Willich-Münchheide, Germany — ROHM Semiconductor has designed the BD8381EFV-M high-brightness LED driver series for automotive forward illumination applications. With these new flexible ICs, designers can specify the same driver for use in high-beam, low-beam and daytime running light (DRL) circuits, said ROHM.
The BD8381EFV-M current-mode buck/boost controller, housed in an HTSSOP-B28 package, provides stable operation over a wide input voltage range of 5 V to 30V, and removes constraints on the number of LEDs in series connection. Designers have the choice to handle just one or several connections and to use one device instead of selecting a different driver for each headlamp function, which significantly reduces design work and the number of required external components, said ROHM.
The device features integrated protection functions for voltage, current and temperature, together with LED open and short circuit detection. The BD8381EFV-M offers brightness control by either PWM or linear. Through its internal PWM controller dimming functions can be implemented with a simple external CR circuit. This same circuit can be implemented to limit output current in the case of LED over-temperature detection. The operating temperature range is -40°C to +125°C.
Availability: Samples of the BD8381EFV-M are available. Volume production will start in May 2011.