February 18, 2013, Seoul – STMicroelectronics (ST), a global semiconductor company providing a wide range of electronic applications, has unveiled the world's first programmable digital controller optimized for lighting and power supply applications, the STLUX385 (Masterlux™ platform). This new product can shorten lighting system development time by simplifying existing power conversion topology designs. It is expected to demonstrate greater efficiency in terms of eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility in residential, commercial, and public lighting systems.

The STLUX385 was able to improve the performance of LED, fluorescent, and HID lighting systems by combining the cost-effective STM8 microprocessor core with peripherals designed to simplify the design of lighting power supplies and digital control. Various types of power conversion and control topologies are required depending on the lighting technology used, input power supply (AC or DC), dimming conditions, and safety or reliability issues.

The STLUX385 is the first device capable of solving all these problems through a single programmable chip.

More than 20% of electricity is used for lighting in homes, streets, offices, factories, and public areas. Therefore, it is important to create more efficient lighting to enhance sustainability. “The STLUX385 embodies ST’s 25 years of accumulated technological expertise in power conversion solutions on a single platform, enabling customers to build more innovative and efficient lighting solutions,” said Matteo Lo Presti, Group Vice President of ST’s Industrial and Power Conversion Division.

STLUX385 integrates six SMED (State Machine, Event-Drive) circuits specifically designed for this purpose. These circuits interact with each other and with external signals via a programmable switching matrix to control the power delivered to the lights. The SMEDs can turn lights on and off, set dimming levels, and set diagnostic signals such as open circuit or short circuit detection, as well as process inputs from sensors in lighting applications that vary according to ambient conditions, by processing external commands as well as specific application signals.

For example, instead of setting fixed times for maximum brightness and blackout, we can usher in an era of intelligent LED streetlights that gradually increase brightness as daylight fades and automatically decrease it when the sun rises.

Advanced lighting systems that currently require expensive external digital signal processors can now be produced at a lower cost and with a shorter time-to-market thanks to the STLUX385. In addition, dedicated algorithms improve lighting quality, energy savings are possible through high-efficiency conversion algorithms, and new interactions between the user and the lighting system are enabled.

STLUX385 integrates not only six SMEDs but also hardware DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). Digitally controlled lighting is key to energy saving in building and outdoor lighting facilities. Furthermore, the DALI protocol is now used internationally across the lighting industry. STLUX385 is compatible with wired and wireless communication, simplifying installation in large indoor and outdoor areas and reducing maintenance costs.

STLUX385 is currently available in a small TSSOP38 package and can be purchased for $2 when buying in units of 1,000.

Technical Notes
• 6 adjustable PWM SMED outputs with 10.4ns resolution (up to 1.3ns with auto-dithering)
• DALI Slave Hardware
• Outdoor temperature range: -40 ºC to 105 ºC
• 4 analog comparators synchronized with a 96MHz clock
• 6 fast digital inputs synchronized with a 96MHz clock
• Based on STM8 core (up to 20 MIPS)
• 8-channel, 10-bit ADC with programmable op-amp gain and sequencer
• 3V ~ 5.5V DC voltage