Visible light communications (VLC) is the name given to an optical wireless
communication system that carries information by modulating light in the visible spectrum
(400–700 nm) that is principally used for illumination [1–3]. The communications signal
is encoded on top of the illumination light. Interest in VLC has grown rapidly with the
growth of high power light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the visible spectrum. The
motivation to use the illumination light for communication is to save energy by exploiting
the illumination to carry information and, at the same time, to use technology that is
“green” in comparison to radio frequency (RF) technology, while using the existing
infrastructure of the lighting system.
Over the past several years Linear Technology, the magazine, has come of age. From nothing, the publication has come into its own, as has its subscriber list. Many innovative circuits have seen the light of day in the pages of our now hallowed publication.
Abstract: Electrolytic capacitors are notorious for short lifetimes in high-temperature applications such asLED light bulbs. The careful selection of these devices with proper interpretation of their specifications isessential to ensure that they do not compromise the life of the end product. This application notediscusses this problem with electrolytic capacitors in LED light bulbs and provides an analysis that showshow it is possible to use electrolytics in such products.
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits narrow-spectrum incoherent light when forward-biased.The color of the emitted light depends on the chemical composition of the semiconductor material used, and can benear-ultraviolet, visible or infrared. LEDs are more prevalent today than ever before, replacing traditional incandescent andfluorescent bulbs in many lighting applications. Incandescents use a heated filament, are subject to breakage and burnoutand operate at a luminous efficiency of 2% to 4%. Fluorescents are more efficient, at 7% to 12%, but require highdrive voltage and contain mercury, a toxic substance that may be eventually banned in certain countries. LEDs, however,produce light directly through electroluminescence, operate at low voltage and can deliver over 20% luminous efficiency.
Once relegated to the hinterlands of low cost indicatorlights, the LED is again in the spotlight of the lightingworld. LED lighting is now ubiquitous, from car headlightsto USB-powered lava lamps. Car headlights exemplifyapplications that capitalize on the LED’s clear advantages—unwavering high quality light output, tough-assteelrobustness, inherent high effi ciency—while a USBlava lamp exemplifi es applications where only LEDs work.Despite these clear advantages, their requirement forregulated voltage and current make LED driver circuitsmore complex than the venerable light bulb, but some newdevices are closing the gap. For instance, the LTM®8040μModule™ LED driver integrates all the driver circuitryinto a single package, allowing designers to refocus theirtime and effort on the details of lighting design criticalto a product’s success.
Notebook and palmtop systems need a multiplicity ofregulated voltages developed from a single battery. Smallsize, light weight, and high efficiency are mandatory forcompetitive solutions in this area. Small increases inefficiency extend battery life, making the final productmuch more usable with no increase in weight. Additionally,high efficiency minimizes the heat sinks needed onthe power regulating components, further reducing systemweight and size.
