Apr 13 2010
Micrel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today rolled out the MIC3263, a six channel WLED Driver for Backlighting Applications.
This device is the first in a new series of WLED Drivers targeting small LCD Panels with a highly versatile dimming control scheme for LED brightness. The flicker-free dimming control scheme eliminates the need for an external PLL for noise filtering of the PWM signal required to dim the LED current. The MIC3263 is currently available in volume quantities, with pricing starting at $2.22 for 1K quantities.
"Micrel's MIC3263 provides the performance, flexibility and ease-of-use required by LED lighting system designers to meet backlighting challenges," noted Doyle Slack, senior marketing director of Analog Power, Linear and RF at Micrel. "In addition, the part features 16 logarithmic dimming steps, mimicking the way the human eye perceives brightness levels. This allows users to minimize programming steps when compared to industry standard products which offer linear steps."
The MIC3263 is capable of driving up to ten WLEDs in series per channel with +/-3 percent current accuracy from input voltages of 6V to 40V. With its boost current mode control architecture and integrated power switch delivering 90 percent and above efficiency, the MIC3263 is well positioned to provide constant current with changes in input voltage and output load. The solution's operating frequency is programmable from 400kHz to 1.8MHz which allows flexibility in the design. The LED channel current is programmable from 15 mA to 30 mA and includes a dedicated PWM dimming pin to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. The device features multiple LED dimming options and its 16-logarithmic dimming levels allow the dimming ratio down to 1 percent. The MIC3263 also features an enable pin for micro power shutdown, over temperature protection and an under voltage lockout. The IC has a wide range of protection features including open and short LED protection, programmable over voltage protection and an over temperature protection. In addition to enhanced power driving capability/reliability, the MIC3263 comes in a 4mm x 4mm MLF®-24L package.