Enhanced step driver targets LED lighting market

29th October 2014

Mick Elliott

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Exar has developed an improved alternating current (AC) step driver for light emitting diode (LED) lighting applications. Combined with other iML offerings, the iML8684 provides a complete solution for LED light bulb and LED tube applications. Unlike conventional AC driver solutions which use a single large driver, iML has patented a unique distributed architecture of multiple small, low cost drivers.

This solution provides increased flexibility and a lower overall BOM cost as it uses much lower voltage technologies. It also improves heat dissipation as multiple devices are used across the PCB, evenly distributing the thermal load. IML devices remove the need for electrolytic capacitors and inductors that are mandatory for AC-DC driver solutions while delivering lower BOM costs.

The new iML8684 offers improved circuit stability in sub 3-volt AC situations created by TRIAC dimming, resulting in superior light quality at low dimming. This improvement also increases the number of compatible dimmers in both 120VAC and 230VAC countries.

“We are continuing to listen to our customers in order to provide improved solutions” said Gi-Young Lee, senior vice president of marketing for iML display and light products at Exar. “By improving low-voltage stability we have achieved the widest range of TRIAC dimmer compatibility on the market.”

Exar will be demonstrating the iML8684 at booth A6.169 at Electronica 2014 in Munich (Nov 11-14).