Programmable pulsed current driver for high power LEDs applications

To obtain maximum performance from a LED, it must be driven with a constant current. The maximum continuous current allowed is limited by the thermal characteristics of the package, but often the die supports higher peak currents. By driving the LED with high current pulses, the optical flux is greatly increased and more distant objects can be illuminated. This paper describes the design of such a driver and the results obtained from driving high power LEDs.