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Could you please help me to understand more about below.

I am comparing two LEDs. One has 2330 mcd of luminous intensity and the second 1300 mcd. Both having 20mA of forward current. My understanding is LED with 2330 mcd luminous intensity will output more light than 1300 mcd LED, is this correct?

I would also like to know, in datasheet it is mentioned that peak current of 100mA at duty cycle of 10% with frequency of 1kHz. Does this means, I can not drive with 10% at 1.1kHz and onwards, below 1kHz it will be fine to drive the LED.

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If anyone have any related document link to understand, please share with me.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Does a thermal (over heating) region exit above 1,000 Hz? \$\endgroup\$ Nov 14, 2019 at 16:18
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    \$\begingroup\$ What datasheet? \$\endgroup\$
    – rdtsc
    Nov 14, 2019 at 17:01
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    \$\begingroup\$ Perhaps @rdtsc 's question wasn't clear enough... Which datasheet for what LED product? \$\endgroup\$
    – user103380
    Nov 14, 2019 at 18:28
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    \$\begingroup\$ @LED I like to regularly recommend to anyone serious about learning the foundations of the electronics methods and optical systems related to LED display systems designed for human perception that they get and read, cover to cover, HP's "Optoelectronics: Fiber-Optics Applications Manual," 2nd Edition. That book covers all of the basics, from LED theory and structures, LED lamp systems and packaging, backlighting, polarization, optoisolators, digital and analog applications, display systems and filters, reliability, etc. Just get it. Everything new folks may want is there. \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    Nov 15, 2019 at 4:45
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    \$\begingroup\$ @LED There are many studies and related "laws" about human brightness perception. It's hard to know where to begin. To start: (1) look up "critical flicker fusion frequency;" and then, (2) look up the Talbot-Plateau law; and then, (3) look up the Broca-Sulzer effect; and then, (4) look up the Bruecke-Bartley effect; and then (5) realize that these are old laws and effects and there is much more to be found in modern results, as well. Beyond that, and HP's book above, have fun by adding in a thorough study of human color perception; the last century or so. This is a field of study. \$\endgroup\$
    – jonk
    Nov 15, 2019 at 4:51

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You learn more by doing tests yourself than reading a book, but if comparing with datasheet specs, some which are just standards, minimums and some maximums.

Experience

1kHz is just a standard minimum MUX or PWM rate that most people would not object to flicker if moving their eyes across the dimmable light. 1k to 5k are common PWM rates.

If your eyes are not moving, then perhaps 200Hz flicker is tolerable to some but many would notice it. But if you wanted to operate at 10kHz that would work too but is overkill for the eyes. At 1MHz it would dim due to junction capacitance bypassing the active current.

The Peak Abs Max current to rated current ratios of 100/20mA suggests this part has a wood gold wire bond that is almost small enough to be invisible yet thick enough to not act as a fuse at these ratings.

Variations in intensity.

2:1 change in intensity is significant but it might be due to the lens having 1/2 the beamwidth or a better quality chip by process design or selections of sorted wafer.

Duty Cycle Control. vs brightness

Generally you lose some efficacy or emission efficiency with rising current even if the average is the same with duty cycle control.

Intensity

It may not be that significant in most applications if it meets your requirements. Such 10% to 25% at abs max. It may not noticeable by itself, but might be when compared side by side to another it would be, just as if you instantly reduced the brightness on your TV by this amount, but if someone did it while you were away, you might not notice it.

However production tolerances result in often 3:1 variations in open bin LEDS and 2:1 range max:min in others and 10% tolerance is possible if you pay a premium for single bin. They have other standards called McAdams Ellipses for light intensity and colour variations.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Yes, spending time labs will help to understand more. \$\endgroup\$
    – Micro
    Nov 14, 2019 at 17:15
  • \$\begingroup\$ And understanding how to write datasheets requires mastering how to read them, the product limitations and the unwritten standards in industry.. \$\endgroup\$ Nov 14, 2019 at 19:53
  • \$\begingroup\$ Here's a RED 5mm :LED that is typ. 32,000 mcd at 20mA eoi.com.tw/… great supplier with 500 pc MOQ \$\endgroup\$ Nov 15, 2019 at 3:19

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