Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Application Notes > Energy Measurement & Metering > APP 5383
Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Application Notes > LED Lighting > APP 5383
Maxim > Design Support > Technical Documents > Application Notes > Measurement Circuits > APP 5383
Keywords: LED lighting, energy measurement, ambient light sensing, sensors, G3-PLC, powerline
communication, LED driver, efficiency, energy, power savings, DALI
APPLICATION NOTE 5383
Adding Intelligence to LED Lighting
By: David Andeen, End Segment Manager, Smart Grid
Mar 22, 2013
Abstract: How smart is your LED lighting system? While LED lighting holds the promise of reducing
energy consumption and maintenance costs, smart LED lighting designs improve system performance in
both areas, achieving higher performance per watt and reducing cost in the long term. Energy
measurement, ambient light sensing, and communication serve as the cornerstones of smart LED
lighting design. Energy measurement provides system health and consumption information. Ambient light
sensing reduces an LED's on-time, conserving energy and extending diode lifetime. Communication links
together each luminaire for identification of maintenance and system level coordination. The contribution
of components to the overall system performance will be explored.
A similar version of this article appears on EDN, June 12, 2012.
Introduction
Imagine a marathon on a very hot, dusty day when saving every ounce of energy matters to the
outcome. This race isn't half over, but the winner seems certain. The lead looks insurmountable,
because this runner can do more with less energy. This runner shines brighter. In the face of heat and
competition, this runner stays cool. So far, so good. Yet, will this competitor set the pace and hold the
lead in the second half of the race? In a world of athletes who all train and compete intelligently, talent
and potential only go so far. Great—and wasted—potential litters the road to success. Will the current
leader dig deep, run a smart race, respond to the elements, and live up to expectations? Time, and
intelligence, will tell.
Now you ask me, "What does a marathon have to do with LEDs? Do you really know what you're talking
about?" I think so. Like a strong runner leading a marathon, LEDs hold promise in the world's race to
produce more energy-efficient lighting. A major technological advance over both incandescent and
fluorescent lighting, LEDs use less energy, last longer, and allow more control of color and direction of
light.
In 2010, lighting consumed an estimated 19% of U.S. electricity.
1
By the year 2030, lighting could
consume a full 767 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually.
2
What an opportunity for that lead runner in our
fanciful marathon! LEDs for lighting could reduce that electricity consumption by 25% by 2030.
2
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