Efficient and Cost Effective LEDs

Despite its compact size, the performance of the LUXEON c is comparable, if not superior, to competitive LEDs that can be used in similar applications. Table 1 shows a datasheet-to-datasheet comparison of a LUXEON c LED (LXCL-EYW4) and a competitive LED (referred to as LED X.)

Table 1: Datasheet comparison between LUXEON c and competitive LED X From Table 1, it is clear that, in terms of light output, the performance from a datasheet standpoint is almost similar between the two LEDs. However, LUXEON c has the advantage of lower thermal resistance and forward voltage. These datasheet values cannot be used for conclusive analysis because they are specified at 25oC junction temperature, while in a real-life application the junction temperature will be at higher values. Therefore, to perform a real-life analysis, Future Lighting Solutions' Usable Light Tool (ULT) is used to compare between the performance of LUXEON c (LXCL-EYW4) and that of competitive LED X. In the analysis, three LEDs are driven at 350mA in an ambient temperature of 30oC. They are set to be mounted on an FR4 board with open thermal vias, which is placed on heatsink of 5oC/W thermal resistance. Table 2 shows the input parameters of the ULT analysis.

Table 2: Input parameters for ULT analysis

Table 3: Output of ULT analysis The results from the ULT analysis shown in Table 3 demonstrate how, under the same operating conditions, the high performance capabilities of LUXEON c help it to exceed the light output of the LED X, both at an LED and a system level. Note that the board used in this analysis had a thermal resistance of 25oC/W. The thermal resistance of the board is affected by the number of vias surrounding the LED; more thermal vias lowers the thermal resistance value. This in turn will reduce the junction temperature attained by the LED and allows it to deliver more light output. Figure 3 shows a LUXEON c LED mounted on a board with the recommended via layout. Information on mounting the LUXEON c on a board is available in the Assembly and Handling Information Application Brief (AB36.)

Also from the results, it can be noted that the LUXEON c consumes less power which leads to an increased efficacy of 75.35lm/W, while LED X only achieves an efficacy of 63.82lm/W.

Meeting the needs of the constantly developing lighting applications and satisfying their requirements are triggering the development of LEDs that not only have high quality performance, but also are cost effective and fit the targeted applications. LUXEON c enables lighting manufacturers to incorporate an efficient LED that provides high light output in a small, economical package. Numerous applications could benefit from the compact size and high quality light of LUXEON c. Applications such as portable flashlights, refrigerators, washing machines, and other commercial appliances can easily integrate LUXEON c for improved functionality. www.futurelightingsolutions.com