Electronics & Smart Controls

SoC Technologies in Lighting - Today’s Landscape and Tomorrow's Practices

A system-on-chip (SoC) quite suddenly became an important component in the lighting industry, fueling IoT innovation and opening new opportunities, while at the same time bringing disruption and new challenges. With rapid advancements in wireless communication, the impact of connected technologies on the lighting business will only keep increasing. This means deeper integration with SoCs and more attention from silicon vendors as they start competing for market share in this promising segment. But what is the current state of SoC design from the lighting perspective? Are chipmakers keeping up with the growing expectations for wireless lighting control solutions that are mature and truly reliable? When developing its complete Bluetooth software stack for professional lighting, Silvair worked with a number of different SoCs. Therefore, Piotr Winiarczyk, Wireless Solution Architect, and Szymon Rzadkosz might have found the answers to these questions. Read more »

LED Driver Miniaturization - Opening New Opportunities for Solid State Lighting

While LEDs have significantly improved over the past decade, driver technologies have not kept pace and are, in some respects, the limiting factors for new applications. Size is a particular issue. Dramatically increasing the switching frequency helps to reduce size but often causes other issues or is costly. Mickey Madsen, CEO of Nordic Power Converters, explains how his company has overcome the hurdles and made it feasible by designing very high frequency LED drivers. Read more »

LED-Retrofit Based on AlGaN/GaN-on-Si Field- Effect Transistor Drivers

Efficient driver technologies for LED systems are still a relevant topic. Several new approaches are proposed and new technologies are under development. Andreas Zibold, PhD student at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, and his co-authors, M. Kunzer, R. Reiner, B. Weiß, P. Waltereit, R. Quay, J. Wagner, and O. Ambacher demonstrate the suitability of AlGaN/GaNon- Si field effect transistors (FETs) for their use in LED drivers. The transistors are tested in an isolated buck converter and an efficiency of 86% is measured for the full converter circuit. The driver circuit is combined with an LED module based on a laser-structured Aluminum Nitride (AlN) ceramic board onto which 21 high power white-emitting LED chips are mounted. This combination resulted in an LEDRetrofit lamp with a total light output of 2676 lm at an efficacy level of 119 lm/W. The results compare favorably to state-of-the-art commercial solutions. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver IC | Automotive | Jul 12, 2017

36V, 2A Monolithic Synchronous Step-Down LED Driver with Silent Switcher Topology Minimizes EMI Concerns

Analog Devices, Inc., which recently acquired Linear Technology Corporation, announces the LT3932, a monolithic, synchronous, step-down DC/DC converter with internal 36V, 2A power switches and an internal PWM generator. Its fixed frequency, peak current mode control accurately regulates current within ±1.5% for strings of up to 2A LEDs. Its integrated PWM generator offers a 128:1 dimming ratio. If dimming ratios of up to 5000:1 are required, the LT3932 and an external PWM generator can accommodate these applications. Read more »

Electronics | Components | Controls | Smart Lighting + IoT | Jun 01, 2017

EnOcean Launches Easyfit Wall Switches for Wireless and Self-Powered Control of Bluetooth Lighting Systems

Technology provider EnOcean now offers wireless and self-powered Easyfit switches for Bluetooth lighting systems for worldwide usage, enabling maintenance-free, ready-to-use LED lighting applications based on energy harvesting technology. Read more »

ams Broadens Smart Lighting Management Offerings with Standalone Solution for Color Stability and Lumen Maintenance

Integrated tri-stimulus XYZ color sensor and intelligent driver management in new AS7220 enable high accuracy closed-loop maintenance of LED outputs in industrial, commercial and high-end residential lighting products. Read more »

Smart LED System in Package through Wafer Level Integration Approach

It is believed that LEDs will dominate all lighting applications in the near future. Integration and packaging are the two critical issues that, if resolved, will enable efficient and reliable solutions for lighting requirements. Z. Kolahdouz, H. van Zeijl, and G. Q. Zhang from the Institute of Microsystems and Nanoelectronics (DIMES) at the Delft University of Technology, and M. Kolahdouz from the Thin Film Laboratory and Nano-Electronics at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the University of Tehran show that wafer level packaging is a promising method to ensure lower cost, higher scale, and superior yield. A new integration approach of a smart unit of LED lighting is introduced: LED System in Package (SiP). Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver IC | May 12, 2017

Seoul Semiconductor Introduces World’s Smallest 24W DC LED Drivers

Seoul Semiconductor, a leading global innovator of LED products and technology, has developed the industry’s smallest phase-cut DC LED driver series, with a power density 10x higher than conventional LED drivers. The NanoDriver Series is the world’s smallest miniature converter at just 13.5 mm wide, and is available in four versions rated for 16 W and 24 W output power for operating LED lighting with input power of 120 V or 230 V (50-60 Hz). Manufactured with Seoul Semiconductor’s original Acrich technology, the NanoDriver Series features an IC directly attached to the substrate, dramatically reducing the size of the converter. Read more »

