 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
Cyberlux Awarded US Army Contract to Supply 24 WhiteEye Systems |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||
Samsung Launches First Full HD 3D LED TV
LIGHTimes News Staff
March 11, 2010...Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., an innovator in consumer electronics, officially announced the first Full HD 3D LED TV and full lineup of 3D home entertainment products available to consumers. Samsung also announced today the expansion of its strategic alliance with DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. to feature an exclusive offering of the Company’s beloved Shrek film series in its entirety in 3D for the first time. Samsung News Release LIGHTimes SecondPage members login for more. Guests can view membership details.
austriamicrosystems Introduces LED Flash Driver
LIGHTimes News Staff
March 11, 2010...austriamicrosystems of Unterpremstaetten, Austria, has introduced the AS3645 LED flash driver. The driver is inductive, ultra small, high-efficiency single/dual LED flash driver that offers 25 per cent higher output current than existing equivalents. The company says that the higher flash power enhances picture and video quality especially in low light environments at same system size.
The AS3645 inductive flash driver drives up to 1000 mA and can be used in single LED flash or double LED flash environments. The driver works with up to 2x500 mA with two LEDs in serial configuration and up to 720 mA with one LED. When driving two LEDs in series, LEDs draw identical currents and provide output light matching and thermal dissipation. The AS3645 automatically detects whether to employ single or dual LED mode and enables direct one-button flashlight mode. The driver has several safety features to protect against circuit damage and improve test time, including: programmable current limiting, auto test (LED open/short detection), overvoltage, and undervoltage, overtemperature, and automatic flash timeout timer for thermal LED protection during flash.
The driver is perfect solution for devices with cameras, including digital still cameras, camcorders and PDAs. The driver's 2 MHz fixed frequency DC-DC boost converter with soft start reportedly allows small inductors and enables easy integration into noise sensitive RF systems. The driver can operate in flash, torch and assist (video) light mode. An additional current source drives an optional indicator LED. The interface which the company is selected by a dedicated pin (I2C/EN).
The AS3645 is available in a tiny WL-CSP package (3x4 balls 0.5 mm pitch, 2x1.6 mm) and has an operating temperature range of -30° to +85°C (ambient).
autriamicrosystems news release
MotionLite to be Featured in Episodes of Will Castro's Unique Autosports: Miami
LIGHTimes News Staff
March 11, 2010...MotionLite, a wheel illuminator that can switch between different colors will be featured on episodes of Will Castro's upcoming season of Unique Autosports: Miami, which makes its debut on Spike TV Sunday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
MotionLite features remote-controlled, retractable LED lights that extend from the vehicle at night to spotlight the wheels from the outside. MotionLite says its lights will redefine the wheel illumination market because it offers a lighting solution that does not attach to or affect the aesthetic look of the wheels. The system can switch between seven different colors and has strobe and morph functions.
In each episode, Castro, known as the customizer to the stars, will feature the build out of a different celebrity vehicle. Unique Autosports is the highly acclaimed Miami-based car customizing and design shop which services celebrity clientele and car enthusiasts including NBA superstar LeBron "King" James; music icon Sean "Diddy" Combs; members of the 2009 World Series champion New York Yankees CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Nick Swisher; NASCAR driver/owner Tony Stewart; NBA All-Stars Amare Stoudemire and Jermaine O'Neal.
"LED lighting is the next wave of car customization, and MotionLite is a new lighting system that does what no other lighting product has done before, lights wheels from the outside," said Will Castro, owner of Unique Autosports. "It's an exciting product that we see many applications for in the aftermarket industry. I am proud to be using the MotionLite product."
MotionLite News Release
Testar Expands LED Chip Testing Services with Green Light After WI Harper Group Investment
LIGHTimes News Staff
March 11, 2010...Testar Electronics Corporation of Taipei, Taiwan, a subsidiary of Chroma ATE Inc that specialists in testing and optimizing LED chips, has signed definitive agreements to become an independent entity and to receive an institutional investment from WI Harper Group. Testar says that the infusion of capital allows it to expand its operations and further establish its leadership role in providing testing services for LED chip manufacturers across Asia.
