LED modules give ultrawide angle
By Bill Schweber -- EDN, January 8, 2004
You can get the latest wide-body additions to the Mako series of LEDs from BivarOpto in single-color or RGB triads and take advantage of their 180° viewing angle to create high-intensity, variable-color message displays (Picture). The LEDs, which you can mount across a wider area without any gaps, measure 0.30 in. (7.62 mm) sq with integral standoffs for easier through-hole mounting.
Each LED has a built-in heat sink and reflector-based lead frame, which can hold as many as three individually addressable die. The 0.138-in. (3.5-mm)-high, blue and white LEDs have luminous output of 250 and 500 mcd, respectively; the same-height red, yellow, and green devices each have 1100-mcd output. All units have 20-mA current at a source voltage of 1.9 to 3.4V, depending on color. Prices for the Mako-Wide LEDs begin at 35 cents (production quantities).
BivarOpto, 1-949-951-8808, www.bivar.com.
