Microsemi's LX1691 Controller IC Chosen by KDX

Microsemi Corp. (Irvine, CA), a manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and power management integrated circuits, announced that its backlight power management circuits have been chosen by KDX (China), a major exporter of home entertainment audio/video products, for three new LCD television products. KDX chose Microsemi’s LX1691™ controller and a Microsemi-patented light-balancing system for its new 15 in, 17 in and 20 in LCD television units.

The LX1691 controller integrated circuit is teamed with a power-balancing system that provides even light across the multiple long cathode fluorescent lamps used in LCD television products. Cost savings result from a reduction in transformers needed in the multiple lamp applications. The direct drive architecture allows the LX1691 to be used in diverse applications since it can operate with system voltages ranging from 3 V to more than 50 V. The patented method for striking, or starting, florescent lamps produces just enough strike voltage to light the lamp, without generating unpredictable high-voltage spikes that can cause arcing and component failures.