Drivers Mate With LEDs

Backlighting options for cell phones, PDAs and other portable products have been widened significantly with the recent introduction of low VF LEDs integrated with low dropout LED driver ICs. This family of LEDs wed to complementary drivers permit designers to attain even brightness and color matching in backlighting applications. And the low-voltage LEDs can be run directly from the battery; no boost is required. The new backlights come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, blue and amber, with the LEDs also available in matched, binned types as well as unmatched models. Tradenamed the QTLP6XX series, the SMT LEDs offer both low power dissipation and a narrow forward voltage range for enhanced color and brightness consistency. The FAN56XX LED driver ICs, in turn, offer a variety of drive options (i.e., drivers for two to four LEDs) with enable features. FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL, San Jose, CA. (888) 522-5372.