Anti-Fuse Element Guards Against LED Open Circuits

Developed to control open defects in LEDs, the company’s anti-fuse device prevents the lowering of power supply voltage, typically observed in Zener diodes, which results in higher energy efficiency. Other key benefits include a simple and economical circuit design, the reduction of color unevenness and small size. LED lighting fixtures are in demand for the reduced power consumption that can result. But LEDs are typically connected in series and therefore are at risk of failure if a single LED becomes open. The fix is to re-route current flow around the open LED. The anti-fuse element is connected in parallel to a serial LED, allowing each LED to stay lit should one become open. The result is uninterrupted and even lighting, reduced maintenance costs, and increased energy efficiency. The anti-fuse element measures 1.0 mm x 0.5 mm x 0.5 mm; versions measuring 0.6 mm x 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm x 0.2 mm are in development. The current maximum is 350 mA with a nominal voltage of 4 V and a trigger voltage of 20 V. Before activation, the insulating resistance is 1 MO and the resistance after activation is less than 3 O. Pricing in sample quantities is $0.40 each with lead times of about eight to 10 weeks starting in January 2010. MURATA ELECTRONICS NORTH AMERICA, Smyrna, GA. 770-436-1300.