Atmel and IXYS Release New Light Ballast Demo Kits
NANTES, France, May 31 / Atmel® Corporation (NASDAQ:ATML), a global leader in the development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced today the release of dimmable and non-dimmable demo kits for light ballast applications. These new kits are the result of a cooperation between Atmel and IXYS Corporation to develop design tools and speed up the implementation of ballast solutions for the lighting market. They feature Atmel's AVR® and 8051 microcontrollers and IXYS's broad range of mixed signal and power management products.
The ATAVRFBKIT is a dimmable light ballast demo kit while the AT89RFD-10 is a non-dimmable light ballast demo kit. Both kits incorporate a broad range of design features including universal line input, low harmonic distortion, low stand-by power and various protection features. The dimmable ballast incorporates DALI or one touch "Swiss" control for controlling the dimming level.
The dimmable ballast demo kit incorporates Atmel's AT90PWM2 AVR microcontroller, which supports both dimmable fluorescent and HID ballast applications. The 8-Kbyte Flash AT90PWM2 device integrates the DALI protocol, allowing the networking of ballasts to a centralized system for greater flexibility and control of lighting levels, while reducing maintenance and energy costs. The non-dimmable light ballast demo kit uses the AT83EB5114 8051-based microcontroller developed in partnership with a major lighting manufacturer for non-dimming fluorescent ballasts. The AT89EB5114 and AT90PWM2 are highly-integrated devices featuring 12- or 16-bit enhanced PWM generators, amplifiers and a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter.
Both demo kits use IXYS's new rugged PolarHV(TM) power MOSFETs with ultra- low Rds,on. In addition, they incorporate some of IXYS mixed-signal power management products including the IXD611 half-bridge driver, with superior noise performance and increased operating voltage capability, as well as the IXI858/IXI859 voltage regulator/gate driver. The IXI858/IXI859, in combination with the IXYS IXTP02N50D depletion-mode power MOSFET, are used to implement the line interface and gate drive requirements for the Power Factor Correction section of the light ballast.
"Our new microcontroller family will enable great strides for energy- efficient lighting systems, enabling ballast systems with features such as tube power recognition, lamp aging detection and centralized control and communication," said Jean Desuche, Lighting and Motor Control Product Marketing Manager for Atmel.
"Our PolarHV power MOSFETs and mixed-signal IC products enhance the value of the ballast reference designs by maximizing system energy and cost efficiency, while providing superior noise performance and ruggedness," said Don Humbert, Director of Marketing for IXYS Power.
Both kits are available at the price of $199.
About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are®.
Information:
Atmel's ATAVRFBKIT Dimmable Light Ballast Demo Kit product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3925.
Atmel's AT89RFD-10 Non-Dimmable Light Ballast Demo product information may be retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3926.
Press Contacts:
Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager - Microcontrollers
Phone: +33 2 40 18 18 87, Email: philippe.faure@nto.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific Rim,
Phone: (+1) 408 487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
Phone: +33 1 30 60 70 68, Fax: + 49 71 31 67 24 23
Email: veronique.sablereau@atmel.com
About IXYS
IXYS is a global leader in Power Semiconductors, Gate Drive ICs and RF Power Devices. With over 20 years experience, IXYS products are designed to meet the demands of the power market for best-in-class Performance, Quality and Reliability.
Information on IXYS' products can be retrieved at: www.ixys.com.
Source: Atmel Corporation
CONTACT: Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager -
Microcontrollers, +33 2 40 18 18 87, or philippe.faure@nto.atmel.com, or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific Rim,
(+1) 408 487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau, Corporate
Communications Manager - Europe, +33 1 30 60 70 68, or fax,
+ 49 71 31 67 24 23, or veronique.sablereau@atmel.com, all of Atmel
Corporation
Web site: http://www.atmel.com/
http://www.ixys.com/
