News at ROHM Electronics

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Press Release

ROHM Electronics’ New 900 kHz Single-Channel Step-Down Switching Regulator Delivers Space Savings and High Efficiency

02.22.08

The BD9870’s integrated protection and compensation circuitry, smaller external components and
ceramic input/output capacitor compatibility result in space savings of up to 60%

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — February 29, 2008 — ROHM Electronics announces the BD9870, a single-channel step-down switching regulator that offers high efficiency, exceptional space savings, design simplicity and high reliability for a variety of applications, including TVs, DVD players, gaming consoles, PCs, car audio and navigation systems, industrial and office equipment, and entertainment systems.

The BD9870 integrates a switching voltage regulator, 1.5 A-rated p-channel power MOSFET and compensation circuitry into a compact TO-252S-5 package. Eliminating external feedback compensation components makes complete design possible using only an external coil, diode and output capacitor. In addition, the device’s industry-leading 900 kHz operation permits use of a smaller coil and ceramic output capacitor, which, when combined with the regulator’s internal features, results in a 60% board-space savings compared with current solutions on the market.

Compared with competitive, compensation-integrated switchers, the BD9870 IC offers the industry’s highest efficiency (88%) and output accuracy (±1.0%), the lowest bias current (3 mA) and zero standby current. The input voltage can range from 8 V to 35 V, with output voltage adjustable down to 1.0 V. A 5 soft-start feature (ms, fixed) is also included. Reliability is enhanced by internal protection circuits, including thermal shutdown (TSD) and over-current protection (OCP).

The combined benefits of the BD9870’s small package size, high switching frequency, minimal external components and integrated protection circuitry results in a compact, efficient, and highly reliable switching power supply that is as simple to design in and use as an LDO.

About ROHM:
ROHM is the industry leader in system LSI, discrete components and module products, utilizing the latest in semiconductor technology. ROHM’s proprietary production system, which includes some of the most advanced automation technology, is a major factor in keeping it at the forefront of the electronic component manufacturing industry. In addition to its development of electronic components, ROHM has also developed its own production system so that it can focus on specific aspects of customized product development. ROHM employs highly skilled engineers with expertise in all aspects of design, development and production. This allows ROHM the flexibility to take on a wide range of applications and projects and the capability to serve valuable clients in the automotive, telecommunication and computer sectors as well as consumer OEMs.

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Press Release

The Next Generation Miniature Chip LEDs: PicoLED™-eco, PicoLED™-RGB
and PicoLED™-mini

ROHM’s PicoLED™ series chip LEDs feature both the smallest volume and area in the industry. In addition to the original SML-P12 series PicoLED™, ROHM has expanded its lineup to include PicoLED™-eco, PicoLED™-RGB and the industry’s smallest PicoLED™-mini.
 
ROHM’s PicoLED™-eco (SML-P11 series) ultra-compact LEDs feature high brightness with lower power consumption. Patented technology results in twice the brightness as conventional products in the low 1mA current region. Energy consumption is approximately 50% less at the same brightness and its ultra-compact thin size (1.0mmx0.6mm, t=0.2mm) is 53% and 74% smaller in area and volume, respectively, than the conventional 0603 size.

Available in a range of colors (red, orange, yellow, green), their low power consumption makes them ideal for compact portable, battery driven devices as well as small, thin, low-energy products such as 1.5mm pitch high-density dot matrices and 0.2-inch font height seven-segment light sources, which were previously impossible to develop.

ROHM’s PicoLED™-RGB series ultra-compact 3-color LEDs are ideal for customers seeking to minimize size and energy consumption while having the ability to differentiate their products in an industry increasingly focused on visual appearance rather than functionality. Two package configurations are available: the industry’s smallest, thinnest top view type (4-pin: 1.0x1.0x0.2mm, 6-pin: 1.5x1.0x0.2mm) and the thinnest side view type in the industry (0.5mm thick).  

These 3-color LEDs provide the ideal solution for sets requiring full-color capability in the smallest form factor possible such as color indicator displays in mobile phones, illumination lighting for handheld gaming devices, and compact, full-color dot matrix displays.

