LED Guide - Revision history

Lmpacent at 20:08, 26 June 2023

2023-06-26T20:08:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 26 June 2023
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	{{#seo:\|description=Interested in controlling LEDs with Phidgets? Check out this guide for information about how to control LEDs, what interfaces to use, and more.}}		{{#seo:\|description=Interested in controlling LEDs with Phidgets? Check out this guide for information about how to control LEDs, what interfaces to use, and more.}}
			{{#seo:\|keywords=LED}}
	[[Category:IntroGuide]]		[[Category:IntroGuide]]
	__TOC__		__TOC__

Lmpacent at 16:48, 24 May 2023

2023-05-24T16:48:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 24 May 2023
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	~~<metadesc>~~LEDs ~~are a popular and energy-efficient way of producing light~~ for ~~electronic projects. You can find~~ LEDs and ~~controllers at Phidgets.com~~.~~</metadesc>~~		{{#seo:\|description=Interested in controlling LEDs with Phidgets? Check out this guide for information about how to control LEDs, what interfaces to use, and more.}}
	[[Category:IntroGuide]]		[[Category:IntroGuide]]
	__TOC__		__TOC__

Mparadis at 19:09, 16 May 2023

2023-05-16T19:09:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:09, 16 May 2023
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	<metadesc>LEDs are a popular and energy-efficient way of producing light for electronic projects. You can find LEDs and controllers at Phidgets.com.</metadesc>		<metadesc>LEDs are a popular and energy-efficient way of producing light for electronic projects. You can find LEDs and controllers at Phidgets.com.</metadesc>
	[[Category: ~~Primer~~]]		[[Category:IntroGuide]]
	__TOC__		__TOC__

Mparadis: Mparadis moved page LED Primer to LED Guide

2023-05-16T16:45:37Z

Mparadis moved page LED Primer to LED Guide

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:45, 16 May 2023
(No difference)

Mparadis at 15:50, 7 June 2018

2018-06-07T15:50:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:50, 7 June 2018
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	===Maximum Current and Brightness Control===		===Maximum Current and Brightness Control===
	Most LEDs have a current rating of 20, 40, 60 or 80mA. Our dedicated [{{~~SERVER~~}}~~/?view=comparetable&rel=LED%20Interfaces LED Phidgets]~~ can adjust the current limit or brightness (duty cycle). This however does not imply a precise method for controlling the visibility of emitted light, since this is affected by the construction and quality of the LED as well as the eyes of the viewer. That is to say, a 50% change in duty cycle does not necessarily result in a 50% change in visible brightness. Be cautious when changing the current limit; many small LEDs are designed for a low maximum current, and can burn out if driven at higher currents.		Most LEDs have a current rating of 20, 40, 60 or 80mA. Our dedicated {{CT\|LEDInterface\|LED Phidgets}} can adjust the current limit or brightness (duty cycle). This however does not imply a precise method for controlling the visibility of emitted light, since this is affected by the construction and quality of the LED as well as the eyes of the viewer. That is to say, a 50% change in duty cycle does not necessarily result in a 50% change in visible brightness. Be cautious when changing the current limit; many small LEDs are designed for a low maximum current, and can burn out if driven at higher currents.

	===Choosing Current and Voltage Settings===		===Choosing Current and Voltage Settings===

Mparadis: /* Introduction */

2018-05-24T17:48:37Z

Introduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:48, 24 May 2018
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	The best way to drive LEDS is with one of our LED controllers:		The best way to drive a large number of LEDS is with one of our LED controllers:
	* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1032 1032 - PhidgetLED-64 Advanced]		* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1032 1032 - PhidgetLED-64 Advanced]
	* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=LED1000 LED1000 - 32x Isolated LED Phidget]		* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=LED1000 LED1000 - 32x Isolated LED Phidget]

Mparadis at 16:51, 29 November 2017

2017-11-29T16:51:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 29 November 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
			<metadesc>LEDs are a popular and energy-efficient way of producing light for electronic projects. You can find LEDs and controllers at Phidgets.com.</metadesc>
	[[Category: Primer]]		[[Category: Primer]]
	__TOC__		__TOC__

