California Micro Devices Introduces New LuxGuard(TM) ESD Protection Solution for High Brightness LEDs

MILPITAS, California -

- Industry’s First 100v Breakdown Voltage ESD Solution for High Power Solid State Lighting Applications

California Micro Devices (Nasdaq: CAMD) today announced the latest product in the LuxGuard(TM) family of turnkey solutions for ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection and thermal management for high power, high brightness light emitting diode (HBLED) lighting applications. The new CM1771 is the industry’s first ESD protection solution for HBLED applications to feature a 100 volt breakdown voltage. This enhanced level of ESD protection is a requirement for a growing segment of high power HBLED lighting applications that feature high output power, high efficacy levels reaching over 120 lumens per watt or those utilizing multiple HBLEDs driven in a serial arrangement. Delivering ESD protection at high operating voltages poses the new challenge of dissipating a higher level of power during an ESD strike, and also in maintaining acceptably low dynamic clamp voltages. A silicon-based, side mount protection solution with a back-to-back electrical configuration, the LuxGuard CM1771 provides robust, symmetrical ESD protection and features a very small, cost effective die that can easily be integrated into a broad range of HBLED lamp modules.

Growing Market for High Power HBLEDs

The market for high power, HBLEDs has expanded beyond traditional market segments such as status and alphanumeric displays into a wider range of lighting applications including display backlighting, automotive, signs, and residential and commercial lighting. Market research firm iSuppli forecasts that the market for HBLEDs will increase from US$1.5 billion in 2009 to US$3.8 billion in 2012, a compound annual growth rate of 47 percent. Many of these segments, such as display backlighting and residential and commercial lighting, are taking advantage of designs featuring multiple, high power HBLEDs designed in a serial configuration, often with as many as thirty to forty HBLEDs per string to increase the brightness level. Existing side mount ESD protection solutions for HBLED offer breakdown voltages of less than 50 volts, making them incapable of providing a single chip solution for these higher power and multiple HBLED applications.

CM1771 Specifications

The CM1771 is the industry’s first ESD protection solution for high power HBLED applications to feature a 100 volt breakdown voltage. Critical specifications include:

- Back-to-back zener diode configuration for bi-directional ESD protection - Safely dissipates ESD strikes of at least 6 kV, Human Body Model (HBM) - 100 volt breakdown voltage (typical) - Top pad composition: Gold - Compact flip chip package

Pricing and Availability

Samples are available in October 2009 with mass production scheduled for Q1 2010. Samples are priced at US$0.05 per unit with a minimum purchase of one wafer.

The LuxGuard Advantage

With a number of design options, LuxGuard products leverage CMD’s significant process, design and application knowledge and provide customers with the superior value of application specific solution, while enjoying the lower costs associated with higher volume, general customer solutions. To find out how to realize the LuxGuard Advantage for your next design, please go to: www.cmd.com/news_events/product_announcements/cm1771_08-31-09.php.

About California Micro Devices Corporation

California Micro Devices Corporation is a leading supplier of protection devices for the mobile handset, high brightness LED (HBLED), digital consumer electronics and personal computer markets. Detailed corporate and product information may be accessed at www.cmd.com.

The CMD logo is a registered trademark, and LuxGuard is a trademark of California Micro Devices Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Source: California Micro Devices

Kyle Baker, +1-408-934-3117, kyleb at cmd.com