ROHM’s PicoLED™-mini was developed in response to the progression of miniaturizing electronic devices which demand smaller components. At 0.6mm×0.3mm×0.2mm, surface area is reduced by 70% over the original 1006（0402）-sized PicoLED™ (1.0×0.6×0.2mm), making it the smallest LED in the industry to date. The full-color lineup (red x 2, orange, yellow, green, yellowish green, blue, and white) and ultra-compact, thin size ensure compatibility with virtually any set– even those previously unable to incorporate LEDs due to size restrictions.

All of ROHM’s LEDs feature 4-element construction (AlGaInP) which prevents brightness degradation as well as ensure reliable, long-term use.

Applications:

• Mobile phone key pads
• Digital cameras
• High density dot matrix displays

• Compact seven-segment display devices
• Handheld gaming devices

• Other compact, low profile applications

 

Features:

PicoLED™-eco:

• Thin, ultra-compact size: 1.0mm×0.6mm, t=0.2mm 
• High 1mA brightness- approximately twice as bright as conventional products
• Reduces energy consumption in compact portable devices, increasing battery life
• Available in a range of colors: red, orange, yellow and green

PicoLED™-RGB:

• Two package types offered

 Top view types:　 SMLP34 series (4-pin, 1.0×1.0×0.2mm)– the industry’s smallest, thinnest* RGB LEDs
SMLP36 series (6-pin, 1.5×1.0×0.2mm)
  Side view type:　 SML03 series (2.7×0.95×0.5mm)– the thinnest in the industry

• Ideal for indicator displays in mobile phones, illumination lighting in compact devices, and full-color dot matrix displays

• RGB 3-color emission for full-color display capability

PicoLED™-mini:

• Ultra-thin, ultra-compact package: 0.6mm×0.3mm, t=0.2.
• Ideal for use as injector lamps or matrix displays in small portable devices and sets with narrow spaces.
• High-brightness elements available in a variety of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, yellowish green, blue and white.

About ROHM:

ROHM is the industry leader in system LSI, discrete components and module products, utilizing the latest in semiconductor technology. ROHM's proprietary production system, which includes some of the most advanced automation technology, is a major factor in keeping it at the forefront of the electronic component manufacturing industry. In addition to its development of electronic components, ROHM has also developed its own production system so that it can focus on specific aspects of customized product development. ROHM employs highly skilled engineers with expertise in all aspects of design, development and production.  This allows ROHM the flexibility to take on a wide range of applications and projects and the capability to serve valuable clients in the automotive, telecommunication and computer sectors as well as consumer OEMs.

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Press Release

The Industry's First 6ch Power Management LSI for Li-ion Devices

03.15.07

ROHM has recently completed development of the industry's first 6ch Power Management LSI integrating a protective function and startup sequence into a single chip. The BD8611EFV ensures high reliability by protecting the system from various power supply failures common in set systems-specifically in battery-driven equipment including portable DVD players and navigation systems.

Integrating a startup sequence is absolutely essential for multi-block circuits and processor cores such as DSP and I/O which require different voltages (1.8V I/O, 3.3V DSP core) and sensitive power-up timing sequences. The BD9611EFV significantly reduces power system development while improving system reliability.

Applications:

• Portable DVD players
• Portable Navigation systems
• Portable Laptop
• PCs Portable
• Lithium ion devices

Features:

• Integrated protection function for all output power supplies
• Built-in switching path function for power supply
• Detects irregular outputs (rise or drop in supply voltage output, faulty startup sequence, overcurrent, or disconnection)
• Built-in startup sequence circuit
• Equipped with 6ch variable power supply (adjusted via external resistors) - ideal for portable equipment
• Two-cell lithium-ion battery charging function

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Press Release

PicoLED™ - The Smallest, Thinnest Full-Color LEDs (SML-P12 Series )

01.29.07

ROHM Co., Ltd. completed the development of an ultra-compact LED featuring both the smallest volume and area offered. The SML-P12 series (PicoLEDTM) is ideally suited for devices requiring thin, compact components, such as mobile phone keypads, small dot-matrix units, and compact seven-segment display devices.