Jdecoux: /* Multiplexed LEDs */

2017-07-06T20:23:58Z

Multiplexed LEDs

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:23, 6 July 2017
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	===Choosing Current and Voltage Settings===		===Choosing Current and Voltage Settings===
	Make sure to choose the minimum supply voltage setting to drive the LED that requires the most voltage during operation. Any extra voltage not required by the LED will be converted to heat by the Phidget. For example, a Blue LED being driven at 20mA, 3.9V Supply, that requires 3.7 volts will cause (3.9V-3.7V + 0.4V) * 0.02A = 12 milliwatts of heat to be produced. If this example instead uses a high power, 1.5V infrared LED at 80mA, this will create (3.9V-1.5V+0.4V)*0.08 Amps = 224 milliwatts of heat.		Make sure to choose the minimum supply voltage setting to drive the LED that requires the most voltage during operation. Any extra voltage not required by the LED will be converted to heat by the Phidget. For example, a Blue LED being driven at 20mA, 3.9V Supply, that requires 3.7 volts will cause (3.9V-3.7V + 0.4V) * 0.02A = 12 milliwatts of heat to be produced. If this example instead uses a high power, 1.5V infrared LED at 80mA, this will create (3.9V-1.5V+0.4V)*0.08 Amps = 224 milliwatts of heat.

	~~==Multiplexed LEDs==~~
	Multiplexing is a system wherein the entire display is not active at the same time. Instead, sub-units of the display are driven one at a time and the electronics combine with human persistence of vision (the phenomenon of the eye by which an afterimage is thought to persist for approximately one twenty-fifth of a second on the retina) to make the viewer believe the entire display is continuously active. Many controllers use this architecture to reduce power consumption. 7 segment display clocks are an example of this.

	In an effort to reduce electrical noise in the system, our LED Phidgets do not use multiplexing. All anodes are connected to the same power supply and the cathode of each LED connection is attached to an individual constant current sink. Also, the LEDs are not controlled by PWM - they are driven at a constant current.

	==Other uses for LED controllers==		==Other uses for LED controllers==
	LED controllers are typically just a set of special digital outputs. This means they aren't limited to just controlling LEDs. They can be used to control relays, solenoids and even very small motors. LED Phidgets can also be used to drive opto-isolators and MOSFET SSRs.		LED controllers are typically just a set of special digital outputs. This means they aren't limited to just controlling LEDs. They can be used to control relays, solenoids and even very small motors. LED Phidgets can also be used to drive opto-isolators and MOSFET SSRs.

Lmpacent at 22:38, 5 July 2017

2017-07-05T22:38:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 5 July 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category: Primer]]		[[Category: Primer]]
	~~[[Image:RBG.jpg\|200px\|link=]]~~
	__TOC__		__TOC__

	<br clear="all" />		<br clear="all" />
	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
			[[File:LED1000_0.jpg\|link=\|right\|550px]]
			Like normal diodes, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices designed to conduct current in one direction only. What makes LEDs unique is their internal material makeup: when atoms in an LED release energy due to the flow of forward current, it is released in the form of photons (light). Different construction materials and various phosphor coatings are used to produce numerous colors of light.

	Like normal diodes, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices designed to conduct current in one direction only. What makes LEDs unique is their internal material makeup: when atoms in an LED release energy due to the flow of forward current, it is released in the form of photons (light). Different construction materials and various phosphor coatings are used to produce numerous colors of light.

	~~LEDs that Phidgets sells are all operable via the [[InterfaceKit Digital Outputs\|digital outputs]] on any~~ of our ~~interface kits or the VINT ports on a {{VINTHub}} when used in DigitalOutput mode. Since it is often desirable to control more LEDs than our InterfaceKits have outputs, Phidgets also sells specific~~ LED controllers:		The best way to drive LEDS is with one of our LED controllers:
	* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1032 1032 - PhidgetLED-64 Advanced ~~LED controller~~]		* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1032 1032 - PhidgetLED-64 Advanced]
	* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=LED1000 LED1000 - LED Phidget]		* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=LED1000 LED1000 - 32x Isolated LED Phidget]
	These boards offer ~~more outputs and features specific to LED~~ control, ~~such as brightness~~ and ~~current~~ control.		These boards offer multiple channels, brightness control, current control, and even forward voltage control! It is clear why you would want to use one of these instead of a regular digital output.

