13-11-2012, 03:56 PM
How LIFI™ Light Sources Work
How LIFI™ Light Sources.pdf (Size: 74.74 KB / Downloads: 360)
INTRODUCTION
LIFI™ is a new class of high intensity light source of solid state design bringing clean lighting solutions to
general and specialty lighting. With energy efficiency, long useful lifetime, full spectrum and dimming,
LIFI™ lighting applications work better compared to conventional approaches. This technology brief
describes the general construction of LIFI™ lighting systems and the basic technology building blocks
behind their function.
LIFI™ CONSTRUCTION
The LIFI™ product consists of 4 primary sub-assemblies:
• Bulb
• RF power amplifier circuit (PA)
• Printed circuit board (PCB)
• Enclosure
The PCB controls the electrical inputs and outputs of the lamp and
houses the microcontroller used to manage different lamp functions.
An RF (radio-frequency) signal is generated by the solid-state PA
and is guided into an electric field about the bulb. The high
concentration of energy in the electric field vaporizes the contents
of the bulb to a plasma state at the bulb’s center; this controlled
plasma generates an intense source of light. All of these
subassemblies are contained in an aluminum enclosure.
FUNCTION OF THE BULB SUB-ASSEMBLY
At the heart of LIFI™ is the bulb sub-assembly where a sealed bulb is
embedded in a dielectric material. This design is more reliable than
conventional light sources that insert degradable electrodes into the
bulb. The dielectric material serves two purposes; first as a
waveguide for the RF energy transmitted by the PA and second as an
electric field concentrator that focuses energy in the bulb. The
energy from the electric field rapidly heats the material in the bulb to
a plasma state that emits light of high intensity and full spectrum.