The MAX20078 is a high-voltage, synchronous n-channel MOSFET controller for high-current buck LED drivers. The device uses a proprietary average current-mode-control scheme to regulate the inductor current. This control method does not need any control-loop compensation while maintaining nearly constant switching frequency. Inductor current sense is achieved by sensing the current in the bottom synchronous n-channel MOSFET. It does not require any current sense at high voltages. The device operates over a wide 4.5V to 65V input range. The device is designed for high-frequency operation and can operate at switching frequencies as high as 1MHz. The high- and low-side gate drivers have peak source and sink current capability of 2A. The driver block also includes a logic circuit that provides an adaptive nonoverlap time to prevent shoot-through currents during transition. The device includes both analog and PWM dimming. The device includes a 5V VCC regulator capable of delivering 10mA to external circuitry. The device also includes a current monitor that provides an analog voltage proportional to the inductor current. The device has a fault flag that indicates open and shorts across the output. Protection features include inductor current-limit protection, overvoltage protection, and thermal shutdown. The MAX20078 is available in a space-saving (3mm × 3mm), 16-pin TQFN or a 16-pin TSSOP package and is specified to operate over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. Design Solution: Driver Monitoring Systems Need a New Breed of IR-LED Drivers › Design Solution: Achieve Superior Automotive Exterior Lighting with a High-Power Buck LED Controller ›ApplicationsAutomotive Front LightsAutomotive Matrix LightsConstant-Current RegulatorsHead-Up Displays

The MAX20090 is a single-channel high-brightness LED (HB LED) driver for automotive front-light applications such as high beam, low beam, daytime running lights (DRLs), turn indicators, fog lights, and other LED lights. It can take an input voltage from 5V to 65V and drive a string of LEDs with a maximum output voltage of 65V. The device senses output current at the high side of the LED string. High-side current sensing is required to protect for shorts from the output to the ground or battery input. It is also the most flexible scheme for driving LEDs, allowing boost, high-side buck, SEPIC mode, or buck-boost-mode configurations. The PWM input provides LED dimming ratios of up to 1000:1, and the ICTRL input provides additional analog dimming capability in the controller. The device also includes a fault flag ( active-low FLT) that indicates open string, shorted string, and thermal shutdown. The device has built-in spread-spectrum modulation for improved electromagnetic-compatibility performance. The device can also be used in zeta and Cuk converter configurations, if necessary in some applications. The MAX20090 is available in a space-saving (4mm × 4mm), 20-pin TQFN, 20-pin side-wettable TQFN, or a 20-pin TSSOP package and is specified to operate over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. Design Solution: Driver Monitoring Systems Need a New Breed of IR-LED Drivers › Design Solution: Flexible LED Controller Simplifies Automotive Exterior Lighting Design ›ApplicationsAutomotive Exterior LightingCommercial, Industrial, and Architectural LightingDaytime Running Lights (DRLs)Fog Lights and Adaptive Front-Light AssembliesHead-Up DisplaysHigh-Beam/Low-Beam/Signal/Position Lights

The MAX20096/MAX20097 are dual-channel, high-voltage, synchronous n-channel high-current buck LED drivers. The ICs use a proprietary average current-mode-control scheme to regulate the inductor current. This control method does not require any control-loop compensation, maintaining nearly constant switching frequency. Inductor current sense is achieved by sensing the current in the bottom switching device. The ICs integrate two fully synchronous buck-converter controllers, and operate over a wide 4.5V to 65V input range. The ICs are designed for high-frequency operation and can operate at switching frequencies as high as 1MHz. In the MAX20096, the output voltages and currents on both channels and the junction temperature can be read back through the SPI interface. Protection features include inductor current-limit protection, overvoltage protection, and thermal shutdown. The MAX20096 is available in a space-saving thermally enhanced (5mm × 5mm), 32-pin side-wettable TQFN package and is specified to operate over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. The MAX20097 is available in a 28-pin thermally enhanced TSSOP package, but does not have the SPI interface. It includes an open-drain fault flag (FLTB) that goes low in case of an open string, shorted string, or overvoltage activation in any one of the channels, or also in thermal shutdown. Design Solution: Improve Matrix Lighting with the Next Generation of LED Controllers and Switches ›Automotive HB LED Controllers for Matrix and Pixel LightingApplicationsAutomotive Exterior LightingCommercial, Industrial, and Architectural LightingDaytime Running Lights (DRLs)Fog Light and Adaptive Front Light AssembliesHigh-Beam/Low-Beam/Signal/Position Lights

