- 5 June 2006 -

Catalyst Semiconductor Delivers Simple, Small White LED Driver Optimized for High-Volume 3-LED Applications

Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. further expanded its family of LED drivers with the CAT3603; a tiny, simple-to-use, high-efficiency fractional charge pump. The new device is optimized for high-volume, three-LED backlighting display applications in cellular phones, digital still cameras and handheld devices.

Mainstream, high-volume consumer handheld and portable systems require feature-rich functions, long battery life and small size, at very low cost. Today, this typically means implementing a cost-effective three-LED configuration for color LCD backlighting. The CAT3603 is targeted specifically at these cost-sensitive, high-volume applications by providing simplicity and high efficiency in a tiny 3x3mm package.

The CAT3603 gives system designers the flexibility to select the desired LED brightness (1mA to 30mA) via a single external low-cost resistor. This simple solution eliminates the need for a complex interface control. Additionally, tightly matched output channels provide accurate illumination of up to three LEDs, resulting in uniform backlighting of the color LCD panel.

An automatic 1x/1.5x fractional charge pump maximizes battery life, allowing the CAT3603 to deliver up to 91 percent power efficiency. When disabled, the device enters "Zero" current shutdown mode, eliminating battery drain when not in use. Protection against short-circuit and thermal overload fault conditions is also included.

The cost-effective CAT3603, with its tiny, 3x3mm, 12-lead low-profile (0.8mm) TDFN package, expands Catalyst's LED drivers by building on the company's earlier, CAT3604 device, which drives four LEDs and the CAT3606, which drives six LEDs, both in a 4x4mm 16-lead QFN package.

The CAT3603 is offered in a RoHS-compliant, environment friendly "green" 3x3mm TDFN 12-lead package. Ordering code is CAT3603HV2 and pricing for 10,000 piece quantity is $0.78. Samples and evaluation kits are now available. Projected lead-times for production quantities are currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.

www.catsemi.com