Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are becoming a very popular display technology for televisions (TVs). According to the research firm IDC™, the number of LCD TVs will grow to 50 million units in 2007 (source: IDC press release dated 1/22/04). LCD panels are actually electronically controlled light valves that require a backlight source to produce a visible image. LCD TVs typically use cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) for this purpose. (See the sidebar CCFLs, page 14, for further information.) Other technologies, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), have been considered, but high cost has limited their adoption. This article focuses on the design challenges of driving and controlling multiple CCFLs for backlighting large LCD panels like those in LCD TVs.
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