California Micro Devices Launches LuxGuard(TM) High Voltage ESD Protection Diodes For HBLEDs

MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- California Micro Devices (Nasdaq: CAMD) today announced the latest products in the LuxGuard™ family of turnkey solutions for ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection and thermal management for high power, high brightness light emitting diode (HBLED) lighting applications. The new LuxGuard CM1753 and CM1754 feature a 50 volt breakdown voltage specification and deliver a robust 8kV HBM (Human Body Model) of ESD protection with low input capacitance for high power, high efficacy HBLED lighting applications. Designed as silicon based side mount ESD protectors, the CM1753 is designed for P-up common cathode configurations and CM1754 provides identical protection for N-up common anode configurations. Their tiny form factor enables them to be used in all applications, including existing HBLED lamp modules with the number of LEDs in the string ranging from 1 to 15.

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The market for high power, HBLEDs has expanded beyond traditional market segments such as the status and alphanumeric display markets into a wider range of lighting applications including illumination; automotive; signage and residential and commercial lighting. "A common factor in the growth of all these segments is a desire for increased brightness levels leading lighting designers to specify increases in HBLED drive currents and an increasing  number of HBLEDs to be employed per string," noted Kyle Baker, vice president of marketing for California Micro Devices. "As a result, the optimal protection voltage for HBLED lamp modules is now converging around 50 Volts.  With the addition of these two new LuxGuard products, CMD offers a complete portfolio of protection solutions for this rapidly growing market segment."  

LuxGuard Products

LuxGuard products for HBLEDs include silicon submounts and side mount TVS diodes. LuxGuard submounts provide integrated ESD protection at levels exceeding 15kV HBM (Human Body Model). The submount also helps to cushion the LED from stress due to thermal expansion coefficient differences between the LED and the lead frame, while the option of an aluminum top coat provides improved reflectivity. CMD also offers TVS diodes mounted next to the LED die within the LED fixture. ESD ratings vary based on die size, and are typically between 8kV and 30kV HBM.