LOS ANGELES, USA: Seesmart Inc., a developer and manufacturer of solid-state lighting technology, announced that it has partnered with Los Angeles Lighting, a commercial lighting luminaire leader, based in Los Angeles, CA. This partnership will allow both Seesmart and L.A. Lighting the opportunity to provide the only ETL listed and approved complete LED luminaires.
“Partnering with L.A. Lighting gives us the ability to provide the very best lighting fixture technology to our clients in a variety of forms and fashions to integrate with our LED lighting products,” said Raymond Sjolseth, President of Seesmart LED. “Our mutual commitment to quality and manufacturing in the USA will enable Seesmart LED and L.A. Lighting to be at the center of the dynamic and rapidly growing LED industry.”
“We are pleased to have Seesmart LED as a valued business partner offering quality, dependable and efficient LED light products at a variety of pricing value points,” said Bill Shapiro, President of L.A. Lighting. “L.A. Lighting continues to innovate in USA manufacturing and has taken the necessary expansion efforts that will enable us to meet the increasing demand for LED lighting.”
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
IXYS intros low profile three-phase rectifier family for AC/DC power apps
BIEL, SWITZERLAND: IXYS Corp. announced an addition to the three phase rectifier products with modules that feature reduced weight and height of 17 millimeters.
The three phase rectifier module is utilized in electrical systems where AC electrical power is converted to DC power. IXYS has developed 17mm height versions of existing modules to enable customers who need to integrate front end rectification into equipments where size, weight and efficiency of the equipment are a prime requirement.
The VUO162, VUO192, VUO64 and VUO84 represent 17mm height versions of modules currently available from IXYS and are used in many applications such as motor drive, welding and high power conversion. The bridges are available with repetitive voltage ratings from 800 V to 2200V.
A re-design of the well-proven rectifier products VUO160 and VUO190 has resulted in a modified housing that provides the established height of 17mm. Better mounting compatibility with secondary stages of the system combined with the high sophisticated diode technology of IXYS provides an optimized three phase rectifier module for every application where mains rectification is needed.
All industrial standards in terms of voltage isolation, efficiency and ruggedness against surge current occurrences have been maintained with this new package design. The VUO range of rectifiers provides high efficiency and high power density at a competitive cost.
The three phase rectifier module is utilized in electrical systems where AC electrical power is converted to DC power. IXYS has developed 17mm height versions of existing modules to enable customers who need to integrate front end rectification into equipments where size, weight and efficiency of the equipment are a prime requirement.
The VUO162, VUO192, VUO64 and VUO84 represent 17mm height versions of modules currently available from IXYS and are used in many applications such as motor drive, welding and high power conversion. The bridges are available with repetitive voltage ratings from 800 V to 2200V.
A re-design of the well-proven rectifier products VUO160 and VUO190 has resulted in a modified housing that provides the established height of 17mm. Better mounting compatibility with secondary stages of the system combined with the high sophisticated diode technology of IXYS provides an optimized three phase rectifier module for every application where mains rectification is needed.
All industrial standards in terms of voltage isolation, efficiency and ruggedness against surge current occurrences have been maintained with this new package design. The VUO range of rectifiers provides high efficiency and high power density at a competitive cost.
Fiberguide’s multimode fibres provide accurate high power laser delivery
MUMBAI,INDIA: Delivery of high power laser light in scientific, military, and industrial/ commercial applications normally requires bulky, inconvenient and often heavy articulated arms. For a more efficient approach to laser delivery, Fiberguide Industries offers its multimode, step-index optical fibres.
Fiberguide’s multimode fibres are a simple way to accurately deliver high power laser beams. They feature an air-gap design, where the fibre extends into free space. This provides an epoxy-free region where thermal energy can be safely dissipated without burning the surrounding material, a common cause of failure in standard connectors. To maximize power handling and beam uniformity, fibre end surfaces are cleaved and then laser polished to eliminate contaminants, scratches, chips and pits.
Standard core diameters of 100µ, 200µ, 300µ, 400µ, 600µ, 1000µ and 1500µ are available, with non standard diameters available upon request.
