Cuk converter as a LED lamp driver

Recently, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) replacement lamps become a viable alternative for incandescent lamp due to the quality of light, lamp life and environmental cost of ownership. One of the critical elements in LEDs lamp in ensuring optimal performance and long operating life is the LEDs driver. The driver performs a number of functions such as power conversion, power factor correction (PFC), voltage isolation and current regulation. The main focus of this project is to improve the LED driver characteristics using Cuk topology for greater durability and efficiency. The Cuk converter is considered the optimum topology with non pulsating input current, non pulsating output current, minimum storage elements, minimum switch number, and high energy storage density using a capacitor instead of an inductor, which can operate as step up or down converter. The PIC microcontroller is used as a main controller for providing constant current to the LED. This project is designed and simulated and a prototype is developed. It has been found that the performance of developed prototype is excellent with the efficiency greater than 90% at minimum and maximum input voltage. The simulation and experimental results proved that the Cuk converter is appropriate to be used as LED driver for LED replacement lamp.