New driver and transistor options will bring dynamic lighting effects to exterior automotive systems

Taiwan Semiconductor Corporation (TSC) has announced an LED driver IC targeting automotive solid-state lighting (SSL) applications for virtually all exterior functions from headlamps to dynamic indicators. The TSC driver IC was developed with the idea that product developers could base all of the exterior automotive lighting functions around the same IC via a very configurable architecture.

Tennessee Utility to Install UV Lighting for COVID-Protection

The Tennessee Valley Authority is offering financial assistance to schools and businesses to install ultraviolet lighting that could minimize the spread of COVID-19. The utility will budget $500,000 for the installations. The technology uses UV-C light, which is a short wavelength ultraviolet light much like concentrated sunlight for disinfection.

TVA had been developing a program to promote UVGI lights to help fight influenza and other airborne illnesses in the next year and decided last month to expedite the roll-out to aid in the battle against the coronavirus.

Deelat Industrial Launches Line of Solar Street Lights

Deelat Industrial debuted its high-quality line of solar street lights consisting of 21 lights designed for various applications such as parks, campuses, parking lots, basketball courts, tennis courts, gardens, alleys and walkways.

The solar street lights range in lumens from 1,000 – 10,000, are built with reinforced aluminum and tempered glass and feature eco-friendly solar panels and LED’s.

Another feature integrated in a Deelat solar street light is a motion sensor, which is available on most models. “Deelat’s solar street lights are a phenomenal product. The aluminum alloy construction gives them a strong, durable quality and we are excited to now be offering a three-year warranty on all of our solar street and landscape lights,” said Michael Newman, CEO at Deelat.

Wearers can customize COVID masks’ light-up messaging

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, fashion designer Chelsea Klukas of Lumen Couture was planning to make some standard cloth face masks for friends. The LED Display mask has a thin LED matrix screen, and wearers can control what it displays — drawings, custom text, and even voice inputs— via an app. The fabric is breathable above and below the screen, and the tech components can be removed so the mask can be washed, or worn as a regular mask. A battery and charging cord are included

LED mandate could cost California’s indoor marijuana growers millions

Many California marijuana growers are up in arms over a recent proposal before the state Energy Commission that would require all indoor cultivation operators to use only LED lights by 2023. If implemented, the proposal could cost cannabis businesses hundreds of millions of dollars, the growers say.

The proposal is part of a lengthy report issued this month by the Codes and Standards Enhancement (CASE) Program. It would force indoor growers to transition away from lower-efficiency grow lights, such as metal halide or high-pressure sodium (HPS).

King Abdullah University Develops Red LED in InGaN

Researchers from King Abdullah University have developed a highly efficient red LED using Indium Gallium Nitride (InGaN). Not only does the InGaN LED structure produce red light, which uses the same material as blue and green LEDs, it is also stable at higher temperatures which traditional red LEDs suffer from. By adjusting the size and temperature of the LED, the researchers were able to affect the output power of the LED as well as change the colour impression.

Global Vehicular Lighting Market to Reach 2.2 Billion Units by the Year 2027

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Vehicular Lighting estimated at 1.7 Billion Units in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of 2.2 Billion Units by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% over the analysis period 2020-2027.

(Automotive) Tail Lamps/Brake Lamps, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 3.4% CAGR to reach 385.3 Million Units by the end of the analysis period.After an early analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the (Automotive) Headlamps segment is readjusted to a revised 3.5% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 13% share of the global Vehicular Lighting market.

The Vehicular Lighting market in the U.S. is estimated at 470.4 Million Units in the year 2020. The country currently accounts for a 27.01% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of 446 Million Units in the year 2027 trailing a CAGR of 5.8% through 2027. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 0.9% and 2.4% respectively over the 2020-2027 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 1.6% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach 446 Million Units by the year 2027.

Inventronics adds D4i-certified LED drivers for smart and connected luminaires

Inventronics has announced a new LED driver family, the EUM-240SxxxBx, targeted at outdoor area lighting that integrates support for the D4i interface that has been standardized by the DiiA (Digital Illumination Interface Alliance).

The D4i intra-luminaire interconnect is the simplest path forward for developers wanting to add sensors and wireless connectivity in a new luminaire development. The DiiA has certified the new driver family for compliance and that family includes three different sub-series intended for varying application and geographic factors.

