SCHOTT solutions no. 2/2016 > Focus / Aviation

HelioJet® SpectrumCC
HelioJet® SpectrumCC is a full-color LED system for cabin lighting that emits extremely homogeneous light. Photo: SCHOTT/A. Sell

Above the clouds


The light inside an aircraft determines whether passengers feel comfortable. LED technology from SCHOTT is also on board.


Dr. Haike Frank

No question: The best lighting mood comes directly from Mother Nature. Light determines our daily rhythm while the color of light significantly influences our state of mind. Designers of aircraft cabins are increasingly using this insight to make the time we spend on board as pleasant as possible. As an experienced expert on lighting solutions based on specialty glass, SCHOTT creates scenarios for functional as well as ambient lighting. ”We know how light and colors are produced and how to direct and stage them properly,” explains Dr. Burkhard Danielzik, Vice President of Aviation & Automotive at SCHOTT.

”We see great potential for innovative lighting concepts.”

Dr. Burkhard Danielzik, Vice President Aviation & Automotive at SCHOTT
Aviation
The best light mood on board – including contour lighting. Photo: SCHOTT/A. Sell
For example, with its HelioJet® SpectrumCC cabin lighting system, SCHOTT offers a unique full-color system based on LEDs that produces uniformly homogeneous light. In this case, LED light is guided via the two ends of an optical lightguide and radiated uniformly over the entire length according to fiber optic principles. Furthermore, a special sensor controller continuously measures the color shade of each LED package and corrects deviations from the target value on the basis of human color perception. This produces homogeneous light and color stability for the full duration of its operating time. This works because LEDs are the only electric light source capable of rendering the entire color spectrum of approximately 16 million colors that can be perceived by the human eye. Different lighting scenarios can now be used continuously and harmoniously, such as sunsets or sunrises.

”Our sensor technology has been so successful that we are now able to extend this concept to the entire lighting system inside an aircraft – from ambient lighting with a starry sky to contour lighting and reading lights. Then we control all of the light sources in a uniform manner and turn the interior lighting into a complete experience. We see great potential for innovative lighting concepts for airlines interested in differentiating themselves from the competition,” Dr. Danielzik explained. —
LEDs
True color sensors control the color shade. Photo: SCHOTT

Sensor control for color-stable light


LEDs change their color shades and brightness depending on their age and the temperature. Some age faster than others. This can cause color shifts that noticeably affect the spatial light moods and can prevent colors from ­being rendered naturally.

Real color sensors simulate this sense of color by using a dichroic coating. They constantly measure and control the color shade of an RGBW (red, green, blue, white) LED group of setpoints. Flight cabin lighting from SCHOTT compensates for the color shifts of the LEDs.

3 Facts

SCHOTT inside an aircraft
CIE color diagram
Photo: SCHOTT
What does our eye see?
 
The scientist David L. MacAdam has charted the sensitivity of the human eye in a CIE color diagram. True color sensors compensate for drifts in color so that the eye sees no difference.
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