Articles & Interviews

Commentary | Apr 19, 2016
Zhaga Meets Smart Lighting by Dee Denteneer
Zhaga Meets Smart Lighting by Dee Denteneer At first glance, the standardization of LED lighting components seems to be quite remote from the rise of smart, connected lighting and the Internet of Things (IoT). But the projected growth in penetration of smart lighting can only be realized through developments in high-volume electronics and standardization. Such standardization is intended to remove arbitrary variations in components, making design and implementation easier for manufacturers of smart LED luminaires, and enabling a supplier ecosystem. This is where Zhaga comes in. Read more »
LpR Article | Apr 21, 2016
Advanced Bluetooth 4.0+ Based Smart Lighting Technology
Advanced Bluetooth 4.0+ Based Smart Lighting Technology Smart lighting and lighting controls are not restricted by hardware or traditional lighting control protocols anymore. Today, system modifications and firmware updates can all be done over-the-air. Wireless technologies enable lighting controls in places where it was not an option before. Besides Bluetooth, Zigbee and WiFi there are proprietary technologies in use. Saara Guastella M.Sc. in Lighting Engineering and Lighting Controls, is Product Marketing Manager at Casambi. In the following article she introduces Casambi’s technology based on Bluetooth Low Energy, and describes, explains and compares it with other established communication technologies for smart lighting. Read more »
LpR Article | May 09, 2016
White Hybrid Light-Emitting Diodes: A Plausible Solution for Commercialization and Health Issues, by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU)
White Hybrid Light-Emitting Diodes: A Plausible Solution for Commercialization and Health Issues, by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) One of the challenges in terms of commercialization of white LEDs is the need for cheap, inorganic phosphors. In this context, hybrid LEDs have recently emerged as a new approach based on downconverting organic coatings. The authors, Pedro B. Coto from the Institute for Theoretical Physics, Marlene Pröschel and Uwe Sonnewald from the Department of Biology, and Lukas Niklaus, Michael D. Weber and Rubén D. Costa from the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), describe this technology and cover recent breakthroughs and their prospects. Read more »
LpR Article | May 11, 2016
230 VAC Driven LED Modules with Strongly Reduced Flicker, by euroLighting
230 VAC Driven LED Modules with Strongly Reduced Flicker, by euroLighting One of the continuing trends in LED lighting is toward AC driven LED modules. Big progress has been made regarding dimmability and reduction of flicker. However, there are still differences in the various concepts that lead to very different results. Wolfgang Endrich, founder and managing director of euroLighting presents a recently improved new concept to significantly reduce flicker. Read more »
LpR Article | Research | May 17, 2016
Human-Focused Outdoor Illumination: Trade-Off Between Pleasing Color and Circadian Action, by the Vilnius University
Human-Focused Outdoor Illumination: Trade-Off Between Pleasing Color and Circadian Action, by the Vilnius University A smart RGBA solid-state light engine with tunable correlated color temperature (CCT) and high-fidelity color rendition was applied for the validation of the Kruithof hypothesis in several outdoor environments. Subjects were asked to find the most “pleasing” illumination conditions by performing a CCT adjustment. Maintaining constant illuminance, the mean selected CCT was found to increase from about 3000±200 K at 5 lx to about 3500±250 K at 50 lx almost independently of the content of the viewed scene. Dr. Pranciškus Vitta, Head of Lighting and Electronics System Lab at the Vilnius University shows that this increase is statistically significant and provides qualitative validation of the Kruithof hypothesis in outdoor environments, but with the intervals of CCT for “pleasing” illumination, it is substantially broader and shifted to higher values. Read more »
Commentary | May 19, 2016
LFI 2016 Touts LED Lighting and Digital Control Technology Transformation by Dr. Nisa Khan
LFI 2016 Touts LED Lighting and Digital Control Technology Transformation by Dr. Nisa Khan The 27th Annual LightFair International (LFI) conference was dominated by LED lighting coupled with internet-based control via wireless networks that continues to proliferate in today’s world. The world is increasingly becoming drenched with Internet of Things (IoT) discussions, demonstrations and for some, a certain level of implementation. Electric lighting transformed our society for over 100 years, boosting our mood and association with the environment, culture, productivity, and economic conditions. Such enormity pales in comparison to an unprecedented revolution that LFI describes as “Light and Technology in a New Language!” Read more »
