Maxim Integrated Products has released the MAX25512, a four-channel, low-voltage automotive LED backlight driver with an Integrated boost converter. It is claimed to be the only integrated solution that keeps on-board displays intact and at constant brightness even under extremely cold startup conditions with input voltage down to 3V. The single-chip LED driver removes the external MOSFEts and current detection resistors and incorporates I²C communication to reduce BOM and board space by 30%. The highly integrated LED driver contains four 120mA channels with the highest efficiency in the industry at 2.2MHz.
Diagnostic features such as SHORT to GND on each current receiver alert the microcontroller through the I²C interface and single channel PWM Settings to ensure a safer, higher quality display. The device's low 3V input voltage and up to 91% efficiency drive the on-board display to full, constant brightness at 2.2mhz operation through the most demanding cold crank/start-stop conditions.
The device is offered in a small 24-pin, 4mm x 4mm x 0.75mm QFN package, which is highly integrated and reduces the size of the solution by 30% by eliminating external components. The device integrates a boost converter and current detection resistor, eliminating the external MOSFEts typically needed to drive car displays
Sang Oh, senior research analyst at Omdia, said: "In the next five years, the number of displays in cars is expected to grow as display sizes and resolutions increase, adapting to the functions of new cars and existing vehicles." "Continuously powering these displays to maintain full, constant brightness, while doing so as efficiently as possible, is critical for today's automakers."
Hsien Szukang, Business Management Director, Maxim Integrated Automotive Division, said, "Automakers are demanding higher integration of LED drivers to reduce solution costs and PCB areas. "Maxim Integrated's MAX25512 LED driver delivers the highest level of integration and efficiency at 2.2MHz switching frequency."
