Supertex, Inc. today announced the high voltage HV831 dual electroluminescent (EL) driver IC. This 10-pin IC can drive two separate or concurrent EL lamps with a combined area up to 3.5 square inches. It provides a low noise, highly efficient, integrated and flexible backlighting solution for a new generation of dual LCD applications such as cellular telephones. It is a highly flexible solution offering a wide input voltage range (2.0 - 5.0V) and an output voltage of ý 80V that assures appropriate brightness for mobile phones and other lithium ion and alkaline battery applications. Additionally, it features a 150nA shutdown current mode that minimizes battery usage in stand-by mode to prolong battery life, while its output voltage regulation circuitry maintains uniform brightness throughout the useful life of the battery. It requires only four external components: one miniature inductor to power both lamps, one resistor to control the inductor (DC-DC converter) switching frequency; one diode and a capacitor to provide output voltage regulation, reducing board space requirement as well as lowering end-product production costs. It incorporates a patented output timing circuitry that provides highly efficient power conversion. Other features include a split supply capability that improves converter efficiency by avoiding double conversion, VIN that works with higher or lower input voltages than VDD and independent controls for lamp selection. "We are fully committed to the EL Driver marketplace and are continually finding new EL backlighting applications," states Brian Hedayati, Director of Marketing at Supertex. "The HV831 offers a pin-to-pin compatible replacement for the Sipex SP4491. This product, plus several new products that we will bring to market soon, will further establish us in the forefront of EL backlighting solutions and fill the void created by the departure of Sipex from the market." Dual EL lamps are now being used in a wide variety of new-generation portable applications. The HV831 can offer OEMs significant cost savings, while consumers will experience higher and more uniform lamp brightness as well as longer battery life in their end product applications. Samples are available from stock. Lead time for production quantities is 4 to 5 weeks ARO, priced at $1.45 each (U.S.$) in 1K quantities.

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