LpR Article | Technologies | May 19, 2016
3-Pad LED Flip Chip COB by Flip Chip Opto
3-Pad LED Flip Chip COB by Flip Chip Opto Wafer level packaging and flip chip design are the most recent trends in LED manufacturing and packaging. These LED types are perfectly suited for producing COB modules. This combination already promises better thermal performance than standard SMD package based products. However, there is still room for improvements. Pao Chen, Director of Research and Development at Flip Chip Opto shows how a 3-pad flip chip LED further reduces thermal resistance, allows higher power and can help to reduce costs. Read more »
Technology | May 20, 2016
LED Lighting: All Eyes on Flicker by Tridonic
LED Lighting: All Eyes on Flicker by Tridonic Flicker was a familiar problem with early fluorescent lamps. However, increasingly powerful electronic control gear has largely offset these interferences over time, banishing them from current perception. Since LEDs (light-emitting diodes) have become established in all areas of lighting, including general lighting, flicker has reemerged. LED Drivers play a key role in producing light that is as flicker-free as possible. Read more »
LpR Article | May 24, 2016
Safety Concept for LED Street Lighting by Phoenix Contact
Safety Concept for LED Street Lighting by Phoenix Contact Street and building lighting has profited greatly from the advantages of LED technology. While modern LED lampposts have dielectric strengths of up to 6 kV, surge currents and voltages occurring in the grid can be significantly higher. Andreas Schamber, Product Manager for surge protection at Phoenix Contact, presents and discusses a comprehensive power surge protection concept to prevent blackouts during power surges and to protect investments in LED lighting based on the company’s product portfolio. Read more »
LpR Article | Technologies | May 24, 2016
Create Colorful and Bright LED Light with an LED Matrix Dimmer by Linear Technology
Create Colorful and Bright LED Light with an LED Matrix Dimmer by Linear Technology RGB LEDs are quite common and used in many applications today. More advanced multi-color solutions like RGBW, RGBA or RGBWA offer huge advantages over RGB solutions, but several aspects are more complicated. Keith Szolusha, applications engineering section leader for power products at Linear Technology explains the advantages of RGBW systems, how they work, how to set up such systems, and how to drive them correctly using Linear Technology’s LT3965 8-switch LED matrix dimmer in combination with the LT3952 boost-buck LED driver as an example. Read more »
LpR Article | May 24, 2016
The Value of Dark Skies - About Environmentally Friendly Lighting by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)
The Value of Dark Skies - About Environmentally Friendly Lighting by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) For many years no one worried about light pollution: on the contrary, the brighter the better. Then it became evident that darkness also has its value. J. Scott Feierabend, executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), presents and explains in detail, the latest findings and suggestions published in the “New IDA LED Lighting Practical Guide” and “New IDA Standards on Blue Light at Night”. He also discusses how to illuminate public areas while avoiding excess light pollution. Read more »
LpR Article | Research | May 24, 2016
Thin-Film Light Management System for Intelligent Large-Area LED Luminaires by the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA
Thin-Film Light Management System for Intelligent Large-Area LED Luminaires by the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA The recent advances in Solid State Lighting have triggered the development of smart lighting solutions. However, the point-like nature of LEDs imposes the use of inefficient and/or bulky light scattering sheets or costly, short-pitch LED arrays to achieve acceptable spatial luminance uniformity. Ph.D. Oscar Fernandez, Senior R&D Engineer at the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA (CSEM) shows a new approach in the form of an innovative thin form-factor light management (LM) system comprising a highly engineered combination of thin-film diffractive nano-optical and refractive micro-optical elements. Read more »
LpR Article | May 24, 2016
Power over Ethernet Lighting for Commercial Buildings by Molex
Power over Ethernet Lighting for Commercial Buildings by Molex Today, information technology (IT) and lighting are separate worlds. It is necessary to create a bridge between these worlds, not only from a technical standpoint but also from the perspective of understanding what is important to each industry. Giovanni Frezza, Group Product Manager at Molex, discusses how LEDs and PoE may pave the way with new power standards: LEDs far outperform the lumens output of older lighting technologies. Today, the PoE standard for LED is 30 W. An UPOE standard for 60 W is in the works, and an expansion called BP is in progress for up to 95 W. Read more »
