Backlight Drivers Boost LED Efficiency

Powering up to seven white LEDs, the MAX8847 and MAX8848 backlight drivers employ a negative-charge-pump architecture to eliminate in-line resistance from the battery to the LEDs. As a result, mode switching from 1x to 1.5x is delayed during battery discharge, thereby minimizing dropout. A proprietary adaptive-mode-switching technology controls each LED individually. The net result of this technology is a 12% increase in LED efficiency. The MAX8847 and MAX8848 come in 16-pin TQFNs measuring 3 mm x 3 mm. Pricing starts at $1.95 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.