Recently, Sunpu LED, in collaboration with Tiangong University, a "Double First-Class" university, has made significant progress in interdisciplinary research. Their latest academic paper titled "A Dimmable LED Light Source Along the Planckian Locus" () was published in iScience, an authoritative international SCI-indexed journal.
The journal is classified as Zone 2 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Q1 in JCR, with a high impact factor of 5.8, demonstrating substantial academic influence. This publication marks another milestone breakthrough for Sunpu LED’ R&D team in the field of LED intelligent dimming technology, highlighting the innovative advantages of industry-academia-research integration.
The research focuses on addressing the bottleneck issues of traditional two-channel LED dimming technology by proposing and validating an innovative three-channel light-following solution. This technology effectively resolves core challenges such as degraded light quality during dimming, negative Duv (deviation from the Planckian locus), reduced Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra), and excessive Standard Deviation Color Matching (SDCM) in traditional two-channel LEDs, thereby significantly enhancing the stability and light quality of LED sources.
The successful implementation of this research not only provides a novel technical pathway for the LED intelligent dimming field but also propels the industry to new heights. Sunpu LED stated that it will continue to increase investment in LED technology R&D, further enhancing product competitiveness through innovation while deepening collaborations with universities and research institutions. The company aims to achieve more breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, contributing to the sustainable development of the LED intelligent lighting industry. This achievement solidifies Chinese enterprises’ leading position in smart lighting innovation and injects new momentum into global technological advancements.
Sunpu LED’ innovative technology simplifies LED dimming solutions, improves luminous efficiency, and reduces costs for light sources and fixtures. Leveraging Tiangong University ’s High-Power Semiconductor Lighting Application Engineering Research Center and its extensive expertise in LED packaging, the company conducted in-depth analysis and research on the principles and technical challenges of traditional two-channel dimming. Based on identifying root causes, the R&D team proposed targeted solutions, delivering groundbreaking innovations to the industry.
To address the shortcomings of traditional two-channel LEDs in light quality and stability, Sunpu developed the M+CW three-channel light-following technology. Compared to mainstream RGB+CW five-channel solutions, this approach optimizes technical pathways, simplifies driver design complexity and costs, reduces secondary optical mixing difficulty, and significantly enhances luminous efficiency and stability. This novel three-channel technology offers a more efficient, cost-effective, and stable solution, accelerating the adoption of high-quality LED sources and unlocking new opportunities for the smart lighting market. Sunpu emphasized its commitment to advancing collaborations with research institutions like Tiangong University to drive technological innovation and application.
The new three-channel technology integrates Sunpu’s proprietary TG first-generation dimming technology, employs high-reflectivity mirror aluminum substrates, and introduces an innovative supplemental M channel. The M channel enables broader spectral compensation, precisely addressing spectral intensity deficiencies during dimming. The mirror substrate improves heat dissipation and reflection efficiency, ensuring source stability and longevity. The M channel also enhances spectral uniformity in mid-color-temperature ranges, resolving long-standing industry challenges. Additionally, the technology supports dynamic spectral adjustment and Duv tuning, delivering superior color rendering and visual experiences for smart lighting applications. Sunpu stated that this breakthrough in three-channel COB technology provides robust technical support for high-quality dimming products.
To complement the three-channel COB light source, Sunpu collaborated with Insona to develop a dedicated three-channel driver. This driver ensures precise control and validates the source’s ability to maintain the Planckian locus during dimming. Through innovative circuitry, the driver independently controls the M channel while optimizing efficiency and response speed. Coordinated three-channel control achieves higher dimming precision, maintaining ideal CRI and spectral performance across color temperatures. Sunpu highlighted that this driver strengthens its competitiveness in smart lighting system solutions.
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Sunpu’s three-channel COB successfully achieved Planckian locus dimming in end-user validation, resolving mid-color-temperature quality degradation and setting a new industry benchmark. The technology enhances spectral uniformity, CRI, and precise Duv adjustment, offering premium solutions for intelligent dimming.
Looking ahead, Sunpu will focus on advancing human-centric lighting technologies, optimizing light source-driver synergy, and delivering intelligent solutions for healthy lighting. The company also aims to promote green, energy-efficient lighting technologies globally, contributing to the sustainable development of the lighting industry.