Fairchild Semiconductor’s Programmable LED Blinker Device Addresses the Design Challenge of Driving a Single-LED

• Minimizes System Power Consumption and Simplifies Design

SAN JOSE, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — September 1, 2009 — Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS) enables designers of mobile handsets, ultra-portable devices, consumer products and industrial/embedded systems to implement a blinking LED solution that can easily be programmed to create an enhanced visual experience. Fairchild’s programmable LED blinker, the FAN5646, eliminates the need for a microprocessor to be in continuous operation mode. With proprietary TinyWire™ single-wire digital interface, the FAN5646 can be programmed with a unique LED blink rate and pattern. When the FAN5646 is enabled it will continually play these LED blink patterns until commanded by the microprocessor to stop. Common approaches for solving this challenge include connecting the LED to an LDO regulator or a FET plus a lithium ion battery. Both of these implementations require a microprocessor to be programmed with a blinking pattern, draining battery life since the microprocessor needs to be continually operating to maintain this pattern.

The FAN5646 lowers the overall solution cost while providing the features and benefits designers are requesting. Key features include:

• Minimizes System Power Consumption
  • Internal programmable LED blink pattern allows the microprocessor to remain in sleep mode while FAN5646 is operating.
  • Low power consumption during operation or in shutdown mode.
• TinyWire Single-Wire Digital Interface
  • Provides designer flexibility to program different blink rates and patterns.
  • Up to two different pulse widths and blink rates can be programmed.
• Very Low Drop-out Voltage
  • 80mV drop-out enables the LED to be powered without the need for inductors or switching capacitors, minimizing component count.
  • Reduced component count results in lower inventory and procurement costs along with an easier PCB layout.
• Small Form Factor
  • Saves valuable board space in ultra-portable applications.
  • WL-CSP version occupies < 0.80mm² of area.
  • Small standard package: 5-lead SC70.

The FAN5646 is an example of Fairchild’s expertise in delivering novel lighting solutions that meet the design needs of the ultra-portable, consumer and industrial/embedded markets. Consumers today are demanding products to be visually appealing and with the FAN5646, Fairchild offers a solution to help meet these requirements while satisfying designers’ demands.

Price (each, 1,000 pcs.): US $0.50

Availability: Samples available now

Delivery: 12 weeks ARO

Contact Information:

To contact Fairchild Semiconductor about this product, please go to: http://www.fairchildsemi.com/cf/sales_contacts/.

For information on other products, design tools and sales contacts, please visit: http://www.fairchildsemi.com.

Note to Editor: For a datasheet in PDF format, please go to: http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/FA/FAN5646.pdf

About Fairchild Semiconductor:

Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS) is a global leader delivering energy-efficient power analog and power discrete solutions. Fairchild is The Power Franchise®, providing leading-edge silicon and packaging technologies, manufacturing strength and system expertise for consumer , communications, industrial , portable , computing and automotive systems. An application-driven, solution-based semiconductor supplier, Fairchild provides online design tools and design centers worldwide as part of its comprehensive Global Power Resource <