iWatt Releases iW3620 Digital Controller for LED Lighting Applications

First LED IC to Manage Up to 40W Luminaires Without Opto-coupler

iWatt, Inc., a leader in digital power IC systems products and technology, today announced the release of the iW3620 Digital Controller for LED lighting applications. It is the industry’s first LED driver IC for 5-40W luminaires with primary side regulation that eliminates the need for an opto-coupler and related components thereby reducing bill-of-material cost and improving reliability.

The iW3620 is designed for both the residential and commercial lighting markets for retrofit incandescent and halogen lamp replacement with solid-state lighting. The device’s high frequency operation enables the LED driver module to fit directly inside space-constrained T5, T8, T10 or T12-size fluorescent tubes or MR16 and PAR30 retro-fit incandescent and halogen lamp replacement housing. The iW3620 enables lighting developers to achieve longer operating life and consistent luminance over varying line, load and temperature conditions.

The high performance iW3620 Digital Constant Current Controller is based on iWatt’s patented digital control technology which features up to 40W of power management for high efficiency, low EMI, and a simplified design to reduce component count that minimizes manufacturing costs.

iWatt also announced that Civilight, a leader in LED lighting products in China, has chosen the iW3620 for their products’ lighting applications.

“We have evaluated and selected the iWatt iW3620 because it delivers a lower price and higher performance,” said Mr. Zou De Zhi, Research and Development Manager for Civilight, “iWatt’s IC expertise made them the clear choice.”

“Worldwide energy efficiency legislation and rapid performance improvements in LED technology are driving the need for more power and more efficient power in smaller packages. iWatt’s adaptive digital control technology enables performance enhancements not previously available,” said Zahid Rahim, Vice President and General Manager of iWatt’s AC/DC business unit.

Key features of the iW3620 include:

• External power MOSFET for scalable 5W to 40W output power


• Primary-side feedback eliminates opto-coupler and shunt reference for increased reliability and lower cost


• Less than 5% constant current regulation over line, load and temperature allows uniform LED brightness and flicker free operation


• Quasi-resonant and proprietary multi-mode operation allows high efficiency for reduced size, weight and cost of heat sink


• Thermally enhanced SO-8 package with exposed pad allows high ambient temperature operation at 120 oC PCB temperature.


• 130kHz switching frequency enables small size LED driver PCB to fit inside space-constrained luminair housing


• Proprietary EZ EMITM design reduces EMI filtering cost and increases EMI margin


• Meets or exceeds EN55015B, IEC61000-3-2 regulatory standards with sufficient margin