Many traditional lighting manufacturers are looking to new and emerging “lighting class” LEDs to help them develop next-generation products for domestic, commercial and industrial environments, as well as applications ranging from automotive to street lighting.
Integrated LED drivers simplify and speed implementation of LED-based designs.
Many of these come from semiconductor manufacturers using their experience of conventional LED backlighting, others are emerging from the power supply sector.
Take, for example, the TLE 4242 G linear regulator from Infineon. This adjustable constant current source is designed for driving high-power LEDs in automotive lighting, street lighting and other applications operating in harsh conditions.
Supplied in a 10x9.5mm package and featuring integrated protection, the device can drive loads up to 500mA. Output current can be adjusted through the addition of an external resistor, and it protects the LEDs against up to 45V and reverse polarity.
Zetex is a semiconductor manufacturer actively involved in developing switching LED driver designs with a focus on size. The company’s ZXLD1362, for example, operates from a 6V to 60V supply with efficiency up to 95% and can drive up to 16 high-power LEDs with an adjustable output current up to 1A.
With a maximum footprint of 2.8x2.9mm and 1mm height, the company believes this to be the smallest of its kind at this current rating. Four external components are required and both PWM or DC voltage dimming are offered.
Power conversion expertise
Recom International is a company that has traditionally manufactured DC/DC and AC/DC converters and is now applying its expertise to LEDs.
The RCD-24 series of constant current LED drivers operates from 4.5V-36V with efficiencies up to 97%, and includes 300mA, 350mA, 500mA, 600mA and 700mA output options.
The 22x12.5x8.5mm form factor allows the drivers to be incorporated directly into LED lamp fixtures and no external components are required, except optional filtering. Analogue and PWM dimming is included and the devices can be used up to 85°C at full load.
Supporting the design
Distributors can help traditional lighting OEMs and even engineers with previous experience of LED design by not only delivering the LED, driver, optics and other technologies needed for a complete design, but also providing access to support tools and reference designs from a broad range of suppliers that allow engineers to select and implement the optimum driver circuitry for a given application.
David Spragg is marketing and engineering director at Arrow UK