Microsemi Light Sensor Provides Automatic Brightness Control for Flat Panel Displays
Monday March 17, 8:31 am ET
-- Mimics human eye response to changes in light
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2003-- -- Simple, small, cost effective device
Extends battery life
Microsemi Corp. (Nasdaq:MSCC - News), a leading manufacturer of power management integrated circuits, today announced a unique light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of flat panel display lighting with human eye response characteristics.
Designated the LX1970(TM) visible light sensor, Microsemi's patent-pending design emulates the spectral response of the human eye with accuracy so fast and smooth that viewers are unaware as display brightness changes with fluctuations in the ambient light.
Automatic brightness control can extend battery operation of portable appliances and lengthen the life of large screen liquid crystal display components. Target applications include flat panel displays found in PDAs, notebook PCs, LCD TVs, tablet PCs, mobile phones, digital cameras and automotive mirrors.
"This is a breakthrough product that complements our entire lighting and power management portfolio," said James J. Peterson, Microsemi president and chief executive officer. "It works with virtually any display, whether based on fluorescent lamps or LEDs, and designers will appreciate how easy it is to implement," he said.
By tracking close to the spectral response of the human eye, the new sensor largely ignores both ultra violet and infrared wavelengths that often confuse conventional light sensors, a problem that can be created by remote control signals and even radiant heat.
The LX1970 can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C.
The Microsemi photo sensor is a PIN diode array that provides an accurate, linear and repeatable current transfer function that is multiplied by integrated high gain amplifiers. No optical filters are needed. The sensor converts light to matching current source and current sink outputs, so design-in can be as simple as adding a single resistor, avoiding application complexities and reducing cost.
The LX1970's 8-pin MSOP surface mount package measures only 3 x 3mm. The device is priced at $1.41 in 1,000 lot quantities. Samples are available immediately with production quantities scheduled for the second calendar quarter of 2003.
About Microsemi
Microsemi is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of analog, mixed-signal and discrete semiconductors. The company's semiconductors manage and control or regulate power, protect against transient voltage spikes and transmit, receive and amplify signals.
Microsemi's products include individual components as well as complete circuit solutions that enhance customer designs by improving reliability, battery optimization, reducing size or protecting circuits. Markets the company serves include mobile connectivity, computer/peripherals, telecom/datacom, medical, industrial, automotive, digital media, space/satellite and military.
More information may be obtained by contacting the company directly or by visiting its Web site at microsemi.com.
Read the following factors that can materially affect Microsemi's future results.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in the news release that are not entirely historical and factual in nature are forward-looking statements. For instance, all statements of belief and expectations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the difficulties regarding the making of estimates and projections, the hiring and retention of qualified technical personnel in a competitive labor market, acquiring and integrating new operations or assets, closing or disposing of operations or assets, rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence, the potential inability to realize cost savings or productivity gains and to improve capacity utilization, potential cost increases, weakness or competitive pricing environment of the marketplace, uncertain demand for and acceptance of the company's products, results of in-process or planned development or marketing and promotional campaigns, changes in demand for products, difficulties foreseeing future demand, effects of limited visibility of future sales, potential non-realization of expected orders or non-realization of backlog, unexpected business and economic conditions or adverse changes in current or expected industry conditions, business disruptions, future effects of the tragic events of Sept. 11, variations in customer order preferences, fluctuations in market prices of the company's common stock and potential unavailability of additional capital on favorable terms, difficulties in implementing company strategies, dealing with environmental matters or litigation, difficulties in determining and maintaining adequate insurance coverage, difficulties protecting patents and other proprietary rights, and inventory obsolescence. In addition to these factors and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in this news release, the reader should refer as well to the factors, uncertainties or risks identified in the company's most recent Form 10-K filed on Dec. 19, 2002, and the Form 10-Q filed on Feb. 12, 2003, filed by Microsemi with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in Microsemi's future filings. Microsemi does not undertake to supplement or correct any information in this release that is or becomes incorrect.
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Contact:
Microsemi Corp., Irvine
David R. Sonksen, (For Investor Inquiries), 949/221-7101
or
Cliff Silver, (Editorial), 949/221-7112
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Source: Microsemi Corp. |
