PLCC-6 Red LED A09K-UR1501H-AM Datasheet - 120° Viewing Angle - 2.15V @150mA - 7500mcd - English Technical Document

1. Product Overview

The A09K-UR1501H-AM is a high-performance, surface-mount LED component engineered for demanding automotive lighting applications. It utilizes a PLCC-6 (Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier) package, offering a robust and reliable platform for exterior vehicle lighting systems. The device emits a pure red light with a typical dominant wavelength of 613nm, providing excellent color saturation. Its primary design focus is on achieving high luminous intensity within a compact footprint while maintaining compliance with stringent automotive industry standards.

The core advantages of this LED include its high typical luminous intensity of 7500 millicandelas (mcd) at a forward current of 150mA, a wide 120-degree viewing angle for uniform light distribution, and robust construction qualified to AEC-Q101 standards. It is specifically targeted at the automotive exterior lighting market, including applications such as Center High-Mount Stop Lamps (CHMSL), tail lamps, and stop lamps, where reliability, brightness, and long-term performance are critical.

2. In-Depth Technical Parameter Analysis

2.1 Photometric and Electrical Characteristics

The key operational parameters define the LED's performance envelope. The forward current (I_F) has a recommended operating range of 20mA to 200mA, with a typical value of 150mA for rated output. At this current, the typical forward voltage (V_F) is 2.15V, with a maximum limit of 2.75V, indicating good electrical efficiency. The luminous intensity (I_V) is specified with a minimum of 4500 mcd, typical of 7500 mcd, and can reach up to 14000 mcd, showcasing a significant performance spread that is managed through the binning process. The dominant wavelength (λ_d) typically sits at 613nm, defining its red color point.

2.2 Thermal and Absolute Maximum Ratings

Thermal management is crucial for LED longevity. The device features a thermal resistance from junction to solder point (R_thJS) of 60 K/W (real) or 50 K/W (electrical), which is a key parameter for designing the thermal path on the PCB. The absolute maximum ratings set hard limits for safe operation: a maximum power dissipation (P_d) of 550 mW, a maximum junction temperature (T_J) of 125°C, and an operating temperature range (T_opr) from -40°C to +110°C, confirming its suitability for harsh automotive environments. It also withstands an ESD (HBM) rating of 8 kV.

3. Binning System Explanation

To ensure consistent color and brightness in production, the LEDs are sorted into bins. The datasheet provides detailed binning information for luminous intensity and dominant wavelength.

3.1 Luminous Intensity Binning

The luminous intensity is binned using an alphanumeric code system (e.g., L1, L2, M1... up to GA). Each bin defines a specific range of minimum and maximum luminous intensity in millicandelas (mcd). For the A09K-UR1501H-AM, the highlighted possible output bins center around the typical 7500 mcd value, which would correspond to bins in the DA (4500-5600 mcd) and DB (5600-7100 mcd) or EA (7100-9000 mcd) ranges. This binning allows designers to select parts that meet specific brightness requirements for their application.

3.2 Dominant Wavelength Binning

Similarly, the dominant wavelength is binned to control color consistency. The bins are defined by a letter-number combination (e.g., A1, B3, C5) covering a range of wavelengths, typically in 1nm or 2nm steps around the 613nm nominal value. This ensures that all LEDs used in a single lamp assembly have nearly identical color output, which is critical for aesthetic and regulatory reasons in automotive lighting.

4. Performance Curve Analysis

The datasheet includes several graphs that illustrate the LED's behavior under different conditions, which are essential for circuit and thermal design.

4.1 Forward Current vs. Forward Voltage (IV Curve)

The IV curve shows the exponential relationship between forward current and voltage. It is used to determine the operating voltage for a given drive current and to calculate power consumption (P = V_F * I_F). The curve helps in selecting appropriate current-limiting resistors or designing constant-current driver circuits.

4.2 Relative Luminous Intensity vs. Forward Current

This graph shows how light output increases with drive current. It is generally sub-linear; doubling the current does not double the light output. This relationship is important for understanding efficiency and for pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming design.

4.3 Temperature Dependency Graphs

Multiple graphs detail performance changes with junction temperature (T_J):

• Relative Luminous Intensity vs. Junction Temperature: Shows light output decreasing as temperature increases, a characteristic known as thermal droop. This must be accounted for in thermal design to maintain consistent brightness.
• Relative Forward Voltage vs. Junction Temperature: Demonstrates that V_F decreases linearly with increasing temperature (approximately -2 mV/°C for red LEDs). This can be used for temperature sensing but also affects constant-voltage drive schemes.
• Relative Wavelength vs. Junction Temperature: Indicates a shift in dominant wavelength (typically a few nanometers) with temperature, which is important for color-critical applications.

