Table of Contents
- 1. Document Overview
- 2. Lifecycle and Revision Information
- 2.1 Lifecycle Phase
- 2.2 Expired Period
- 2.3 Release Date
- 3. Core Technical Parameter: Wavelength
- 3.1 Importance of Wavelength
- 3.2 Specification and Binning
- 4. Document Structure and Interpretation
- 5. Application and Design Considerations
- 5.1 Optical System Design
- 5.2 Electrical Drive Considerations
- 5.3 Thermal Management
- 6. Manufacturing and Quality Assurance
- 7. Sourcing and Replacement
- 8. Typical Application Scenarios
- 9. Comparison with Other Documentation
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 11. Practical Use Case Example
- 12. Technical Principle
- 13. Industry Trends and Context (Circa 2013)
- LED Specification Terminology
- Photoelectric Performance
- Electrical Parameters
- Thermal Management & Reliability
- Packaging & Materials
- Quality Control & Binning
- Testing & Certification
1. Document Overview
This document serves as a technical specification and revision control record for a series of Light Emitting Diode (LED) components. The primary purpose is to provide a definitive reference for the product's lifecycle status, release information, and a key technical parameter: wavelength. The document has been officially released and is designated as Revision 3, indicating it is the third major iteration of this specification. The release date is recorded as August 19, 2013, at 09:54:19. The document carries an \"Expired Period\" status of \"Forever,\" which typically signifies that this version of the document is intended to be the permanent reference for this specific product revision and will not be superseded by a newer version for the same product configuration. This is common for products that have reached a final, stable state in their development or for which production has ceased, and the documentation is archived for future reference.
2. Lifecycle and Revision Information
The document header consistently repeats a specific metadata block across multiple entries. This block contains three critical pieces of information that establish the document's authority and version.
2.1 Lifecycle Phase
The lifecycle phase is explicitly stated as \"Revision.\" In product documentation and engineering change management, a \"Revision\" phase indicates that the document (and by extension, the product it describes) has undergone formal changes from a previous version. This is not a draft or a preliminary document; it is an approved, updated version. The number \"3\" following the colon specifies that this is the third such revision. Tracking revisions is essential for quality control, manufacturing consistency, and ensuring that all stakeholders are referencing the correct set of specifications.
2.2 Expired Period
The field \"Expired Period\" is set to \"Forever.\" This is a significant designation. In many document control systems, technical datasheets have a validity period after which they must be reviewed and re-confirmed or updated. An \"Expired Period\" of \"Forever\" exempts this document from that requirement. It implies that the specifications contained within are considered final and static for the product lifecycle they represent. This is often used for products that are no longer in active development or for which the design has been frozen permanently.
2.3 Release Date
The release date provides a precise timestamp for when Revision 3 became official: \"2013-08-19 09:54:19.0.\" The inclusion of the time down to the second underscores the formality of the release process in a controlled documentation system. This timestamp allows for exact traceability and is crucial in industries where regulatory compliance or detailed audit trails are required.
3. Core Technical Parameter: Wavelength
Interspersed within the repeated header information is the core technical data this document aims to convey. The parameter \"Wavelength \u03bb (nm)\" is prominently listed. In the context of LEDs, wavelength is the single most critical optical characteristic.
3.1 Importance of Wavelength
Wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm), directly determines the perceived color of the light emitted by the LED. For example:
- ~625-750 nm: Red light
- ~590-625 nm: Amber/Orange light
- ~565-590 nm: Yellow light
- ~520-565 nm: Green light
- ~450-520 nm: Blue light
- ~400-450 nm: Violet light
3.2 Specification and Binning
The document structure, showing the wavelength parameter listed separately at times, strongly implies that the content is a table or a list where each entry pairs the standard document header with a specific wavelength value. In LED manufacturing, there is natural variation in the exact wavelength produced by individual chips. Therefore, LEDs are typically \"binned\" or sorted into groups based on their measured wavelength. A datasheet would list the available bins (e.g., Bin A: 520-525 nm, Bin B: 525-530 nm). The placeholder dots (\"\u2027\" or \"\u30fb\") in the provided content likely represent rows in a table where specific wavelength values or bin codes would be listed for different product variants or orderable part numbers. The absence of concrete numerical values in the provided snippet indicates we are seeing the template or structure, not the populated data.
