Buck convertor can drive up to ten 50mA LEDs in a single series string from a 48V input, making it ideal for industrial and LED signage applicationsThe LT3590 from Linear Technology is a 48V buck-mode DC/DC convertor designed to operate as a constant-current LED driver. An internal 55V, 80mA switch and Schottky diode enable it to drive up to ten 50mA LEDs in a single series string from a 48V input, making it ideal for industrial and LED signage applications.

On February 19, Leadis Technology announced sample availability of the LDS8860, a new charge-pump based 6-channel LED driver that implements the company's proprietary PowerLite(TM) Current Regulator to deliver up to 91% power efficiency for longer battery life.

Strategies Unlimited predicts that the LED industry is emerging from a slow growth phase, and that the total market size in 2012 will exceed $11bn. According to a market update presented by Bob Steele at the 2008 Strategies in Light conference in Santa Clara, California, the market for packaged high-brightness LEDs is set to grow by 12% in 2008. Steele said that the market grew by 9.5% in 2007 to reach $4.6 billion, somewhat higher than the 6% growth in 2005 and 2006.

Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a market leader in LED solid-state lighting components, announces the results of an independent survey on the adoption, deployment and benefits of LED lighting. The survey, taken at the recent 2007 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair, validates strong global growth for LED lighting applications, confirms awareness of the energy-efficiency benefits of LEDs and indicates that the adoption trend should continue through the end of the decade. Key survey findings include:

Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd. (TSE:2393) today introduces 1- and 3-Watt high-power LEDs that deliver high luminosity, long operating life and system efficiency in a broad range of solid-state lighting designs. Part of Everlight’s XcelLED(TM) series, the EHP-AX08/P01 (1-Watt) and EHP-AX08/P03 (3-Watt) families are among the highest-flux emitters on the market.

Featuring T3¼ flange base that fits most 2- and 3-cell flashlights, 3 W LED PR-Style Bulb is available in sunlight-visible Cool White. Model F321-3W-0CW-001 supports voltages from 0.85-4.5 Vdc, while Model F321-3W-0CW-002 supports voltages from 3.6-9 Vdc. Solid-state, weather-resistant lamp is impervious to electrical and mechanical shock, vibration, frequent switching, and environmental extremes. Low power draw enables batteries to last up to 92 continuous hours.

A survey taken at the recent 2007 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair validated the strong global growth for LED lighting applications, according to Cree Inc. The survey established awareness of the energy-efficiency benefits of LEDs and indicated that the adoption trend should continue through the end of the decade.

The use of light-emitting diodes for solid-state lighting, rather than as indicators, is poised to make inroads in applications in the automotive, architectural and general illumination markets, according to market-analysis firm Yole Développement (Lyon, France).

Rabyte and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn.  Bhd. announced a partnership agreement for India effective 1st, Jan 2008.  This agreement involves the promotion of the complete product range of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors.As the world's second largest manufacturer of optoelectronic semiconductors for the illumination, sensing and visualization sectors, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors combines extensive know-how in semiconductors, converter materials and packages under one roof.

Sources at AUO recently indicated that the company is supplying LED-backlit panels for Apple's latest 13.3-inch slim notebook. AUO also ships 13.3-inch notebook panels with cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlighting technology and a resolution of WXGA (1280×800). As the rival of AUO, Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) commented that the company already began volume producing 13.3-inch LED panels last October.

Everlight Electronics claims that it has successfully resolved issues concerning heat-dissipation for LED headlamps, and estimates that the LED headlamp will soon pass heat-dissipation tests and be ready for commercialization by 3Q08.

Global Warming Solutions company has devised an LED lighting technology it says increases the shelf life of produce. The company's proprietary PureRay lighting technology reportedly kills or at least suppresses E. coli, Listeria, Penicillium (blue mold) and yeasts. As a result, the company contends it slows down spoilage of produce. The PureRay System is proprietary design comprised of LEDs assembled in arrays.

January 24, 2008... Making a good thing better, CAO Group has introduced a compact new High Flux Dynasty™ LED bulb, designed with a driver included in the base to provide constant current, transforming AC/DC low voltage to ~3.3 V. Available with both white and color LEDs, the new bulb is screw-mounted on a waterproof 1156 base.

Martin Professional has been awarded a technology grant from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation for the development of new LED technologies. The project, called INLED (Intelligent Light Emitting Diodes), is a cooperation between Martin Professional A/S, Denmark's Aalborg University, and the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation.

Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. announced that its CAT4201, 7W buck LED driver has been named to the EDN Magazine's list of Hot 100 Products of 2007. The CAT4201 was selected one of nine hot products in the "Power Semiconductors and ICs" category, which includes leading analog semiconductor suppliers.About the CAT4201 LED Driver

LED makers from Taiwan project that the cost of LED backlight units (BLUs) will shrink to 1.5 times that of CCFL-based units during late 2008. Despite that the current penetration rate of LED-backlit notebooks barely exceeds 10% due to LED patent issues and insufficient LED chip supplies, many industry players and research firms project that the rate will rise in the 10~20% range in 2008.

It's reported that Epistar Corp of Hsinchu has placed a third multiple order for MOCVD systems from Aixtron of Aachen, Germany. The order was placed in Q407, and includes both multiple CRIUS Close Coupled Showerhead (CCS) reactors and AIX 2800G4 HT Planetary Reactor systems for volume production of GaN-based LEDs. Aixtron says that the latest order, along with a multiple order announced last October, made Epistar the single largest individual system investor in Q407.

On 22nd，Diguang International Development Co., Ltd. reported that during the 2008 CES Show, its LED general lighting and flat panel lighting (FPL) products drew especially high levels of attention from attendees. At CES, held January 7-10 at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas, the Company displayed backlight products for a wide variety of applications.

Allegro MicroSystems Inc. has announced the release of two new LED driver ICs for use in displays, signs and control panels. The A6282 and A6285 both have 16 constant-current output channels. They have serial data inputs and outputs, which can be cascaded to create large, megapixel text or video displays. They can also be used in smaller applications such as LCD backlighting or controlling LEDs in an instrument or control panel.