction of the Bridgelux LED Array product family, designed specifically for the lighting market, we now offer a unique solution for designers and manufacturers that will simplify their efforts and reduce cost,” said Mark Swoboda, Bridgelux chief executive officer. “The Bridgelux Lighting Services Group supports both our focus on driving sales of our LED Array products and our goal of enabling a rapid displacement of conventional lighting sources.”

Thermal Management of LED Systems & Components Systems & Components
July 15 at 10-11 a.m. MDT
This webinar will provide an understanding of the issues involved in the thermal management of LED components systems. Learn the principles and the tools available to the design engineer. This course is designed to help engineers and technicians with some thermal background (but new to the implementation of LEDs) understand the thermal challenges and demands when designing LED components and systems.

Read more about this webinar!

Download the May/June 2009 Issue

Issue Highlights:

• Philips Targets Education in Africa with New LED Based Solar Powered Lighting Solutions
• Optimizing LED Drivers for Power, Display Life and the Visual Experience
• LEDs, Camera, Action!
• LEDs Light Up Sign Success: An Insider's Guide to LEDs in Signs and More

Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. is actively looking for a self-starting, motivated Applications Engineer with some experience in LEDs at the component level, with device application knowledge and willingness to grow into a management level position.

This key person will assist in the development of a packaged LED component product line; supervise materials sourcing; develop product specifications and applications engineering information; support sales channels and business development with your engineering and people skills.

Your key functional roles by utilization of engineering skills and knowledge are:

• Be instrumental in development and maintenance of leading-edge world-class product lines from name-brand manufacturers to provide superior lighting solutions in a wide variety of electrical LED and lighting application to each customer.
• Leverage your technical understanding of the LED and Lighting product market to develop products/applications/sales
• Identify, participate, help resolve, develop product solutions on-time and to schedule and work to create and promote these products into successful commercial market strategies.
• Work to develop a strong business team development, participate in and share skills, and assist with product applications, quoting

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in Electrical, Chemical, Optical Engineering
• Minimum of 3-4 years of engineering, program management or technical sales applications
• LED Lighting experience
• Semiconductor Background
• Commercial electrical markets
• Leadership and Team building attributes
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills

Company Information
Leading LED manufacturer offering stability, growth, and a team environment with excellent compensation, benefits package, 401K. Contact Esther Kim at esther_kim@taiamerica.com for more information.

July 2009

7/13 - 7/15
Voices for SSL Efficiency 2009 -- DOE SSL Market Introduction Workshop
Chicago, IL

7/14 - 7/16
Semicon West 2009
San Francisco, CA

August 2009

8/2 - 8/6
SPIE Optics + Photonics 2009
San Diego, CA

LEDs 2009
10/20 - 10/22, 2009
San Diego, CA

IntertechPira's LED conference is the largest and most comprehensive business and technology forum dedicated to LEDs. This conference is designed for key executives, R&D staff, and marketing and sales executives from companies involved with the manufacture, research, design, marketing, and end use of high-brightness LEDs.  In 2008, IntertechPira's LED conference attracted more than 450 delegates and 65 exhibitors from over 240 affiliations.  LEDs 2009 will be at the epicenter of the LED lighting world, driving industry dialogue and addressing topics such as how to sustain growth in the midst of a global economic down turn, how to make continued gains in important end-use markets such as LCD backlighting and general illumination, how to overcome LED technology roadblocks that currently preclude LEDs from reaching full commercialization.

Find more details at www.ledsconference.com

LightShow/West
October 21-22, 2009
Los Angeles Convention Center

LightShow/West is the ONLY trade show and conference specifically created for ALL west coast specifiers of lighting products.  LightShow/West is the ONLY trade show and conference specifically created for ALL west coast specifiers of lighting products.  We work with the local Lighting Representatives to bring commercial, architectural and high design lighting specifiers together with the product manufacturers.  Registration to attend is FREE! 

Visit www.lightshowwest.com.