Maxim MAX14514 ESD-protected DC-to-AC converter

Maxim has released the MAX14514, a ±15 kV ESD-protected, DC-to-AC converter designed for driving two electroluminescent lamps.

It uses an inductor-based boost converter to generate a high 300 VP-P (max) voltage for maximum EL lamp brightness. A high-voltage, full-bridge output converts this high voltage to the AC waveform required to drive an EL lamp.

To maximise design flexibility, the converter provides capacitor-adjustable switching frequencies, resistor-adjustable slew-rate control for audible-noise reduction and multiple options for controlling the output voltage.

The device is suitable for MP3 players, PDAs, smartphones, motor vehicle instrument clusters and other applications that require bright, efficient, even backlighting.

The converter enables aesthetic effects by featuring dimming/enable controls for each output to slowly turn on/off each lamp; the output voltage slowly ramps when the output is enabled or disabled.

Featuring a wide +2.7 to +5.5 V supply range, it accepts a variety of voltage sources, such as lithium-ion batteries and battery chargers.