Packaging/Interconnects: Fiber-Optic Backlighting Panels Integrate Membrane Switch Pads

Dec. 4, 2003

New fiber-optic backlighting panels for membrane switch applications feature conductive pads designed into the panel that integrate a switch into the fiber-optic backlight for use in keypads, keyboards, and membrane switches. Using as few as one 3-mm or 5-mm LED source, they permit low-power consumption (10 to 25 mA), have long life (up to 100,000 hours), have zero impact on the tactile feel of elastomeric keys, and can backlight a larger area than surface-mount LEDs. The conductive pads are printed onto the back reflector of the panel. Panel pricing with the integrated membrane switch conductive pads starts at under $1 for a basic 1.5- by 1.0-in. single-layer panel.

Lumitex Inc.www.lumitex.com; (800) 969-5483

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.