CHAPTER 1 Introduction
As a field applications engineer for one of the pioneering developers of integrated circuits for driving power LEDs, I meet many potential customers who have little or no idea of how to drive an LED properly. The older type of LED requiring a 20 mA supply can be abused to some extent. However, power requirements have been increasing; current ratings of 30 mA, 50 mA, 100 mA, 350 mA and higher are becoming common. There are several manufacturers that produce power levels up to 20 W, and more; these higher powers use LED chip arrays. If a power LED is abused, it tends to die very quickly.
Power LEDs are being used in increasing numbers; in channel lighting (signage), traffic lights, street lights, automotive, mood lighting ...
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