Q-Tran to Host its First AIA Webinar

Connecticut-based lighting manufacturer Q-Tran on July 27th will be hosting the first in a series of virtual AIA presentations focusing on how to specify linear LED lighting.  The course title is "Specifying Linear LED Lighting Systems.

A follow-up presentation expands on the topic and will include low voltage power selections and their characteristics. That course, Specifying Low Voltage LED Systems, which focuses on power supplies, will be presented the following week.

The learning objectives of the course will focus on describing the characteristics and components of Linear LED Lighting Systems. Important metrics such as applicable codes, standards, and system requirements will be reviewed, as well as identifying the key performance attributes of high-quality Linear LED Lighting Systems. The conclusion of the course will illustrate how to incorporate desirable metrics into an easily replicable specification format.

ALLOS and KAUST co-developing high-efficiency nitride-based red LEDs on silicon

Engineering firm ALLOS Semiconductors GmbH of Dresden, Germany is collaborating with professor Ohkawa and his team at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to realize high-efficiency nitride-based red LEDs on large-diameter silicon substrates.

The researchers have already grown red LEDs on sapphire substrates and gallium oxide (Ga2O3) substrates (‘633-nm InGaN-based red LEDs grown on thick GaN underlying layers with reducing in-plane residual stress.

Kichler Lighting Invests in New Avenues to Reach Customers

Kichler Lighting will exit its Dallas Market Center (DMC) space, effective August 2020. The decision was based on several factors, including, but not limited to, the desire to adapt to a rapidly changing marketplace that will best serve customers and their consumers on the path to project success.

"Pivoting away from Lightovation was not an easy or quick decision for us, and we thank the DMC for our partnership throughout the years. Challenges and obstacles often open doors for innovation, and we intend to continue to be at the forefront of customer experience and support at all levels," said Irene Tasi, President, Kichler Lighting.

In November, the company will introduce digital tools and virtual events that will provide customers with experiential access to Kichler products and information.

A lamp to establish a healthy sleep routine

This lamp was designed to treat your insomnia. Sleep patterns change with exposure to light which has considerably increased during quarantine as we spend more time on our phones and laptops. This disturbs the body’s circadian rhythm and tricks it into being awake for longer hours even though it is dark outside.

The lamp is flexible so it can be used during the day as well like a desk lamp and the minimal design makes it a perfect fit for any interior style, especially a small space.

Solid-State Lighting Market size Generate Huge Revenue in Industry size COVID-19 2023

The global market for solid-state lighting should grow from $62.8 billion in 2018 to $127.5 billion by 2023 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2% for the period of 2018-2023.

Solid-state lighting has the potential to transform the global lighting market with the introduction of energy-efficient light sources. Solid-state lighting is used in many industries for general lighting, backlighting, automotive lighting, among others. The widespread application of solid-state lighting is found in architectural, consumer electronics, commercial and industrial, residential, transportation and automotive industries, among others.

Solid-state lighting does not contain hazardous substances or ultraviolet radiations, making it environmentally-friendly. Solid-state lighting system devices can function at a lower temperature than conventional light bulbs; this is projected to favorably impact market growth. The demands for solidstate lighting devices are increasing for general lighting along with other applications such as horticulture and healthcare lighting.

Lighting as a service program cuts DC’s energy spend by 70%

Global 3PL syncreon was looking to upgrade to energy-efficient LED lighting at a DC in Germany, but was put off by the costs. Then it learned of an innovative program offered by an Irish startup. Founded in 2015, Dublin-based UrbanVolt is a company whose work benefits society at large—that helps the world’s largest energy users, such as warehouses and other large industrial facilitie. Its programs include the Light as a Service offering, in which UrbanVolt outfits its customers’ facilities with LED lights at no charge to the user and then operates and maintains the systems for a specified term. The company, whose client list includes several U.S. operations, gets paid by sharing the savings on the customer’s energy bills.

Keep summer nights alive with 24% off this portable waterproof lamp

This Kickstarter-funded, portable sphere lamp runs on a rechargeable battery so you don't need an outlet to have light at night. The minimalist Scandinavian design makes it easy to carry and transport, whether you're having a socially distant dinner with neighbors or spending an evening on the beach with family. It's even foldable so it fits easily into your beach bag or suitcase.

