Articles
Solid state lighting offers greater energy efficiency, as well as what are now still long-term cost benefits. Here, industry experts comment on the biggest challenges in the design and manufacturing of LED illumination and what is needed to make the widespread adoption of LED illumination by design engineers a reality. Follow the links to read the complete commentary.
Peter Resca, Astrodyne "LED illumination is rather unique, in that it is not relegated to a niche industry. It applies to new technology across a broad variety of markets...I believe design engineers and suppliers must understand target markets in order to provide effective solutions. Widespread adoption will occur as the price point for LEDs continues to fall while their light output simultaneously increases. Another design challenge is to develop a method that utilizes the existing AC voltage infrastructure. By their nature, LEDs work from a current-controlled DC source. Since traditional sockets or ballasts are incompatible, engineers are challenged to develop a solution that resolves this issue."Price point reductions and simplifying installation will play a key role in accelerating implementation. The general illumination market is cost competitive, and LED solutions must close the current price gap. Once this is accomplished, users will grow to appreciate the added advantages of LEDs. Extended life, the complete elimination of chemical contaminants and a failure mechanism that results in the gradual reduction of light output...will act in concert to facilitate wide-spread adoption of LED illumination." more... |
James Loeffler, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors "With rapidly increasing efficiencies and cost per lumen decreasing, the initial cost of LED light will become less of a barrier. As the life cycle cost of LEDs becomes better understood, advantages like small size, better energy efficiency, longer life, mercury-free and negligible spontaneous failure rates will lead to rapid penetration into new applications.“Quality of light” is becoming an increasingly important metric. Improved color rendering, proper selection of CCT, and color uniformity will improve the visual perception and appeal of LED lighting. Industry infrastructure to support the use of LEDs must continue to expand to meet the growing demand. Availability of optical, thermal, driver, control, and assembly solutions to work with LEDs is critical to enable end customers to take advantage of the technology. ." more... |
Mike Petagna, ROAL  "...In the U.S., 22 percent of energy is consumed by lighting. As a result, more attention is being placed on energy-efficient lighting systems, more specifically LEDs...LEDs do not radiate heat; instead 80 percent of the dissipation of the LED is conducted, and special processes are required to mount LEDs to maintain reliability and thermal conduction. LEDs require drive circuitry, so choosing the correct driver will differentiate performance of the whole system. Optic design also contributes to light loss reduction by focusing the visible light. "For widespread adoption, there must be “ease of use” of the technology and a practical cost...Unfortunately, the cost for LEDs is still high and takes up over 60 percent of the total cost for many “line voltage” LED light engines. "To proliferate this technology, safety agency adoption of LEDs and standardization of systems must occur..." more... |
Sameh Sarhan, National Semiconductor Corporation Despite the rapidly increasing adoption of LEDs by the electronics industry, the change is far from complete....As with all things new, attaining this promising performance is associated with high premiums which may obstruct the LEDs deployment in cost-sensitive markets such as general purpose lighting. "LEDs materials are not rated for a high operating temperature, and, as a result, relatively complex thermal management and packaging techniques might be needed to maintain consistent high performance. On the other hand, LEDs are inherently current-driven devices, and, therefore, boosting up their light output requires higher drive currents which, in turn, may necessitate the use of relatively intricate drivers. ...." more... |
Mark McClear, Cree, Inc.
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