help to build precision LED driver?

Thread Starter

smilem

Joined Jul 23, 2008
162
Hi, I have this circuit diagram
http://www.edn.com/article/CA316054.html


This schematic shows 5V output "5v to circuit" do I need to connect it to multiple 5V "inputs" shown as empty circles shown as "5V"?

Also the LM324 is 14pin chip. What pins I need to connect to "+", "-", "R7"?
"1IN +" "pin3" connect to "+"
"1IN" "pin2" connect to "-"
"1out" "pin1" connect to "R7"
"GND" "pin11" connecto to ground.

What and where do I connect "TTL input"?
 
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David Bridgen

Joined Feb 10, 2005
278
Yes, IC1's output supplys all those points marked 5V.

You have a choice of four op-amps within the LM324 i.c.

The pins you mention are fine.

The TTL input enables you to switch the current source on or off. It's labelled TTL because, one supposes, that the designer used a TTL output to perform this function. You can use a mechanical switch if you want. Or, if you don't need to switch the source off, simply connect those two points together.
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
The circuit and accompanying write-up was authored by Dick Cappels and published in EDN.

The OP, for unknown reasons, started a new thread. In the previous thread which went on for some 60 or 70 posts to get them to where they needed to be using an LM317L and a couple of resistors to make a constant current source, suddenly mentioned that they wanted to power it from a USB port.

The OP now wants to power this new circuit from the 5v of a USB port.

If you have the time and patience, give him a hand. My time is just too limited nowadays.
 

Thread Starter

smilem

Joined Jul 23, 2008
162
Seems like major overkill for an LED. Why all the extra circuitry?
Because this will be used to drive a led that I will use to measure and plot light spectrum graphs using very sensitive equipement. I can't risk LED intensity changes.

And yes I would like to use 5V (from usb because I will have PC handy when I use this device). Otherwise I just have to use normal wall adapter for +12V to power it.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,408
What color? Red is no problem with USB, the blue and white are a bit more problematic. This is because different colors drop different voltages.

Looking at the diagram, it is a precision current regulator. I don't see any provision for temperature control or optical feedback, so I suspect it could be simplified radically. Are you needing the remote on/off feature or PWM? This is the real reason for the complexity, he wanted to created super stable pulses.
 

Thread Starter

smilem

Joined Jul 23, 2008
162
The OP, for unknown reasons, started a new thread.
I started new thread because this is entirely new circuit design than I was suggested in my other thread.
In the previous thread which went on for some 60 or 70 posts to get them to where they needed to be using an LM317L and a couple of resistors to make a constant current source, suddenly mentioned that they wanted to power it from a USB port.
54 posts, not 60 or 70.
My last thread title is: "Very stable power supply from USB to UV LED"
So how can you state "suddenly mentioned that they wanted to power it from a USB port."

Thanks for help.
 
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Thread Starter

smilem

Joined Jul 23, 2008
162
What color? Red is no problem with USB, the blue and white are a bit more problematic. This is because different colors drop different voltages.

Looking at the diagram, it is a precision current regulator. I don't see any provision for temperature control or optical feedback, so I suspect it could be simplified radically. Are you needing the remote on/off feature or PWM? This is the real reason for the complexity, he wanted to created super stable pulses.
This is for UV LED.
Led PDF is here:

OA-260019 LED UV 5mm (781)
http://www.elfa.se/pdf/75/07500366.pdf

-------------------------

In this link here they say it's stable with temperature changes: http://www.edn.com/article/CA316054.html

"Voltage at the wiper of R6 results in an equal voltage across R9 because of feedback to the op amp. Because transistor Q2 has a high alpha, most of the emitter current that produces the voltage across R9 comes from the collector of Q2. Because alpha varies little with temperature, this current remains stable."

------------------------

Optical feedback would be nice IMO. Is it possible to implement this in this circuit or do you know better ones?

"Are you needing the remote on/off feature or PWM? This is the real reason for the complexity, he wanted to created super stable pulses."

I need to have on/off button on the device is that what you call "remote on/off"?
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,408
You have to understand it is work writing these posts, and to have parameters shift under you is fustrating, probably more fustrating than you realize. I've helped groups before that did the same thing, like the light tree I built for the robotics group. They wanted simple, so I built and finished simple using 120VAC, then they wanted low voltage controls, so I built and finished low voltage controls, then they wanted to match another guys computer controls (which used different voltages and polarities), so I did that..

