LED Component Technical Datasheet - Revision 2 - Lifecycle Phase Documentation - Release Date 2014-12-05 - English Technical Document

1. Product Overview

This technical document provides comprehensive information regarding the lifecycle management and revision history of a specific electronic component, likely an LED or related optoelectronic device. The core focus is on establishing the official status, version control, and temporal validity of the product data contained herein. This document serves as the definitive source for engineers, procurement specialists, and quality assurance personnel to verify the component's specification status at a given point in time.

The primary purpose is to ensure traceability and consistency in design and manufacturing processes. By clearly defining the revision number and release date, it prevents the use of outdated or incorrect specifications, which is critical for maintaining product reliability and performance. The document's structure is centered on administrative and lifecycle metadata, indicating a formalized product data management system.

2. Lifecycle and Revision Management

The document repeatedly and consistently specifies a single, unified set of administrative parameters. This repetition underscores the importance of these fields and ensures the information is unmistakably clear, even if the document is viewed partially.

2.1 Lifecycle Phase

The LifecyclePhase is explicitly stated as "Revision". This indicates the document and the component it describes are not in an initial design ("Prototype") or end-of-life ("Obsolete") phase. The "Revision" phase signifies that the product is in active production, and this document represents a revised version of its specifications. Revisions can occur due to process improvements, minor design tweaks, or updated test methodologies, all while maintaining functional compatibility within defined limits.

2.2 Revision Number

The Revision number is specified as 2. This is a critical identifier. It denotes that this is the second major revision of the product's technical datasheet. Engineers must always reference the latest revision to ensure their designs incorporate the most current performance data, tolerances, and recommended operating conditions. The jump from a hypothetical Revision 1 to Revision 2 suggests substantive updates to the content, which could include changes to electrical parameters, optical characteristics, mechanical drawings, or reliability data.

2.3 Release Date and Validity

The document was officially released on 2014-12-05 at 15:24:37.0. This timestamp provides an exact reference for when this revision became active. The Expired Period is noted as "Forever". This is a significant declaration. It means that this revision of the document does not have a pre-defined expiration or sunset date. It will remain the valid reference until explicitly superseded by a subsequent revision (e.g., Revision 3). This is common for product documentation, where a revision remains valid for the duration of that product version's production lifecycle.

3. Technical Parameters: In-Depth Objective Interpretation

While the provided PDF snippet focuses on administrative data, a complete technical datasheet for an LED component would contain the following sections. The analysis below is based on standard industry content for such a document.

3.1 Photometric and Color Characteristics

This section quantitatively defines the light output and color properties. Key parameters include Luminous Flux (measured in lumens, lm), which indicates the total perceived power of light emitted. Luminous Intensity (candelas, cd) may also be specified for directional LEDs. The Dominant Wavelength (for monochromatic LEDs) or Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) (for white LEDs, measured in Kelvin, K) precisely defines the color point. Color Rendering Index (CRI) is crucial for white LEDs, indicating how naturally colors appear under its light, with higher values (e.g., Ra>80) being desirable for general lighting.

3.2 Electrical Parameters

Electrical specifications ensure safe and optimal operation within the circuit. The Forward Voltage (Vf) is the voltage drop across the LED at a specified test current. It has a typical value and a range (e.g., 3.0V ~ 3.4V @ 20mA). The Forward Current (If) is the recommended continuous operating current, with an absolute maximum rating that must not be exceeded. Reverse Voltage (Vr) specifies the maximum allowable voltage in the reverse-biased direction, typically a low value like 5V, as LEDs are not designed to withstand high reverse voltages.

3.3 Thermal Characteristics

LED performance and lifetime are heavily dependent on junction temperature. The Thermal Resistance (Rth_J-A), measured in °C/W, indicates how effectively heat travels from the semiconductor junction to the ambient air. A lower value signifies better heat dissipation. The Maximum Junction Temperature (Tj_max) is the highest allowable temperature at the semiconductor die, often around 125°C. Operating below this limit is essential for long-term reliability.

4. Binning System Explanation

Manufacturing variations necessitate sorting LEDs into performance bins to ensure consistency for the end-user.

Wavelength/Color Temperature Binning: LEDs are grouped based on their dominant wavelength or CCT. A tight bin (e.g., 3-step or 5-step MacAdam ellipse for white LEDs) ensures minimal visible color difference between units in the same application.

Luminous Flux Binning: LEDs are sorted by their light output at a standard test current. This allows designers to select bins that meet specific brightness requirements.

Forward Voltage Binning: Sorting by Vf helps in designing efficient driver circuits, especially when multiple LEDs are connected in series, to ensure uniform current distribution.

5. Performance Curve Analysis

Graphical data provides deeper insight than tabular values alone.

I-V (Current-Voltage) Curve: This graph shows the relationship between forward voltage and current. It is non-linear, exhibiting a turn-on voltage after which current increases rapidly. This curve is vital for designing current-limiting circuitry.

