Psychophysical evaluations of modulated color rendering for energy performance of LED-based architectural lighting

This thesis is focused on the visual perception evaluation of colors within an environment of a highly automated lighting control strategy. Digitally controlled lighting systems equipped with light emitting diodes, LEDs, can produce a range of different qualities of light, adjustable to users' requirements. In this context of unparalleled controllability, a novel energy-saving lighting control concept inspired this research: strategic control of Red, Yellow, Green & Blue LEDs forming white light can further increase energy efficiency. The resulting (more efficient) white light, however, would have decreased "color rendering" (i.e. the ability of accurately reproduce the colors of illuminated objects). The notable point is that while color rendering is necessarily affected, the appearance and light levels of the white light can stay the same. But how objects' distorted colors are perceived within a real life architectural context is a key, ensuing question. This research investigated the hypothesis that a significant range of color distortions would be unnoticeable under a dynamically controlled LED system, when operating outside of users' main field of view. If successful, such control technique could minimize peak hours lighting energy waste, and potentially enable up to 25% of power reduction.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Thompson, Maria do Rosário

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Terry Knight and Una-May O'Reilly.

• Architecture.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/38608

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/38608