Comparative analysis of power LEDs dimming methods

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have many features that make them very attractive for use in lighting. The main features that stand out is its small size compared to incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Also, they have high luminous efficiency, long lifetime and are resistant to shocks and vibrations, which contributes to increasing their reliability. This paper presents a current source for Power LEDs. As the luminous intensity of LEDs is directly related to the direct current flowing through them, this source must have characteristics of current source. Two methods of dimming LEDs are analyzed: continuous variation of current and pulse width modulation (PWM). These methods are implemented, tested and compared. A current loop to control the current through the LEDs is designed to keep the current in the LEDs always constant, so that the luminous flux emitted by them does not change.