Fiberguide’s multimode fibres are a simple way to accurately deliver high power laser beams. They feature an air-gap design, where the fibre extends into free space. This provides an epoxy-free region where thermal energy can be safely dissipated without burning the surrounding material, a common cause of failure in standard connectors. To maximize power handling and beam uniformity, fibre end surfaces are cleaved and then laser polished to eliminate contaminants, scratches, chips and pits.
Standard core diameters of 100µ, 200µ, 300µ, 400µ, 600µ, 1000µ and 1500µ are available, with non standard diameters available upon request.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Digi-Key and Embedded Developer launch Digi-Key Tools Xpress program
THIEF RIVER FALLS, USA: Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corp. has launched the Digi-Key Tools Xpress in partnership with Embedded Developer, LLC, the embedded industry’s leading semiconductor research and compare site. Digi-Key Tools Xpress provides embedded design engineers with a worldwide sales and distribution network for development tools.
Digi-Key Tools Xpress is the only development tool program in the industry that gives engineers the capability to compare tools based on features and performance before making a purchase. This comparison capability was developed by Embedded Developer and is modeled after its signature device-compare process.
Additionally, the Digi-Key Tools Xpress program provides embedded engineers with more purchasing options from Digi-Key’s extensive offering of embedded development tools. The program also allows engineers to minimize research time concerning tool options and availability and maximize design efficiency.
“Having access to the broadest array of development tools, emulators, debuggers and evaluation kits is critical to the design engineering community. The primary objective of the Digi-Key Tools Xpress program is to search out those innovative third parties and make their tools accessible to the engineers through Digi-Key and Embedded Developer,” said Digi-Key Vice President of Semiconductor Product Dave Doherty.
“With Digi-Key’s breadth of embedded product and Embedded Developer’s compare capabilities, this program offers engineers the ability to find, compare and purchase the industry’s widest array of tools available for immediate shipment.”
“Digi-Key and Embedded Developer have been providing engineers with development tools for years,” said President of Embedded Developer Glenn ImObersteg. “It’s time for a program that allows engineers to make the same educated decisions about their development tools as they have been making for their devices. Every day thousands of engineers shave weeks off their device research time by using our search and compare engines to locate, evaluate, and compare their devices and purchase them through Digi-Key without leaving the site. This new program will allow us to extend those capabilities to development tools at that moment in time when engineers decide on the processor they are going to use.”
“Digi-Key Tools Xpress is a new joint venture for Digi-Key and Embedded Developer,” said Digi-Key Vice President of e-Commerce Tony Harris. “We are confident the Digi-Key Tools Xpress site will be a valuable tool for embedded engineers and believe this program will help streamline and consolidate their design processes.”
Digi-Key Tools Xpress is the only development tool program in the industry that gives engineers the capability to compare tools based on features and performance before making a purchase. This comparison capability was developed by Embedded Developer and is modeled after its signature device-compare process.
Additionally, the Digi-Key Tools Xpress program provides embedded engineers with more purchasing options from Digi-Key’s extensive offering of embedded development tools. The program also allows engineers to minimize research time concerning tool options and availability and maximize design efficiency.
“Having access to the broadest array of development tools, emulators, debuggers and evaluation kits is critical to the design engineering community. The primary objective of the Digi-Key Tools Xpress program is to search out those innovative third parties and make their tools accessible to the engineers through Digi-Key and Embedded Developer,” said Digi-Key Vice President of Semiconductor Product Dave Doherty.
“With Digi-Key’s breadth of embedded product and Embedded Developer’s compare capabilities, this program offers engineers the ability to find, compare and purchase the industry’s widest array of tools available for immediate shipment.”
“Digi-Key and Embedded Developer have been providing engineers with development tools for years,” said President of Embedded Developer Glenn ImObersteg. “It’s time for a program that allows engineers to make the same educated decisions about their development tools as they have been making for their devices. Every day thousands of engineers shave weeks off their device research time by using our search and compare engines to locate, evaluate, and compare their devices and purchase them through Digi-Key without leaving the site. This new program will allow us to extend those capabilities to development tools at that moment in time when engineers decide on the processor they are going to use.”
