LED Technology
How advanced LED components are revolutionising automotive lighting
Xavier Denis from Nichia explores the cutting-edge LED technologies transforming automotive safety, performance, and design, paving the way for a brighter, smarter future on the road
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EDs have evolved significantly in the past decade, with advancements leading to the production of LEDs in various colours and configurations, enhancing their efficiency and reliability across multiple applications. For example, automotive lighting is expected to grow to over US $30 billion by 2030, according to Markets and Markets.
Initially, white LEDs, which combine blue GaN-based LEDs with phosphors, were less efficient than incandescent and fluorescent lamps. However, improvements in chip, phosphor, and packaging technologies by 2013 had allowed white LEDs to surpass fluorescent lamps in luminous efficiency, making them viable for general lighting. By 2022, the efficiency of white LEDs has exceeded 200 lm/W, marking a major leap in their application for energy-efficient lighting. White LEDs have also seen major improvements in colour rendering and long lifespan. The average colour rendering index (Ra) for indoor lighting LEDs has improved from 80 to Ra≥90 without compromising efficiency, thanks to advancements in phosphor and packaging technology. Additionally, the lifespan of white LEDs has been extended significantly, with newer materials like silicone resin and inorganic components replacing older ones, increasing their operational life beyond 50,000 hours under optimal conditions.
The development of LEDs has resulted in various types, each designed for specific applications. Mid-power LEDs, used in general lighting, offer moderate power and are suited for applications like ceiling lights. High-power LEDs, which provide higher luminance, are used in focused lighting applications like road and spotlighting. Other notable types include COB (Chip-On-Board) LEDs, used in high-grade lighting due to their seamless light-emitting surface, and CSP (Chip Scale Package) LEDs, which offer high luminance and compact design. Recent LED innovations have gone beyond just improving efficiency and focus
44 February 2025
μPLS technology, with its self-emitting system, offers many advantages such as a wide colour gamut and low power consumption
on health benefits too. For example, circadian rhythm LEDs adjust their light to match our natural biological cycles, helping us stay alert during the day and relax at night. Another advancement is white LEDs supporting sterilisation which emit light at 405nm. This specific wavelength can safely kill bacteria over long periods, making these LEDs perfect for places that need high levels of hygiene.
In summary, the advancements in LED technology over the past decade have greatly enhanced their efficiency, colour rendering, and lifespan, making them the preferred choice for general and specialised lighting applications including automotive lighting. The future of white LEDs lies in expanding their functionality to include health benefits and other innovative uses, driving further developments in lighting technology.
Components in Electronics
Nichia’s µPLS (Micro
Pixelated Light Source) illustrates the transformative potential of microLED technology in automotive applications that can significantly enhance road safety by offering precise light distribution and minimising glare for oncoming vehicles. The µPLS light engine, designed for high-definition adaptive driving beams, offers impressive brightness, pixel density, efficiency, and versatile connectivity for seamless integration into modern automobile designs. The µPLS light engine is fitted in uses Nichia’s in-house LED chip and microLED technology and an integrated LED driver IC
from Infineon that can drive over 16,000 microLEDs individually using pulse-width modulation (PWM) control. In contrast, the ADB (adaptive driving beam) systems currently installed in commercial vehicle headlights typically control LED light sources with 10 to 100 pixels. With the ADB system, glare is suppressed when driving with high beams, preventing dazzling effects on preceding and oncoming vehicles while maintaining good visibility. The μPLS for headlights activates only the LEDs necessary for the illumination pattern. This allows for even more precise control of glare on other vehicles and enables display functions through road surface projections, expanding its applications to driving support and communication.
Besides adaptive headlights, microLEDs offer exceptional visual performance for applications like heads-up displays (HUDs) and dashboard displays, which require high visibility and clarity under various lighting conditions.
Their superior visual capabilities ensure
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