Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) introduced the industry’s brightest LEDs (light-emitting diodes) for the outdoor electronic sign and signals market. The new, mid-power red (630 nm wavelength) and amber (590 nm wavelength) lamps are supplied in 5 mm (T-1 3⁄4) domed through-hole packages with oval radiation patterns.

This series of AlInGaP (aluminum indium gallium phosphide) LEDs can operate with currents as high as 70 mA, compared with the 30 mA for Agilent’s extra-bright oval lamps. This provides a substantially higher light output than conventional 30-mA lamps, with the red lamps offering 3309 mcd typical luminous intensity and the amber lamps at 2521 mcd, both being driven at 70 mA forward current.

“Agilent’s industry-first, mid-power 5-mm oval lamps help designers improve the visibility of their signs and signals while reducing their manufacturing costs,” said Cheng Kai Chong, worldwide marketing director for the Optoelectronic Products Division in Agilent’s Semiconductor Products Group. “This new LED lamp family is further proof of Agilent’s ability to offer our customers innovative performance at competitive prices.”

Designers of electronic signs and signals are seeking higher brightness levels to reduce the number of LEDs in a cluster. With Agilent’s new mid-power red and amber lamps, signs can be designed using fewer individual LEDs to provide equivalent brightness. Alternatively, signs can be designed with the same number of LEDs, providing substantially higher brightness levels for better readability and contrast. Since the lead spacing and packages are compatible with conventional high-brightness 5-mm oval-pattern LED lamps, the upgrade requires no mechanical changes.

An oval-shaped radiation pattern provides a wider field of view with higher luminosity than standard LEDs, making the devices ideal for outdoor applications where readability in sunlight is essential. These mid-power lamps have very smooth, matched radiation patterns, ensuring uniformity across the viewing angle of the sign or signal.

The lamps are available with two viewing angles. With an angle of 30 degrees by 70 degrees, the red HLMP-AD31-UX000 and HLMP-AD30-UX000 (with and without lead standoffs, respectively), and amber HLMP-AL30-TW000 and HLMP-AL31-TW000 (with and without lead standoffs) are generally used for long-distance viewing in applications such as traffic signals.

With a viewing angle of 40 degrees by 100 degrees, the red HLMP-HD31-SV000 and HLMP-HD30- SV000, and amber HLMP-HL31- RU000 and HLMP-HL30-RU000 (with and without lead standoffs) are ideal for wide-viewing-angle applications such as stadium scoreboards and other message signs.

These mid-power AlInGaP lamps are supplied in Agilent’s precision optical performance molded packages, modified for higher current input and increased heat dissipation. The die is attached within the reflector cavity, and the cavity is encapsulated by an Agilent proprietary ultraviolet-resistant epoxy blend. The packaging design coupled with carefully selected materials allows the lamps to perform with high reliability over the –40 C to +85 C temperature range and provides protection from UV-A and UV-B ultraviolet radiation and humid environments.

Further information about Agilent’s LED products is available at www.agilent.com/view/led.