Microsemi backlight controller enables breakthrough black levels and dynamic contrast for 40-inch and larger LCD TVs

IRVINE, USA: Microsemi Corp., a leading manufacturer of high performance analog/mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, introduced the first CCFL backlight inverter controller that significantly improves black-level quality and dynamic contrast performance in 40-inch-and-larger LCD TVs.

A leader in large-screen LCD TV innovations for more than a decade, Microsemi worked with leading LCD TV manufacturers to achieve this significant display-quality milestone. The new backlight controllers feature Microsemi's patented PureBLACK(TM) technology while setting new standards for image uniformity, reliability and protection, and lowering overall bill of material costs.

PureBLACK technology was developed by Dr. Xiaoping Jin, inventor of Microsemi's widely-used Jin Balancer concepts for economical lamp-voltage control and current balancing. PureBLACK technology achieves its superior black levels and dynamic contrast performance by building upon the Jin Balancer's unique ability to ensure lamp striking with very small duty cycles.

"Microsemi has been a pioneer in CCFL backlighting technology for many years," said Tom Kapucija, director of marketing with Microsemi's Analog Mixed Signal Group. "With CCFL backlit TVs projected to remain the dominant display technology for the next four or five years, it is important for Microsemi customers to offer the same dynamic contrast and performance possible with our industry's emerging technologies. PureBLACK technology fulfills that need while improving the energy efficiency of the display."

Designated the LX6503A, Microsemi's latest addition to its CCFL inverter controller family brings advanced mega-contrast dimming to large-screen displays, including those that use the energy-saving high voltage LCD integrated power supply (HV-LIPS) topology.

Like Microsemi's recently introduced LX6523A solution for 37-inch-and-smaller displays, the LX6503A features soft-start capability, fault indication and flexible configuration support for push-pull, full-bridge or half-bridge drive topologies for ultra-low-cost large-screen displays.

It includes synchronization (SYNC) functionality which significantly improves display quality by synchronizing both the frequency and phase of the lamp current between inverters -- or to external signals from a wide variety of sources including DVD and Blu-Ray devices.

The LX6503A controller integrates all necessary functionality for LCD TV/monitor displays in a single controller that also provides reliable lamp striking, comprehensive brightness control modes and support for 24V inverter topologies in existing backlight applications. The LX6503A controller features tighter lamp current accuracy as compared to competitive solutions.