AEC-Q100-rated LED driver simplifies rear lamp cluster design
Automotive exterior illumination can be further simplified with the AL5873Q, a three-channel linear LED driver from Diodes.
The three-channel linear LED driver simplifies rear lamp cluster designs, says the company. It is an automotive-compliant, AEC-Q100 Grade 1-qualified device which meets the demands of vehicle design and is rated for 125 degrees C ambient temperature operation. It also delivers energy and space savings, says Diodes, for low overall system costs. Each of the AL5873Q’s channels can drive up to 250mA, and is set via two reference resistors, which are connected to the driver IC’s REF1 and REF2 pins. There is support for two different LED current levels to streamline lighting systems by using the same LED in rear lamp clusters for tail and brake lights to lower the bill of materials (BoM) cost.
The AL5873Q has analogue and master PWM dimming control, supporting a maximum PWM frequency of 1kHz. The PWM dimming function is pivotal in improving current accuracy when LEDs are being driven at low current levels. The current on each channel is regulated to within a ± four per cent tolerance, which allows better channel-channel matching in the rear combination lamps. The LED driver goes into standby mode if no PWM signal is detected.
The AL5873Q has built-in protection features with a bi-directional (input/output) fault pin which flags any faults. It also allows up to four devices to have their fault pins connected together, so that any faults identified are commonly reported. As part of its protection feature set, an internal junction temperature monitoring circuit reduces the LED current if its defined threshold temperature is exceeded. In addition to this thermal foldback, thermal shutdown and LED string-open /-short protection mechanisms are also included, as well as input under-voltage lockout.
The AL5873Q is supplied in a compact 16-pin TSSOP package, supports PPAP documentation, and is manufactured in IATF 16949 certified facilities.
