Comprehensive survey and critical evaluation of the performance of state-of-the-art LED drivers for lighting systems

The adoption of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for lighting applications is becoming increasingly relevant as this recent technology is advancing. Given the recent uptake of LED lighting technologies for distinctive end-uses, the research community has also committed to the development of an ever-increasing range of power electronic converters that are suitable for yielding maximum quality lighting, high efficiency, and long lifetimes. As one of the most recent and promising technologies of the moment, it is vital to fully understand the performance and merits of each state-of-the-art LED lighting technology. Accordingly, this paper compiles essential information about a broad range of state-of-the-art LED lighting systems, aiming to compare their performances in terms of efficiency. Based on the comparative analysis, the main merits and drawbacks of each LED lighting system architecture are obtained. Then, a detailed evaluation of the performance of a particular LED lighting system and the corresponding control strategy is developed, thereby enabling a clear view of the evolution of the performance of the system as a function of parameters like supply voltage and number of driver channels.