GEORGE TOWN, USA: O2Micro International Ltd, a leading supplier of innovative power management and security components, was issued 35 claims under United States patent number 7,550,928 for its Driving Circuit for multiple Cold Cathode Fluorescent lamp (CCFL) applications.
O2Micro’s patented driving circuit is a cost-effective solution for large-size LCD panels containing multiple CCFLs. It can be adapted to convert high voltage Direct Current-to-Alternating Current (DC/AC) signals for LCD TV and Monitor applications.
Dr. Yung Lin, executive vice president, O2Micro, stated, “This invention reduces backlight module cost by allowing the designer to utilize low cost transformers, while maintaining system reliability.”
Founded in April 1995, O2Micro develops and markets innovative power management, and security components for the computer, consumer, industrial and communications markets. Products include Intelligent Lighting, Battery Management, Power Management, and SmartCardBus products.
O2Micro International maintains an extensive portfolio of intellectual property with 12,700 patent claims granted, and over 15,000 more pending.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Axiom NZ provides details on 'Brightest on the Planet' LED product launch
LAS VEGAS, USA & AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND: Axiom NZ announced that it has scheduled the "Brightest on the Planet" product technology launch for Sept 15, 2009 via the free global www.Skype.com network and invitation only www.YouTube.com premier.
Axiom NZ is the world's leading innovator of the brightest LED technology solutions for commercial signage applications, cove lighting for hospitality, and under cabinet lighting for residential. The company is also simultaneously the lowest cost technology -- unilaterally surpassing previous existing and conventional technologies in both performance and price.
Partnered with Nichia of Japan, the world's leading manufacturer of patented White LED technology, Axiom NZ products are the lights behind brands like Chevron, Subway, BP, Hardees, McDonalds, Dollar Tree, Home Depot, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Food 4 Less, W Hotel, Bastion Hotels in Europe, and Einstein's Bagels to name a few.
"Axiom NZ's place in the world lighting market is defined by helping our customers build the highest quality sign products without breaking the bank. I would not want to have to bid a job without Axiom - it would be like playing soccer with your eyes closed," commented Stephanie Prather, co-owner of Axiom NZ.
Axiom NZ is the world's leading innovator of the brightest LED technology solutions for commercial signage applications, cove lighting for hospitality, and under cabinet lighting for residential. The company is also simultaneously the lowest cost technology -- unilaterally surpassing previous existing and conventional technologies in both performance and price.
Partnered with Nichia of Japan, the world's leading manufacturer of patented White LED technology, Axiom NZ products are the lights behind brands like Chevron, Subway, BP, Hardees, McDonalds, Dollar Tree, Home Depot, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Food 4 Less, W Hotel, Bastion Hotels in Europe, and Einstein's Bagels to name a few.
"Axiom NZ's place in the world lighting market is defined by helping our customers build the highest quality sign products without breaking the bank. I would not want to have to bid a job without Axiom - it would be like playing soccer with your eyes closed," commented Stephanie Prather, co-owner of Axiom NZ.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Life-cycle assessment proves how environmentally friendly LED lamps are!
USA: A study on the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of LED lamps by OSRAM shows the latest generation of lamps achieves a very high score for environmental friendliness.
This study involved a close look at their entire life-cycle –- how much energy and raw materials the lamp consumes in terms of production, use and disposal and the environmental impact involved in the process. The result was that today’s LED lamps achieve the LCA values of compact fluorescent lights and are far superior to conventional incandescent lamps.
In order to evaluate lamps and how they actually deal with energy and resources, it is not enough just to consider energy consumption while they are in use. The aim of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors’ LCA is therefore to analyse the environmental impact of an LED lamp over its entire life and to compare it with a compact fluorescent lamp and an incandescent lamp.
The relevant material and energy supplies were determined in detail for all the LED lamp’s components and production processes. Apart from a detailed analysis of each individual production stage, for LED chips and lamp housings, for example, these also include all necessary transports such as the transport of an LED lamp from its production site in China to its place of installation in Europe.
Apart from direct input of raw materials, the energy input, materials and emissions associated with the retrieval of resources are recorded. The results allow for conclusions not only on resource consumption and primary energy input but also acidification, eutrophication, the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion and toxicity.
The bottom line is that LEDs are efficient
In the first LCA, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors show that LED lamps are a genuine alternative to incandescent lamps, even when considering the cumulative energy input and environmental factors.
Often these fundamentally different lamps were compared based on their wattage. Conventional lamps with filaments are way behind diode lamps. A 40 Watt incandescent lamp, for example, can either be replaced by an 8W compact fluorescent light or, for some applications, by an 8W LED lamp, which means an energy saving of 80 percent.
In order to guarantee the comparability of results in the LCA, a lifetime of 25,000 hours was chosen as reference. The latest LED lamp generation (Parathom Classic A55 with Golden Dragon Plus LED) achieves precisely this rating. Therefore, 25 incandescent lamps (OSRAM Classic A 40W) with a lifetime of 1,000 hours and 2.5 fluorescent lamps (Dulux Superstar Classic A 8W) lasting 10,000 hours have to be used for a comparison.
Over 98 percent of the energy used to produce light
The study was done in collaboration with experts at Siemens Corporate Technology, Centre for Eco Innovations and shows that similar to compact fluorescent lamps with LED-based lamps over 98% of the energy used is consumed to generate light.
Less than two percent is allocated to production. This has dismissed any concern that manufacturing of LED particularly might be very energy-intensive. In contrast to the primary energy consumption of incandescent lamps of around 3,300kWh, LED lamps use less than 700kWh. The bottom line is that LED lamps are therefore definitely more efficient than conventional incandescent lamps.
Apart from this, the ratings that indicate the lamps’ effects on the environment are consistently better than those for incandescent lamps. As the efficiency of LED continues to increase, LED lamps will be capable of achieving even better LCA results in future.
Three independent experts are currently verifying the findings of the internal study. A summary of the study will be available in October at www.osram-os.com/life-cycle-assessment.
This study involved a close look at their entire life-cycle –- how much energy and raw materials the lamp consumes in terms of production, use and disposal and the environmental impact involved in the process. The result was that today’s LED lamps achieve the LCA values of compact fluorescent lights and are far superior to conventional incandescent lamps.
In order to evaluate lamps and how they actually deal with energy and resources, it is not enough just to consider energy consumption while they are in use. The aim of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors’ LCA is therefore to analyse the environmental impact of an LED lamp over its entire life and to compare it with a compact fluorescent lamp and an incandescent lamp.
The relevant material and energy supplies were determined in detail for all the LED lamp’s components and production processes. Apart from a detailed analysis of each individual production stage, for LED chips and lamp housings, for example, these also include all necessary transports such as the transport of an LED lamp from its production site in China to its place of installation in Europe.
Apart from direct input of raw materials, the energy input, materials and emissions associated with the retrieval of resources are recorded. The results allow for conclusions not only on resource consumption and primary energy input but also acidification, eutrophication, the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion and toxicity.
The bottom line is that LEDs are efficient
In the first LCA, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors show that LED lamps are a genuine alternative to incandescent lamps, even when considering the cumulative energy input and environmental factors.
Often these fundamentally different lamps were compared based on their wattage. Conventional lamps with filaments are way behind diode lamps. A 40 Watt incandescent lamp, for example, can either be replaced by an 8W compact fluorescent light or, for some applications, by an 8W LED lamp, which means an energy saving of 80 percent.
In order to guarantee the comparability of results in the LCA, a lifetime of 25,000 hours was chosen as reference. The latest LED lamp generation (Parathom Classic A55 with Golden Dragon Plus LED) achieves precisely this rating. Therefore, 25 incandescent lamps (OSRAM Classic A 40W) with a lifetime of 1,000 hours and 2.5 fluorescent lamps (Dulux Superstar Classic A 8W) lasting 10,000 hours have to be used for a comparison.
Over 98 percent of the energy used to produce light
The study was done in collaboration with experts at Siemens Corporate Technology, Centre for Eco Innovations and shows that similar to compact fluorescent lamps with LED-based lamps over 98% of the energy used is consumed to generate light.
Less than two percent is allocated to production. This has dismissed any concern that manufacturing of LED particularly might be very energy-intensive. In contrast to the primary energy consumption of incandescent lamps of around 3,300kWh, LED lamps use less than 700kWh. The bottom line is that LED lamps are therefore definitely more efficient than conventional incandescent lamps.
Apart from this, the ratings that indicate the lamps’ effects on the environment are consistently better than those for incandescent lamps. As the efficiency of LED continues to increase, LED lamps will be capable of achieving even better LCA results in future.
Three independent experts are currently verifying the findings of the internal study. A summary of the study will be available in October at www.osram-os.com/life-cycle-assessment.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Pulse expands series of round-wire coil surface mount power inductors
SAN DIEGO, USA: Pulse, a Technitrol Company, a worldwide leader in electronic component and subassembly design and manufacturing, introduces the new PG0871NL and PG0702NL series of round-wire coil surface mount power inductors.
These inductors use a ferrite core material, which yields a 90 percent core loss reduction and 30 percent increase in maximum operating temperature when compared to standard iron powder material used in flat-coil inductors.
Because ferrite material is immune to thermal aging, these inductors are more reliable and better performing at higher temperatures and frequencies than non-ferrite core inductors. Using round wire instead of a flat coil results in a 25 percent cost reduction.
Pulse’s PG0871NL has a low direct current resistance (DCR) of 1.5 to 31.5 milliOhms (mΩ) with a tight tolerance of ± 8% and operates up to 130° Celsius (C) without any thermal aging concerns. Inductance values range from 0.46 to 10.5 microHenries (uH) and saturation current from 6.3 to 28 Amperes (A). The mechanical size is 7.6 x 7.4 x 6.4millimeters (mm).
Pulse’s PG0702NL has a low DCR of 0.68mΩ to 7.7mΩ with a tight tolerance of ± 6% and like the PG0871NL, operates up to 130°C without any thermal aging concerns. Inductance values range from 0.30uH to 6.8uH with saturation current from 8.5 to 42A. The mechanical size is 10.8 x 9.2 x 8mm.
Operating temperature ranges from -40°C to 130°C. These inductors are used as energy storage devices and filters in point-of-load (POL), telecom, datacom, server, and industrial dc-to-dc applications. They are a lower cost alternative to flat coil inductors for applications where very low profile is not a requirement.
Pulse’s PG0871NL and PG0702NL inductors have a three-pin design for improved mechanical stability. An unconnected third pin at the back of the inductor distributes the part’s weight and balances the three terminals during mechanical vibration. Flattened leads serve as the pad, making the coil self-leaded. No additional base is required, further minimizing the cost.
These packages are size compatible with industry-standard flat-coil inductors on the market (including the Pulse PG0426NL and PG0255NL series) commonly referred to as the 2525 series (quarter inch by quarter inch) and 4040 series (0.4 x 0.4 inch) flat-coil inductors.
Pulse’s PG0871NL and PG0702NL series are RoHS compliant and meet standard EIA481 requirements. They are available in tape-and-reel packaging. Lead time is eight weeks. The price for the PG0871NL is $0.35 and the PG0702NL is $0.42 in quantities of 50,000 pieces. Pricing may vary according order congifuration and destination.
These inductors use a ferrite core material, which yields a 90 percent core loss reduction and 30 percent increase in maximum operating temperature when compared to standard iron powder material used in flat-coil inductors.
Because ferrite material is immune to thermal aging, these inductors are more reliable and better performing at higher temperatures and frequencies than non-ferrite core inductors. Using round wire instead of a flat coil results in a 25 percent cost reduction.
Pulse’s PG0871NL has a low direct current resistance (DCR) of 1.5 to 31.5 milliOhms (mΩ) with a tight tolerance of ± 8% and operates up to 130° Celsius (C) without any thermal aging concerns. Inductance values range from 0.46 to 10.5 microHenries (uH) and saturation current from 6.3 to 28 Amperes (A). The mechanical size is 7.6 x 7.4 x 6.4millimeters (mm).
Pulse’s PG0702NL has a low DCR of 0.68mΩ to 7.7mΩ with a tight tolerance of ± 6% and like the PG0871NL, operates up to 130°C without any thermal aging concerns. Inductance values range from 0.30uH to 6.8uH with saturation current from 8.5 to 42A. The mechanical size is 10.8 x 9.2 x 8mm.
Operating temperature ranges from -40°C to 130°C. These inductors are used as energy storage devices and filters in point-of-load (POL), telecom, datacom, server, and industrial dc-to-dc applications. They are a lower cost alternative to flat coil inductors for applications where very low profile is not a requirement.
Pulse’s PG0871NL and PG0702NL inductors have a three-pin design for improved mechanical stability. An unconnected third pin at the back of the inductor distributes the part’s weight and balances the three terminals during mechanical vibration. Flattened leads serve as the pad, making the coil self-leaded. No additional base is required, further minimizing the cost.
These packages are size compatible with industry-standard flat-coil inductors on the market (including the Pulse PG0426NL and PG0255NL series) commonly referred to as the 2525 series (quarter inch by quarter inch) and 4040 series (0.4 x 0.4 inch) flat-coil inductors.
Pulse’s PG0871NL and PG0702NL series are RoHS compliant and meet standard EIA481 requirements. They are available in tape-and-reel packaging. Lead time is eight weeks. The price for the PG0871NL is $0.35 and the PG0702NL is $0.42 in quantities of 50,000 pieces. Pricing may vary according order congifuration and destination.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
LUXEON Rebel becomes first ‘UL recognized’ DC power LED
SAN JOSE, USA: Faster, simpler listing of new solid state lighting applications by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has just become a reality with UL recognition of Philips Lumileds' LUXEON Rebel LEDs –- the first high power DC LEDs to earn UL recognized certification.
The recognition will speed time to market by making it possible to obtain UL Listed status for new luminaires built with LUXEON Rebel without requiring a full in-system LED component investigation. The certification will also facilitate ENERGY STAR acceptance, since luminaires must be UL Listed in order to be eligible for the ENERGY STAR label.
In addition, being UL Recognized will help bring increased efficiency to LED applications, such as street lights, by facilitating the use of Class 1 power supplies.
The LUXEON Rebel lens meets the requirements to be considered an electrical enclosure under UL standards, eliminating the need for a full UL investigation that in the past has discouraged the use of more efficient Class 1 power sources.
UL approval is a de facto requirement for lighting products in the US because it is required by key parties including municipalities, government agencies, architects and insurance companies.
“Most solid state lighting manufacturers that sell products in the US require UL listing. Until now, the process has been very confusing,” said Rudi Hechfellner, Director of Applications at Philips Lumileds. “By using LUXEON Rebel, engineers can rely on clear direction from UL, shorten UL review cycles, and avoid unexpected issues that might arise in the luminaire certification process.”
LUXEON Rebel LEDs can now be found in UL’s Online Certifications Directory. They are compliant with UL OOI 8750, the interim standard for certifying LED light sources for use in lighting products.
The recognition will speed time to market by making it possible to obtain UL Listed status for new luminaires built with LUXEON Rebel without requiring a full in-system LED component investigation. The certification will also facilitate ENERGY STAR acceptance, since luminaires must be UL Listed in order to be eligible for the ENERGY STAR label.
In addition, being UL Recognized will help bring increased efficiency to LED applications, such as street lights, by facilitating the use of Class 1 power supplies.
The LUXEON Rebel lens meets the requirements to be considered an electrical enclosure under UL standards, eliminating the need for a full UL investigation that in the past has discouraged the use of more efficient Class 1 power sources.
UL approval is a de facto requirement for lighting products in the US because it is required by key parties including municipalities, government agencies, architects and insurance companies.
“Most solid state lighting manufacturers that sell products in the US require UL listing. Until now, the process has been very confusing,” said Rudi Hechfellner, Director of Applications at Philips Lumileds. “By using LUXEON Rebel, engineers can rely on clear direction from UL, shorten UL review cycles, and avoid unexpected issues that might arise in the luminaire certification process.”
LUXEON Rebel LEDs can now be found in UL’s Online Certifications Directory. They are compliant with UL OOI 8750, the interim standard for certifying LED light sources for use in lighting products.
Meritec offers new micro cable-to-board assembly with 10Gbps performance
PAINESVILLE, USA: Meritec has released its new Micro Cable-to-Board IO Assembly Family with 10Gbps per differential pair performance using ERNI’s MicroSpeed connectors. The first assembly option being released comes with very low profile 50-position 1mm pitch, 2-row mezzanine connectors, embedded transitional circuit boards and 38awg micro coax high-speed cabling.