“Digi-Key Tools Xpress is a new joint venture for Digi-Key and Embedded Developer,” said Digi-Key Vice President of e-Commerce Tony Harris. “We are confident the Digi-Key Tools Xpress site will be a valuable tool for embedded engineers and believe this program will help streamline and consolidate their design processes.”
LED shortage flares up in 2010
EL SEGUNDO, USA: Global supply of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is facing a shortage in 2010 and the year may end with an acute undersupply of the heavily in-demand devices unless production capacity is increased, iSuppli Corp. is warning.
Total consumption of LEDs reached 63 billion units in 2009, up from 57 billion in 2008.
Given the rise in numbers, overall LED consumption last year came dangerously close to the industry’s total capacity of 75 billion units, indicating that many LED manufacturers were operating at nearly 100 percent utilization levels.
“It is clear that demand is outstripping supply,” said Jagdish Rebello, senior director and principal analyst for wireless research at iSuppli. “With LED market growth forecasted to rise by double-digit percentages for at least the next three years—including 2010—a drastic undersupply situation could occur this year unless additional capacity is brought online to meet the increased demand.”
With demand clearly outstripping supply and LED market growth forecasted to rise by double-digit percentages for at least the next three years—including 2010—iSuppli projects that a drastic undersupply situation could occur this year unless additional capacity is brought online to meet the increased demand.
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of the global market for LEDs from 2006 to 2013.
Source: iSuppli, USA
“The shortage predicted in 2010 applies to LEDs used for the backlighting of large-screen LCD-TVs,” said Sweta Dash, senior director for LCD research at iSuppli. “On the demand side, the shortage is being spurred by strong consumer desire, given the growing popularity of LED-backlit LCD-TVs due to their super-slim form factors and improvements in picture quality. On the supply side, television manufacturers are striving to increase their sales of LED-backlit sets.”
Unlike notebooks, which typically use 50 LEDs, or monitors, which employ about 100 LEDs, LCD-TVs on average consume anywhere from 300 to 500 LEDs per panel. And with LEDs used for backlighting of LCD-TVs demanding a high level of uniformity, any LED shortages in the industry mainly will impact TV panels.
LEDs now find widespread use as the backlighting units not only of large-sized LCDs used in televisions and computer screens but also of smaller LCDs in a broad assortment of devices, including notebooks, cell phones, portable navigation devices, digital photo frames, digital cameras and keypads.
Furthermore, LED solutions are finding increasing usage in the general illumination market, addressing the needs of residential, commercial and industrial lighting applications. The general illumination market for LEDs is still in its infancy, but will become mainstream during the next two years.
Applications for standard-brightness LEDs include indicator lamps and alphanumeric LED displays. In comparison, applications for High Brightness (HB) LEDs include large-screen LCDs used in flat-screen TVs, notebook laptops and computer monitors. Ultra High Brightness (UHB) LEDs, a third type, are used in next-generation lighting applications for the general illumination of residential dwellings and enterprise offices.
Large-screen LCDs to feel worst impact of LED shortage
Participants in the LED supply chain are looking for solutions to counter the anticipated shortfall in supply.
The LED industry’s two principal players, Aixtron of Germany and Veeco Instruments of the United States, are planning to double their production capacity by the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the end of 2009.
iSuppli believes the LED industry is taking steps to significantly ramp up production capacity in areas ranging from raw materials, to wafer and die production, to packaging and testing of finished LED lamps. However, the ramp-up will take time.
Among LED panel suppliers, the strategy to cope with the shortfall involves vertical integration and a greater move toward in-house sourcing.
Samsung Electronics, for instance, has come together with affiliate Samsung Electro-Mechanics in a joint venture, while LG Display has aligned itself with LG Innotek. CMO and AUO, the two other major LED panel suppliers, also are aggressively developing their own internal LED sourcing to ensure continued supply of the devices.
Source: iSuppli, USA
Total consumption of LEDs reached 63 billion units in 2009, up from 57 billion in 2008.
