May 14 2010
Micrel has announced the new MIC3203 high brightness LED (HBLED) driver controller integrated chip (IC). The step-down driver controller features PWM dithering and high-side current sense for the control of EMI.
The product helps to decrease the cost and complexity of LED drivers used in applications such as architectural lighting, high current MR-16 lamps and pathway lighting.
The MIC3203 has the capability to drive many HBLEDs in a series at an efficiency level of over 90%. This efficiency level can be achieved with 5% more or less current accuracy with input voltage range of 4.5–42 V. The LED driver controller IC incorporates hysteric control architecture that makes it suitable for driving high brightness LEDs with steady current. The product is made flexible by allowing adjustments in its operating frequency up to 1.5 MHz.
Various features of the MIC3203 include an enable pin to facilitate shutdown at very low power, under voltage lockout, a PWM dimming pin and over temperature protection. As the LED driver controller is equipped with an external power switch, it does not need any external compensation. Apart from having improved reliability and capability, the LED driver controller IC is also offered in an SOIC-8L package.
Micrel’s senior marketing director for analog power, Doyle Slack said that the high-efficiency lighting segment is growing high in the electronics market, as the concern over energy costs and carbon emissions are continuously increasing. The company’s LED drivers offer flexibility, performance and user-friendliness, which are required to face the challenges in the LED lighting system industry, he noted.