EL SEGUNDO, Calif. August 2004 -- International Rectifier, IRŪ(NYSE: IRF), a world leader in power management technology, today announced the availability of a complete reference design circuit for the IR2161 halogen transformer IC. The reference design is a pre-fabricated and proven circuit for halogen lighting applications, which can simplify the design process and streamline time-to-market.

The "electronic transformer" reference circuit features compensated load regulation, short circuit and overload protection with over-temperature shutdown, and is compatible with all dimmer types. An EMI filter is also included.

All International Rectifier lighting reference designs include complete circuits with comprehensive documentation, including schematics, bill of materials, board layout, application notes, board silkscreen and data sheets. Ballast design software also is included.

Highlights of IR2161 Halogen Lamp IC

The IR2161 features adaptive deadtime control, which increases transformer reliability by continually maintaining soft switching, regardless of external conditions. The IR2161 detects the point at which the DC bus voltage in the half bridge slews to 0V and sets the low-side driver high. An internal sample and hold system allows approximately the same delay to be used to set the high-side driver high after the low-side driver has gone low.

Availability and Pricing

The IR2161 reference design, IRPLHALO1E, is available immediately. Pricing is US $175 each. Pricing for the IR2161 begins at US $0.73 each (IR2163S) in 100,000-piece quantities.