Brand New Type of Organic LEDs Speed Up Data Transfer

An international research team, involving Newcastle University, developed visible light communication (VLC) setup capable of a data rate of 2.2 Mb/s by employing a new type of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The scientists created new far-red/near-infrared, solution-processed OLEDs. And by extending the spectral range to 700-1000?nm, they successfully expanded the bandwidth and achieved the fastest-ever data speed for solution-based OLEDs.

WernerCo receives LED lighting upgrade

WernerCo in Crystal Lake enlisted Fairbanks Energy Services to upgrade to LED lighting at the 500,000-square foot manufacturing facility. The completion of the project will save WernerCo by about $156,000 annually.

Green Island company triples production for UV LED

The global xenon flash lamp market size is expected to grow by USD 46.40 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period, according to new research.

The growing demand from various industries, and the demand from precision farming applications are among the major factors propelling the market growth. However, factors such as the emergence of substitutes may hamper the market growth.

The advantages of xenon flash lamp pumped laser such as stable simmer, dependable trigger, and consistent lamp-to-lamp quality make them suitable for use in medical and cosmetic applications while performing surgeries.
For example, in the medical sector, xenon flash lamp pumped lasers are used while performing eye surgeries and kidney stone surgeries. Similarly, xenon flash lamp pumped lasers are used for various cosmetic surgeries, such as hair removal, tattoo removal, and skin rejuvenation procedures.

ROHM's Blue-Green Chip LEDs Ideal for Color Universal Design Applications

ROHM recently announced the1608-size high accuracy blue-green chip LEDs, SMLD12E2N1W and SMLD12E3N1W. These products support the adoption of Color Universal Design (CUD) in a variety of applications, such as fire alarm system indicator lights, industrial equipment warning lamps and public transportation information displays.

Color is considered to be one of the most important means of communication and as such is used in a variety of ways – daily. However, approximately over 200 million people with P-type and D-type color deficiencies around the world find it difficult to distinguish between red and green, possibly resulting in information being inaccurately conveyed – depending on the combination of colors used.

Furthermore, since color vision can vary from person to person, it is difficult to perceive how different people see certain colors, which can be very inconvenient and also problematic as other people may not notice this deficiency.

As a result, there is a growing need in the society to implement Color Universal Design that takes into account the various types of color vision in order to deliver information accurately to as many people as possible. ROHM succeeded in developing blue-green chip LEDs with special wavelengths. These products are ideal for implementing Color Universal Design in a wide range of devices, utilizing a vertically integrated production system from the element fabrication stage and leveraging ROHM’s strength thorough quality control.

The SMLD12E2N1W and SMLD12E3N1W are the first 1608 size LEDs to be certified by the Japanese NPO (Non-Profit Organization), Color Universal Design Organization (hereafter referred to as CUDO) – making it possible to achieve color schemes and designs that can be easily discernible by everyone, including those who cannot distinguish differences in color.

In addition, adopting a new resin allows ROHM to significantly extend the LED lifetime while reducing the degradation of light intensity compared to conventional epoxy resins and improving the mold strength compared to the silicone resins while providing superior reliability. ROHM also offers AEC-Q102 qualified products that ensure worry-free use in automotive systems and industrial equipment demanding extreme reliability.

Lumileds packaged CSP LED delivers enhanced optics

Lumileds has announced the Luxeon HL2X packaged LED designed for high-lumen-output applications including street lights and high-bay luminaires.

The highly-directional LEDs deliver advantages in solid-state lighting (SSL) applications where all of the produced photons are delivered in a target area.

The architecture uses a unique combination of a chip-scale package (CSP) LED — essentially a die — that is placed in a traditional high-power package that allows the addition of a dome-shaped primary optic.

New materials that could make LED lighting even brighter and more affordable

Scientists are currently using supercomputers to gain insight on the crystal structure of new materials that could make LED lighting even brighter and more affordable.

New properties have been found in a promising LED material for next-generation solid-state lighting.

A January 2020 study in the chemistry journal ACS Omega revealed evidence pointing to a brighter future for cubic III-nitrides in photonic and electronic devices.

The main finding is that next generation LEDs can, should, and will do better. The motivation for studying cubic III-nitrides stems from the fact that today's LED loses much of its efficiency under high injection conditions of current passing through the device, necessary for general lighting.

