White Paper: COB Flip Chip (Common Cathode) vs SMD – Power Consumption

White Paper: COB Flip Chip (Common Cathode) vs SMD (Surface Mount Diode) – Power Consumption

Topic: Support Sustainability Campaign With Market Data

Document created 1/2/2023

Published date: 26/2/23

Disclaimer:

This information is based on readily available, published data deemed reliable at the time of writing. However, as technology and market conditions evolve, so too may this data and its interpretations. We encourage additional research and verification to ensure the accuracy and current relevance of the information provided. 

Introduction

At The LED Studio, we prioritise transparency, understanding its necessity to illustrate the rationale behind our messaging. The technology industry, especially when discussing sustainability, is fraught with misinformation and marketing "buzzwords."

This white paper will outline the calculations and metrics that underpin our COB vs SMD sustainability campaign, providing a foundation upon which to base further research to uncover all the data we've utilised.

We believe that without context, marketing means nothing!

As a dedicated LED display manufacturer, our goal is to ensure the use of appropriate technologies for each application. By doing so, we aim not only to save money and maximise ROI for our clients, but also to achieve more eco-friendly outcomes — a win-win for all involved. Our ambition extends to facilitating a shift towards more environmentally friendly display technologies, which promise reduced running costs and a smaller carbon footprint.

This document specifically focuses on indoor, fine-pitch use cases with a brightness of under 1000 nits. At LED Studio, we believe that by the end of 2025, all LED displays within these parameters should transition to COB technology. It is our hope that the campaign and the supporting data will empower clients to make this transition with well-informed confidence.

While we will not provide direct links (to avoid naming and shaming), we will offer links or key search terms that were instrumental in building the values used in our campaign. With a bit of digging, these references will allow easy access to the utilised data.

Important Note: In certain situations, SMD or other pixel technologies remain the preferred solution, especially where high brightness is necessary. We are not advocating a complete shift away from SMD or SMD Flip Chip technologies.

As with any project, leveraging the expertise of your provider to ensure the right technology application is crucial.

Metric 1:

P1.5 SMD 600 Nit VS P1.5 COB 600 Nit

The choice of this comparison is driven by the popularity and rapid growth of the indoor, P1.5, fine pixel pitch offering at brightness levels of <1000 nits, as evidenced by our own 2022-2023 sales data and readily available market trend information.

Consequently, we have selected Indoor, P1.5, SMD data as our "legacy" comparison metric for energy consumption against Indoor, P1.5, COB Flip Chip (Common Cathode) technology at a maximum brightness of 600 nits.

Important Note: When examining energy consumption data, it's critical to compare like-for-like values, such as pixel pitch and brightness level capabilities.

Another reason for this selection is the emerging popularity of P1.5,  1080p,  130” All-in-one solutions as the market's preferred "fixed" screen size, providing a solid benchmark for our later campaign messaging and ROI figures.

Market Trends & Data:

• TrendForce Press Release

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fine-pixel-pitch-led-displays-market-insights-players-forecast-rb83e/

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/narrow-pixel-pitch-led-displays-market-analysis-upcoming-o4hrf/

• https://www.ledinside.com/intelligence/2023/9/2023_09_28_02

Metric 2

Energy Consumption per m² (W/m²)

Understanding display power requirements is essential, focusing on two key values:

1. Peak/Max (W/m²) – Indicates the maximum/ peak wattage draw per square meter. This value is usually only achieved during the initial startup phase of a display (in-rush) from a completely off state, or when used at full brightness on full white. It's crucial for specifying a screen's total (worst case) power draw requirements, though it does not reflect the typical/average running requirements.

2. Typical/Average (W/m²) – This metric is vital for calculating the normal/ typical power draw of an LED display during typical operation, forming the basis for ongoing display running costs estimations and calculating ROI.

Value used in campaign: Typical/ Average (W/m²)

Our analysis for LED displays' total cost of ownership specifically compared the Typical/ Average W/m² of SMD vs. COB P1.5 technology at a maximum brightness of 600 nits. We calculated an industry "average" W/m² value for Indoor, SMD P1.5 technology using data from eight established LED brands and three of our own (11 total) Indoor, SMD P1.5 products, arriving at an industry mean/average value.

11 x SMD,  P1.5, 600 Nit Average/Typical w/m2 values:

• SMD Genesis P1.5 (LED Studio product) = 250w/m²

• SMD 55” EDGE P1.5 (LED Studio product) = 200w/m²

• SMD 43” EDGE P1.5 (LED Studio product) = 200w/m²

• SMD Competitor 1, P1.5 = 149W/m²

• SMD Competitor 2, P1.5 = 197W/m²

• SMD Competitor 3, P1.5 = 188W/m²

• SMD Competitor 4, P1.5 = 200W/m²

• SMD Competitor 5, P1.5 = 185W/m²

• SMD Competitor 6, P1.5 = 199W/m²

• SMD Competitor 7, P1.5 = 175W/m²

• SMD Competitor 8, P1.5 = 211W/m²

Average/ mean "Typical" SMD P1.5 W/m² = 195.8 W/m²

Data Source: Information on Peak/Max & Average/Typical w/m² values is generally accessible on all manufacturer spec sheets, either upon request or via their websites. Below, we have provided the key search terms we used to gather this information.

Competitor Data Source Google Search Terms:

• Fine pitch LED displays 

• P1.5 SMD LED display

• Indoor LED display

• SMD LED display

LED Studio Comparison Product Values:

• 43" EDGE Pro

• 55" EDGE

• Genesis

 Important Note: Ensure values are for SMD comparison products are of the same pixel pitch and nit output. 

Energy Saving Calculation

LED STUDIO - COB Flip Chip (common cathode) comparison product: SOLARIS (COB)

SOLARIS Product Page Link

• SOLARIS (COB) P1.5 w/m² = 117 w/m²

Difference 195.81 – 117 = 78.81 = Difference of 40.24%

Energy Consumption Savings: 40%

Campaign wording: "Up to 40% energy saving by choosing SOLARIS (COB)"

Disclaimer: This information is based on readily available, published data deemed reliable at the time of writing. However, as technology and market conditions evolve, so too may this data and its interpretations. We encourage additional research and verification to ensure the accuracy and current relevance of the information provided. 

As mentioned before, in certain situations, SMD or other pixel technologies remain the preferred solution, especially where high brightness is necessary. We are not advocating a complete shift away from SMD or Flip Chip technologies. As with any project, leveraging the expertise of your provider to ensure the right technology application is crucial.