4. Document Structure and Interpretation
The repetitive nature of the header block preceding what appears to be table rows is a standard practice in datasheets for multi-part components. Each unique product variant (different wavelength bin, different forward voltage bin, etc.) will have its own row or section. The repeated header ensures that the revision and lifecycle context is explicitly attached to every single data entry, preventing ambiguity. The use of special bullet characters (\u25cf, \u2027) likely denotes list items or row separators within the document's original formatting.
5. Application and Design Considerations
Understanding the wavelength specification is paramount for system design.
5.1 Optical System Design
The wavelength dictates the choice of optical materials. Lenses, filters, and light guides may have transmission efficiencies and optical properties that vary significantly with wavelength. A lens designed for 650nm red light may not perform optimally for 450nm blue light. Designers must select ancillary optical components that are compatible with the specified LED wavelength to achieve desired performance in terms of beam pattern, intensity, and color purity.
5.2 Electrical Drive Considerations
While not explicitly stated in the snippet, the wavelength of an LED is intrinsically linked to its semiconductor material (e.g., AlInGaP for red/amber, InGaN for blue/green/white) and its bandgap energy. Different materials have different forward voltage (Vf) characteristics. Although Vf is not listed here, a designer using this component would need to consult the full datasheet for the Vf specification corresponding to the chosen wavelength bin to design the correct current-limiting circuitry.
5.3 Thermal Management
LED wavelength can exhibit a slight shift with changes in junction temperature (typically 0.1-0.3 nm/\u00b0C for AlInGaP, more for InGaN). For applications requiring strict color consistency (e.g., medical lighting, color displays), maintaining a stable and controlled thermal environment is crucial. The datasheet would normally provide a coefficient or graph showing wavelength vs. temperature.
6. Manufacturing and Quality Assurance
The rigid document control evidenced by the header--with its revision number and precise release timestamp--is a hallmark of professional manufacturing. It ensures that every unit produced and every system designed references the exact same set of guaranteed parameters. The \"Forever\" expired period for this revision suggests that any product built to Rev. 3 specs has a fixed, unchanging definition, which is vital for long-term maintenance, repair, and quality audits.
7. Sourcing and Replacement
For procurement and repair logistics, the revision number (3) and release date are critical identifiers. When re-ordering components or seeking replacements years later, specifying \"Revision 3, released 2013-08-19\" ensures the exact same electrical and optical characteristics are obtained. Using a component from a different revision, even with the same base part number, could lead to system performance variations or incompatibilities.
8. Typical Application Scenarios
LEDs specified with a precise wavelength are used in countless applications:
- Indicator Lights: Status lights on consumer electronics, appliances, and industrial equipment where specific colors convey specific meanings (red for alarm/stop, green for ready/go, amber for warning).
- Automotive Lighting: Signal lights (brake lights, turn signals) have legal requirements for chromaticity coordinates, which are ensured by tight wavelength control.
- Signage and Displays: Full-color LED displays (video walls, scoreboards) require tightly binned red, green, and blue LEDs to achieve accurate and consistent color reproduction across the entire screen.
- Sensors and Optoelectronics: Photoelectric sensors, optical encoders, and remote controls use specific wavelength LEDs matched to the peak sensitivity of the receiving photodetector (e.g., infrared at 850nm or 940nm).
- Medical and Analytical Devices: Equipment like pulse oximeters uses specific red and infrared wavelengths to measure blood oxygen saturation.
9. Comparison with Other Documentation
This document exemplifies a focused, parameter-specific datasheet. It differs from a full product datasheet, which would typically include many more sections: absolute maximum ratings, recommended operating conditions, detailed electro-optical characteristics (luminous intensity, viewing angle, Vf, etc.), thermal resistance, dimensional drawings, soldering profiles, and packaging information. This document appears to be a subset or a controlled document focusing specifically on the revision-controlled specification of wavelength, possibly as part of a larger family of documents.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does \"LifecyclePhase: Revision\" mean?
A: It means this document is an officially updated version (the 3rd one) of a previous specification. It has gone through a formal engineering change process.
