I wanted to create a model of diodes for my simulator. I needed to find out what was the V/I curve for diodes.
So I measured real diodes, testing them at various current-versus-volt levels. I measured led's as well.
I plotted the data. The diode curve appears to be an exponential equation. Resembling 'Volts to some power equals amperes'. (It also needs a coefficient or two somewhere.)
I tried to fit different equations to the curve. For plain red led's, the best I could come up with is:
AMPS = (VOLTS * .51) ^ 29
This formula is only a crude approximation. It cannot be compared to the Shockley equation (scroll 45% down the website):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shockley's_diode_equation
However I could never find out what values to insert in the Shockley equation, in order for me to be able to use it.
My simple formula cannot be applied to all colors of led's, nor all efficiencies, brightness levels, etc. The coefficients must be adjusted up or down, accordingly.