Mini-LED, Micro-LED, and OLED displays: Present status and future perspectives

In a new paper published in Light: Science & Application, a team of scientists has conducted a comprehensive analysis on the performance of mLED/μLED/OLED emissive displays and mLED backlit LCDs.

The group evaluated the power consumption and ambient contrast ratio of each display in depth and systematically compared the dynamic range, motion picture response time, color gamut, and adaptability to flexible and transparent displays.

In the upcoming years, the group says, OLED would continue to grow in smartphone market, while mLED backlit LCD would penetrate into tablets, gaming monitors, computers, and TVs. In the not-too-distant future, mLED/μLED emissive displays could gradually move toward the central stage as their cost becomes more acceptable.

How a Park City Company is Creating Easy to Use Smart Lighting Products

Joining Lynn and John on Cool Science Radio is, Eric Miller, President, and CEO of Park City-based Avi-on Labs. Avi-on designs and builds a family of Bluetooth enabled lighting products that are reliable, state of the art, easy to configure and manage with any

LED light-up face masks a hit

Even before media first uttered the word coronavirus, Japan by-and-large was already in love with using face masks. Whether to prevent the spread of regular illnesses or to block allergy-inducing particles, they have been enhancing life here for ages. But now, with much of the world donning masks themselves, Japan is ready to move on to the next thing. And the only way to stand out in a crowd full of masked people, is to wear a LED light-up mask available in seven different colors and four different patterns.

City lights up Tulsa neighborhoods after lifting moratorium

The first street light in a Tulsa neighborhood was installed near 89th and Delaware recently. Mayor Bynum announced the lifting of the moratorium on new streetlights in residential areas, installation of these lights will soon begin citywide. Many people didn't feel safe walking around their neighborhoods, not because of crime but because of lights.

Matteo secures $3M for new lights at Wagner HS athletic fields

Wagner High School athletic fields in New York will be getting new lights thanks to $3 million in funding from Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island). The funding is part of more than $5.3 million Matteo was able to secure from the budget to renovate and upgrade school facilities in the Mid-Island. The lights will vastly improve access to what is an already a state-of-the-art athletic facility.

A clever lamp created for Foscarini

Italian designer Ferruccio Laviani is the mind behind the Tobia lamp created for Foscarini, a minimal and geometric light source with a standout statement handlebar that invites you to grab hold.

Both versions of Tobia are made from liquid-coated metal and aluminum. They’re available in white, black, fluo yellow, fluo orange, and gold (wall lamp only).

Oregon Department of Transportation to Convert 8,000 Street Lights to LEDs

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has initiated a streetlight conversion pilot program, which will involve replacing more than 8,000 high-pressure sodium lighting fixtures with LEDs. The $18.6 million project is funded by an energy savings performance contract (ESPC). The 8,000 streetlights to be replaced during this pilot are along highways in Region 1 of the ODOT system, which includes the Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, and eastern Washington counties.

DOE publishes research on LED lumen and chromaticity maintenance

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has published new research that is based on analysis of LM-80 testing datasets of 223 separate packaged LEDs to discern component behavior over time relative to lumen maintenance and to chromaticity shift.

The report is completely focused on phosphor-converted white LEDs (pc-LEDs). The four package types studied include polymer-based (sometimes referred to as plastics and common in mid-power), ceramic-based (high-power), COB-array, and two types of CSP LEDs.

Red-light LEDs for next-generation displays

In efforts to optimize the performance of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology researchers have succeeded in fabricating red LEDs, based on the naturally blue-emitting semiconductor indium gallium nitride, that are as stable as those based on indium gallium phosphide. Zhuang, Daisuke Iida, Kazuhiro Ohkawa and their colleagues were able to grow high-quality indium-rich InGaN to fabricate red LEDs using the nanofabrication facilities at theKAUST Core Labs.

Seoul Semiconductor’s SunLike Natural Spectrum LEDs Adopted for Horticulture Projects in Turkey

Seoul Semiconductor announced that its SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs have been adopted for horticulture LED lighting by the lighting solution company Fiberli, located in Turkey, one of the largest agricultural exporters in the world.

While it is well known that natural sunlight is one of the key factors in growth cycle of a plant, most growers cultivating a variety of crops under sunlight have experienced difficulties in regulating their growth cycles due to adverse seasonal conditions. Replacing sunlight with LED lighting that closely matches natural sunlight enables growers to control the growth cycles and development of all types of crops all year-round in greenhouses and indoor farms.

