New LED flash controller promises to give floodlight brightness at cell phone size
 STMicroelectronics has developed an integrated camera flash and torch controller that raises the maximum power of an LED flash module from a few Watts to more than 40 Watts, producing the brightness equivalent to an outdoor security floodlight.
The STCF04 also provides extra flash and torch brightness controls, with eight user-selectable levels for the flash and 12 for the torch, as well as a light-sensor input. Flash and torch safety timers, temperature sensing and short-circuit protection features are also built in.
The STCF04 is used in a unique configuration combining a supercapacitor, a discrete high-current MOSFET switch and high-power white LEDs, and is intended for use in emergency high-intensity flashing lights as well as camera and cameraphone applications.
The discrete MOSFET is the key to the STCF04’s power advantage over other controllers that usually integrate a MOSFET of lower rating on the chip. Its extra power enables designers to provide the higher quantities of light energy required by today’s high-Mpixel camera sensors by specifying an LED flash unit rather than a conventional high-power xenon flash, thereby gaining the advantage of a compact and simplified design.
Key highlights:
Maximum flash power >40W
1 x 320mA torch current
100mA privacy indicator red LED output; 12 adjustment steps
I2C bus with selectable address
Temperature sensing, short-circuit, over-voltage and flash/torch timer safety features
25-bump 3 x 3mm TFBGA package
Availability: Sampling; full production is planned at the end of Q1 2012.
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