Date: 10/06/2010

LED Driver ICs for flicker-free TRIAC dimming

Power Integrations has unveiled two new families of TRIAC-dimmable, single-stage, power-factor-corrected LED driver ICs targeting solid-state lighting (SSL) applications. LinkSwitch-PH (optimized for isolated systems) and LinkSwitch-PL (optimized for non-isolated systems) deliver flicker-free monotonic TRIAC dimming and a user experience similar to that provided by incandescent illumination.

The LinkSwitch-PH and LinkSwitch-PL product families feature integrated single-stage power factor correction (PFC) to achieve PF > 0.9. LinkSwitch-PH devices incorporate primary-side-control technology, which eliminates the optocoupler and supporting components used in traditional isolated flyback designs. Both IC families are monolithic - incorporating the controller and MOSFET onto a single silicon die. These new LinkSwitch products are optimized for high efficiency in simple flyback designs and operate at input voltages up to 305 VAC, enabling the development of both single-voltage and universal-input products suitable for residential and commercial lighting applications worldwide.

Bill Weiss, lighting business development manager at Power Integrations, comments: "Both new product families are ideal for space-constrained LED drivers used in replacement lamps. The LinkSwitch-PH family, optimized for isolated designs and rated up to 50 watts output power, is also exceptionally effective for external LED ballasts, often used in downlighting, architectural lighting, signage, and outdoor lighting. Both devices reduce system BOM count and size, thereby increasing system reliability. These ICs enable designers to optimize system efficiency and meet or exceed all regulatory standards, such as ENERGY STARâ and EN61000-3-2."

LinkSwitch-PH samples are available now in a halogen-free, ROHS-compliant eSIPâ-7C package, priced between $1.18 and $1.71 each for 10,000-piece quantities. LinkSwitch-PL ICs will sample in August 2010 in compact SO-8 and eDIPä-12 packages.