	==How it works==		==How it works==
Line 25:		Line 25:

	===Supply Voltage===		===Supply Voltage===
	{\|		To be an effective LED controller your digital outputs must be capable of adjusting the forward voltage supplied to the LEDs to various settings allowing you to properly drive blue, white, violet, ultra violet and purple LEDs. The supply voltage will affect all LEDs. If you set the supplied voltage too high, power will be wasted and the controller may shut down from thermal overload. If you set the supply voltage too low, your LEDs will not be driven at the requested current, and will be dim or non-functional.
	~~\|- valign="top"~~
	\|To be an effective LED controller your digital outputs must be capable of adjusting the forward voltage supplied to the LEDs to various settings allowing you to properly drive blue, white, violet, ultra violet and purple LEDs. The supply voltage will affect all LEDs. If you set the supplied voltage too high, power will be wasted and the controller may shut down from thermal overload. If you set the supply voltage too low, your LEDs will not be driven at the requested current, and will be dim or non-functional.		{\|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;width:50%;margin:auto"
	\|		\|colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0;"\|'''Typical Forward Voltages'''
	{\| ~~border~~ = 1
	!colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0~~;width:1000px~~;"\|Typical Forward Voltages
	\|-		\|-
	\|style="background:#f0f0f0;"\|'''Color'''		\|style="background:#f0f0f0;"\|'''Color'''
	\|style="background:#f0f0f0;"\|'''Forward Voltage'''		\|style="background:#f0f0f0;"\|'''Forward Voltage'''
	\|-		\|-
	\| Infrared\|\|< 1.9		\|Infrared\|\|< 1.9
	\|-		\|-
	\| Red\|\|1.7 to 2.2		\|Red\|\|1.7 to 2.2
	\|-		\|-
	\| Orange\|\|2.0 to 2.2		\|Orange\|\|2.0 to 2.2
	\|-		\|-
	\| Yellow\|\|2.1 to 2.4		\|Yellow\|\|2.1 to 2.4
	\|-		\|-
	\| Green\|\|2 to 2.3		\|Green\|\|2 to 2.3
	\|-		\|-
	\| Blue\|\|3.2 to 4.0		\|Blue\|\|3.2 to 4.0
	\|-		\|-
	\| Ultraviolet\|\|2.1 to 3.8		\|Ultraviolet\|\|2.1 to 3.8
	\|-		\|-
	\| White\|\|3.3 to 3.6		\|White\|\|3.3 to 3.6
	\|}
	\|}		\|}

	===Maximum Current and Brightness Control===		===Maximum Current and Brightness Control===
			Most LEDs have a current rating of 20, 40, 60 or 80mA. Our dedicated [{{SERVER}}/?view=comparetable&rel=LED%20Interfaces LED Phidgets] can adjust the current limit or brightness (duty cycle). This however does not imply a precise method for controlling the visibility of emitted light, since this is affected by the construction and quality of the LED as well as the eyes of the viewer. That is to say, a 50% change in duty cycle does not necessarily result in a 50% change in visible brightness. Be cautious when changing the current limit; many small LEDs are designed for a low maximum current, and can burn out if driven at higher currents.
	Most LEDs have a current rating of 20, 40, 60 or 80mA. ~~Dedicated~~ Phidgets ~~LED boards~~ can adjust the current limit or duty cycle ~~(which affects brightness~~). This however does not imply a precise method for controlling the visibility of emitted light, since this is affected by the construction and quality of the LED as well as the eyes of the viewer. That is to say, a 50% change in duty cycle does not necessarily result in a 50% change in visible brightness. Be cautious when changing the current limit; many small LEDs are designed for a low maximum current, and can burn out if driven at higher currents.

