- Highly integrated white-LED backlight controller, minimized number of connections and components
- Improved cost and time efficiency

December 15, 2011, Seoul – STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a global semiconductor company in various electronic device applications, has launched a display backlight controller IC, an innovative new technology for mobile phones and various portable electronic devices. The new display backlight controller IC simplifies circuitry to provide high-quality, stable backlighting and extends battery life by freeing up PCB space for other functions.

The high efficiency, small size, and durability of white-LED backlights make them suitable for the design of modern portable devices. LEDs are driven by constant current and use a controller IC and a few peripheral components. ST’s new controller, the STLED25, integrates control circuits for up to 10 LEDs onto a single chip, simplifying the design and requiring less PCB space.

STLED25, featuring ST’s advanced design and manufacturing technology, provides five current sources that can be directly connected to the upper terminal of the LED. At the same time, the lower side of the LED can be directly connected to ground. Since there is no need to reconnect each LED channel to the control IC, a simple, stable, and reliable design is possible. The LED driving current is set using a single external resistor.

STLED25 can operate from 2.3V to 5.5V for applications in battery-powered electronics and can drive or control 5 branch channels through 2 individual control pins. Battery life is extended because the voltage conversion and current control circuits operate efficiently, whether the LEDs are driven at maximum brightness or at low brightness. Additionally, the matching of currents across each channel ensures consistent backlight brightness, thereby improving the user experience.

Main features of STLED25:
• 1.4mm x 1.8mm chip scale package
• Total solution footprint of 15.6 mm²
• 5 x 25mA output current
• 85-87% efficiency
• PWM Dimming
• Channels can be enabled/disabled individually
• Current limiting and protection circuits

STLED25 is currently supplying limited samples of 12-bump 0.4mm pitch CSPs to select customers, and full-scale mass production and supply are scheduled for December 2011. The price per unit is $1.50 based on a supply volume of 1,000 units, and separate pricing conditions are available for large orders.