Seoul Semiconductor’s SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs are the world’s first LEDs to produce light that closely matches the spectrum of natural sunlight. The SunLike Series LEDs adopted for horticulture LED lighting by Fiberli achieved a full spectrum of light wavelengths from 380nm to 740nm, similar to the spectral curve of natural sunlight, with a color temperature of 5000K optimized to daylight spectra and color properties of CRI97, CQS97, TM30=100. In co-operation with Fiberli, Seoul Semiconductor has delivered an optimal horticulture lighting solution that fulfills the requirements of the light source for effective cultivation of all varieties of crops and flowers.

Bathymetric Map Uses Edge Lighting

A bathymetric map is one concerning the floor or bottom of a body of water. It’s the wet equivalent of a topographical map. Made on a Glowforge laser cutter, the design is built of layers of lasercut wood stacked up to represent the natural contours of the bottom of a lake. There’s also a layer of acrylic included, to which special standoffs are fitted. These standoffs hide blue LEDs inside, which allow the acrylic to be edge lit without the LEDs themselves being visible.

LED Lighting To Be Installed At More Schools

Earlier this year, Cheshire Academy was applauded for its green initiative that put them in a position to install LED lighting throughout the entire campus. The project was the first of its kind at Cheshire Academy, and now the Cheshire Public Schools are following suit. At the Cheshire Town Council meeting on June 16, Chief Operations Officer Vincent Masciana presented the Eversource Energy Small Business Energy Advantage Program for Municipalities (SBEA).

Luple Launches Light Technology Devices That Help Users Balance Their Circadian Rhythms

Olly, a light technology device from Samsung’s startup incubator, has launched on Kickstarter a product that is dedicated to helping users find balance in their everyday routines and comes in two versions—Olly Day, which helps users stay awake during the day, and Olly Night, which encourages deeper and more holistic sleep at night.

Olly Day’s wavelengths mimic sunlight to keep users feeling energized and to provide a natural energy boost without the side effects commonly associated with caffeine. The device boosts focus in just 20 minutes and can work more effectively and quickly than a cup of espresso.

Unlike LED lights that suppress the natural production of melatonin in the body, Olly Night’s wavelengths encourage melatonin production to prepare users for a night’s rest. The device emits a warm light and automatically turns off in 30 minutes.

Pre-orders of Olly Day and Olly Night will be available for a limited time on the product’s Kickstarter page, and it is a consumer-ready product. The Early Bird Single Packs start at $49 and come with a cable and a pouch. The team anticipates that delivery will be complete by October 2020.

Lume Cube launches a Mini edition of its bicolor LED Panel

Lume Cube, the company behind the portable LED lights for photographers & videographers, announced the release of their most affordable product yet, the Lume Cube Panel Mini.  With an intelligent LCD Display, adjustable controls, and a user-friendly interface, creators of all levels will be able to properly light their scene & capture professional-quality content on any device.

Global Industrial LED Market to Reach $20.16 Billion by 2026: at 16.8% CAGR

According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global industrial LED market generated $5.57 billion in 2018, and is estimated to reach $20.16 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 16.8% from 2019 to 2026. The report offers an extensive analysis of changing market dynamics, key winning strategies, company profiles, major segments, and competitive heat map.

Rise in demand for energy conservation and cost effective LED lights, initiative by government toward the adoption of LED, and need of replacement of traditional lights drive the growth of the global industrial LED market. However, high initial investment and voltage sensitivity of LED hinder the market growth. On the other hand, increase in implementation of smart lighting technology creates new opportunities in the coming years.

Based on region, Asia-Pacific contributed the highest share, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the total market share in 2018, and will maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. However, LAMEA is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 20.2% from 2019 to 2026.

Verticle develops chemical dicing for low-cos mini-LEDs

Verticle has developed innovative die singulation technology called ‘Chemical Dicing’, which enables a reduction in mini-LED die size without chip damage. Using the chemical dicing process, dramatic cost reduction can be achieved through a substantial increase in die count per wafer.

One of the most effective ways to reduce the manufacturing cost would be to shrink die size. However, this is limited by current die singulation technologies (e.g. the industry-standard stealth laser dicing process) due to chip damage and extremely long processing time.

