Integrated high-voltage power IC enables quick warm-up benefits for CFLs

An integrated high-voltage power IC designed to drive dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) has been unveiled by NXP Semiconductors that offers quick warm-up and unprecedented dimming capabilities down to 10 percent of full light intensity.

The UBA2028 enables lighting manufacturers to create CFLs that rival incandescent bulbs and offers more compact designs, efficient power conversion, and extended CFL lifetimes beyond 15,000 hours.

Datapoint Research predicts that the number of CFL units sold annually will reach 5 billion by 2012. However, despite the high growth prospects for energy-efficient CFLs, only a fraction of CFL bulbs sold today meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality, functionality and performance. In Europe, this has led to stricter requirements for CFL product labeling. New specifications are emerging for high-performance, high-quality compact fluorescents with better color light, faster start-up times, better dimming and longer life.

The NXP UBA2028 introduces "true dimming" capabilities - for a smoother dimming experience without flickering and noise. Further, its high level of integration enables more compact CFL sizes that can fit smaller lampshade designs than ever before.

The UBA2028 is the latest addition to NXP's broad portfolio of lighting solutions - a complete range of control and driver ICs covering all mains connected lighting technologies for the most innovative companies in the world. To date, NXP has sold over 300 million fluorescent lighting driver ICs, helping to save an estimated 500 million kg of CO2 per year, compared with more traditional lighting solutions. As one of the first semiconductor companies to recognize the growing importance of energy-efficient lighting, NXP has been active in the development of ballast control and driver ICs since 1992, supporting the development of solutions for all markets - from residential, office, retail and architectural lighting, to lighting for cars, streets and roads. The UBA2028 is a 600 V power IC that can drive and control dimmable CFL applications up to 21 W, and features 3 Ω integrated switches. The IC includes a half-bridge power circuit, a dimming function, a high voltage level shift circuit, an oscillator function, a lamp voltage monitor, a current control function, a timer function, and detection and protection circuits.

"Consumers have been understandably frustrated with the quality of light available from most CFLs on the market today. With the UBA2028, NXP is helping to change the way people perceive and experience compact fluorescent lighting," said Jacques le Berre, director of marketing and business development for lighting solutions, NXP Semiconductors. "By enabling 'true dimming',we are enabling lighting manufacturers to raise the bar and create higher-quality CFLs that are indistinguishable from incandescent bulbs. The net result is that consumers who want to take advantage of the tremendous energy savings offered by CFLs will no longer have to sacrifice the quality of light they enjoy in their homes."

Key features of the UBA2028 include:

• Two internal 600 V, 3 Ω (max) MOSFETs

• For steady state currents, support up to 280 mA

• For ignition currents, support up to 1.5 A

• Adjustable preheat time and current

• Advanced dimming (Phase-cut and 1-10 V)

• Current-controlled operation

• Single ignition attempt

• Adaptive non-overlap time control and integrated bootstrap diodes

• Integrated high-voltage level-shift function

• Capacitive mode protection, lamp failure detection

• Power-down in case of lamp failure

• Reduced board space with the SO20L package, which has a typical Rth(j-a) of 75 K/W

• Extended lifetime and lower total cost

Availability

The NXP UBA2028 is available with a complete application kit including samples, datasheet, application note, and demonstration board.

Datasheets:

NXP lighting solutions for CFLs

UBA2028