LED Driver Fortifies Backlighting Designs

Addressing high-power backlighting applications, the CAT4240 LED driver delivers switch currents up to 750 mA and voltages up to 38V, enabling it to drive 1W LEDs in series to multiple strings of lower-power LEDs. The chip provides 2W of output power from a 3V to 5V supply and up to 6W when teaming with a higher voltage, split supply of 9V to 12V. It relies on a 1-MHz, fixed-frequency switching architecture for low-noise applications and a high-voltage CMOS output stage to power LED strings up to 38V. Efficiency levels range up to 87%. The device also integrates soft-start control. Available in a five-lead SOT23 with a maximum height of 1 mm, price is $0.84 each/10,000. CATALYST SEMICONDUCTOR INC., Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 258-5991.