The MAX16813 high-efficiency, high-brightness LED (HB LED) driver provides four integrated LED current-sink channels. An integrated current-mode switching controller drives a DC-DC converter that provides the necessary voltage to multiple strings of HB LEDs. The device accepts a wide 4.75V to 40V input voltage range and withstands direct automotive load-dump events. The wide input range allows powering HB LEDs for small- to medium-sized LCD displays in automotive and general lighting applications.An internal current-mode switching DC-DC controller supports boost or SEPIC topologies and operates in an adjustable frequency range between 200kHz and 2MHz. An integrated spread-spectrum mode helps reduce EMI. Current-mode control with programmable slope compensation provides fast response and simplifies loop compensation. An adaptive output-voltage control scheme minimizes power dissipation in the LED current-sink paths. The device has a separate p-channel drive (PGATE) pin that is used for output undervoltage protection. Whenever the output falls below the threshold, the external p-MOSFET is latched off, disconnecting the input source. Cycling the EN or the input supply is required to restart the converter. The external p-MOSFET is off when the EN pin is below 0.3V (typ). The shutdown current is 1µA (typ) at an input voltage of 12V.The device consists of four identical linear current-sink channels, adjustable from 20mA to 150mA with an accuracy of ±3% using a single external resistor. Multiple channels can be connected in parallel to achieve higher current per LED string. The device also features a unique pulsed dimming control through a logic input (DIM), with minimum pulse width as low as 500ns. Protection features include output overvoltage, open-LED detection and protection, programmable shorted LED detection and protection, output undervoltage protection and detection, and overtemperature protection. The device operates over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. The MAX16813 is available in 20-pin (6.5mm x 4.4mm) TSSOP and 20-pin (4mm x 4mm) TQFN packages.ApplicationsArchitectural, Industrial, and Ambient LightingAutomotive Displays LED BacklightsAutomotive RCL, DRL, Front Position, and Fog LightsLCD TV and Desktop Display LED Backlights

The MAX16813 high-efficiency, high-brightness LED (HB LED) driver provides four integrated LED current-sink channels. An integrated current-mode switching controller drives a DC-DC converter that provides the necessary voltage to multiple strings of HB LEDs. The device accepts a wide 4.75V to 40V input voltage range and withstands direct automotive load-dump events. The wide input range allows powering HB LEDs for small- to medium-sized LCD displays in automotive and general lighting applications.An internal current-mode switching DC-DC controller supports boost or SEPIC topologies and operates in an adjustable frequency range between 200kHz and 2MHz. An integrated spread-spectrum mode helps reduce EMI. Current-mode control with programmable slope compensation provides fast response and simplifies loop compensation. An adaptive output-voltage control scheme minimizes power dissipation in the LED current-sink paths. The device has a separate p-channel drive (PGATE) pin that is used for output undervoltage protection. Whenever the output falls below the threshold, the external p-MOSFET is latched off, disconnecting the input source. Cycling the EN or the input supply is required to restart the converter. The external p-MOSFET is off when the EN pin is below 0.3V (typ). The shutdown current is 1µA (typ) at an input voltage of 12V.The device consists of four identical linear current-sink channels, adjustable from 20mA to 150mA with an accuracy of ±3% using a single external resistor. Multiple channels can be connected in parallel to achieve higher current per LED string. The device also features a unique pulsed dimming control through a logic input (DIM), with minimum pulse width as low as 500ns. Protection features include output overvoltage, open-LED detection and protection, programmable shorted LED detection and protection, output undervoltage protection and detection, and overtemperature protection. The device operates over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. The MAX16813 is available in 20-pin (6.5mm x 4.4mm) TSSOP and 20-pin (4mm x 4mm) TQFN packages.ApplicationsArchitectural, Industrial, and Ambient LightingAutomotive Displays LED BacklightsAutomotive RCL, DRL, Front Position, and Fog LightsLCD TV and Desktop Display LED Backlights

