OSRAM has quite good datasheet for this kind of things. However a duty cycle of 8% and 70ms pulse time will not increase the pulsing current above the DC forward current by much. I will guess in your application, the LED can not pulse higher than 20mA without causing derating. Normally we use high pulse current capability RED/InfraRed LEDs for our applications. OSRAM is a good source for this kind of applications and so far it has the best datasheets, better than Agilent/Vishay/Stanley/... Eg: SFH464 Red Led Emitter, Datasheet from OSRAM DC forward current: 50mA Permissible Pulse Handling Capability IF =3D f (?), TA =3D 25 =B0C, duty cycle D =3D parameter Pulsing current at D=3D1% using 10us pulse (100us period): 400mA max Pulsing current at D=3D10% using 10us pulse (100us period): 850mA max Pulsing current at D=3D10% using 100us pulse (1ms period): 200mA max Pulsing current at D10% using 1ms pulse (10ms period): 85mA max Pulsing current at D=3D10% using 10ms pulse (100ms period): 72mA max For some of the LEDs, they have a parameter called surge current: Eg: LST676 PLCC2 SMD LED DC forward current: 30mA Surge current: 1A (Surge current: t ? 10 =B5s, D =3D 0.005, TA=3D25=B0C) Regards, Xiaofan -----Original Message----- From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu=20 Sent: Friday, October 21, 2005 8:04 AM To: piclist@mit.edu Subject: [EE] Pulsing LEDs any pointers on pulse driving LEDs ? Assuming a standard 10mA 5mm LED, what sort of repetition frequency and = max current would be suitable for a led that has a duty cycle of 8%, ( illuminated=20 for about 0.07 seconds each second ) are there any manufacturers guidelin= es=20 about this? --=20 --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist