EL Lamp/HBLED Backlight Driver Saves Space In Handhelds

The D368 backlight driver combines the functionality of a high-performance electroluminescent (EL) lamp driver for backlighting monochrome displays and keypads with an efficient, high-brightness LED (HBLED) driver to backlight color displays. The EL/HBLED driver simplifies designs and saves board space in cell phones and other handheld electronic devices. This single-chip, dual driver eliminates the need to use separate drivers to provide the inductive boost for white LEDs and the high-voltage charge pump for powering an EL lamp. One low-profile inductor and a minimum number of additional external components are all that's needed. The D368 IC driver operates with a wide dc input voltage range of 2.5 to 6.5 V dc. During standby mode, it features ultra-low 10-nA standby current, minimizing battery usage and prolonging battery life. For maximum design flexibility, the D368's EL and LED driver outputs are independently addressable. The D368 Dual Driver also incorporates major control functions to ensure maximum EL lamp brightness and minimum power consumption. It generates up to 180-V p-p output to the EL lamp. Samples of D368 drivers in leadless PLLP-16 packages are currently available from stock. The D368 backlight driver costs about $1.49 each in 25,000-unit quantities.