The MAX16813 high-efficiency, high-brightness LED (HB LED) driver provides four integrated LED current-sink channels. An integrated current-mode switching controller drives a DC-DC converter that provides the necessary voltage to multiple strings of HB LEDs. The device accepts a wide 4.75V to 40V input voltage range and withstands direct automotive load-dump events. The wide input range allows powering HB LEDs for small- to medium-sized LCD displays in automotive and general lighting applications.An internal current-mode switching DC-DC controller supports boost or SEPIC topologies and operates in an adjustable frequency range between 200kHz and 2MHz. An integrated spread-spectrum mode helps reduce EMI. Current-mode control with programmable slope compensation provides fast response and simplifies loop compensation. An adaptive output-voltage control scheme minimizes power dissipation in the LED current-sink paths. The device has a separate p-channel drive (PGATE) pin that is used for output undervoltage protection. Whenever the output falls below the threshold, the external p-MOSFET is latched off, disconnecting the input source. Cycling the EN or the input supply is required to restart the converter. The external p-MOSFET is off when the EN pin is below 0.3V (typ). The shutdown current is 1µA (typ) at an input voltage of 12V.The device consists of four identical linear current-sink channels, adjustable from 20mA to 150mA with an accuracy of ±3% using a single external resistor. Multiple channels can be connected in parallel to achieve higher current per LED string. The device also features a unique pulsed dimming control through a logic input (DIM), with minimum pulse width as low as 500ns. Protection features include output overvoltage, open-LED detection and protection, programmable shorted LED detection and protection, output undervoltage protection and detection, and overtemperature protection. The device operates over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. The MAX16813 is available in 20-pin (6.5mm x 4.4mm) TSSOP and 20-pin (4mm x 4mm) TQFN packages.ApplicationsArchitectural, Industrial, and Ambient LightingAutomotive Displays LED BacklightsAutomotive RCL, DRL, Front Position, and Fog LightsLCD TV and Desktop Display LED Backlights

The MAX1698 and MAX1698A are efficient drivers forwhite or color LEDs. They are ideal for large LED backlitdisplays in PDAs and laptop computers. Numerousbenefits include greater simplicity, lower cost, higherefficiency, longer bulb life, and greater reliability whencompared to fluorescent (CCFL) and electroluminescent(EL) lamps.The MAX1698/MAX1698A are switch-mode boost controllersin which LED current, rather than output voltage,is regulated The devices drive series-connected LEDswith a controlled current that is measured with a typically15Ω sense resistor, not an expensive fractional-ohm value. LED current control and dimming are accomplishedwith an adjust input (ADJ). For larger light output,multiple LED banks can be connected in parallelwith up to 5W total output power.The MAX1698A has a higher, and more accuratelyspecified, CS current limit than the MAX1698 for higherpowerapplications of 5W or more. Both devices aresupplied in a space-saving 10-pin µMAX package thatoccupies half the space of an 8-pin SO. An evaluationkit (MAX1698EVKIT) is available to speed designs.ApplicationsBacklight for LCD PanelsBattery-Powered Backlight ApplicationsCell PhonesHandy TerminalsPDAs

