The SP4414 is a small electroluminescent (EL) lamp driver that operates with an external 32-kHz clock source, letting designers configure low-cost products while maintaining stable, repeatable lamp colors. It's well suited for backlighting applications in MP3 players and PDAs. Additionally, it offers high-drive capability for EL lamps that measure up to 4 in.2
The driver's dc-ac inverter is specifically designed to drive electroluminescent lamps to backlight liquid-crystal displays, keypads, and readouts in battery-operated portable equipment. Operating from a 2.2- to 4.5-V battery source, its low-power standby mode typically draws less than 100 nA of current.
Using an external 32-kHz clock signal in place of an internal on-chip oscillator reduces die size and lowers component cost. At the same time, this configuration provides a means for precision control over coil and lamp frequencies. A maximum of three external components are required—an inductor, a capacitor, and a fast-recovery diode—minimizing overall board space and system cost.
The SP4414 is available in 8-pin SOIC and µSOIC packages. It costs $0.78 each in 10,000-piece quantities.
Sipex Corp., 22 Linnell Circle, Billerica, MA 01821; (978) 671-1907; fax (978) 670-9001; www.sipex.com/newproducts.