Allegro MicroSystems introduces a new automotive, AEC-Q100 qualified single IC switching regulator that provides constant-current output to drive high-power LEDs. Allegro’s A6217 integrates a high-side N-channel DMOS switch for DC-to-DC step- down (buck) conversion. A true average current is output using a cycle-by-cycle, controlled on-time method. This new LED driver is targeted at the automotive lighting market and includes the following key applications: daytime running lights, front and rear fog lights, turn/stop lights, map lights, and dimmable interior lights. 

Taiwanese IC driver manufacturer Macroblock has successfully developed LED drivers for small pitch displays, and is eyeing driver solutions for an innovative display technology next year, reported China Post.

Star Li, a senior application engineer at NXP automotive solid-state lighting team explains how automotive lighting systems can be designed using multi-phase driver IC in headlamp lighting controls.

GlacialTech, a division of the LED technology manufacturer GlacialTech Inc, announces the GP-HS08N-21C1 LED driver. This model is a new addition to the well-established GP-HS08N 8W series, supporting 250mA to 680mA. The new model is complaint with the EU’s ErP standards for efficiency and environmental sustainability without carrying extra cost to customers.

LG Innotek announced that it will release a programmable LED driver for wireless lighting control in the American market. The product has moderate price, but shows outstanding performance, it is expected to gain popularity as a wireless lighting control solution in the market.

Martin Moss, the automotive marketing manager at Texas Instruments shares in this blog post how to create a 24W power supply for automotive LED lighting systems.

ERP Power LLC (ERP), a leading provider of small, smart and efficient LED drivers for the lighting industry, today announced the next generation of drivers for outdoor LED lighting fixtures will be demonstrated October 27-30, 2016 at the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair. The ERP next generation LED driver design is one-fifth smaller than similar capacity drivers in the industry; programmable for flexible deployment in a broad range of constant current or constant voltage applications; intelligent with wired and wireless controls; and high efficiency to reduce electricity consumption. 

Elemental LED, a leading U.S. based engineering and technology company that manufactures LED lighting solutions, announced today a strategic partnership with Nora Lighting to meet the growing demand for the innovative and award winning SWITCHEX®, the first combination LED driver and LED dimmer switch.  Elemental LED and its manufacturing and wholesale division, Diode LED, provides a wide variety of superior quality linear, task, and accent LED lighting solutions for both commercial and residential applications.

GlacialPower, a division of the LED technology manufacturer GlacialTech Inc, has today announced the launch of the GP-HS15P-42C and GP-HS15P-42CA, a new pair of LED Drivers that offer users a wide choice of dimming functions, a built-in DC output jack connector for easy installation and maintenance, and a rated power output of up to 14.7W suitable for LED lights from 26V to 42V. The supported input voltage range is 90 to 264VAC, providing off-the-shelf electrical compatibility with almost any location worldwide, and constant current mode is also supported.

GlacialPower, a division of LED technology manufacturer GlacialTech Inc, is pleased to announce a new LED Driver, the GP-HS35P-48CA, with a rated power output of up to 33.6W for LED lights from 33 to 48V. This new driver offers energy saving features and a smooth output waveform with low distortion, and it closely follows EU and other directives for safety and energy efficiency. With its compact, durable design that avoids the common maintenance issues that affect competing products, GlacialPower's newest IP67 rated LED driver is ideal for interior and exterior applications. Nominal input voltage range is 100 to 277VAC, with a maximum input range of 90 to 305VAC.

GlacialPower, a division of LED technology manufacturer GlacialTech Inc, is pleased to announce a new series of 40 to 48 Watt LED Drivers with DC output ranging from 24 V DC up to 57 V DC. The GP-LS45P series accepts a wide input range from 90 to 305 VAC, to handle AC supply fluctuations.

Nualight, a specialist LED lighting technology company has reached an agreement to sell certain assets from Lumotech, its driver and motion detector business to California, USA based company, Fulham. With its acquisition, Fulham will add that product portfolio to their existing range of LED drivers, modules, engines and further lighting solutions. Fulham will also strengthen its European presence through Lumotech’s existing sales channels, bringing new sustainable lighting solutions to global OEMs and distributors. The sale is expected to complete on July 01, 2016. The terms of the transaction remain confidential.

Rapid developments in lighting technology are shifting driver demands, said David Lucchetti, Director of Marketing and Application Industrial, Power and Discrete Group Greater China and South Asia Region, STMicroelectronics at LEDforum 2015, which took place recently in Taipei, Taiwan.

Darfon Electronics the turnkey green energy total power solutions provider, new launched a whole series of built-in 10KV lightning surge protected rugged & ultra efficiency outdoor LED lighting driver 60W ~ 270W smart series. To catch the conversion is well under way in many municipalities to convert roadway lighting to solid-state LED streetlight technology. Nowadays rapidly increasing demands for LED-based light sources for outdoor applications bring new challenges to system durability. In order to maximize the durability and reliability of LED lighting systems, it is critical to protect them from damage due to high current surges on the main lines.