Components | Electromechanics | Holder | Driver Modules | May 12, 2017

TE Connectivity Unveils LUMAWISE Drive LED Holder

TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, is unveiling the LUMAWISE Drive LED holder Type Z50 for chip-on-board (COB) LEDs. The new LUMAWISE Drive LED holder Type Z50, used in track and spot lighting, integrates the holder and driver into a single package that offers lighting designers the possibility to develop compact, better-looking and more cost-effective lighting products. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | May 02, 2017

Inventronics Expands Family of LED Drivers that Maximize Efficiency and Increase Cost Effectiveness

Inventronics is one of the nation’s top LED manufactures because they back their products with unsurpassed quality, warranty and customer support while providing light fixture manufacturers with the products they need. The EUC Series of constant-current LED drivers is ideal for projects that need luminaires at lower levels of brightness but don’t have the budget for programmability or controls. They help to improve costs without sacrificing performance. Read more »

Warm Dimming and the Future of LED

As LED lighting grows in acceptance and popularity, so does the need for better and more ranging color quality. Traditionally, LED lighting gave off a stark white, cool glow that was harsh on the eyes and made it difficult to use as a primary lighting source. Warm-dim LED technology has toned down that cool coloring, dynamically shifting the current and future applications of LED lighting management systems. Dimmability with a warm glow effect creates more opportunities than ever for LED lighting management systems. Read more »

Featured | Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | Apr 18, 2017

LIFUD Launches NEW Generation LED DALI Push Driver

Applications: LED indoor lighting, LED decorative lighting, LED residential lighting, LED office lighting and LED commercial lighting etc. Read more »

Featured | Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | Apr 18, 2017

MOSO High Reliable & Flexible Programmable Outdoor LED Driver

DM-5KV & CM-10KV surge immunity, fully glue-potted IP67 for -40℃ to +60℃ dry/wet/damp conditions, supporting universal 90-305Vac input, MOSO, one of the most influential and well-known new energy enterprises in China, dedicates to provide the efficient, intelligent and safe outdoor LED power supply solutions by introducing its programmable LDP series worldwide. Read more »

Connectivity | Electronics | Smart Lighting + IoT | Components | Apr 03, 2017

Lemonbeat Combines DALI and Ethernet Technologies with Its Own IoT Ecosystem

Dortmund-based company Lemonbeat GmbH - the developer behind the IoT infrastructure technology of the same name - is expanding its portfolio, adding interfaces for "DALI", the international standard for lighting controls in building automation, as well as cabled Ethernet technologies. The company will also be exhibiting from 24-28 April at the Hannover Messe trade fair at Stand A10 in Hall 16. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | Apr 03, 2017

Fulham Launches Lumoseries 150 W LED Driver

Designed for 230 V higher output luminaires such as high bays used in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the new 150 W LumoSeries LED driver like others in the LumoSeries range, features the lowest in-rush current in the industry which means that more drivers and luminaires can be operated on a single circuit, thus reducing the cost of installation with fewer circuit panels and less wire to run. Read more »

ams Launches AS7225 Tunable-White Lighting Smart System Sensor

ams AG, a leading provider of high performance sensor solutions, today announced the AS7225 tunable-white lighting smart system sensor, further broadening the solution set for sensor-integrated tunable-white lighting solutions. With the addition of the AS7225, OEM lighting manufacturers can access ams’ closed-loop CCT tuning and daylight compensation, while retaining the existing host microprocessor architecture in their smart lighting design. The result is higher precision, more flexible LED binning, and lower system costs for tunable white lighting systems. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | Mar 27, 2017

OEM Systems Group Expands the Intelligent Zitares Electronic Control Gear Range

OEM Systems Group is expanding the Zitares intelligent product family from the BAG brand with a further SELV control gear unit. The new single-channel LED ECG ICD1200-70FR-20 was specifically developed for higher power ranges up to 70 W. Read more »

LumiGrow Pilot Customers Have the Sun Manage Their Lights with Grow Light Sensor

LumiGrow, a smart horticultural lighting company, announced today that they’ve begun a pilot program for the industry’s first dynamic horticultural grow light sensor. The grow light sensor works in tandem with LumiGrow LEDs to target the precise amount of light that a plant receives. By specifying precise light levels, greenhouse crops can experience perfect lighting conditions regardless of changes in weather or other light-limiting factors. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Controls | Software | Mar 22, 2017