Tech-Talks Bregenz | Jun 02, 2016
Tech-Talks BREGENZ - Dr. Biing-Jye Lee, Chairman of Epistar
Tech-Talks BREGENZ - Dr. Biing-Jye Lee, Chairman of Epistar Dr. Biing-Jye Lee, Chairman of Epistar, had a discussion with Siegfried Luger and Arno Grabher-Meyer from LED professional about the latest trends and the future of LED, Laser and Solid-State lighting technologies. He also gave them his view on how the markets and technologies will evolve. In addition, Dr. Lee shared some of the highlights from this year’s Light + Building as well as his view of current issues such as smart lighting, connectivity and new applications. Read more »
LpR Article | Jun 03, 2016
Potting Processes as a Part of LED-Based Lighting Module Manufacturing Methods by ViscoTec Pumpen and Dosiertechnik GmbH
Potting Processes as a Part of LED-Based Lighting Module Manufacturing Methods by ViscoTec Pumpen and Dosiertechnik GmbH Many manufacturing processes need very accurate dosing. One such dosing process concerns the potting of LED-modules. Numerous parameters affect the potting quality. Willi Huber from the Business Unit Adhesives & Chemicals at ViscoTec Pumpen- u. Dosiertechnik GmbH explains casting equipment, critical parameters and appropriate potting methods. Read more »
LpR Article | Technologies | Jun 03, 2016
Cost and Performance Optimization of Thermal Management Solution for High Power LEDs by Cambridge Nanotherm
Cost and Performance Optimization of Thermal Management Solution for High Power LEDs by Cambridge Nanotherm The LED industry has a challenge. General lighting requires very bright LEDs that can replace incandescent and halogen lights. Manufacturers need efficacy, cost and manufacturability to be “just right” but most leading solutions, especially in thermal management, are short of the mark. Giles Humpston, applications engineer, Cambridge Nanotherm, discusses ways to combine performance with reasonable costs and good manufacturability. Read more »
LpR Article | Jun 03, 2016
More Efficient Plant Growth with Quantum Dots by Nanoco Lighting
More Efficient Plant Growth with Quantum Dots by Nanoco Lighting Using LEDs for plant growth lights is nothing new, nor is the use of QDs in LED lighting. While it is already proven that LED systems have big advantages over conventional plant lighting technologies, it is not common knowledge that Cd-free QDs are ideal candidates for optimizing the light spectrum for plant growth systems. Dale Needham, Business Development Director-Lighting at Nanoco Lighting, explains the opportunities and advantages based on Nanoco’s proprietary and patentprotected CFQD® cadmium-free quantum dot LED grow lighting systems. Read more »
LpR Article | Research | Jun 03, 2016
Luminescent Glasses and Glass Ceramics for White Light Emitting Diodes by the Fraunhofer Institute and the South Westphalia University of Applied Science
Luminescent Glasses and Glass Ceramics for White Light Emitting Diodes by the Fraunhofer Institute and the South Westphalia University of Applied Science Luminescent glasses or glass ceramics represent an interesting alternative to LED phosphor due to their high thermal and chemical stability. A series of rare-earth doped glasses are investigated for their potential application as photon converters for solid-state lighting applications. Franziska Steudel, Sebastian Loos, Bernd Ahrens, and Stefan Schweizer from the Fraunhofer Institute and the South Westphalia University of Applied Science respectively, show that the color coordinate of double-doped glass can be varied over a broad spectral range by changing the rare-earth doping ratio accordingly. In addition, double-doping allows for a change in the color coordinate by using different excitation wavelengths. Read more »
LpR Article | Trends | Jun 06, 2016
Embedded Lighting - Developing New Lighting Applications for Modern Architectural Projects by Philips Lighting
Embedded Lighting - Developing New Lighting Applications for Modern Architectural Projects by Philips Lighting When the era of LED lighting started, everybody talked about the new age of lighting with new opportunities. While many lighting concepts are still pure replacements of the conventional light sources, with the maturation of this technology, more and more new concepts are realized, and the future perspectives are even more exciting. Brad Koerner, Venture Manager - Philips Luminous Patterns at Philips Lighting, shows examples, explains why such new concepts are desirable, and discusses which technologies support the introduction of new lighting applications. Read more »
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