Product category: Other OEM Display Modules and Meters
News Release from: Rogers Corp | Subject: EL backlighting
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 29 September 2004
Backlights show up at Electronica
Rogers Corp will exhibit its newest electroluminescent (EL) product lines, manufactured by its Durel Division, at this year's Electronica show in Munich.
Rogers Corp will exhibit its newest electroluminescent (EL) product lines, manufactured by its Durel Division, at this year's Electronica show in Munich Currently in high-volume production, Rogers Durel DFLX lamps, the latest in EL technology, offer designers the ultimate in design versatility for low-cost, uniform keypad lighting, including the ability to provide many types of decorative lighting
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 9 Jul 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The flexible DFLX electroluminescent lamp is used as the keypad backlight in the new Voq Professional Phone from Sierra Wireless.
DFLX lamps are very thin (0.1mm) as well as flexible because of the absence of the polyester film associated with conventional EL lamps.
These versatile EL lamps are used in mobile phones, remote controls and other electronic devices with keypads.
The uniform lighting characteristics of DFLX lamps enable designers to achieve best-in-class illumination in the keypad, complementing the latest improvements in LCD displays.
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EL driver module simplifies backlighting
New from Rogers Corp, the D381B electroluminescent (EL) driver module is the latest addition to its Durel integrated driver product line.
Rogers is pleased that DFLX lamps were chosen by Motorola to provide the "cool blue" electroluminescent lighting that backlights the precision cut, chemically etched keypad in its prestigious new Moto Razr V3 handset, which will be released in the fourth quarter.
The thin profile of DFLX lamps fits easily between an assembly metal dome array and the keypad.
This enables designers to place light directly under each key without affecting the tactile feel of the key actuations.
Although the thin form factor and supple rubber composition of the lamps feel like a thin coat of latex paint, they maintain durability.
Lamps have been subjected to over one million actuations in keypad applications with no degradation.
DFLX EL lamps can be folded, creased, and pierced while maintaining complete functionality allowing design concepts previously unachievable.
"The big difference", states Mike Bessette, Vice President of the Durel Division, "is that in traditional lighting methods, such as LEDs, designers must place the light somewhere around or between the keys".
"With DFLX lamps, they get bright light just where it is needed".
Powered by a small IC driver, DFLX lamps use very low current and generate virtually no heat.
A broad range of high-power keypad EL drivers is available from Rogers as part of its matched system-solution approach.
Rogers Durel Division will also be showcasing its full line of electroluminescent IC drivers, including its newest drivers in Pb- and halogen-free packaging.
Included in the line-up will be Rogers' performance leader, the Durel D381 IC driver and the value-leading Durel D365 IC driver.
The D381 IC driver is rich with design features and flexibility and provides the lowest current draw.
With the D381 EL driver, designers can achieve longer EL lamp and battery life while delivering much higher EL lamp brightness.
The D365 IC driver offers low-noise performance in applications that are sensitive to audible and electrical noise.
The D365 IC also has a higher output capability.
Both the D381 and the D365 IC drivers are based on Rogers' patented three-port (3P) topology.
With this unique topology, designers can ground one of the two lamp electrodes, thereby enabling improved management of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and reduced system costs.
Both drivers are also equipped with proprietary "wave-shaping" programmability for reducing audible noise.
The recently introduced D355 IC module will have its debut at Electronica.
To meet customer demand for smaller devices, Rogers Durel Division has developed a "stand-alone" EL driver module solution that combines all external, discrete components required to backlight monochrome displays and keypads into a single, cost-effective chip.
This innovative chip provides ease of design and assembly.
It also reduces a customer's bill of materials and simplifies purchasing processes, reducing the number of suppliers from four to one.
The small, 5 x 7mm D355 driver has a power inductor already imbedded inside the module.
It operates with a wide DC input voltage range (1.0 to 7.0V) to fit various types of electronic applications and battery technologies.
Because of the D355 module's high power-conversion efficiency, it is suitable for timepieces, wireless communications devices, such as PDAs and handsets, and other electronic applications.
These products, as well as Rogers' traditional EL lamps and other powerful EL drivers, will be on show at Electronica in Booth 619, Hall C1.
Rogers will also be exhibiting its other product lines in Hall B1.
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