Given the rise in numbers, overall LED consumption last year came dangerously close to the industry’s total capacity of 75 billion units, indicating that many LED manufacturers were operating at nearly 100 percent utilization levels.
“It is clear that demand is outstripping supply,” said Jagdish Rebello, senior director and principal analyst for wireless research at iSuppli. “With LED market growth forecasted to rise by double-digit percentages for at least the next three years—including 2010—a drastic undersupply situation could occur this year unless additional capacity is brought online to meet the increased demand.”
With demand clearly outstripping supply and LED market growth forecasted to rise by double-digit percentages for at least the next three years—including 2010—iSuppli projects that a drastic undersupply situation could occur this year unless additional capacity is brought online to meet the increased demand.
The figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of the global market for LEDs from 2006 to 2013.
Source: iSuppli, USA“The shortage predicted in 2010 applies to LEDs used for the backlighting of large-screen LCD-TVs,” said Sweta Dash, senior director for LCD research at iSuppli. “On the demand side, the shortage is being spurred by strong consumer desire, given the growing popularity of LED-backlit LCD-TVs due to their super-slim form factors and improvements in picture quality. On the supply side, television manufacturers are striving to increase their sales of LED-backlit sets.”
Unlike notebooks, which typically use 50 LEDs, or monitors, which employ about 100 LEDs, LCD-TVs on average consume anywhere from 300 to 500 LEDs per panel. And with LEDs used for backlighting of LCD-TVs demanding a high level of uniformity, any LED shortages in the industry mainly will impact TV panels.
LEDs now find widespread use as the backlighting units not only of large-sized LCDs used in televisions and computer screens but also of smaller LCDs in a broad assortment of devices, including notebooks, cell phones, portable navigation devices, digital photo frames, digital cameras and keypads.
Furthermore, LED solutions are finding increasing usage in the general illumination market, addressing the needs of residential, commercial and industrial lighting applications. The general illumination market for LEDs is still in its infancy, but will become mainstream during the next two years.
Applications for standard-brightness LEDs include indicator lamps and alphanumeric LED displays. In comparison, applications for High Brightness (HB) LEDs include large-screen LCDs used in flat-screen TVs, notebook laptops and computer monitors. Ultra High Brightness (UHB) LEDs, a third type, are used in next-generation lighting applications for the general illumination of residential dwellings and enterprise offices.
Large-screen LCDs to feel worst impact of LED shortage
Participants in the LED supply chain are looking for solutions to counter the anticipated shortfall in supply.
The LED industry’s two principal players, Aixtron of Germany and Veeco Instruments of the United States, are planning to double their production capacity by the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to the end of 2009.
iSuppli believes the LED industry is taking steps to significantly ramp up production capacity in areas ranging from raw materials, to wafer and die production, to packaging and testing of finished LED lamps. However, the ramp-up will take time.
Among LED panel suppliers, the strategy to cope with the shortfall involves vertical integration and a greater move toward in-house sourcing.
Samsung Electronics, for instance, has come together with affiliate Samsung Electro-Mechanics in a joint venture, while LG Display has aligned itself with LG Innotek. CMO and AUO, the two other major LED panel suppliers, also are aggressively developing their own internal LED sourcing to ensure continued supply of the devices.
Source: iSuppli, USA
Microsemi's new power MOS8 FREDFET to boost energy efficiency of large-screen LCD TVs
IRVINE, USA: Microsemi Corp., a leading manufacturer of high performance analog/mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, has expanded its commercial LCD TV market presence with a new energy-efficient system solution optimized for High Voltage LCD Integrated Power Supply (HV-LIPS) TV designs.
The Microsemi system-engineered solution combines a power transistor tailored for large-screen LCD TV designs with the company's latest high-voltage backlight inverters and CCFL controllers. Designated the APT15F50KF FREDFET, the new transistor is based on Microsemi's advanced Power MOS8™ technology.
"By combining our new APT15F50K/KF FREDFET with LX6503A/LX6523A CCFL inverter controllers in this comprehensive reference design, we provide customers with a quick-to-market, optimized, turnkey LCD TV backlight system solution that brings outstanding performance, lower device count, and reduced cost to LCD TVs," said Philip Zuk, Marketing Manager in Microsemi's Power Products Group."
