Exar Launches 8-Channel LED Driver

Exar has announced that it has launched the XRP7618, 8-channel continuous current LED driver. This driver can be used to drive eight strings of multiple LEDs and can be used for backlighting applications in large and medium sized panels.

Each channel in the driver has a capacity of 100 mA and an output rate of 30 V. Multiple LED strings that have a channel to channel current matching capability of more than +/-1.5% can be controlled by the XRP7618. A combination of more than one channel can be used to enhance individual channel capacity to 800 mA. In applications that require multiple strings, additional XRP7618s can be placed alongside each other. The driver uses the Smart Talk technology from Exar to reduce overall power consumption and heat disbursement. This is possible as the XRP7618 reports the minimum voltage required to run the driver. In conditions that are not feasible, the driver has features such as an open LEDand protection from excess temperature to ensure the smooth operation of the driver.

The XRP7618 is now commercially available and is offered in an open pad 20-pin TSSOP package that is free from halogen and is compliant with RoHS. According to Eric Pittana, Director of Marketing for Power Product Line, the XRP7618 is versatile and can also be used for applications that require more than one LED.