When we open the specification of LED driver power supply, we often see the word "dimming curve". The dimming curve is an important existence in the dimming process. It determines the changing characteristics of the light from dark to bright and from bright to dark, and directly affects the dimming effect.
什么是调光曲线？What is a dimming curve?
调光设备在接收到输入信号后，会根据预定的函数进行光输出，这个函数就是调光曲线。
After receiving the input signal, the dimming device will output light according to a predetermined function, which is the dimming curve. 调光曲线有很多种，线性、对数和Gamma调光曲线是较为常见的调光曲线，下面将对这三种调光曲线进行详细介绍。There are many kinds of dimming curves. Linear, logarithmic and gamma dimming curves are the more common ones. The following will introduce these three dimming curves in detail.
线性调光曲线
Linear dimming curve在线性调光曲线下，调光信号与灯光亮度的变化是成比例的，也就是说，如果调光信号增加了10%，那么灯光亮度也会相应地增加10%，反之亦然。一般来说，在需要精确控制亮度的场所（如展览、摄影棚等），线性调光曲线可能更为方便。Under the linear dimming curve, the dimming signal is proportional to the change in light brightness, that is, if the dimming signal increases by 10%, the light brightness will also increase by 10%, and vice versa. Generally speaking, linear dimming curves may be more convenient in places where precise brightness control is required (such as exhibitions, studios, etc.).线性调光曲线图
Linear dimming curve
线性调光曲线简单直观，用户也更容易理解和控制灯光的亮度。然而，线性调光并不总是符合人眼的视觉感受，因为人眼在低亮度时，对灯光的变化非常敏感，即使亮度有微小的增加，人眼也能轻易捕捉，而在高亮度时，人眼对灯光的变化则相对不敏感。The linear dimming curve is simple and intuitive, and it is easier for users to understand and control the brightness of the light. However, linear dimming does not always conform to the visual perception of the human eye, because the human eye is very sensitive to changes in light at low brightness, and can easily capture even a slight increase in brightness, while at high brightness, the human eye is relatively insensitive to changes in light.
对数调光曲线
Logarithmic dimming curve为了适应人眼的视觉特性，对数调光曲线应运而生。与线性调光曲线不同，对数调光曲线在低亮度时，灯光亮度变化缓慢，过渡更加自然；在高亮度时，灯光亮度的变化较快，不易被人眼察觉，更符合人眼的感知特性。因为更符合人眼的视觉习惯，对数调光曲线在照明设计中被广泛应用，特别是在需要提升灯光调光效果和满足人眼视觉感知的场景。In order to adapt to the visual characteristics of the human eye, the logarithmic dimming curve came into being. Different from the linear dimming curve, the light brightness changes slowly at low brightness, and the transition is more natural; at high brightness, the light brightness changes quickly and is not easily noticed by the human eye, which is more in line with the perception characteristics of the human eye. Because it is more in line with the visual habits of the human eye, the logarithmic dimming curve is widely used in lighting design, especially in scenes that need to improve the dimming effect of the light and meet the visual perception of the human eye.对数调光曲线图
Logarithmic dimming curve
伽马调光曲线
Gamma dimming curve
伽马曲线描述了亮度信号与显示亮度、人眼感知之间的非线性关系，通过合理调整Gamma值，可以优化照明区域的亮度分布，使得亮度更加均匀、柔和，减少眩光和阴影现象。The gamma curve describes the nonlinear relationship between the brightness signal and the display brightness and human eye perception. By properly adjusting the Gamma value, the brightness distribution of the lighting area can be optimized, making the brightness more uniform and softer, and reducing glare and shadow phenomena.
The gamma dimming curve does not have only one curve change. In fact, it represents a series of curves. When the Gamma value is equal to 1.0, the curve is a straight line that is 45° to the coordinate axis, which is the linear dimming curve mentioned above.
Gamma2.2曲线图
在观察不同Gamma值对调光曲线的不同影响后，我们会发现这样一个特点：假定曲线横坐标小于30%的部分为暗区，当Gamma值越大，暗区的变化越平缓，而Gamma值越小时，暗区的变化越陡峭。After observing the different effects of different Gamma values on the dimming curve, we will find such a feature: assuming that the part of the curve with a horizontal coordinate less than 30% is the dark area, the larger the Gamma value, the smoother the change of the dark area, and the smaller the Gamma value, the steeper the change of the dark area.
Gamma值越大，暗区的变化越平缓
The larger the Gamma valuethe smoother the change in the dark area
In the exponential dimming curve, the light brightness is exponentially related to the input signal. As the input signal increases, the light brightness increases more slowly in the low power area and faster in the high power area.
The exponential curve is also a dimming curve that conforms to the perception characteristics of the human eye, because it lights up slowly at low brightness, brightens suddenly in the latter part, and changes rapidly in the high brightness area, which is not easily detected by the human eye and conforms to the perception characteristics of the human eye.
四种调光曲线的对比
Comparison of four dimming curves
为什么需要应用不同的调光曲线？
Why do we need to apply different dimming curves?
1.满足不同暗区更加细腻的调光需求
Meet the more delicate dimming needs of different dark areas通过应用不同的调光曲线，能够更好地适应暗区照明的特殊要求。例如博物馆这些特定场所，它的暗区往往需要有更细腻的灯光调控，这样可以确保观众更清晰地看到展品的细节，同时不会因光线过强而对展品造成损害。
By applying different dimming curves, the special requirements of dark area lighting can be better met. For example, in specific places such as museums, dark areas often require more delicate lighting control, which can ensure that visitors can see the details of the exhibits more clearly without damaging the exhibits due to excessive light.
2.匹配不同的调光器
Match different dimmers当调光器的调光行程与输出的亮度信号不是线性时，如果希望光输出是线性变化的，那么就需要不同的调光曲线。
When the dimming stroke of the dimmer is not linear with the output brightness signal, if you want the light output to change linearly, a different dimming curve is required.
Through the above explanation, I believe everyone has a preliminary understanding of dimming curves. Now, let's return the theory to practical application. With the continuous advancement of technology, users have put forward higher requirements for the convenience of dimming curve application.
As a professional Chinese manufacturer of intelligent dimming drivers, SCPOWER/Suretron has achieved customization of dimming curves through technological innovation, effectively meeting users' application needs for dimming curves.
圣昌恒流大功率系列
允许用户自定义调光曲线
High-Power Constant Current Dimmable LED Driver
Allows users to customize dimming curves
以圣昌恒流大功率系列智能调光电源为例，该系列可通过NFC功能选择线性、对数或者伽马调光曲线，让用户能够依据具体的应用环境、照明需求或个人偏好，灵活选取最为适宜的调光曲线。Taking SCPOWER/Suretron constant current high-power series intelligent dimming driver as an example, this series can select linear, logarithmic or gamma dimming curve through the NFC function, allowing users to flexibly select the most suitable dimming curve according to the specific application environment, lighting requirements or personal preferences. 更贴心的是，圣昌在电源出厂前，还会依据不同客户的实际应用场景、照明需求或个人偏好，精心预设多种调光曲线方案，为客户省去繁琐的自行调试步骤，有效节约了用户的时间与精力，也确保了调光的精准度，有效提升照明效果。
What's even more thoughtful is that before the power supply leaves the factory, SCPOWER/Suretron will carefully preset a variety of dimming curve schemes based on the actual application scenarios, lighting needs or personal preferences of different customers, saving customers the tedious self-debugging steps, effectively saving users' time and energy, and ensuring the accuracy of dimming, effectively improving lighting effects.
