Abstract: An inverter for powering an electroluminescent lamp includes a supply terminal, a ground terminal, a first switching transistor, an inductor, and a second switcing transistor connected in series between the supply terminal and the ground terminal. As implemented in a semiconductor device, one of the switching transistors in a discrete device and the other of the switching transistors is included in the same die as the driving circuit for the switching transistors. The sum of die cost, packaging cost, and external device cost is a minimum for a single, external power transistor.