Implementation of compact low cost linear LED drivers to replace
boost converters for backlighting applications in portable products.

LED technology is widely used for backlighting
applications in the majority of today’s portable
products. Strong requirements such as low power
consumption, low quiescent current, reduced PCB
area and maximum battery life are driving LED
power management solutions to become highly
integrated. System designers are facing significant
challenges as they must consider many LED power
management options when designing LED drivers for
portable devices such as PDAs and cell phones.
Meeting the overall design requirements of
longer battery life in the smallest PCB area at the
lowest cost would not be possible to achieve without
integrated LED power management solutions.
This article will describe and explain the design
considerations for implementing a highly integrated
linear LED driver to replace a conventional boost
converter for backlighting applications in PDAs or
cell phones.