NSC LM3909

LM3909 LED Flasher/Oscillator
General Description
Features
The LM3909 is a monolithic oscillator specifically designed
to flash Light Emitting Diodes. By using the timing capacitor
for voltage boost, it delivers pulses of 2 or more volts to the
LED while operating on a supply of 1.5V or less. The circuit
is inherently self-starting, and requires addition of only a battery and capacitor to function as an LED flasher.
Packaged in an 8-lead plastic mini-DIP, the LM3909 will operate over the extended consumer temperature range of
b 25§ C to a 70§ C. It has been optimized for low power drain
and operation from weak batteries so that continuous operation life exceeds that expected from battery rating.
Application is made simple by inclusion of internal timing
resistors and an internal LED current limit resistor. As
shown in the first two application circuits, the timing resistors supplied are optimized for nominal flashing rates and
minimum power drain at 1.5V and 3V.
Timing capacitors will generally be of the electrolytic type,
and a small 3V rated part will be suitable for any LED flasher
using a supply up to 6V. However, when picking flash rates,
it should be remembered that some electrolytics have very
broad capacitance tolerances, for example b20% to
a 100%.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Operation over one year from one C size flashlight cell
Bright, high current LED pulse
Minimum external parts
Low cost
Low voltage operation, from just over 1V to 5V
Low current drain, averages under 0.5 mA during
battery life
Powerful; as an oscillator directly drives an 8X speaker
Wide temperature range
Applications
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Finding flashlights in the dark, or locating boat mooring
floats
Sales and advertising gimmicks
Emergency locators, for instance on fire extinguishers
Toys and novelties
Electronic applications such as trigger and sawtooth
generators
Siren for toy fire engine, (combined oscillator, speaker
driver)
Warning indicators powered by 1.4V to 200V
Schematic Diagram
Connection Diagram
Typical 1.5V Flasher
Dual-In-Line Package
TL/H/7969 – 2
Top View
Order Number LM3909N
See NS Package Number N08E
TL/H/7969 – 1
C1995 National Semiconductor Corporation
TL/H/7969
RRD-B30M115/Printed in U. S. A.
LM3909 LED Flasher/Oscillator
February 1995
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Operating Temperature Range
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required,
please contact the National Semiconductor Sales
Office/Distributors for availability and specifications.
Power Dissipation
V a Voltage
b 25§ C to a 70§ C
Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 sec.)
260§ C
500 mW
6.4V
Electrical Characteristics
Parameter
Supply Voltage
Conditions
(Applications Note 3)
(In Oscillation)
Min
Typ
Max
6.0
V
0.55
0.75
mA
1.0
1.3
Hz
1.15
Operating Current
0.65
Units
Flash Frequency
300 mF, 5% Capacitor
High Flash Frequency
0.30 mF, 5% Capacitor
Compatible LED Forward Drop
1 mA Forward Current
Peak LED Current
350 mF Capacitor
45
mA
Pulse Width
350 mF Capacitors at (/2 Amplitude
6.0
ms
1.1
1.35
kHz
2.1
Typical Applications (See applications notes on following page)
Triac Trigger
Provides 40 mA. 10 ms pulses at about 8 kHz.
Triac gate may be pulse transformer isolated if
desired.
TL/H/7969 – 3
2
V
Typical Applications (Continued)(See applications notes below)
Warning Flasher High Voltage Powered
Typical Operating Conditions
Va
Nominal
Flash Hz
CT
RS
RFB
V a RANGE
6V
15V
2
2
400 mF
180 mF
1.5k
1k
5V – 25V
13V – 50V
100V
1.7
180 mF
1k
3.9k
43k
1W
1k
85V – 200V
TL/H/7969 – 4
1.5V Flasher
TL/H/7969 – 6
Estimated Battery Life
(Continuous 1.5V Flasher Operation)
TL/H/7969 – 5
Type
Size Cell
Note: Nominal flash rate: 1 Hz.
AA
C
D
Standard
Alkaline
3 months
7 months
1.3 years
6 months
15 months
2.6 years
Note: Estimates are made from our tests and manufacturers
data. Conditions are fresh batteries and room temperature. Clad
or ‘‘leak-proof’’ batteries are recommended for any application
of five months or more. Nickel Cadmium cells are not recommended.
APPLICATIONS NOTES
Note 1: All capacitors shown are electrolytic unless marked otherwise.
Note 2: Flash rates and frequencies assume a g 5% capacitor tolerance. Electrolytics may vary b 20% to a 100% of their stated value.
Note 3: Unless noted, measurements above are made with a 1.4V supply, a 25§ C ambient temperature, and an LED with a forward drop of 1.5V to 1.7V at 1 mA
forward current.
Note 4: Occasionally a flasher circuit will fail to oscillate due to an LED defect that may be missed because it only reduces light output 10% or so. Such LEDs can
be identified by a large increase in conduction between 0.9V and 1.2V.
3
Typical Applications (Continued) (See applications notes on previous page)
3V Flasher
Minimum Power at 1.5V
TL/H/7969 – 8
Note: Nominal flash rate: 1.1 Hz. Average IDRAIN e 0.32 mA.
TL/H/7969–7
Note: Nominal flash rate: 1 Hz. Average IDRAIN e 0.77 mA.
Fast Blinker
TL/H/7969 – 11
Note: Winking LED inside, locates light in total darkness.
TL/H/7969–9
Note: Nominal flash rate: 2.6 Hz. Average IDRAIN e 1.2 mA.
4
Typical Applications (Continued) (See applications notes above)
Flashlight Finder
TL/H/7969 – 10
Note: LM3909, capacitor, and LED are installed in a white translucent cap on the flashlight’s back end. Only one
contact strip (in addition to the case connection) is needed for flasher power. Drawing current through the bulb
simplifies wiring and causes negligible loss since bulb resistance cold is typically less than 2X.
4 Parallel LEDs
High Efficiency Parallel Circuit
TL/H/7969 – 12
TL/H/7969 – 13
Note: Nominal flash rate: 1.3 Hz. Average IDRAIN e 2 mA.
Note: Nominal flash rate: 1.5 Hz. Average IDRAIN e 1.5 mA.
5
Typical Applications (Continued) (See applications notes above)
1 kHz Square Wave
TL/H/7969 – 15
Note: Output voltage through a 10k load to ground.
TL/H/7969 – 14
‘‘Buzz Box’’ Continuity and Coil Checker
Variable Flasher
TL/H/7969 – 17
Note: Flash rate: 0 Hz–20 Hz.
TL/H/7969 – 16
Note: Differences between shorts, coils, and a few ohms of resistance can be
heard.
6
Typical Applications (Continued) (See applications notes above)
LED Booster
Incandescent Bulb Flasher
TL/H/7969 – 18
Note: High efficiency, 4 mA drain. Continuous appearing light obtained by supplying
short, high current, pulses (2 kHz) to LEDs with higher than battery voltage available.
TL/H/7969 – 19
Note: Flash rate: 1.5 Hz.
Emergency Lantern/Flasher
TL/H/7969 – 20
Note: Nominal flash rate: 1.5 Hz.
7
LM3909 LED Flasher/Oscillator
Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters)
Molded Dual-In-Line Package (N)
Order Number LM3909N
NS Package Number N08E
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