LED Lighting Technology: A Comprehensive Primer to Understanding the Design Basis of Light Emitting Diode-Based Flashlights and Headlamps

This semi-technical article has a little something for everyone. For electrical technology neophytes, it offers a basis for understanding how LED lights work. For the technophile, it provides a comprehensive review of factors governing the rapidly evolving field of LED technology. This article includes: 1. An overview of LED's, including their description, properties such as color, 'whiteness', brightness, beam pattern, and heat emission, and a comparison of incandescent and LED lights. 2. Battery considerations, including the role of NiMH, voltage and capacity, and configuration and cost. 3. Power Mangement, including voltage regulation, power management schemes, and adjustable output. 4. Considerations for the future of this technology, including power management, lithium AAA's, and innovative batteries.