Corsair's LT100 smart lighting tower to level up RGB game

The LT100 Smart Lighting Tower is a 422mm tower that has no less than 46 LEDs that provide immersive RGB lighting. The highlight here is that the lighting tower is a part of Corsair's iCUE ecosystem, meaning you can easily sync up the lighting effects with other Corsair products. The LT100 is sold as a starter kit that includes two RGB towers and a lighting controller. There are 11 preset lighting profiles, and you get the option to synchronize lighting to on-screen action and games.

LED tomatoes as tasty as HPS-grown?

Are the fruits and vegetables as tasty as when grown under other light sources? One tomato grower from Germany asked exactly that question regarding LED lights versus conventional high-pressure sodium (HPS) grow lights. Bayern-based Gemüsebau Steiner has been using the two technologies side by side at its greenhouse in Kirchweidach, having recently replaced 1000 of its HPS lights with LEDs at the 20,000m2 facility. After sampling the fruits of both, Gemüsebau delivered its own answer: LED-raised tomatoes are tastier than their HPS brethren.

Red Light Could Improve Over-40s' Eyesight

A small LED torch that emits deep red light could help improve declining eyesight, scientists have said: A study by University College London, involving a small sample size of 24 people, has shown that staring at long wavelength light for three minutes every day can "significantly improve vision" in those aged 40 and above. Cells in the eye's retina begin to deteriorate about 40 years of age. According to the researchers, the pace of this ageing is caused partly by a decline in the cell's mitochondria, whose role is to produce energy and boost cell function.

Asus’ ROG Zephyrus G14 is now available with a hidden LED display

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 can now be configured with a LED dot-matrix display hidden in its lid, with a new model costing $1,999.99. Th AniMe Matrix display consists of 1,215 Mini-LEDs that support 256 levels of brightness each and can be used to show anything from the time to music visualizers, GIFs, or an animated logo from your favorite technology website.

ANSI Standard for UV-C Measurement for Disinfection

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) have partnered to develop American National Standards for the measurement and characterization of UV-C device performance in disinfection. The aim is to cooperatively promote awareness of and improve the application of UV disinfection technology in the healthcare system by establish measuring standard for UV disinfecting products including light sources of UV lamps and UV LEDs.

UV LED makers Crystal IS and Asahi Kasei contribute to a UV Accelerator

Crystal IS and Asahi Kasei have announced the UV Accelerator — a venture funding program focused on the use of ultraviolet (UV) energy in the UV-C band (100–280-nm) to fight viral or bacterial infection including the coronavirus. In particular Crystal is no neophyte in the disinfection space. The company has been one of the pioneers in UV-C LED manufacturing and has a unique value proposition based on the homogeneous approach to manufacturing — growing AlN (aluminum nitride) epitaxial layers on an AlN substrate.

A small LED light to help you shoot better smartphone photos

The goal of the new BIGSOFTI small light is to offer you a small slightly soft continuous light wherever you go, for uses where you might not normally want to bother setting up any kind of light at all. It comes with a universal clip for mounting it to smartphones, tablets and laptops, a shoe mount, and a 3M adhesive mount for attaching to monitors where your webcam might be. The product is currently offered at Kickstarter. Delivery is expected in December 2020.

Next Generation Configurable Matrix LED Driver Family

Lumissil Microsystems, a division of Integrated Silicon Solution, introduced a new family of advance matrix LED drivers targeted for large LED arrays in gaming keyboards, appliance interfaces, smart speakers, messaging and control panels. 

The new IS31FL374x family of matrix drivers build on the success of similar matrix drivers; IS31FL3741 (351 LEDs) and IS31FL3742 (180 LEDs).

The IS31FL374x family of matrix LED drivers integrates many advanced features such as configurable matrix size, individual LED open/short detection, individual LED current adjust and PWM registers, all accessible via a fast 1MHz I2C or 12MHz SPI bus interface.

A configurable matrix size helps lower costs since the same matrix driver can be reused in different projects to support various LED array sizes without a major rewrite of the software.

The IS31FL374x devices enable each LED in the array with its own corresponding control and fault status register to provide individual LED color and dimming effects, de-ghosting and fault reporting for enhanced overall system performance health and reliability. LED matrix architectures typically experience a ghosting effect where an LED remains dimly ON due to a residual charge in the LED array matrix. The IS31FL374x family eliminates this residual charge and therefore eliminates the LED ghosting effect.