Digicom Technology News

Ever since blue LEDs appeared in the 1990’s, a cascade of development and system evolution has advanced solid state lighting to become a viable and prosperous technology foundation. Today, LED technology is used for general lighting in small and large venues, in the automotive market, and in video displays, roadside signs, and digital signage.

According to Kevin Dowling, Vice President of Innovation for Philips Color Kinetics, the hospitality and retail markets are primary drivers for white light sources, and the broadcast market favors the technology for quality and long-lasting light sources. “Cove and under shelf lighting is driving LED usage because it’s a natural fit for that application,” he adds.

LEDs have come a long way in a short time. Dowling notes that the development of blue LEDs, and the subsequent creation of broadband white light by adding a phosphor coating, occurred in less than 20 years. “The first white LEDs were gray and dismal and there were technology hurdles in how they were driven and controlled,” he says. “In 2000-2004, there was development in improving phosphors and the efficacy of blue LEDs, as well as packages for high power light output. Since 2004, LEDs continue to improve at pace that the industry is astonished by. Efficacy, light output and quality are improving faster than we projected.”

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