Microsemi's LX6503A and LX6523A high-performance CCFL controllers feature superior PureBLACK CCFL image quality and are optimized for small- to larger-sized LCD TVs and other multi-lamp LCD display systems. They enable cost-optimized bill of material solutions for off-power-factor-corrected HV-LIPS inverter applications.
With simple external circuitry, the controllers can drive the APT15F50K/KF FREDFET in either push-pull, half-bridge, or full-bridge CCFL inverter configurations. Microsemi has a complete documentation package for the LCD television backlight controller reference design, including description, schematics, bill-of-materials, Gerber files, and evaluation guidelines.
Microsemi offers the APT15F50K in TO-220 and TO-220 Full-Pack isolated packages suited for 52-inch-and-larger displays. Additional devices, such as the APT12F60K, address the 46- to 52-inch segment. Future Power MOS8 designs will be optimized for smaller screen sizes.
The Microsemi system-engineered solution combines a power transistor tailored for large-screen LCD TV designs with the company's latest high-voltage backlight inverters and CCFL controllers. Designated the APT15F50KF FREDFET, the new transistor is based on Microsemi's advanced Power MOS8™ technology.
"By combining our new APT15F50K/KF FREDFET with LX6503A/LX6523A CCFL inverter controllers in this comprehensive reference design, we provide customers with a quick-to-market, optimized, turnkey LCD TV backlight system solution that brings outstanding performance, lower device count, and reduced cost to LCD TVs," said Philip Zuk, Marketing Manager in Microsemi's Power Products Group."
Microsemi's LX6503A and LX6523A high-performance CCFL controllers feature superior PureBLACK CCFL image quality and are optimized for small- to larger-sized LCD TVs and other multi-lamp LCD display systems. They enable cost-optimized bill of material solutions for off-power-factor-corrected HV-LIPS inverter applications.
With simple external circuitry, the controllers can drive the APT15F50K/KF FREDFET in either push-pull, half-bridge, or full-bridge CCFL inverter configurations. Microsemi has a complete documentation package for the LCD television backlight controller reference design, including description, schematics, bill-of-materials, Gerber files, and evaluation guidelines.
Microsemi offers the APT15F50K in TO-220 and TO-220 Full-Pack isolated packages suited for 52-inch-and-larger displays. Additional devices, such as the APT12F60K, address the 46- to 52-inch segment. Future Power MOS8 designs will be optimized for smaller screen sizes.
Monday, March 1, 2010
NEC intros four intelligent power devices for automotive lighting apps
KAWASAKI, JAPAN & SANTA CLARA, USA & DUESSELDORF, GERMANY: NEC Electronics announced four new intelligent power devices (IPDs), the µPD166017, µPD166019, µPD166020 and uPD166021.
Each high-side IPD is applicable for automotive lighting and other critical vehicle loads. Designed for on-board electronic control units (ECUs) typically used in head- and fog-light applications, the new devices, or power ICs, have an embedded power MOSFET for switching and a control chip for protection features in a single package. The IPDs strongly contribute to the improvement of the ECUs’ efficiency, which help designers to develop environmentally friendly automobiles.
Each new IPD features unique characteristics:
µPD166017 IPD, improved drive performance with low on-state resistance
Using NEC Electronics’ new power MOSFET Super Junction technology enables the µPD166017 IPD to reduce on-state resistance (6mΩ) by 40 percent, compared to the already available µPD166007, µPD166009 and µPD166010 devices in the same TO-252 five-pin package. This low on-state resistance enables the IPD to drive high-current lamps and heating elements. When two conventional IPDs were previously needed for seat heaters, now only one µPD166017 device is needed.
Choosing the µPD166017 IPD for diesel glow plugs also will allow the reduction of the IPD size by 50 percent compared to current IPD solutions in TO-263 packages. The low on-state resistance minimizes thermal issues, allowing system manufacturers worldwide to reduce ECU sizes. Last but not least, the µPD166017 IPD has an analog current sense coupled to a diagnostic function.
