Freescale Semiconductor has entered the LED market, and announced that it is sampling the first LED backlight product in its power management IC portfolio. The 10-channel MC34844 (pictured) white LED driver IC is targeted at LED backlights in notebook computers, as well as in flat-panel monitors with screen sizes ranging from 10 inches to 27 inches.
“LED backlighting is a disruptive technology that will spur innovation and growth in the LCD market and enable more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly LCD displays,” said Arman Naghavi, VP and general manager of Freescale’s analog, mixed-signal, and power division, in a statement. “The market for LED backlights offers untapped potential as growth opportunities expand from laptops and monitors to LCD TVs and automotive, consumer and industrial lighting applications.”
According to Freescale, key benefits of LED technology over conventional cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) lighting systems include higher efficiency, reduced power consumption, a five-fold longer lifespan, enhanced durability, and up to 100 times better contrast ratios for clearer definition on screen. LED technology is also free from mercury, a substance known to be toxic and often restricted or banned by current environmental regulations like ROHS. With the launch of its LED backlight driver IC portfolio, it plans to expand into growing backlighting markets, such as large-screen digital TVs and commercial lighting. The Austin-based company expects to announce LED backlighting solutions for LCD TVs in Q1 2009. Also in 2009, the company expects to pursue the LED lighting market for automotive, commercial, and residential applications.
The MC34844 LED driver IC can drive up to 160 LEDs in 10 parallel strings and includes pulse-width modulation (PWM) generator support for LED dimming. The device also is designed to deliver consistent performance over the lifetime of the LEDs by compensating for optical and temperature degradation. Using the device’s I2C / SMBus interface, developers can program the LED current, PWM frequency, and PWM duty cycle for the LEDs, Freescale said. Multiple devices can be synchronized for driving more LEDs.
Citing data from IMS Research, the market for semiconductors used in backlighting applications, including LED driver ICs, is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in 2008 to $2 billion in 2012. Freescale is currently sampling the MC34844 LED driver IC for laptops and monitor applications. Broader market availability is planned for Q4. The suggested resale price of the MC34844 in 10,000 quantities is $1.44.
