Panasonic has developed a four-channel LED driver LSI (model number: AN37010) that can drive multiple LEDs connected in series for edge-type LED backlight LCD TVs, thanks to the adoption of 190V voltage processing technology. A single chip of the Panasonic AN37010 LED driver LSI can drive up to 228 LEDs (for 42-inch TV) in four light bars, each of which consisting of 57 LEDs, in a backlight of an LCD display and also incorporates four current sources with a 190V voltage, a boost converter, and various protection circuits. This technology contributes to the down-sizing and cost-reduction of LED backlight modules. Panasonic AN37010) supports ON-OFF control, which the LED backlight in LCD TVs uses to improve the picture quality and reduce power consumption.
Samples of Panasonic AN37010 LED driver LSI will be available in March 2011 at a cost of 200 yen($2.40) each. Building on the development of this new chip, Panasonic will further develop a series of LED driver LSIs that support applications for displays with high picture quality across a wide range of sizes.