O2Micro International Limited, a publicly traded company on theNASDAQ supplying power management and e-commerce components and systems, has introduced its patented Free Dimming(TM) technology featuring new dimming architecture for the global LED lighting market.
 
The patented Free Dimming(TM) technology enables LED bulbs to dim using any on/off switch, thus eliminating the burden of installing expensive dimmers. It can work with any on/off switch, including wall toggles, paddle switches, pull cords, rotary switches and other types of on/off switches commonly found on walls, extension cords and table/desk lamps.
 
The products in O2Micro's Free Dimming LED driver product family, the pin-compatible OZ8022A and OZ8022B provide three-step dimming using any ordinary on/off switch. The LED drivers dim the LED bulb to one of three preset levels each time the on/off switch is toggled. For example, with each toggle action, the OZ8022A dims the LED bulb from 100% to 60% to 20% and then loops back to 100% full brightness, repeating the sequence.
 
The OZ8022B operates in reverse, starting at 20% then increases brightness to 60% then 100% with each flick of the wall switch; imitating the operation of a traditional three-way incandescent light bulb and providing even more energy savings by starting at the lowest level.
 
The OZ8022 series supports universal 85V to 265V operation, enabling one LED bulb to address the global marketplace. High efficiency greater than 89% reduces energy consumption and thermal management complexity. Integrated over-temperature, over-voltage, cycle-by-cycle current limiting, and LED short circuit protection provides safe and reliable operation. Excellent LED current regulation ensures consistent lumen output, regardless of varying line input conditions.