Research note: Establishing criteria for responses to temporal light modulation

Concerns about temporal light modulation (TLM) from LEDs are beginning to turn into consensus-based metrics and guidance. One important point of consideration is how to establish performance criteria based on metrics like the stroboscopic visibility measure and the phantom array visibility measure. This brief paper describes a new technical memorandum, TM-39, from the Illuminating Engineering Society, including how the committee developed the specification levels it proposes. For such documents to be effective, the broader lighting industry needs to understand what meeting the thresholds will and will not accomplish; this paper provides an important explanation of proper interpretation and limitations. Finally, it suggests future research that can continue to strengthen the methods being used to limit TLM and improve lighting quality.