Oct 20, 2006 - SAN JOSE, Calif., OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, a leader in light-emitting diode (LED) technology, today announced the newest generation of its side-emitting MicroSIDELED®, which has a 30 percent higher luminous intensity than the previous generation. Thanks to further advances in ThinFilm technology, a single LED can now produce 1.6 cd opposed to the previous 0.9 cd.
"OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is pleased to introduce its latest generation of MicroSIDELEDs, which help to reduce the costs of display backlighting and also maximize battery life in mobile terminals," Ellen Sizemore, director, LED/IR Marketing, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Inc., said. "With its higher luminous intensity and compact size, this new MicroSIDELED is ideal for numerous low-profile backlighting applications."

The new OSRAM Opto Semiconductors MicroSIDELED is just 0.6 mm tall, making it even more compact than its predecessor, which measures 0.8 mm. Its compact height, together with its side beam characteristics, makes it ideal for numerous low-profile backlighting applications. 

Together with a team of 50 other companies, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is working on a project that aims to identify and exploit potential energy savings in order to maximize battery life in mobile devices. In support of this initiative, at this year's Display Fair in Yokohama, Japan, (Oct. 18-20), Intel will host the "Extended Battery Life" display. This unique display will feature a laptop display demo using 60 MicroSIDELEDs to backlight the 15-inch screen. This new laptop display consumes just 4.4W, and achieves a maximum luminance of approximately 220 cd/m2, outperforming the higher-wattage displays equipped with cold-cathode fluorescence lamps.

Producing the required luminance of almost 220 cd/m(2), these ultra-efficient light sources also operate with a lower current. Additional savings can be realized by dimming the display backlighting according to the amount of ambient daylight available. This can be done either manually or with the aid of an ambient light sensor. For a comparison value of 60 cd/m(2) consumption is reduced to 1W.

The new MicroSIDELED is just 0.6 mm tall, making it even more compact than its predecessor, which measures 0.8 mm. Its compact height, together with its side beam characteristics, enables the design of low-profile displays.

For further information, including product data sheets and pricing, please contact a local OSRAM sales representative at www.osram-os.com or 1.888.446.7726.

About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a wholly owned subsidiary of OSRAM, one of the world's two leading lighting manufacturers. It offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications. The company operates sites in Regensburg (Germany), San Jose (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). For the fiscal year ending in September 2005, the more than 3,500 employees of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors achieved a sales volume of 452 million euros. For more information, visit www.osram-os.com .