µPD166019 IPD, reduced parasitic noises, ideal for high-frequency applications
The uPD166019 IPD adopts a P-channel MOSFET as a high-side switch, allowing the removal of the internal charge pump required for a conventional N-channel MOSFET. It allows outstanding electromagnetic noise reduction which, combined with low on-state resistance, makes this device the ideal candidate for fast-switching applications and motor drive applications. In addition, the µPD166019 IPD slew rate can be adjusted by an external resistor, and the device includes a diagnostic function.
µPD166020 and µPD166021 IPDs, optimized drive performance enabling lower pulse-width modulator (PWM) losses
Due to the rather unstable voltage supply delivered by car batteries, applications driven by PWM increase to improve the lifetime of light bulbs. NEC Electronics’ answer to the growing demand in faster switching devices are the µPD166020 and µPD166021 IPDs, which offer optimized on- and off-switching characteristics, reduced power losses and a reduction in overheating. Both devices also have an analog current sense and a diagnostic function.
Designed to replace mechanical switches and relays on ECUs, NEC Electronics’ IPDs, using its state-of-the-art technologies, have been available since 2006 to address the increasing demand for smaller ECUs with improved functionalities. Samples of the new IPDs (µPD166017, µPD166019, µPD166020 and uPD166021) are available now.
Mass production of these new products is scheduled to begin in Q1 of 2011 and is expected to reach a monthly production of 5,000,000 units in 2011.
Each high-side IPD is applicable for automotive lighting and other critical vehicle loads. Designed for on-board electronic control units (ECUs) typically used in head- and fog-light applications, the new devices, or power ICs, have an embedded power MOSFET for switching and a control chip for protection features in a single package. The IPDs strongly contribute to the improvement of the ECUs’ efficiency, which help designers to develop environmentally friendly automobiles.
Each new IPD features unique characteristics:
µPD166017 IPD, improved drive performance with low on-state resistance
Using NEC Electronics’ new power MOSFET Super Junction technology enables the µPD166017 IPD to reduce on-state resistance (6mΩ) by 40 percent, compared to the already available µPD166007, µPD166009 and µPD166010 devices in the same TO-252 five-pin package. This low on-state resistance enables the IPD to drive high-current lamps and heating elements. When two conventional IPDs were previously needed for seat heaters, now only one µPD166017 device is needed.
Choosing the µPD166017 IPD for diesel glow plugs also will allow the reduction of the IPD size by 50 percent compared to current IPD solutions in TO-263 packages. The low on-state resistance minimizes thermal issues, allowing system manufacturers worldwide to reduce ECU sizes. Last but not least, the µPD166017 IPD has an analog current sense coupled to a diagnostic function.
µPD166019 IPD, reduced parasitic noises, ideal for high-frequency applications
The uPD166019 IPD adopts a P-channel MOSFET as a high-side switch, allowing the removal of the internal charge pump required for a conventional N-channel MOSFET. It allows outstanding electromagnetic noise reduction which, combined with low on-state resistance, makes this device the ideal candidate for fast-switching applications and motor drive applications. In addition, the µPD166019 IPD slew rate can be adjusted by an external resistor, and the device includes a diagnostic function.
µPD166020 and µPD166021 IPDs, optimized drive performance enabling lower pulse-width modulator (PWM) losses
Due to the rather unstable voltage supply delivered by car batteries, applications driven by PWM increase to improve the lifetime of light bulbs. NEC Electronics’ answer to the growing demand in faster switching devices are the µPD166020 and µPD166021 IPDs, which offer optimized on- and off-switching characteristics, reduced power losses and a reduction in overheating. Both devices also have an analog current sense and a diagnostic function.
Designed to replace mechanical switches and relays on ECUs, NEC Electronics’ IPDs, using its state-of-the-art technologies, have been available since 2006 to address the increasing demand for smaller ECUs with improved functionalities. Samples of the new IPDs (µPD166017, µPD166019, µPD166020 and uPD166021) are available now.
Mass production of these new products is scheduled to begin in Q1 of 2011 and is expected to reach a monthly production of 5,000,000 units in 2011.
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