Maxim launched the industry's first 2 string HB LED driver

Maxim launched the industry's only 2 HB (Gao Liangdu) LED driver MAX16838, ideal for automotive electronics. The device integrates a boost or SEPIC switching converter, a 2 line linear current regulator and all the necessary power MOSFET. MAX16838 can optimize the conversion efficiency, provide complete fault protection, realize the brightness adjustment range of 5000:1, and do not need any external components. The HB LED driver is ideal for LCD backlight applications, especially for automotive displays in the LCD backlight.

The MAX16838 automatically adjusts the output voltage of the converter to the supply voltage required by the LED to optimize the conversion efficiency. The device is using a patent pending architecture to achieve 5000:1 ultra wide LED brightness adjustment range at 200Hz, 200kHz to 2MHz switching frequency can also be synchronized to the external clock to improve the performance of EMC. In addition, MAX16838 also provides a full range of protection functions including LED fault protection, overtemperature and overvoltage protection. If a LED is open or short circuited, the driver will automatically turn off the affected LED string, while the other string remains in operation, thereby improving the reliability of the system.

MAX16838 can provide 150mA current for each series of LED, operating at -40 DEG C to +125 DEG C temperature range, with a wide range of 4.75V to 40V input voltage range. Devices provide enhanced thermal dissipation of 4 x 4mm, 20 pin TQFN and TSSOP packages.