Q: Why is the Expired Period \"Forever\"?
A: This indicates the specifications in Revision 3 are considered final and will not be updated or invalidated for this product version. It is for permanent reference.
Q: The content shows \"Wavelength \u03bb (nm)\" but no number. What does this mean?
A: The provided text shows the document's structure. In the complete datasheet, this label would head a column in a table, and the rows beneath it would contain the actual wavelength values or bin codes for different product options.
Q: How do I use this document for procurement?
A> You must reference the full part number, which likely includes a suffix or code indicating the specific wavelength bin. Ensure your purchase order specifies \"Revision 3\" to guarantee you receive components matching this exact specification.
Q: Is forward voltage or power rating included?
A> Based on the provided snippet, no. This document fragment focuses on revision control and the wavelength parameter. Those other critical parameters would be found in other sections of the full product datasheet.
11. Practical Use Case Example
Scenario: A design engineer is creating a new industrial control panel that requires a red \"System Fault\" indicator. The panel must be usable for 15+ years, and spare parts must be available.
Action: The engineer selects an LED from this datasheet family, choosing a bin with a wavelength of, for example, 625nm (dominant red). In the Bill of Materials (BOM) and all procurement documentation, the engineer specifies the exact part number and adds the note \"Specification Revision 3 per document released 2013-08-19.\"
Outcome: This precise referencing ensures that all LEDs purchased during initial production and any spares bought a decade later will have identical optical performance, maintaining the product's consistent appearance and functionality over its entire lifespan.
12. Technical Principle
An LED emits light through a process called electroluminescence. When a forward voltage is applied across the LED's semiconductor p-n junction, electrons recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The wavelength (color) of the emitted light is determined by the energy bandgap of the semiconductor material used in the active region of the LED chip. A larger bandgap produces higher-energy photons, which correspond to shorter wavelengths (blue/violet light). A smaller bandgap produces lower-energy photons, corresponding to longer wavelengths (red/infrared light). The chemical composition of the semiconductor alloy (e.g., the ratios of Aluminum, Gallium, Indium, Phosphorus, or Nitrogen) is carefully engineered to achieve the desired bandgap and thus the target wavelength. The specification of \u03bb in the document is the measurable result of this material science and chip fabrication process.
13. Industry Trends and Context (Circa 2013)
As this document was released in 2013, it reflects the state of LED technology at that time. The early 2010s saw rapid advancement in the efficiency and brightness of blue and white InGaN-based LEDs, driven largely by the solid-state lighting revolution. For monochromatic LEDs, the trends focused on higher reliability, tighter wavelength binning for display applications, and improved performance over temperature. The formal, revision-controlled documentation style seen here was and remains standard practice in the automotive, medical, and industrial electronics sectors, where product longevity, traceability, and consistency are non-negotiable requirements. The move towards digital datasheets and online parametric search tools was also gaining momentum during this period.
LED Specification Terminology
Complete explanation of LED technical terms
Photoelectric Performance
| Term | Unit/Representation | Simple Explanation | Why Important |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminous Efficacy | lm/W (lumens per watt) | Light output per watt of electricity, higher means more energy efficient. | Directly determines energy efficiency grade and electricity cost. |
| Luminous Flux | lm (lumens) | Total light emitted by source, commonly called "brightness". | Determines if the light is bright enough. |
| Viewing Angle | ° (degrees), e.g., 120° | Angle where light intensity drops to half, determines beam width. | Affects illumination range and uniformity. |
| CCT (Color Temperature) | K (Kelvin), e.g., 2700K/6500K | Warmth/coolness of light, lower values yellowish/warm, higher whitish/cool. | Determines lighting atmosphere and suitable scenarios. |
| CRI / Ra | Unitless, 0–100 | Ability to render object colors accurately, Ra≥80 is good. | Affects color authenticity, used in high-demand places like malls, museums. |
