Melexis miniaturises LED drivers for automotive lighting
Ambient LED lighting is now a key design feature for automotive manufacturers, enhancing the end-user’s experience and helping OEMs to provide striking visual distinction. With well known OEMs utilising ambient lighting extensively across their latest models, maintaining a reliable supply chain is paramount.
As a successor to Melexis’ MLX81113, the new third-generation MLX81123 features a SOIC8 and a small DFN-8 3mm x 3mm packaging. This miniaturisation enables the use of light in any location of the car, whereas before there were limitations due to space constraints. Manufactured using cutting-edge silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, the MLX81123’s miniaturisation allows for an increased number of ICs per wafer.
With common software design and pin-to-pin compatibility (SOIC 8) with its predecessor, it offers effortless integration into existing designs. Replacement of current MLX81113 chips with the new MLX81123 is often possible without a full development cycle.
The MLX81123 delivers RGB according to LIN 2. x and SAE J2602. For safety applications, it supports system integration up to ASIL B under ISO 26262.
The 16-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) is equipped with 2 KB RAM, 32 KB of application-usable flash, and a system ROM with a bootloader and LIN driver. A built-in 512 B EEPROM allows for effective configuration, such as LED calibration coefficients, which are needed to ensure uniform cabin brightness and colour representation.
The MLX81123’s LIN system includes a transceiver and protocol handler, which facilitate the seamless connection between RGB ambient modules and the pre-existing LIN network of the vehicle. Featuring four high-voltage I/O with free configurable current sources (up to 60 mA), the MLX81123 can support RGB and white LEDs from a wide range of suppliers, allowing for greater procurement flexibility. The IC’s independent 16-bit PWM output provides precise colour and brightness control of any connected LEDs, meeting the demands of a variety of vehicle ambient applications such as door trim, accent, and interior cabin lights.
In sleep mode, the MLX81123 exhibits a typical standby current consumption of just 25 µA and features a 28 V jump start, as well as battery monitoring with over and under-voltage detection. The operating temperature is a wide -40°C to +125°C with a built-in temperature sensor for thermal monitoring, ideal for even the most demanding automotive environments.
