The Industry’s Thinnest LED Base Lighting Device

Semiconductor manufacturer ROHM Co., Ltd., has installed LED lighting in its head office VIP Center, cutting power consumption by approximately half compared to conventional lighting fixtures (actual power use was reduced by 47%)

Lighting accounts for up to 25% of the primary energy consumption in buildings (according to research published by the Architectural Association of Japan) and 16% of energy consumption in households in Japan (based on research published by The Energy Conservation Center, Japan). Reducing energy used by lighting is generally seen as an effective means of cutting CO₂ emissions which is integral in the fight against global warming. LED-based lighting features greater efficiency, lower power consumption and a longer lifespan than competing technologies, and is often viewed as the most viable alternative to conventional lighting.

ROHM has more than 30 years of experience in LED development and design technology, and is currently developing higher power, more compact white LEDs for lighting applications. The company is leveraging its in-house development capabilities to strengthen its product line by creating driver ICs and power supply modules optimized for driving LEDs. ROHM is also focused on introducing these technologies to the public by relying exclusively on LED fixtures to light its booth at last fall's CEATEC Japan 2008 exhibition.

LED lighting in the head office VIP Center was installed to promote ROHM's technical capabilities in the rapidly expanding LED illumination sector. Specifically, fluorescent and incandescent bulbs in 97 lighting fixtures were replaced with proprietary LED lighting, reducing power consumption by approximately 47% (from 14,100W to 7,500W) while maintaining the same level of brightness. Engineers replaced fluorescent bulbs with white LEDs, which offer excellent heat dissipation, and optimized the shape of components such as diffusers and cooling ribs. For downlights, they implemented a low-current lighting solution by substituting for a series of closely spaced ultra-low-current 4mA-class white LEDs configured so that the light sources form a flat surface. The new lighting solutions enable visitors to experience the considerable light distribution characteristics of ROHM LED lighting products. The new LED components fit existing fluorescent and downlight fixtures and do not require special installation.

Going forward, ROHM is committed to contributing to environmental solutions by continuing to enhance proprietary technologies in the device, PCB, packaging, circuit, and optical sectors, and focus on the development of low power consumption, high-efficiency LED lighting products that offer exceptional light distribution and vivid color rendering.

•Features of ROHM's New LED Lighting Solutions

1. Exceptional light distribution technology (LED downlights)
   ROHM LED downlights use a large number of low-power LEDs configured to form a flat light-emitting surface. This design dramatically reduces glare and enables fine-grained control of light diffusion due to the reflector's optical design.
2. Uniform, shadow-free light (fluorescent type LEDs)
   A proprietary design consisting of a large number of medium-power LEDs creates uniform, shadow-free light.
3. In-house development and manufacture of all components
   ROHM develops all components required by LED lighting, including the LEDs, driver ICs, power supply modules, resistors and diodes, as well as the manufacturing lines for these devices. This in-house approach allows the company to achieve a combination of light design and light source development, resulting in lighting products optimized to meet the requirements of today's designers.
4. Low power consumption
   The use of LED lighting cuts annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 87% compared to conventional incandescent bulbs, and by approximately 42% compared to fluorescent bulbs (calculated based on the brightness of a 54 W krypton bulb; annual CO₂ emissions based on 8 hours of use per day at 0.555 kg per kWh). The low heat dissipation of LED lighting products leads to other energy savings such as reducing the need for air conditioning.
5. Long service life
   LEDs feature a service life of 40,000 hours, helping to reduce both bulb replacement costs and associated waste streams.

•Sample Photos