Drivers save board space.
Share:
Press Release Summary:
D368 driver has electroluminescent lamp driver for backlighting monochrome displays and keypads, and high-brightness light emitting diode driver to backlight color displays. Single chip, dual driver saves board space in cell phones and other handheld electronic devices. Driver operates with input voltage of 2.5-6.5 Vdc allowing direct conversion from Li Ion and multi-cell alkaline, NiCad, or NiMH batteries.
Original Press Release:
DUREL® EL/HBLED Backlight Driver Combo Simplifies Designs, Minimizes Costs, and Saves Board Space in Cell Phones
Chandler, AZ, April 7, 2003: Durel Corporation's new D368 driver combines the functionality of a high performance electroluminescent ("EL") lamp driver for backlighting monochrome displays and keypads with an efficient, high-brightness light emitting diode (HBLED) driver to backlight color displays. The D368 EL/HBLED driver simplifies designs, minimizes costs, and saves board space in cell phones and other handheld electronic devices. It also delivers the most integrated design to achieve a highly efficient, cost-effective solution for combining backlighting technologies that complement the various sections of wireless handsets and other applications.
To satisfy consumer demand for thin, uniform illumination and better keypad readability, EL lamps are becoming the system of choice for backlighting keypads and sub-displays on handheld communication devices. And migration towards higher resolution color displays to accommodate new handset features and functions has advanced the use of high-brightness white LEDs. Therefore, to meet engineer requests for an integrated system to power both light sources, Durel has developed the D368, a single-chip, dual driver. Now, instead of using separate drivers to provide the inductive boost for the white LEDs and the high-voltage charge pump for powering the EL lamp, a single D368 combination system with one low-profile inductor and minimum number of additional external components is all that is needed.
John Dowdell, president of Durel, describes the benefits: "We are excited about this new driver chip because it reduces valuable board space and cost. The simplicity, size, and price benefits of the EL/LED driver IC solution enable complete backlighting integration in the smallest, thinnest, most power-conscious portable applications."
The D368 IC driver operates with a wide DC input voltage range (2.5V to 6.5Vdc) allowing direct conversion from Li Ion as well as multi-cell alkaline/NiCad/NiMH batteries. During standby mode, it features ultra-low 10nA standby current, minimizing battery usage to prolong battery life. The EL and the LED driver outputs of the D368 are independently addressable for maximum design flexibility. The D368 Dual Driver also incorporates major control functions to assure maximum EL lamp brightness and minimum power consumption. It generates up to 180Vpp output to the EL lamp.
This versatile driver has separately adjustable boost and lamp frequencies, which are compatible with external clock functions to optimize performance and efficiency while avoiding RF and IF interference. The D368 driver features Durel's patented, programmable Wave-shaping(TM) technology for low-noise EL lamp performance in noise-sensitive applications. The D368 has constant LED current for up to 6 white or blue LEDs in series to be programmed with a single external resistor. LED dimming control can be achieved using a DC voltage input or a filtered PWM signal to a separate DIM pin on the D368 IC driver. This additional option reduces system current draw.
Samples of D368 drivers in leadless PLLP-16 packages are currently available from stock. Durel also offers D368 Combination Backlight Driver Designer's Kits for a nominal fee to aid designers in configuring an optimized circuit for their applications. Each kit contains a Durel EL lamp, sample D368 units, pre-soldered evaluation board with white HBLEDs, and several values of surface mount external components. To find out more about how easy it is to use Durel's D368 EL and LED combination driver IC solution, consult the technical datasheet with reference circuit designs that can be found on the Durel Web site at www.durel.com.
Durel is ISO 9001 Certified and QS9000 Registered. For more information about Durel's EL Lamps, EL Drivers, and Electroluminescent Materials Systems, please contact Durel's Customer Service at customerservice@durel.com, or telephone Customer Service at 480/917-6000, fax: 480/917-6049. Visit Durel's Web site at www.durel.com.
Durel Corporation is a joint venture between 3M Corporation, located in Minnesota, and Rogers Corporation, located in Connecticut. The company's product lines include coated phosphors, inks, custom electroluminescent lamps, EL drivers, design engineering applications, and consulting services.
