Fairchild Introduces New Ballast IC for Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Fairchild Semiconductor introduced the FAN7710, which the company claims is the most highly integrated ballast IC on the market specifically developed for compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) designs. Offering a "system-in-a-package" approach, the FAN7710 is said to optimize performance while simplifying design and overcoming the space limitations of CFL lighting applications.
The FAN7710 combines one high-side 625V gate driver circuit, two 550V MOSFETs, a frequency control circuit and a shunt regulator – plus the added features of active ZVS control and an open lamp detection function – into one ultra-compact 8-DIP package. The FAN7710 is said to help designers simplify designs by reducing component count. The FAN7710’s high functionality and built-in protection features are claimed to save board space, reduce power dissipation and result in excellent temperature characteristics and enhanced reliability in end systems.
In addition to the FAN7710, Fairchild offers the FAN7711 for linear fluorescent lamp (LFL) designs as well as CFL applications. This ballast IC integrates all but the two high-power MOSFETs offered by the FAN7710 to make it better suited to LFL designs. The FAN7711 is available in both 8-DIP and 8-SOP packages.
"As the most highly integrated ballast IC available, the FAN7710 is an ideal system-in-a-package solution for saving space in CFL designs," said Jay Lee, Director of Fairchild’s Lighting product line. "By also offering the FAN7711 for both LFL and CFL applications, Fairchild’s product portfolio offers designers the flexibility to optimize power, performance and space according to their specific application requirements."
These products are available in lead (Pb)-free packages that meet or exceed the requirements of the joint IPC/JEDEC standard J-STD-020C and are compliant with the European Union requirements now in effect.
The products are priced (each, 1000 pcs) as follows: FAN7710 US$ 1.51; FAN7711 US$ 1.25. Samples are available now with a delivery time of 12 weeks ARO.