Casambi's Firmware Update Adds New Functionality to Smart Lighting Platforms

Casambi, the world’s leading provider of smart wireless lighting control software technologies, has issued a new firmware update to its smart lighting platform to provide integrated support for users of EnOcean switches, Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) devices and movement sensors. A new control hierarchy has also been developed to make it easier for users to automate lighting operation across a wireless network and to allow manual overrides to be performed when required. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Controls | Microcontrollers | Mar 14, 2017

Infineon Adds DALI Stack to Advance Lighting Applications with XMC™ Microcontrollers

At the Embedded World 2017 Exhibition and Conference, Infineon Technologies AG presents its ARM®-based XMC™ microcontroller advancements for a wide range of industrial applications as well as motor control solutions based on iMotion™. The novelties include development support that significantly reduces design complexity, development time and system cost, and helps speed-up DALI certified LED designs. Read more »

Swatch Group - World's Smallest Bluetooth Chip with Useful Features for Lighting

Three world records in the "Swiss Silicon Valley". Swatch Group is proud to introduce a new Bluetooth chip with exceptional features unrivaled by any existing product. The new integrated circuit is designed 100% by EM Microelectronic, Swatch Group R&D and the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM). Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | Feb 24, 2017

Inventronics EDC Series Driver for the Challenging Power Conditions in the Indian Market

Inventronics is a global company that operates on a local scale in the communities it does business in. It works closely with customers to ensure it provides the correct driver for any application. Inventronics is pleased to announce the release of a 60 W series of constant-current LED drivers created specifically to handle the challenging power conditions in the Indian market. Read more »

Featured | Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | Feb 24, 2017

New Osram UltraFlat System for Innovative Luminaire Designs

With a depth of just 11 mm, the UltraFlat Osram Dali LED driver teams up perfectly with the PrevaLED Linear Slim LED module and the small Osram UltraFlat light and presence sensor to open up new and innovative luminaire design options that were not possible before. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver Modules | Feb 22, 2017

Thomas Research Products Introduces New SelectSync LED Drivers

Thomas Research Products has introduced an entirely new family of feature-rich programmable LED drivers under the SelectSync name. These cost-competitive models offer a variety of new solutions for powering intelligent lighting devices. Thomas Research Products manufactures complete LED power and control solutions for OEMs and retrofitters. Read more »

Electronics | Driver Modules | Smart Lighting + IoT | Components | Feb 08, 2017

Fulham Introduces Advanced LED Outdoor Drivers with IoT Management for Smart City Lighting

Fulham introduces new LED outdoor rated drivers that are feature-rich including integrated IoT management for Smart City lighting. The advanced specification of the Fulham Workhorse Extreme LED drivers has compatibility with wireless, DALI and 0-10V dimming which is flicker free down to 1% power. They also offer the widest available output current programming, so eliminating multiple driver stocking requirements. Read more »

Warm Dimming and the Future of LED

Fulham LED Extreme Driver Family for Outdoor and High-Power Lighting Applications

Fulham Co., Inc., a leading supplier of lighting components and electronics for commercial and specialty applications, has released the WorkHorse LED Extreme family of constant current, programmable drivers specifically designed for outdoor and high-power applications. WorkHorse LED Extreme drivers are intelligent, programmable LED drivers built for harsh environments. Read more »

Components | Electronics | Driver IC | Automotive | Jan 10, 2017

Infineon LITIX™ LED Drivers for Compact and Cost-Effective LED Front Light Applications

LEDs in automotive front lighting enable energy savings, new light designs and applications such as matrix beam and laser high-beam. Supporting the progress in automotive lighting Infineon Technologies AG launched high-power LED drivers specifically designed for automotive front lights. The drivers are available within the new LITIX Power Flex series and the LITIX Power series. They address flexible DC/DC driver solutions supporting LED systems of up to 50 W and even above. Application setups can vary: many medium-power LEDs with string voltages of up to 55 V or few LEDs with high currents of up to 3 A and more. Read more »

Technologies | Electronics | Oct 06, 2015

µModule LED Driver Integrates All Circuitry, Including the Inductor in a Surface Mount Package

David Ng, Module Development Manager at Linear Technolgies, explaines the features of a compact step down DC/DC module for distributed LED power supplies in a DC grid that offers high efficiency, a wide dimming range, and a current range from 35 mA to 1 A. Read more »

Technologies | Electronics | May 27, 2015

Power Conversion Efficiency - Key for Stand-Alone Solar Powered Lighting in Nordic Regions

Stand-alone solar powered lighting solutions are made possible even in the Nordic region through a new, ground-breaking Danish project. An ideal collaboration between scientists from 4 different fields and private companies has succeeded in creating a system and a methodology that makes the impossible possible: Outdoor solar lighting which is not just a decoration. Read more »