Adafruit Industries is a renowned open-source hardware company that provides innovative electronics and educational resources to empower makers, inventors, and engineers. Founded in 2005 by Limor Fried, Adafruit has become a prominent figure in the maker community, offering a wide range of products including development boards, sensors, components, and tools. Emphasizing open-source values, Adafruit promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing through its extensive collection of tutorials, guides, and project ideas. The company's commitment to education is evident through its Circuit Playground platform, which aims to teach electronics in a fun and accessible manner. Adafruit's dedication to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its efforts to support and promote women in STEM fields. With a focus on quality, creativity, and community, Adafruit continues to inspire and enable individuals to explore and create within the realms of electronics and technology.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current flows through them. LEDs in this category are generally utilized in single or array configurations to indicate the status of printed circuit boards. LEDs can be differentiated based on various parameters like package/case types, wavelength, viewing angle, forward voltage, current rating, millicandela rating, color, and mounting type. The package/case type refers to the physical form of the LED and can vary from small surface-mount packages to larger through-hole packages. Wavelength is a critical parameter that defines the color of the light emitted by the LED. The range of wavelengths emitted by the LED determines its color, and commonly available colors include red, green, blue, yellow, and white. Viewing angle refers to the angular range over which the emitted light is visible and can vary from several degrees to more than 180 degrees. Forward voltage is the voltage required for optimal operation of the LED, and current rating is the maximum current that can pass through the LED without damaging it. Millicandela rating indicates the brightness of the LED, and it typically ranges from a few milli-candelas to several hundred. Mounting types can vary from surface-mount to through-hole and may be available in common anode or cathode configurations or bidirectional. Overall, these parameters enable engineers and designers to select the appropriate LED for specific applications. Whether it's for indicating status on a printed circuit board, illuminating a display, or providing backlighting, LEDs offer a versatile and efficient solution with precise control over illumination characteristics.