My point is define what you want up front. If there are technical issues we make changes, but a moving target is 10X harder to hit.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,408
We have a posting lag going on here...:rolleyes:

For on off a simple switch will work. If all you want is stable current it can be much, much simplier.

UV is equivalent to a white light LED, since the core is the same.

All you really need is a really stable current source, which isn't too many parts. Variable light intensity is a bit more complicated, especially if you want to hit the exact same points every time.

Will the LED be shining though flesh?
 

Thread Starter

smilem

Joined Jul 23, 2008
162
You have to understand it is work writing these posts, and to have parameters shift under you is fustrating, probably more fustrating than you realize. I've helped groups before that did the same thing, like the light tree I built for the robotics group. They wanted simple, so I built and finished simple using 120VAC, then they wanted low voltage controls, so I built and finished low voltage controls, then they wanted to match another guys computer controls (which used different voltages and polarities), so I did that..

My point is define what you want up front. If there are technical issues we make changes, but a moving target is 10X harder to hit.
I need to power this UV led, from computer usb port:
OA-260019 LED UV 5mm (781)
http://www.elfa.se/pdf/75/07500366.pdf

The LED power supply must be very precise. The brightness can't change. I will use it to make measurements using precise specrophotometer. I'm not making a light tree or a torch here.

Optical feedback is welcome if the sensor that reads the spectrum of this wavelength (peak 370nm) is reasonably priced and somebody can help me with schematic that uses one in the first place.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,408
No, but you are the one asking for help. Think about it.

The comment about the light tree is a bit obnoxious, and you got oodles of help previously that you blew off. I just reviewed the previous thread...

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=13191

Why should anyone waste time helping when their advice is ignored? My time is as valuable to me as yours is to you. You want perfection, their isn't such a thing this side of the grave.

I'm a firm believer in this being a no flame zone, so I'll leave it at that. Common courtesy goes a long way.
 

Audioguru

Joined Dec 20, 2007
11,248
The LM324 is a low voltage quad opamp. The LM358 is the same but is a dual opamp in an 8-pins package.
The LM324 has pin4 for its positive supply. Don't forget about it. Connect it to +5V.
 

Thread Starter

smilem

Joined Jul 23, 2008
162
The comment about the light tree is a bit obnoxious, and you got oodles of help previously that you blew off. I just reviewed the previous thread...

http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=13191

Why should anyone waste time helping when their advice is ignored? My time is as valuable to me as yours is to you. You want perfection, their isn't such a thing this side of the grave.

I'm a firm believer in this being a no flame zone, so I'll leave it at that. Common courtesy goes a long way.
This is no flame, it's 3AM at my timezone now do you really think I would waste my time like this if I wasn't looking for solution.

Please tell me what solution that allows me to drive the specified LED from 5V at I overlooked in my previous thread?

The only solution I received was to use LM317, then LM317L then the circuit diagram I posted in this new thread. None if these work for 5V. And since USB uses 5V can you explain me what did I ignore then?
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,408
My one attempt for a solution. Use this if you want. The 140Ω resistor would have worked.

This schematic should compensate for various USB voltage variations, there are always variations to one degree or another, if you are a scientist you know this. Adjust the pot for the current you need, measuring voltage on the 10Ω resistor. 0.2V = 0.02A (20ma)

 

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SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
ALL LEDs degrade over time. Their brightness gradually decreases with age and use. Can't give you specifics, but the more current you run through them, the more quickly they get dim.

You're going to need some kind of control sample, where you can test the intensity periodically over time.
 

Thread Starter

smilem

Joined Jul 23, 2008
162
ALL LEDs degrade over time. Their brightness gradually decreases with age and use. Can't give you specifics, but the more current you run through them, the more quickly they get dim.

You're going to need some kind of control sample, where you can test the intensity periodically over time.
Yes I know that, for control sample I use ceramic white tile without brighteners.

I use only 8mA for my LED(maybe could use even less), more amps and it shines too bright. I only switch it on when takind a sample. So I expect it to be quite stable and work for a long time without brightness changes. The LED is to-18 package metal body with glass window type.
 
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