STMicroelectronics announces world’s first universal lighting controller

Domestic, commercial and public lighting systems can now be made greener, more economical, safer and more flexible, thanks to a unique device introduced by STMicroelectronics. The world’s first programmable digital controller specifically optimized for lighting and power-supply applications, the new STLUX385 (Masterlux platform) simplifies the design of traditional power-conversion topologies, enabling faster development of innovative lighting systems. The key to the new possibilities for improving the performance of LED, fluorescent and HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lighting systems is the STLUX385’s combination of a proven, cost-effective STM8 microprocessor core and a unique set of peripherals aimed at simplifying the design of the lighting power supply and digital control of the lights.

Depending on factors such as the lighting technology used, the input power source (AC or DC), dimming requirements and safety or reliability issues, many different types of power conversion and control topologies are required in the current and emerging lighting applications and the STLUX385 is the first device able to address all of these via a single programmable chip. The STLUX385 is available now in a compact TSSOP38 package at a price of US$2 in quantities of 1,000 units.