The company notes that the proliferation of LED-related products is creating a new professional services sector: LED chip testing.
“LEDs are now used in street lighting, consumer electronics such as backlit TVs, vehicles and numerous unique applications,” said Mr. Leo Huang, founder, CEO and chairman of Chroma and founder of Testar Electronics Corporation. “We recognized early on that LED chip manufacturers have limited testing capability and must comply with evolving standards. By outsourcing LED testing, customers benefit from increased efficiency and improved quality, ensuring that manufacturers can achieve competitive prices for their high-grade chips.”
Testar reportedly continues WI Harper’s LED investment program that includes LED chip maker SemiLEDs Corp. and LED emitter, light engine and fixture provider NeoPac Lighting Group.
Testar News Release
JSR Launches Materials for High-brightness LEDs
LIGHTimes News Staff
March 9, 2010...JSR Corporation has announced plans to launch a series of specialized materials for high-brightness LEDs.
The new series of performance materials goes by the name of "Lumilon". JSR plans to offer its materials to help meet the growing market needs for high-luminance LEDs.
The launch of Lumilon will reportedly include five series: the Lumilon EN series - an organic-inorganic hybrid sealing material used in packaging processes; the Lumilon HR series - a high-refractive coating material; the Lumilon SC series - an inorganic spin-on insulating material used in the fabrication processes of LED chips; the Lumilon DE series - which enables patterning with the exposure of same materials; and the Lumilon LP series - a photoresist material for the lift-off process used in electrode formation. Company News Release
LIGHTimes SecondPage members login for more. Guests can view membership details.
Digi-Key Corporation to Distribute Products From Seoul Semiconductor
LIGHTimes News Staff
March 9, 2010...Digi-Key an international electronics distributor and Seoul Semiconductor, an LED product developer and supplier, have entered into a global distribution agreement. Digi-Key will now distribute the full range of Seoul Semiconductor’s products, from the smallest DC LED to the company's AC LED, Acriche. Products stocked by Digi-Key are available for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites. Additionally, these products are slated to be featured in future print and online catalogs.
“With technology breakthroughs increasing brightness, or lumens per watt, at lower price points, the interest in LEDs continues to grow dramatically,” said Dave Doherty, Digi-Key’s vice president of semiconductor product. “With products such as Seoul Semiconductor’s Acriche AC LED, we are confident a global partnership will benefit our customers.”
An official of Seoul Semiconductor, said, “The Digi-Key Lighting Partners Program will link our customers to the entire eco-system surrounding the LED, helping them get to market faster.”
Seoul Semiconductor News Releae
57 Express Installs Unique LED Sign
LIGHTimes News Staff
March 9, 2010...57 Xpress was looking for a creative way to draw people to their business of doing oil changes, body work, and lube services for automobiles. Advantage LED helped them create a customized, one-of-a-kind advertising display.
Crystal Reed, manager of 57 Xpress was looking for a way to draw people into her business. After visiting their web site, Crystal contacted AdvantageLED signs to discuss the costs and benefits for putting up an outdoor advertizing display. She worked with AdvantageLED signs and came up with a very creative design for her business, which would draw attention to it and bring customers into the shop.
“We have had numerous positive comments from our customers about our new sign.” said Ms. Reed. AdvantageLED News Release
LIGHTimes SecondPage members login for more. Guests can view membership details.
Our news features are reported
by the LIGHTimes staff writers.
