Unterpremstaetten, Austria (August 23, 2010) – austriamicrosystems (SIX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, has announced the AS1119, the most advanced and smallest LED dot-matrix driver (channels vs. PCB space) available. The AS1119 drives 144 LEDs but requires only 9 mm² PCB space, reduces external component count, reduces connector pin count and requires fewer PCB layers. Benefits for end users include up to 80% longer battery lifetime, more colorful effects and smoother running animations. The AS1119 is targeted for dot matrix displays in mobile phones, personal electronics and toys.

The AS1119 leads the industry by driving the most LEDs, each with an 8-bit dimming control and no external resistor required. Additionally, an 8-bit analog current control allows fine tuning of each matrix to compensate for different brightness of different colors, or to adjust the white balance on RGB LEDs. The AS1119 incorporates 6 frames of memory for small animations or for use as a buffer to reduce host processor load, thereby saving energy and precious processing time. The AS1119 also extends battery life by including an on-chip 320 mA charge pump which is required when LEDs require a higher voltage than the battery can supply, allowing continuous operation even under low battery voltage conditions.

Other features include control via a 1 MHz I²C compatible interface, open and shorted LED error detection, and low-power shutdown current. Two modes of operation are offered making the AS1119 a very flexible part to design with — single/bicolor mode to drive the maximum number of LEDs in two 8×9 matrix, or the RGB mode offering three times 5×6 matrix, allowing white balance by adjusting the analog current in each matrix.  

“The AS1119 is the most advanced and smallest dot matrix LED driver available on the market,” stated Rene Wutte, austriamicrosystems’ Marketing Manager for Lighting. He continued, “It enables creative light design with the longest battery lifetime through our intelligent power management for mobile applications. It allows our customers to create unique looking devices while minimizing design effort through the AS1119’s flexibility. The AS1119 also saves space & cost by reducing external component count, reducing connector pin count and the number of PCB layers.”

Only 18 lines are required to drive all 144 LEDs. This is accomplished with austriamicrosystems’ multiplexing technique called cross-plexing. This allows reducing the line count on the PCB as well as fewer pins on the connectors, saving space & costs.

The AS1119 is available in a 36-pin WL-CSP 3×3 mm package and operates over a temperature range of -40 to +85 °C over a wide 2.7 to 5.5 V power supply range. For more information on the AS1119 dot matrix LED driver, visit www.austriamicrosystems.com/LED-Driver/AS1119 .

Price & Availability

Available in volume now, the price for the AS1119 is $5.00 in 1000 piece quantities.

Technical Support

A demonstration board is available for the AS1119 LED driver. For technical support, visit http://www.austriamicrosystems.com/Technical-Support

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) , a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing, today announced it will be hosting its first Synposium, a virtual trade show event where attendees around the world can learn about Synopsys’ EDA software, IP, prototyping and services from the convenience of their desks. During the first three days of the event, Synopsys staff will be available to chat online in this interactive online format. Synposium attendees can view the materials on-demand through December 3, 2010.

What: Synopsys Synposium, a Virtual Event
When: August 31-September 2, 2010
On-demand through December 3, 2010

Live Event

Hours: August 31: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT
September 1: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT
September 2: 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT

Register at: http://synopsyssynposium.veplatform.com/

Synposium Highlights:

• Synopsys 20/20 Vision discussion with Dr. Aart de Geus, CEO and John Chilton, Sr. VP of Marketing and Strategic Development
• Auditorium presentations on:
  • Low power design challenges
  • 32/28nm design solutions
  • Verification with VCS
  • IC Compiler In-Design solutions,
  • AMS verification challenges
  • Two exhibit halls with 16 virtual booths
  • Publications library
  • Networking lounge
  • Online chat capabilities

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA), supplying the global electronics market with the software, intellectual property (IP) and services used in semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing. Synopsys’ comprehensive, integrated portfolio of implementation, verification, IP, manufacturing and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions helps address the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, such as power and yield management, system-to-silicon verification and time-to-results. These technology-leading solutions help give Synopsys customers a competitive edge in bringing the best products to market quickly while reducing costs and schedule risk. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has more than 65 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/.