The Module-Driver Interface Special Interest Group (MD-SIG) released its new specification for a universal electrical interface between LED lighting modules and power supplies, according to an Electronic Weekly report.

Chinese driver manufacturer Moso recently reported a pessimistic revenue outlook, reported Securities Daily.

MEAN WELL, the leading brand of the standard power supply manufacturer, will show on the topic, “MEAN WELL, Driving your intelligent life” in this year’s Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition. Many new products which are primarily exposed in the whole world will be brought to the show, including indoor application power supply (AP/LP series), super high-efficiency water-proof power supply (ELG/HLG series), circular shape power supply for bay lighting (HBG series), new generation enclosed power supply (LRS series), super-slim LED display power supply (HSP series), and etc. It is to be splendid!

LG Innotek, a leading global materials and components manufacturer, today announced that the company starts its mass production of super-slim, independent-type in 37 watt class LED driver for LED lighting.

LIGHTFAIR 2015—Echelon Corporation, a leading independent control networking company for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), today announced an expanded range of outdoor lighting control products. The company also announced that effective immediately, it will converge all its wireless and wired connectivity solutions for lighting control under the Lumewave by Echelon brand. Echelon will demonstrate some of its products in its booth #3373 at LIGHTFAIR International 2015, May 5-7 at the Javits Center in New York City.

As miniaturised light sources, LEDs offer great design freedom to luminaire manufacturers. So far, LED drivers which are essential and need a lot more space than the light sources themselves have placed restrictions on the design. With the TALEXXengine DC String, Tridonic is now offering an LED solution which makes AC/DC converters and DC/DC components go their separate ways, creating space for new design ideas.

Dialight announced the debut of its new ultra-durable 480V Passive Power Supply, offering higher energy efficiency to outperform conventional switch mode power supply (SMPS) technology in high-voltage applications. The new 480V Passive Power Supply debuts on the 18,000-lumen package and will become the standard power supply used on every new Dialight fixture designed for high-voltage applications.

Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) – Booth 407 – ON Semiconductor, driving energy efficient innovations, will be showcasing some of its latest advances in power management technology at APEC, including a new LLC current-mode power supply for computers and LED TVs, significant developments in GaN, and a sensor-less motor driver controller.

CUI Global, a platform company dedicated to the acquisition, development, and commercialization of new, innovative products and technologies, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary,CUI Inc, has entered into a global distribution agreement and partnership with Mouser Electronics, Inc, the global authorized distributor with the newest semiconductors and electronic components.

In Part II of our series on Solutions for Today’s Low Power LED Lighting Trends we listed the many regulatory and industry standards that designers need to account for in order to understand the design constraints of any given project for reducing power losses, power factor correction and low THD in the LED driver. In addition to the regulations and standards discussed, there are a number of other factors that need to be considered that can impact design. These include:

AIXTRON, a worldwide leading provider of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry, today announced that Taiwanese group Episil Semiconductor Wafer, Inc. has successfully put into operation an AIX G5 WW (Warm-Wall) reactor for silicon carbide (SiC) epitaxy.

Fairchild, a leading global supplier of high-performance power semiconductor solutions, will show why it’s “Power Driven” at APEC 2015, the industry’s leading power electronics conference. Through seven conference papers and demonstrations of industrial motion control, LED lighting, automotive and consumer design applications, Fairchild will highlight its best-in-class solutions and design practices for ensuring exceptional energy efficiency and reliability.

This is Part II in our five part series that takes a big picture look at today’s low-power LED lighting trends. In Part I we reviewed the worldwide market for LED lighting and predictions for the potential of high-brightness LEDs. In this installment we will look at some of the many driver standards and governmental agency requirements designers need to be aware of.

This is the first part of Fairchild Semiconductor's five part blog series that will examine LED lighting trends and Fairchild solutions. LED lighting applications fall into three basic input power levels: low-power is less than or up to 20 Watts; mid-power is between 20 Watts and 50 Watts; and high-power is above 50 watts. In the real-world, applications do not always fit nicely in these three buckets, but these power levels align when considering LED driver solutions.

Integrated Silicon Solution, a leader in advanced memory and analog IC solutions, announced its high performance matrix LED driver for use in automotive, consumer, industrial and emerging IoT applications. The IS31FL3732 is a compact LED driver for RGB color-effect with pre-programmed lighting and animation functions. These pre-programmed functions are accessed via a fast 1MHz I2C compatible interface with robust EMI performance, which reduces microcontroller demand, enhances performance and improves battery life.

Infineon Technologies launched its LITIX™ Basic family of LED drivers specifically designed for low-power to medium-power automotive exterior lighting applications. The high-integration LED driver family reduces system complexity and improves reliability of turn indicator, tail, stop and reverse LED lights. By reducing part count and offering more features than discrete design approaches, the LITIX Basic family allows automotive manufacturers to expand the use of brand-specific and safety-enhancing LED light systems.