Glossary A–ZLetter S
SMD LED
An SMD LED is a small LED component soldered onto the surface of the circuit board, usually combining one diode each for red, green and blue in a single package.
SMD stands for “surface-mounted device”. It is the most widespread construction method for LED walls.
Each package forms one pixel; many of them at regular intervals make up the module. The method is mature, available for indoor and outdoor walls and covers a wide range of pixel pitches. The colours of individual diodes are sorted during manufacture and the modules calibrated so that the surface looks even. Individual faulty LEDs can be desoldered and replaced with suitable tools.
The diodes stand slightly proud of the module surface. At the edges of modules, they can break off during installation, transport or from knocks, especially with small pixel pitches. For walls that people can touch, there are variants with an additional protective layer, or the chip-on-board construction. Operators should choose the location according to whether the surface is within reach and keep spare modules from the same production run.