4.4 Spectral Distribution and Radiation Pattern

The relative spectral distribution graph shows the narrow emission peak characteristic of a red LED, centered around its dominant wavelength. The radiation pattern (viewing angle diagram) confirms the 120-degree viewing angle, displaying the angular distribution of light intensity, which is crucial for lens and reflector design to achieve desired beam patterns.

4.5 Forward Current Derating and Pulse Handling

The forward current derating curve dictates the maximum allowable continuous current based on the solder pad temperature. As the pad temperature rises, the maximum safe current decreases to prevent exceeding the 125°C junction temperature limit. The permissible pulse handling capability chart defines the peak pulsed current the LED can withstand for very short durations at various duty cycles, which is relevant for strobe or communication applications.

5. Mechanical, Packaging & Assembly Information

5.1 Mechanical Dimensions and Polarity

The LED comes in a standard PLCC-6 package. The mechanical drawing (implied in the 'Mechanical Dimension' section) would provide precise length, width, and height dimensions, lead spacing, and the location of the optical center. The package includes a polarity indicator (typically a notch or a chamfered corner) to ensure correct orientation during assembly, as LEDs are diodes and only allow current flow in one direction.

5.2 Recommended Solder Pad Layout

A recommended solder pad footprint is provided to ensure reliable soldering and optimal thermal performance. This includes the pad dimensions for the six electrical leads and the central thermal pad (if present in this package variant), which is critical for heat dissipation. Following this layout minimizes soldering defects and ensures a low thermal resistance path to the PCB.

5.3 Reflow Soldering Profile and Precautions

The datasheet specifies a reflow soldering profile, with a peak temperature of 260°C for a maximum of 30 seconds. Adhering to this profile is essential to avoid damaging the plastic package or the internal wire bonds. General precautions for use include avoiding mechanical stress on the lens, preventing contamination, and ensuring the device is stored in moisture-sensitive level (MSL) 2 conditions prior to use to prevent 'popcorning' during reflow.

5.4 Packaging Information

The LEDs are supplied on tape and reel for automated pick-and-place assembly. The packaging information details the reel dimensions, tape width, pocket spacing, and orientation of components on the tape, which are necessary for programming assembly equipment.

6. Application Guidelines and Design Considerations

6.1 Typical Application Scenarios

This LED is explicitly designed for automotive exterior lighting. Its high brightness and reliability make it ideal for:

• Center High-Mount Stop Lamps (CHMSL): Requires high intensity for visibility.
• Tail Lamps: Used for position/running lights.
• Stop Lamps: Requires instant-on, high-brightness signaling.

Its AEC-Q101 qualification, wide temperature range, and sulfur robustness ensure it can withstand the vibration, thermal cycling, and chemical exposure found in automotive environments.

6.2 Critical Design Considerations

Thermal Design: The primary factor affecting LED lifespan and performance. Use the thermal resistance (R_thJS) and derating curve to design an adequate thermal management system on the PCB, using thermal vias and possibly a metal-core board for high-power applications. Drive Circuitry: For consistent brightness and color, drive the LED with a constant current source rather than a constant voltage with a series resistor, especially in automotive voltage environments (9-16V). This compensates for V_F variation and temperature effects. Optical Design: The 120° viewing angle is suitable for wide-area illumination. Secondary optics (lenses, reflectors) may be needed to shape the beam for specific functions like a CHMSL. ESD Protection: While rated at 8kV HBM, implementing basic ESD protection on the PCB is a good practice during handling and assembly.

7. Compliance and Environmental Specifications

The product complies with several key industry standards:

• RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances, ensuring lead-free construction.
• EU REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.
• Halogen-Free: Limits on Bromine (Br) and Chlorine (Cl) content, important for environmental and safety reasons.
• Sulfur Robustness: Critical for automotive applications where sulfur-containing gases can corrode silver-plated components, leading to failure.

This comprehensive compliance portfolio simplifies the integration of this component into products destined for global markets, particularly the stringent European automotive sector.

8. Ordering Information and Part Number Decoding

The part number A09K-UR1501H-AM follows a specific coding convention. While the full decoding scheme is typically found in a manufacturer's guide, common elements include:

• A09K: Likely a series or family code.
• U: May indicate package type (e.g., PLCC).
• R: Typically denotes the color Red.
• 1501: Could relate to brightness or performance code.
• H: May indicate a high-brightness variant.
• AM: Often signifies Automotive Grade or a specific bin/version.

The ordering information section would detail available bins for luminous intensity and wavelength, allowing designers to specify the exact performance characteristics required for their application, ensuring consistency in mass production.