STMicroelectronics said it has used a silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-based process to create a more efficient power-supply solution for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays.

IHS iSuppli analysts have predicted that the increasing use of AMOLED displays in smartphones and other slim-line electronics such as digital cameras and appliance user interfaces will drive annual AMOLED shipments to $3.6 billion by 2015, up from about $600 million in 2008.

AMOLED displays are ultra thin, and offer wider viewing angles than today’s LCD-based cellphone displays, said Sergio Pioppo, director of the handheld and portable consumer business unit at STMicroelectronics.  AMOLEDs have more complex power requirements than LCDs and need both a positive and negative voltage. ST’s power solution, the STOD13AS, derives two advantages from the use of SOI technology: improved energy efficiency, and high immunity to cellphone-communication noise which can result in flicker on the display, Pioppo said.

As the successor to ST’s STOD03A, the STOD13AS integrates the step-up and inverting DC/DC converters needed to generate the positive and negative supplies required for AMOLED display. The new solution includes increased display-driving capability as well as additional short-circuit and overload protection modes.

It has energy-saving features, including an Enable pin, which allows the application to completely turn off the STOD13AS when it doesn’t need to use the display, and pulse-skipping operation that optimizes efficiency when the display is consuming minimal power.

STMicron said the device offers:

•           Typical efficiency of 85%

•           Output current capability increased from 200mA to 250mA

•           Low output ripple and high immunity to GSM noise

•           1.5MHz operating frequency enabling small external components

•           2.5V-4.5V input voltage range

•           +4.6V positive output

•           User-programmable negative output voltage

The STOD13AS is in volume production now, in a DFN12L 3 x 3mm package, priced at $1.08 for orders of 1,000 units. Alternative pricing options may be available for higher quantities, the company said.

Tags: AMOLED, SOI, STMicroelectronics

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 8:57 am and is filed under Top Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.