Utilizing original high luminosity device and ultra-precise processing technologies has enabled ROHM to develop the SML-P12 series (PicoLEDTM) of ultra-compact, ultra-thin chip LEDs (t=0.008in) in a full range of colors - previously thought impossible due to the significant loss in luminosity with traditional LEDs.

The new units feature the same level of brightness as conventional chip LEDs, but in a package size 53% smaller in area and with 74% less volume than standard 0603-sized products. This makes them ideal for use in high density applications with narrow spaces, contributing to greater set miniaturization. The new LEDs can also be used to create compact, full-color high-density matrices (0.06in pitch) that can be used in car audio displays or to produce seven-segment displays with a character height of 0.2 inches (an industry first), broadening the possibilities of numerical display applications.

A full lineup is available in a variety of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and white, and all of the light-emitting elements are of the high-reliability four-element (InGaAlP) or high-luminosity (InGaN) type, ensuring continuous, long-term, reliable operation.

SML-P12 PicoLEDTM Features:

• Ultra compact (0.04in × 0.02in) - 53% smaller area and 74% less volume than conventional 1608-sized units
• High-luminosity types offered in a range of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and white.

About ROHM:

ROHM is the industry leader in system LSI, discrete components and module products, utilizing the latest in semiconductor technology. ROHM's proprietary production system, which includes some of the most advanced automation technology, is a major factor in keeping it at the forefront of the electronic component manufacturing industry. In addition to its development of electronic components, ROHM has also developed its own production system so that it can focus on specific aspects of customized product development. ROHM employs highly skilled engineers with expertise in all aspects of design, development and production. This allows ROHM the flexibility to take on a wide range of applications and projects and the capability to serve valuable clients in the automotive, telecommunication and computer sectors as well as consumer OEMs.

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Press Release

High-efficiency DC Input H-bridge PWM Drivers

01.29.07

ROHM Co., Ltd. completed the development of the BD6221 H-bridge driver LSI for brush-commutated motors featuring low power consumption for high-efficiency motor driving.

ROHM’s new H-bridge driver LSI series incorporates a new VREF variable system for driving brush-commutated motors with low power consumption without changing the input voltage level. This simplifies replacement while providing optimum motor drive operation with minimal design changes. ROHM’s entire series of H-bridge drivers support a wide range of supply voltages (3V to 36V) and output currents (up to 2A) and achieves lower circuit current under no load conditions — 1/10-1/20 that of conventional LSIs. In addition, power-saving circuit is integrated to suppress standby current, contributing to energy efficient circuit design.

Applications:

• Audio/visual (AV) equipment
• PC peripheral devices
• Office (OA) equipment
• Home electrical appliances

BD6221F Features:

• Incorporates a new VREF variable system for high efficiency operation with low power consumption. Part replacement is simplified as well.
• Allows direct PWM control, and the optimized circuit ensures high-speed response and enables PWM duty control.
• Low standby current (0µA) under motor stop condition.
• Integrates a shoot-through prevention circuit.
• Equipped with output protection circuits for overcurrent, overvoltage, overheating, and under-voltage lock out.
• Supports TTL input.
• MOSFET on the output stage can achieve small number of external components.
• Wide operating temperature range: -40°C to +85°C.

About ROHM:

ROHM is the industry leader in system LSI, discrete components and module products, utilizing the latest in semiconductor technology. ROHM's proprietary production system, which includes some of the most advanced automation technology, is a major factor in keeping it at the forefront of the electronic component manufacturing industry. In addition to its development of electronic components, ROHM has also developed its own production system so that it can focus on specific aspects of customized product development. ROHM employs highly skilled engineers with expertise in all aspects of design, development and production. This allows ROHM the flexibility to take on a wide range of applications and projects and the capability to serve valuable clients in the automotive, telecommunication and computer sectors as well as consumer OEMs.