NXP GreenChip technology enables breakthrough quality in non-dimmable CFLs

EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS: NXP Semiconductors N.V. has released the UBA2211, a new generation of non-dimmable CFL driver ICs for 230V and 110V fluorescent lamps based on GreenChip technology.

The UBA2211 offers a fully integrated CFL driver along with a current controlled preheat function, enabling more compact fluorescent lamp designs, highly efficient power conversion, and extended CFL lifetimes in the range of 12,000 to 15,000 hours. In addition, NXP announced today the availability of the UBA2024B, also based on GreenChip technology, its first CFL driver with integrated switches tailored for the 110V market.

"As incandescent lamps are phased out around the world and with the recent EU ban on 75W incandescent bulbs in effect, the time is now for CFLs to prove they can offer better quality of light at lower costs. NXP driver ICs such as the UBA2211 offer breakthrough quality, performance and features that enable CFL manufacturers to match consumer expectations for quality lighting in the home," said Jacques le Berre, director of marketing and business development, Lighting Solutions, NXP Semiconductors.

"As one of the first semiconductor companies to recognize the growing importance of energy-efficient lighting, NXP's commitment to transform the lighting industry is a natural extension of its High Performance Mixed Signal strategy. Working together with our customers, NXP is committed to proving that with GreenChip technology, fluorescent lamps can light up the hearts and minds of consumers around the globe."

Enabling high-quality non-dimmable CFLs
The latest generation of NXP CFL driver ICs complies with the most demanding specifications for higher quality in non-dimmable CFLs, such as better light, longer lifetime, smaller form factor and faster ignition, thus helping to accelerate market adoption of fluorescent lamps.

The adoption of integrated chip solutions to replace standard discrete implementations in electronic ballasts will enable manufacturers to address these stricter requirements and deliver more consumer-friendly CFLs with better quality light, faster warm-up, and ultimately longer product lifetimes for lower total cost of ownership.

The UBA2211 family of integrated circuits are a range of high-voltage monolithic ICs for driving CFL in half-bridge configurations. The family is specifically designed to provide easy integration of lamp loads across a range of burner power and mains voltages.

The UBA2211 integrates the adjustable current controlled preheat mode technology, a key requirement in the EU directive, which enables the preheat time to be set and facilitates in achieving extended lifetime of the CFLs. With its exceptionally small form factor, the UBA2211 significantly reduces the Bill of Materials (BOM) for manufacturers, thereby enabling volume production of high quality CFLs.

The UBA2211 family includes:
UBA2211: generic controller for 230V / 110V markets driving external power switches.
UBA2211A: 230V for CFL lamp power up to 11W.
UBA2211B: 230V for CFL lamp power up to 18W.
UBA2211C: 230V for CFL lamp power up to 23W.

GreenChip-enabled products
GreenChip technology lies at the heart of NXP's cost-effective, high-efficiency power management and lighting ICs. NXP GreenChip products are suitable for any device that draws AC power and plugs into the wall.

GreenChip offers many benefits instrumental in designing energy-efficient products, ranging from minimal switching losses to low-power standby. GreenChip technology is based on NXP's EZ-HV process which enables cost-effective high-voltage silicon-on-insulator (HV-SOI) ICs.

Using a unique thin silicon approach to HV-SOI construction, the process allows GreenChip ICs to combine high-voltage circuits that handle rectified AC line supply voltages with low-voltage CMOS logic for on-chip intelligence.

New solutions for the 110V market
NXP also announced the availability of UBA2024B, its first CFL driver with integrated switches tailored for the 110V market. With this new driver IC, NXP has now extended its UBA2024 product family to address all CFL driver markets with six types of driver ICs. Pin-to-pin compatible with the UBA2024 family, the UBA2024B saves space, increases efficiency and extends burner lifetime.

Key features of CFL lighting based on GreenChip technology include:
* Fast start-up with quick start for faster light output run-up,
* Better energy efficiency with an average 5 percent higher efficiency,
* Longer lifetime preheat feature that preserves the life of the lamp burner; while standard lamps based on discrete components reach an average 4,000 to 6,000 hours, NXP IC based lamps demonstrate lifetime performance in the range of 12,000 to 15,000 hours.

NXP IC-based lighting solutions are fully supported by dedicated teams and tools. Design engineers benefit from seamless integration of CFL drivers into incandescent lamp form factors for easy migration to IC-based lighting solutions.