For submissions or content suggestions, you can contact us using
editor -at - sslighting.net
For more information and to reserve promotion space contact
Info8 -at - sslighting.net
or call +1 (512) 257-9888
|
Breaking SSL barriers... and ratting out the fiends
Tom Griffiths - Publisher
March 5, 2010..."Records are made to be broken," quotes the old adage, and it is never more true in vibrant technology areas such as LED lighting. Two of solid state lighting's 'technology barriers' have recently been broken with a recent announcement from Cree of lab results for 200+ lumen-per-watt (lm/w) from a power LED, and from BetaLED with new 100 lm/w exterior soffit luminaires. While barriers may be just a another number, they also have significance to humans because they build belief. In some cases, it's belief that a particular task really can be accomplished. Sir Edmund Hillary succeeded at climbing Mt. Everest, and now about 150 people reach the summit of that mountain each year. In other cases, it demonstrates that a barrier is not a physical one, but a mental one. The four minute mile was deemed by many to be "unbreakable" due to human physiology. "Not enough capacity to absorb oxygen, and it's simply too long a span to maintain that anaerobic condition," was a common argument. Then in May of 1954, Roger Bannister broke the barrier. While that was a huge accomplishment, even more stunning was that it was broken a second time by Bannister's closest competitor, John Landy, just six weeks later. This wasn't a one-off miracle performance. The barrier wasn't a physical barrier, but a psychological one. In classic "did it second" form, Landy took the approach that "it wasn't really a barrier" at all and contended that, “It has nothing to do with psychology," he was quoted as saying. "It was just a matter of having the right runners at the right level of training and the right set of circumstances." Meanwhile the "barrier" had stood and been argued-over for over decades, while human physiology hadn't gotten better. People had simply been training to get as close to the 4 minute mile as possible, but not necessarily to get under it. Once the "barrier" was broken, perceptions changed to "how much below it can we get. Once there were at least two believers", 9 or 10 managed the feat in the next 24 months with the new records continuing to be set 18 more times from 1955 to 2000!)
It wasn't that long ago when some were suggesting that 200 lm/watt would be close to all we could expect out of a power LED source, and I remember charts showing LED efficacy showing a real asymptote kicking in around that 200 lm/w. The DOE's LED lighting roadmap has actually been adjusted at least once to reflect the efficacy growth curve exceeding the time frames that the industry originally expected. When asked for some thoughts on "the barrier", Cree's New Business Development Director, Mark McClear commented that, "By hitting that mark, I think it has been pretty clearly demonstrated that there is still more room to grow. Breaking this 'barrier' clearly establishes LEDs as the most energy-efficient artificial light source." Cree has been very reliable about turning "lab results" into production-available products in a12 to 18-month time frame.
The second recent accomplishment was breaking that 100 lm/w "barrier" at the luminaire level. I suspect that Beta isn't the first to claim the accomplishment, but I do know that they have been one of the consistent performers in the exterior SSL lighting space, and are probably the most visible brand in that segment. And if they said it, that we can expect it is true. While 100 lm/w doesn't suddenly shift the business case in comparison to 96 or 98, it is easy to recognize that "more than 100" is something that the industry can latch onto in order to stake claim to offering the highest efficacy solutions. “Our achievement of reaching over 100 lumens-per-watt delivered in outdoor LED luminaires demonstrates the advantages of LED technology over HID,” said Christopher Ruud, president of BetaLED, a division of Ruud Lighting.
Hopefully what will be memorable here is that the 100 lm/w mark is being achieved
'on the target'. As Ruud explained, “Lumen-per-watt ratings on traditional
lamp sources are misleading because they don’t account for inefficiencies
of the ballast, reflector or lens. Lamp manufacturers have claimed 100 lumens-per-watt
with conventional light sources but this was not a measure of total lumens exiting
the product. While HID technologies reached the 100 lumens-per-watt mark
at the lamp, i.e. bare source, the light output was not directed in a useable
fashion. Up to 40 percent of the bare lamp’s output can be lost to
ballast, reflector and lens inefficiencies. BetaLED integrates LED chip
technology with optical performance and an optimized fixture design to maximize
light output at the source and on target. This delivered, targeted-lumen output
is the most efficacious luminaire to date, and further proof that an LED is
the most efficient light source in the industry."