The MAX1698 and MAX1698A are efficient drivers forwhite or color LEDs. They are ideal for large LED backlitdisplays in PDAs and laptop computers. Numerousbenefits include greater simplicity, lower cost, higherefficiency, longer bulb life, and greater reliability whencompared to fluorescent (CCFL) and electroluminescent(EL) lamps.The MAX1698/MAX1698A are switch-mode boost controllersin which LED current, rather than output voltage,is regulated The devices drive series-connected LEDswith a controlled current that is measured with a typically15Ω sense resistor, not an expensive fractional-ohm value. LED current control and dimming are accomplishedwith an adjust input (ADJ). For larger light output,multiple LED banks can be connected in parallelwith up to 5W total output power.The MAX1698A has a higher, and more accuratelyspecified, CS current limit than the MAX1698 for higherpowerapplications of 5W or more. Both devices aresupplied in a space-saving 10-pin µMAX package thatoccupies half the space of an 8-pin SO. An evaluationkit (MAX1698EVKIT) is available to speed designs.ApplicationsBacklight for LCD PanelsBattery-Powered Backlight ApplicationsCell PhonesHandy TerminalsPDAs

The MAX6956 compact, serial-interfaced LED display driver/I/O expander provide microprocessors with up to 28 ports. Each port is individually user configurable to either a logic input, logic output, or common-anode (CA) LED constant-current segment driver. Each port configured as an LED segment driver behaves as a digitally controlled constant-current sink, with 16 equal current steps from 1.5mA to 24mA. The LED drivers are suitable for both discrete LEDs and CA numeric and alphanumeric LED digits.Each port configured as a general-purpose I/O (GPIO) can be either a push-pull logic output capable of sinking 10mA and sourcing 4.5mA, or a Schmitt logic input with optional internal pullup. Seven ports feature configurable transition detection logic, which generates an interrupt upon change of port logic level. The MAX6956 is controlled through an I²C-compatible 2-wire serial interface, and uses four-level logic to allow 16 I²C addresses from only 2 select pins.The MAX6956AAX and MAX6956ATL have 28 ports and are available in 36-pin SSOP and 40-pin thin QFN packages, respectively. The MAX6956AAI and MAX6956ANI have 20 ports and are available in 28-pin SSOP and 28-pin DIP packages, respectively.For an SPI-interfaced version, refer to the MAX6957 data sheet. For a lower cost pin-compatible port expander without the constant-current LED drive capability, refer to the MAX7300 data sheet.ApplicationsAutomotiveBar Graph DisplaysIndustrial ControllersPanel MetersSet-Top BoxesSystem MonitoringWhite Goods

The MAX6966/MAX6967 serial-interfaced peripheralsprovide microprocessors with 10 I/O ports rated to 7V.Each port can be individually configured as either: A 20mA constant-current LED driver (static or pulsewidthmodulated (PWM)). A 10mA constant-current LED driver (static or PWM). An open-drain logic output. An overvoltage-protected Schmitt logic input.Analog and switching LED intensity control is built in: Individual 8-bit PWM control per output. Individual 1-bit analog control (half/full) per output. Global 3-bit analog control applies to all LED outputs.PWM timing of the 10 port outputs may be optionallystaggered, consecutively phased in 45° increments.This spreads the PWM load currents over time in eightsteps, helping to even out the power-supply currentand reduce the RMS current.The MAX6966/MAX6967 can be configured to awakefrom shutdown on receipt of a minimum 3ms pulse onthe active-low CS input. This hardware-wakeup feature allows apower-management controller or similar ASIC to enablethe MAX6966/MAX6967 with preconfigured LED intensitysettings.Shutdown can be programmed to wait up to 4s, fadedown the sink currents to zero for a period of 1/16s to4s, and then shut down. A similar ramp-up from shutdowncan be programmed for 1/16s to 4s.The MAX6966/MAX6967 support hot insertion. All portpins remain high impedance in power-down (V+ = 0V)with up to 8V asserted on them.The DOUT/OSC pin can be configured as either theserial interface data output or optional PWM clockinput. The MAX6966 powers up defaulting as DOUToutput. The MAX6967 defaults as OSC input.For a similar part without the constant-current controls,refer to the MAX7317 data sheet.ApplicationsCell PhonesKeypad BacklightsLCD BacklightsLED Status IndicationPortable EquipmentRGB LED Drivers