Who is the inventor of Common Cathode LED?
In the dvLED industry, Common Cathode LED technology is recognized as one of the most important advancements of the past two decades. It’s the innovation that has redefined how LED displays manage power, heat and performance, enabling ultra-fine pixel pitches, lower energy consumption and brighter, longer-lasting displays.
The inventor behind this breakthrough is Eric Li, founder and CEO of SiliconCore Technology. By rethinking the way LEDs are powered at the driver level, Eric transformed the performance ceiling of direct-view LED, setting a new industry benchmark.
The Visionary Behind the Technology
Eric Li’s journey began not in LED displays, but in semiconductor design. In 1997, he founded SiliconCore, initially producing laser diode drivers, and went on to ship over 100 million driver chips for DVD-RW drives. This expertise in high-precision power control would later become the foundation for a revolution in LED display architecture.
Recognizing the inherent inefficiencies of the industry-standard Common Anode approach, Eric had what he describes as a moment of clarity: if each LED color channel could be powered at its exact voltage, you could dramatically reduce heat, improve efficiency and open the door to higher resolution displays.
Inventing Common Cathode
In 2011, Eric filed his first patent for Common Cathode technology, making SiliconCore the first dvLED manufacturer to bring this concept to market. By delivering precise voltages to red, green and blue LEDs individually, Common Cathode:
Cuts power consumption by up to 40%
Runs 20–50% cooler for a more comfortable, longer-lasting display
Enables ultra-fine pixel pitches below 1mm
Extends LED lifespan beyond 100,000 hours while maintaining brightness
Supports 240Hz frame rates and 7680Hz refresh rates for XR, broadcast, and multi-camera workflows
This wasn’t just a technical breakthrough, it became the foundation for every SiliconCore display, driving product performance and sustainability across the entire portfolio.
Shaping the Future of Displays
Eric’s invention hasn’t stopped evolving. Building on Common Cathode, he and his team developed LISA™ encapsulation for durability without overlays, and Z.A.C.H™ processing for exceptional low-brightness performance and contrast. These innovations have enabled industry-firsts like:
The first 1.2mm LED floor display capable of full frame-rate XR production
Outdoor fine-pitch dvLED capable of replacing LCD in high-brightness, sustainable applications
From David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center to Asia’s largest curved virtual production wall, Eric’s technology powers some of the most demanding installations worldwide.
A Legacy in Motion
Today, Common Cathode isn’t just an efficiency story, it’s a creative enabler. By running cooler, brighter, and more reliably, Eric Li’s invention has expanded the possibilities of dvLED into applications once thought impossible, from immersive retail to multi-camera 3D production.
Eric’s role as inventor, engineer and enabler has set SiliconCore apart, making Common Cathode a benchmark for dvLED performance and sustainability. His vision remains clear: to bring dvLED technology into everyday life, without compromise.