	===Choosing Current and Voltage Settings===		===Choosing Current and Voltage Settings===
			Make sure to choose the minimum supply voltage setting to drive the LED that requires the most voltage during operation. Any extra voltage not required by the LED will be converted to heat by the Phidget. For example, a Blue LED being driven at 20mA, 3.9V Supply, that requires 3.7 volts will cause (3.9V-3.7V + 0.4V) * 0.02A = 12 milliwatts of heat to be produced. If this example instead uses a high power, 1.5V infrared LED at 80mA, this will create (3.9V-1.5V+0.4V)*0.08 Amps = 224 milliwatts of heat.
	Make sure to choose the minimum supply voltage setting to drive the LED that requires the most voltage during operation. Any extra voltage not required by the LED will be converted to heat by the ~~1032~~. For example, a Blue LED being driven at 20mA, 3.9V Supply, that requires 3.7 volts will cause (3.9V-3.7V + 0.4V) * 0.02A = 12 milliwatts of heat to be produced ~~on the 1032~~. If this example instead uses a high power, 1.5V infrared LED at 80mA, this will create (3.9V-1.5V+0.4V)*0.08 Amps = 224 milliwatts of heat.

	==Multiplexed LEDs==		==Multiplexed LEDs==
	Multiplexing is a system wherein the entire display is not active at the same time. Instead, sub-units of the display are driven one at a time and the electronics combine with human persistence of vision (the phenomenon of the eye by which an afterimage is thought to persist for approximately one twenty-fifth of a second on the retina) to make the viewer believe the entire display is continuously active. Many controllers use this architecture to reduce power consumption. 7 segment display clocks are an example of this.		Multiplexing is a system wherein the entire display is not active at the same time. Instead, sub-units of the display are driven one at a time and the electronics combine with human persistence of vision (the phenomenon of the eye by which an afterimage is thought to persist for approximately one twenty-fifth of a second on the retina) to make the viewer believe the entire display is continuously active. Many controllers use this architecture to reduce power consumption. 7 segment display clocks are an example of this.

	In an effort to reduce electrical noise in the system ~~the PhidgetLED does~~ not use multiplexing. All 64 anodes are connected to the same power supply and the cathode of each LED connection is attached to an individual constant current sink. Also, the LEDs are not controlled by PWM - they are driven at a constant current.		In an effort to reduce electrical noise in the system, our LED Phidgets do not use multiplexing. All anodes are connected to the same power supply and the cathode of each LED connection is attached to an individual constant current sink. Also, the LEDs are not controlled by PWM - they are driven at a constant current.

	==Other uses for LED controllers==		==Other uses for LED controllers==
			LED controllers are typically just a set of special digital outputs. This means they aren't limited to just controlling LEDs. They can be used to control relays, solenoids and even very small motors. LED Phidgets can also be used to drive opto-isolators and MOSFET SSRs.
	LED controllers are typically just a set of special digital outputs. This means they aren't limited to just controlling LEDs. They can be used to control relays, solenoids and even very small motors. LED Phidgets can also be used to drive opto-isolators and MOSFET SSRs.

Mparadis: /* Introduction */

2017-04-07T15:30:13Z

Introduction

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:30, 7 April 2017
Line 8:		Line 8:
	Like normal diodes, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices designed to conduct current in one direction only. What makes LEDs unique is their internal material makeup: when atoms in an LED release energy due to the flow of forward current, it is released in the form of photons (light). Different construction materials and various phosphor coatings are used to produce numerous colors of light.		Like normal diodes, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices designed to conduct current in one direction only. What makes LEDs unique is their internal material makeup: when atoms in an LED release energy due to the flow of forward current, it is released in the form of photons (light). Different construction materials and various phosphor coatings are used to produce numerous colors of light.

	LEDs that Phidgets sells are all operable via the [[InterfaceKit Digital Outputs\|digital outputs]] on any of our interface kits or the VINT ports on a [{{~~SERVER~~}}~~/products.php?product_id=HUB0000 VINT Hub]~~ when used in DigitalOutput mode. Since it is often desirable to control more LEDs than our InterfaceKits have outputs, Phidgets also sells specific LED controllers:		LEDs that Phidgets sells are all operable via the [[InterfaceKit Digital Outputs\|digital outputs]] on any of our interface kits or the VINT ports on a {{VINTHub}} when used in DigitalOutput mode. Since it is often desirable to control more LEDs than our InterfaceKits have outputs, Phidgets also sells specific LED controllers:
	* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1032 1032 - PhidgetLED-64 Advanced LED controller]		* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=1032 1032 - PhidgetLED-64 Advanced LED controller]
	* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=LED1000 LED1000 - LED Phidget]		* [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=LED1000 LED1000 - LED Phidget]