Temperature Characteristics: Graphs typically show how luminous flux and forward voltage change with increasing junction temperature. Flux generally decreases as temperature rises (thermal quenching), while Vf decreases slightly.

Spectral Power Distribution (SPD): For white LEDs, this graph shows the relative intensity across the visible spectrum, revealing the mix of blue pump LED and phosphor emissions. It directly relates to CCT and CRI.

6. Mechanical and Packaging Information

Precise physical specifications are required for PCB design and assembly.

Outline Dimension Drawing: A detailed diagram showing all critical dimensions: length, width, height, lens shape, and any protrusions. Tolerances are always specified.

Pad Layout Design: A recommended footprint pattern for the PCB lands (pads). This includes pad size, shape, and spacing to ensure proper solder joint formation during reflow and good thermal connection.

Polarity Identification: Clear marking of the anode (+) and cathode (-). This is usually indicated by a visual marker on the component itself (like a cut corner, a dot, or a green line) and noted on the dimension drawing.

7. Soldering and Assembly Guidelines

Proper handling ensures reliability and prevents damage.

Reflow Soldering Profile: A detailed temperature-vs-time graph specifying the preheat, soak, reflow, and cooling phases. Key parameters include peak temperature (typically 245-260°C for Pb-free solder) and time above liquidus (TAL). Adherence to this profile prevents thermal shock.

Precautions: Instructions regarding moisture sensitivity level (MSL), baking requirements if the package is exposed to ambient humidity, and avoidance of mechanical stress on the lens.

Storage Conditions: Recommended temperature and humidity ranges for storing components before use, often in a dry, inert environment.

8. Application Recommendations

Typical Application Circuits: Schematic examples showing the LED driven by a constant current source, often using a dedicated LED driver IC or a simple resistor for low-current applications. Protection elements like transient voltage suppressors (TVS) may be suggested for automotive or industrial environments.

Design Considerations: Emphasis on thermal management is paramount. Guidelines for PCB copper area (thermal pad), use of thermal vias, and possibly heatsinking. Optical considerations include viewing angle and the potential need for secondary optics (lenses, diffusers). Electrical design must ensure stable current control, as LED brightness is current-dependent, not voltage-dependent.

9. Technical Comparison and Differentiation

While specific competitor names are omitted, the document may highlight inherent advantages. For an LED, this could include higher luminous efficacy (lumens per watt), superior color consistency (tighter binning), better reliability data (longer L70 lifetime), lower thermal resistance enabling higher drive currents, or a more robust package design resistant to moisture and sulfur. These points are presented as objective, measurable characteristics.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section addresses common queries based on the technical parameters.

Q: Can I drive this LED with a voltage source?
A: No. LEDs must be driven by a current-limited source. Connecting directly to a voltage source will cause excessive current flow, damaging the LED. Always use a constant current driver or a series current-limiting resistor.

Q: Why does the luminous flux in my application seem lower than the datasheet value?
A: Datasheet values are typically measured at 25°C junction temperature (Tj) under pulsed conditions. In a real application, higher Tj due to inadequate heat sinking causes flux depreciation. Refer to the relative flux vs. temperature curve.

Q: How do I interpret the "Forever" expired period?
A: It means this specific revision (Rev. 2) has no planned expiration. It is the valid specification for this product version. Always check for newer revisions before finalizing a design.

11. Practical Use Case Examples

Case 1: Architectural Linear Lighting: For a continuous run of LED tape, selecting LEDs from the same flux and color bin is critical to avoid visible brightness or color shifts along the length. The document's binning information guides this selection. Thermal management involves designing the aluminum channel to act as a heatsink, keeping the Tj low to maintain brightness and lifespan.

Case 2: Automotive Signal Lamp: Here, reliability under harsh conditions (temperature cycling, vibration) is key. The datasheet's maximum ratings and thermal characteristics inform the design of the PCB substrate and the drive current level to ensure performance over the vehicle's lifetime. The fast switching capability of LEDs is also leveraged.

12. Operating Principle Introduction

An LED is a semiconductor diode. When a forward voltage is applied, electrons from the n-type material recombine with holes from the p-type material in the active region, releasing energy in the form of photons (light). The wavelength (color) of the emitted light is determined by the energy bandgap of the semiconductor materials used (e.g., InGaN for blue/green, AlInGaP for red/amber). White LEDs are typically created by coating a blue LED chip with a yellow phosphor; the mixture of blue and yellow light appears white to the human eye.

13. Technology Trends

The general trajectory in LED technology focuses on several key areas: Increased Efficacy, achieving more lumens per electrical watt, reducing energy consumption. Improved Color Quality, expanding gamut and achieving higher CRI values with more uniform spectral distribution. Miniaturization, enabling higher density pixelated displays (micro-LEDs) and integration into smaller devices. Enhanced Reliability, with longer operational lifetimes (L90) and better performance under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. Smart Integration, incorporating drivers, sensors, and communication interfaces directly into the package for intelligent lighting systems.