How Active Components Improve the Performance of LED Lighting Systems

Image of LED light fixture

Light-emitting diodes (LED) have literally wiped the floor in the lighting industry. They have replaced most lighting technologies thanks to their numerous desirable features and advantages.

LEDs deliver excellent lighting performance and are versatile meaning that they can fit in a wide range of applications. The simplicity of this lighting technology is is something worth everyone’s attention.

We cant forget the cost factor when discussing LEDs. They are cheaper than most alternatives.

LEDs are suitable candidates in any application that requires some form of lighting, whether you are looking for a traditional lighting solution or you just want to illuminate a dark area for a special reason.

It is crystal clear that LED light is defining the current and the future of lighting. At the very heart of the LED developments is the active electronic components. They influence the basic and complex operations of the light emitting diodes.

When you switch your LED lighting fixture On to light up the room, that is the basic operation. What if these lighting fixtures illuminate themselves in case one walks in the room and turn off when the person walks out? Well, that may not be that simple.

In this article, we are going to examine the impact of the active components in LED lighting. We will look at how they improve the performance and efficiency of these lighting systems.

Table of Contents

Overview of LED technology

Before we look into the components that run LED, it will be prudent to have a basic overview of the Light-emitting diode.

LED is a semiconductor electronic component whose working principle is based on the functioning and operation of a diode.

The “light-emitting” feature simply outlays the electrical property of the semiconductor to produce light. This is achieved by biasing the p-n junction of the diode.

When electric current is connected to the diode, there will be movement of charges from low energy levels to high. A combination of holes and electrons will lead to the release of energy whose product wil be light.

The frequency of the energy released will determine the level of ligh intensity and at the same time the color of the light. This explains why it is easy to achieve different lighting colors using LEDs.

There are different types of semiconductors used for LEDs. It all depends on the minimum voltage threshold that is required to trigger the flow of current. These semiconductors include; Silicon, AIGaAs, Gap, SiC and GaAIP.

Exploring the new frontiers for the LEDs

As we have seen traditional semiconductor components have been the key ingredients for making LEDs.

In the recent years, organic components have started making entry into the LED. This technology is popularly known as organic LED or OLED.

OLED is mainly used in the display applications of the LEDs. The main advantage of OLED over the traditional LED is space. It uses very small and thin space hence ideal for the wearable devices.

It is also commonly used in mobile devices and at the same time in large display systems such as televisions.

OLED technology has also undergone some serious transformations over the years. Now we have different variants such as AMOLED, SOLED, TOLED, and PHOLED.

Overview of active components in LED lighting

Active components are heavily featured in most LED lighting systems. These are components that directly affect the flow and behavior of electric signal that is flowing through the LED.

After all, these components can only work when connected to a power source worth specified current and voltage.

Active components used in LEDs include integrated circuits, diodes, transistors, capacitors, operational amplifiers among others.

Each component is designed to perform a specific role that will eventually affect the operation the LED.

For example, an amplifier will amplify the incoming signal in the LED. This means that the intensity of the illumination will increase when the amplifier is incorporated in the circuit.

Some active components perform the voltage regulating function. They include transistors and may do so to limit the amount of power that is going to the LED. Proper regulation also protects the LEDs from possible electrical damage probably due to high current.

When designing an LED architecture, it is vital to keep in mind all the components that will be used. This wil help to determine the final performance and efficiency of the LED lighting fixture.

Ways in which active components improve performance of LED lighting systems

Image of LED light source Freepik

Now let’s look at different roles of active components in LED lighting systems.

Improving energy efficiency of the LEDs

By incorporating active components into LED lighting systems, you are likely to improve their energy efficiency. This is all about how these systems consume electric energy.

How do the components achieve this goal?

There are various ways of achieving this. First, power management ICs facilitate power regulation in the LED lighting systems. They ensure that the voltage and the current getting into the system does not exceed a specified threshold.

Another way in which the components enhance energy efficiency is through controlling the lighting levels. By dimming the lights when nobody is in the room the components will reduce the energy consumption by the LEDs.

Components enhance control and connectivity of LEDs

This is among the modern ways in which active components elevate the performance of the LED lighting systems.

Probably you know something about the internet of things (IoT). LED lighting systems can be part of IoT and be implemented in smart homes.

This is possible through the integration of active components that enhance network connectivity. Networking chips form the largest percentage of such components. They make it possible to control LED lighting systems using wireless connections

Other than networking, active components make it easy and convenient to control the lighting systems.

This is achieved using programmable ICs which allow you to introduce custom effects and illumination on the chips. Most advanced control mechanisms on the LED lighting systems are mainly because of using active components.

Improved reliability of the LEDs

If you are keen enough, must have noticed that modern LED lighting systems are highly reliable.

Other than performing exceptionally well as expected, they also have long lifespan.

Active components takes some credit when it comes to the reliability and long life of the LED lighting fixtures.

Reliability is mainly achieved through effective temperature management in the lighting systems.

Usually, in the process of generating light LEDs also generate some heat. If this heat is not well managed it can cause physical damage to some components.

Most ICs in LED systems are specially designed to facilitate efficient dissipation of heat from the system.

Also some elements of power management chips shield the LEDs from dangers of high voltage.

Compact size LED systems

The use of active components has a positive impact on the size of the LED chips. Like in most application areas, integrated circuits have led to the miniaturized LED fixtures.

This is possible due to the fact that ICs reduce the component count required for the LED systems. All the components are integrated into a single chip. The overall impact is a reduced form factor of the final product.

Smaller LED devices also have a direct impact on the cost of the product. The smalller it is the lower the manufacturing cost. Perhaps this explains why LED lighting fixtures have been becoming cheaper over the years.

Integrating IC chips in LEDs

Chips and chipsets represent some of the active electronic components in the LEDs.

Usually, when working on the LEDs, you have to consider the two sides of the coin; input current and the output.

As we have discussed, active components have direct impact on the incoming current from the power source. They also determine the output characteristics of the current.

So, you have to look at impact that the component will have.

Each individual IC that you add will have an impact in one way or another.

The first thing you should consider is the function of the chip; what role or impact will it have on the LED?

Secondly, consider the power specifications of the active component. The fact that it is called active means that it will have a direct impact on the incoming current.

The power specs will also determine the suitability and compatibility of the chip with the circuit and the LED.

Even if you install many IC chips in one LED, ensure that they work in harmony rather than opposite to each other.