These micro-miniature cables provide ease of routing on the PCB or within the box. Male and female connector options and a wide array of connector orientations are available.
Meritec’s process technology allows these micro cables to be used with different connector types and various wire elements, wire gauges, strain-relief/fastener options, assembly lengths and configurations. These high-reliability products are ideal for Medical, MIL/Aero and ATE cabling.
Meritec and its West Coast affiliate, Joy Signal Technology, are signal integrity leaders and preferred vertically integrated manufacturers and global suppliers of specialty connectors and high-end cable assemblies including leading edge performance InfiniBand/CX4 Ethernet (SFF-8470 and SFF-8473) cable assemblies and PCI Express right angle card edge board connectors.
These micro-miniature cables provide ease of routing on the PCB or within the box. Male and female connector options and a wide array of connector orientations are available.
Meritec’s process technology allows these micro cables to be used with different connector types and various wire elements, wire gauges, strain-relief/fastener options, assembly lengths and configurations. These high-reliability products are ideal for Medical, MIL/Aero and ATE cabling.
Meritec and its West Coast affiliate, Joy Signal Technology, are signal integrity leaders and preferred vertically integrated manufacturers and global suppliers of specialty connectors and high-end cable assemblies including leading edge performance InfiniBand/CX4 Ethernet (SFF-8470 and SFF-8473) cable assemblies and PCI Express right angle card edge board connectors.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Global LED Industry Report, 2009
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global LED Industry Report, 2009" report to its offering.
The global LED industry clusters in Japan, EU and Taiwan. Japan ranks first, followed by Taiwan. The EU relies mainly upon Philips and OSRAM. In Japan, there are Nichia, Toshiba, Showa Denko KK, Sharp, CITIZEN and Toyoda Gosei, of which Nichia is specialized in LED. Besides, CREE is from the USA.
In mainland China, LED industry is dispersed, and thousands of LED manufacturers are mainly in the downstream to engage in LAMP packaging. The key packaging manufacturers consist of Xiamen Hualian, Foshan NationStar, Wenrun Optoelectronic, COTCO Luminant Device (Huizhou), Ningbo Hepu Optoelectronic, Jiangxi Lianchuang Optoelectronic, Tianjin Tianxing Electronic, Golden Valley Optoelectronics, Refond Optoelectronics, Ledman Optoelectronic, and Leadfull Optoelectronic, etc.
In the meantime, there are the key manufacturers like San'an Photoelectric, Dalian Lumei, Silan Azure, Epiligh Technology and Rainbow in LED upstream industry.
The LED downstream market can be divided into three parts, TFT-LCD backlight, lighting and signal or data display, and TFT-LCD backlight is the most significant market.
With the improvement of LED luminescence efficiency and cost reduction in 2009, LED has shown the great strength in the large-size sector. In the LED laptop field, the design of Dot typed light guide plate has replaced V-cut design, greatly reducing the cost.
The global LED industry clusters in Japan, EU and Taiwan. Japan ranks first, followed by Taiwan. The EU relies mainly upon Philips and OSRAM. In Japan, there are Nichia, Toshiba, Showa Denko KK, Sharp, CITIZEN and Toyoda Gosei, of which Nichia is specialized in LED. Besides, CREE is from the USA.
In mainland China, LED industry is dispersed, and thousands of LED manufacturers are mainly in the downstream to engage in LAMP packaging. The key packaging manufacturers consist of Xiamen Hualian, Foshan NationStar, Wenrun Optoelectronic, COTCO Luminant Device (Huizhou), Ningbo Hepu Optoelectronic, Jiangxi Lianchuang Optoelectronic, Tianjin Tianxing Electronic, Golden Valley Optoelectronics, Refond Optoelectronics, Ledman Optoelectronic, and Leadfull Optoelectronic, etc.
In the meantime, there are the key manufacturers like San'an Photoelectric, Dalian Lumei, Silan Azure, Epiligh Technology and Rainbow in LED upstream industry.
The LED downstream market can be divided into three parts, TFT-LCD backlight, lighting and signal or data display, and TFT-LCD backlight is the most significant market.
With the improvement of LED luminescence efficiency and cost reduction in 2009, LED has shown the great strength in the large-size sector. In the LED laptop field, the design of Dot typed light guide plate has replaced V-cut design, greatly reducing the cost.
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