Maxim Integrated Products (PINKSHEETS: MXIM) introduces the MAX16816, a high-voltage, programmable, high-brightness (HB) LED driver for automotive and general lighting applications.
Synopsis for Investor:
A. The MAX16816 is specifically tailored to meet the requirements of the latest front light automotive designs, such as high- and low-beam assemblies, adaptive front light systems, daytime running lights (DRLs), and fog lamps.
B. The device is also ideal for high-power flood lighting, down lighting, and projection systems that require high-current LED drive capabilities.
C. The MAX16816's ability to program LED current eliminates the need for binning LEDs according to their brightness variations. By allowing LED current adjustment, the MAX16816 compensates for brightness variations during manufacturing.
D. This highly integrated HB LED driver operates from a 5.4V to 76V input voltage range, ensuring cold-start and load-dump (up to 80V) compliance. High-voltage capability improves the reliability of the LED lamp/driver combo. The 76V rating of this device allows automotive lighting manufacturers to offer LED lamp systems that are even more reliable than before.
Far more versatile than competitive devices, the MAX16816 provides many user-programmable features through on-chip nonvolatile EEPROM registers. Using a microcontroller and a single-wire interface, the programming is done either at the factory or by the designer in the field.
The MAX16816 integrates all the building blocks necessary to implement fixed-frequency HB LED drivers with wide-range dimming control. It is configurable to operate as a step-down (buck), step-up (boost) or step-up/down (buck-boost) current regulator. The device also includes an integrated, differential current-sense amplifier and a floating dimming driver capable of driving an n-channel MOSFET.
The MAX16816 is specifically tailored to meet the requirements of the latest front light automotive designs, such as high- and low-beam assemblies, adaptive front light systems, daytime running lights (DRLs), and fog lamps. The device is also ideal for high-power flood lighting, down lighting, and projection systems that require high-current LED drive capabilities.