National Semiconductor announced the addition of WEBENCH LED Architect to its portfolio of online WEBENCH Designer tools. WEBENCH LED Architect enables both novice and expert designers to perform real-time comparisons and optimize complex lighting systems for performance, size and cost in minutes. To start a design, the designer enters desired light output (lumens) and adjusts the design with the Optimizer Dial, evaluating size, conversion efficiency and cost trade-offs.

The designer can order components for prototyping, share the complete system with others, or print a complete project report including schematics, bill of materials (BOM) and performance characteristics. WEBENCH LED Architect is a visual tool for complete lighting system design up to 100,000 lumens in output. LED performance, electronic drive current and heat compensation are balanced in seconds.

The tool analyzes 350 of the latest LEDs from 12 manufacturers, 30 heat sinks, 35 LED drivers, and a library of 21,000 electronic passive components. Users can focus on system level results and leave the burden of complex electrical and thermal mathematics to the tool. Electrical simulation is included as an option for additional testing, validation or component selection.

About National's LED Drivers

National Semiconductor's PowerWise energy-efficient LED drivers provide constant current to arrays of LEDs, enabling color and brightness matching over a wide temperature range. Through dimming, thermal management and fault protection, National's drivers improve performance in a variety of applications.

WEBENCH LED Architect features National's entire line of LED drivers, including the LM3464 with Dynamic Headroom Control, the LM3424 with configured thermal control, and the LM3409HV high current MOSFET controller for AECQ-100 auto grade applications.