I think Mark summed it up nicely with a thought on the ultimate relevance, outside
of this or that number. "Raising the performance bar in brightness and
efficacy is really about economics. Each advance in LED performance lowers LED
lighting product costs, opens new markets and applications and brings the LED
Lighting Revolution to more and more people." The performance continues
to march forward regardless, but I believe the fact that these 'barriers' have
been broken will really lock into people's minds that "LED lighting can
do it".
Time to start calling out the violators?
In my marketing life, I have never been one to focus others' attention too much on what the competition is doing, generally preferring to simply "outperform and ignore them" rather than make more direct accusations of their exaggerations or 'specsmanship'. That admittedly colors my thinking to create some distaste on those that might take a different approach. But things have changed, I believe. For the LED lighting market, as LED efficacies come up, new entrants are better able to claim that their luminaire, or their "integral replacement lamp" if it is an LED bulb or LED tube type of design, is a cost effective replacement for an incandescent, fluorescent or HID source. The specs make the case, and while in the past, if a company was claiming 50 lm/w but only putting out 40, it didn't really matter all that much since no rational decision maker was going to choose their solution compared to a fluorescent or HID incumbent except in a few specialized cases. Generally, when you have a specialized case, extra diligence is required and the truth will be uncovered in short order. A bad apple doesn't have to ruin the whole bushel in most of those real-world circumstances.
But as LEDs really do become recognized as the most efficacious source out there, the risk to the industry is increasing. The decision maker sees enough luminaires from reliable suppliers to be putting out 80 lm/w and more, so it starts to sink in that such performance isn't the special case that it once was. As their guard comes down, so does their risk aversion and skepticism. They test a few top notch suppliers, and find those suppliers are meeting the specs they claim. "Looks like the claims are reliable," they say to themselves. Then along comes a supplier whose name has been out there, and who is claiming a spec along the lines of what the decision maker has seen, with the addition that the "new guy" is showing a substantial cost savings. Makes sense... the two progress curves are "increased performance at the same price" and "similar performance at a lower price" especially from lower-overhead and potentially more agile new entrants. Problem is, the manufacture is lying, or using inferior materials, and with the decision maker's guard down, it may not be discovered until hundreds of units are installed (especially if they are replacement lamps). The industry gets a black eye.
So what should be do? Our suggestion is that maybe it's time to reset the industry's "politeness meter" to be oriented towards protecting the customers, and start calling out the blatant violators. At least one resource for that is in the Energy Star realm. Recently, we even let one slip through, as a company that signed up as an Energy Star "partner" projected the story that it was due to its product performance. "Partner" says "we want to support the Energy Star program" not "we have Energy Star qualified products". And Energy Star is pretty clear on its policies. "Partner" can't be used to imply the products are Energy Star approved, whether the mistake is made intentionally or not. There's no fine print about it either. Personally, I think the Energy Star "brand" is well enough established that the use of the phrase "partner" should be scaled back to include only those companies that have at least one product that is actually certified for the mark. They may have other products that aren't there yet, or for which a category doesn't exist, but having at least one would probably take us 90% of the way towards eliminating the problem, both because ignorance would not be an excuse, and because violation of how "partner' is used would put the company at jeopardy of losing their Energy Star approval on a product that they invested effort in getting the mark attached to. We are advocating that violators be reported. If you see what you believe to be the improper use of the Energy Star Partner mark, or see claims of an LED replacement lamp as being "Energy Star qualified" (the specs don't kick in until August), you can and should report them to ssl@energystar.gov.
If you have questions about
the solid state lighting and compound semiconductor industries or
have
news or views to share, we want to hear from you! Feel free to contact
us anytime.
The main office line is +1
(512) 257-9888
Current SecondPage members may access extended content by logging in here
or Sign up for a LIGHTimes SecondPage membership now
Copyright 2001-2008 by CompoundSemi Online Inc.
Some content under license from Veriphos Communications LLC