Catalyst boost converter family drives more LEDs Date Announced: 24 Oct 2005 SUNNYVALE, Calif. Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATS), a leading supplier of high performance mixed-signal and memory solutions, today expands its family of solid state illumination products with the CAT4137 and CAT4237.
Optimized for mobile LED lighting and backlight applications, the CAT4x37 family operate down below 2.5V and drive up to 8 white LEDs in series from a 3V source. Power efficiency as high as 87% and a "zero" shutdown current feature extend battery life in both operation and sleep modes.
A unique over voltage circuit protects against open LED faults while reducing pin count and eliminating the need for large, costly external zener diodes. Further savings in board layout area result from the CAT4x37's high frequency switching operation.
For applications requiring greater luminous intensity, the CAT4237 is designed to drive up to 40mA. This allows system designers to use higher power LEDs or a larger number of standard LEDs. Backlight integrity is maintained with current regulation typically better than 0.1% across supply and 1.0% across temperature.
"Backlight module designers are challenged with sourcing the changing requirements of their end customers. The flexibility and performance of the CAT4x37 family eliminates the headache and cycle time of qualifying new LED drivers for each new backlight design," comments Jamie White, Mixed Signal Marketing Manager.
CAT4137/4237 Applications
-- Mobile LED backlight systems for cell phones, MP3, PDA, DSC, games, navigation
-- LED illumination for digital cameras
-- LED torch and flashlights
Product Features
-- Drives 6 to 8 White LEDs in series from 3V (CAT4237)
-- Up to 87% Efficiency at load
-- Adjustable Output Current up to 40mA (CAT4237)
-- High Frequency Operation (1MHz)
-- Shutdown Current less than 1uA
-- Integrated Low Power Open LED protection
-- Integrated UVLO and Soft Start
-- Tight Line Regulation
-- Thin SOT5 Green/ROHS package
Price and Green Package Availability
The CAT4237 and CAT4137 are available in a 5-pin ThinSOT package; pricing in 1,000 piece quantities is $0.85 and $0.80 respectively. The CAT4237 and CAT4137 are available in RoHS compliant, environment friendly "green" packages that are halogen and lead free. Samples, evaluation kits and production quantities are available at the time of this publication. Contact
Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.
Rick Bowman
Tel. 408-542-1080
Fax: 408-542-1200 E-mail: rick.bowman@catsemi.com Web Site: www.catalyst-semiconductor.com |
