• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Catalyst Semiconductor Launches 2-Watt LED Driver to Address High-Power Backlighting Applications

Posted on: Thursday, 7 June 2007, 09:00 CDT

Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATS) a supplier of analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors today launched a new 2-watt LED driver to address high-power backlighting applications. The CAT4240 boost converter provides a high switch current up to 750mA and high voltage up to 38V, making it ideal for driving a wide range of backlighting applications ranging from 1W LEDs in series to multiple strings of lower-power LEDs.

The CAT4240 provides 2 watts of output power from a 3V to 5V supply and up to 6 watts when configured with a higher voltage, split supply of 9V to 12V. Additionally, the device is designed with a low-noise, high-frequency switching scheme and contains fully integrated features, which eliminates the need for external components associated with soft-start and over-voltage protection, reducing noise and saving board space.

Many high-voltage boost converters typically use a simple variable-frequency switching scheme. This approach results in a wide range of unwanted harmonics, which are not easy to filter or eliminate. The CAT4240 uses a fixed frequency (1MHz) switching architecture making it ideal for low noise applications. A high voltage CMOS output stage in the device allows large LED strings (up to 38V) to be accurately biased and regulated from a low voltage input supply while still delivering efficiency levels of up to 87%.

To eliminate excessive "in-rush" currents which can occur during initial power-up, the CAT4240 offers an integrated soft-start control. In the event of an open-LED fault condition, an internal over-voltage protection circuit will place the device into a low-power operating mode restricting the output voltage to safe levels without the need for external circuitry. Both of these features are fully integrated, eliminating the need for external components and the associated cost and board space overhead.

Designers have a choice of controlling LED dimming in the CAT4240 using a DC voltage, logic signal, or pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.

Product Features

Drives high voltage LED strings up to 38V

Switch current limit 750mA

1MHz fixed-frequency, low-noise operation

Fully protected

Packaging: 5-lead SOT23 (1mm max height)

Price and Availability

The CAT4240 LED driver is priced at $0.84 each in 10,000 piece quantities. Samples are available now. Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.

About Catalyst Semiconductor

Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The Company produces analog and mixed signal products in addition to an extensive range of non-volatile memories. The analog and mixed-signal product lines include Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP™), white and color LED drivers, DC/DC converters, voltage supervisors, linear regulators and I/O expanders. The memory product lines consist of serial and parallel EEPROMs, Flash and NVRAM. Catalyst devices are used in telecommunications, networking systems, computation, automotive, industrial and consumer markets. Typical applications include LCD displays, automotive instrumentation, optical networks, modems, wireless LANs, network cards, DIMM modules, cellular telephones, digital satellite box receivers, set-top boxes and Internet routers. Catalyst's Quality Management System is ISO 9001:2000 certified. All Catalyst products are available in "green" lead- and halogen-free versions with full RoHS compliance. For additional information about Catalyst Semiconductor, visit our website at: www.catsemi.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to statements relating to lead times and product availability for Catalyst Semiconductor's LED drivers. These statements are based on current information and market conditions and, as such, are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ from those described in these forward-looking statements. Factors that can potentially affect product availability and lead times include manufacturing process interruptions at Catalyst's or our vendors' production facilities. Additionally, fluctuations in customer demand and changes in market supply could affect product availability and lead times. More information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained under the heading "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's Future Results of Operations" described from time-to-time in Catalyst's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the report on the Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2006 and Forms 10-Q for the subsequent three fiscal quarters.

Editor Notes:

1) Trademark notices: DPP is a trademark of Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category