| SDCM | MacAdam ellipse steps, e.g., "5-step" | Color consistency metric, smaller steps mean more consistent color. | Ensures uniform color across same batch of LEDs. |
| Dominant Wavelength | nm (nanometers), e.g., 620nm (red) | Wavelength corresponding to color of colored LEDs. | Determines hue of red, yellow, green monochrome LEDs. |
| Spectral Distribution | Wavelength vs intensity curve | Shows intensity distribution across wavelengths. | Affects color rendering and quality. |
Electrical Parameters
| Term | Symbol | Simple Explanation | Design Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Voltage | Vf | Minimum voltage to turn on LED, like "starting threshold". | Driver voltage must be ≥Vf, voltages add up for series LEDs. |
| Forward Current | If | Current value for normal LED operation. | Usually constant current drive, current determines brightness & lifespan. |
| Max Pulse Current | Ifp | Peak current tolerable for short periods, used for dimming or flashing. | Pulse width & duty cycle must be strictly controlled to avoid damage. |
| Reverse Voltage | Vr | Max reverse voltage LED can withstand, beyond may cause breakdown. | Circuit must prevent reverse connection or voltage spikes. |
| Thermal Resistance | Rth (°C/W) | Resistance to heat transfer from chip to solder, lower is better. | High thermal resistance requires stronger heat dissipation. |
| ESD Immunity | V (HBM), e.g., 1000V | Ability to withstand electrostatic discharge, higher means less vulnerable. | Anti-static measures needed in production, especially for sensitive LEDs. |
Thermal Management & Reliability
| Term | Key Metric | Simple Explanation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junction Temperature | Tj (°C) | Actual operating temperature inside LED chip. | Every 10°C reduction may double lifespan; too high causes light decay, color shift. |
| Lumen Depreciation | L70 / L80 (hours) | Time for brightness to drop to 70% or 80% of initial. | Directly defines LED "service life". |
| Lumen Maintenance | % (e.g., 70%) | Percentage of brightness retained after time. | Indicates brightness retention over long-term use. |
| Color Shift | Δu′v′ or MacAdam ellipse | Degree of color change during use. | Affects color consistency in lighting scenes. |
| Thermal Aging | Material degradation | Deterioration due to long-term high temperature. | May cause brightness drop, color change, or open-circuit failure. |
Packaging & Materials
| Term | Common Types | Simple Explanation | Features & Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Type | EMC, PPA, Ceramic | Housing material protecting chip, providing optical/thermal interface. | EMC: good heat resistance, low cost; Ceramic: better heat dissipation, longer life. |
| Chip Structure | Front, Flip Chip | Chip electrode arrangement. | Flip chip: better heat dissipation, higher efficacy, for high-power. |
| Phosphor Coating | YAG, Silicate, Nitride | Covers blue chip, converts some to yellow/red, mixes to white. | Different phosphors affect efficacy, CCT, and CRI. |
| Lens/Optics | Flat, Microlens, TIR | Optical structure on surface controlling light distribution. | Determines viewing angle and light distribution curve. |
Quality Control & Binning
| Term | Binning Content | Simple Explanation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminous Flux Bin | Code e.g., 2G, 2H | Grouped by brightness, each group has min/max lumen values. | Ensures uniform brightness in same batch. |
| Voltage Bin | Code e.g., 6W, 6X | Grouped by forward voltage range. | Facilitates driver matching, improves system efficiency. |
| Color Bin | 5-step MacAdam ellipse | Grouped by color coordinates, ensuring tight range. | Guarantees color consistency, avoids uneven color within fixture. |
| CCT Bin | 2700K, 3000K etc. | Grouped by CCT, each has corresponding coordinate range. | Meets different scene CCT requirements. |
Testing & Certification
| Term | Standard/Test | Simple Explanation | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LM-80 | Lumen maintenance test | Long-term lighting at constant temperature, recording brightness decay. | Used to estimate LED life (with TM-21). |
| TM-21 | Life estimation standard | Estimates life under actual conditions based on LM-80 data. | Provides scientific life prediction. |
| IESNA | Illuminating Engineering Society | Covers optical, electrical, thermal test methods. | Industry-recognized test basis. |
| RoHS / REACH | Environmental certification | Ensures no harmful substances (lead, mercury). | Market access requirement internationally. |
| ENERGY STAR / DLC | Energy efficiency certification | Energy efficiency and performance certification for lighting. | Used in government procurement, subsidy programs, enhances competitiveness. |