Linear Tech Releases White LED Driver That Powers Up To 10 LEDs
Linear Technology announced the LT3593, a high efficiency constant current white LED driver packaged in a 2 x 2mm DFN (or ThinSOT™) package. It features a unique high-side LED current sense topology that enables the LED cathode to be connected directly to ground, creating a single wire current source. A single digital control pin enables set-and-forget LED dimming with ratios as high as 32:1.
The LT3593 is designed to drive up to 10 white LEDs from a single Li-Ion cell at efficiencies over 80%. It operates from an input voltage from 2.7 to 5.5V, optimizing it for single cell Li-Ion and multicell alkaline/NiCd/NiMH sources. Its 1MHz constant switching frequency allows the use of tiny, low profile inductors and capacitors while keeping input and out put noise low and well controlled. The LT3593 is suitable for handheld applications, requiring up to 10 white LEDs for backlighting.
The LT3593 ensures the uniform brightness of each LED by acting as a constant current source, delivering the same current to each white LED, regardless of fluctuations in the LED’s forward voltage drop, which varies with temperature, manufacturing tolerances and age. The LT3593 uses a single wire digital serial interface to deliver 32:1 linear brightness control. Additional features include output disconnect in shutdown, open LED protection and a ±5% reference accuracy.
The LT3593 is available from stock in a 6-lead 2 x 2mm DFN or ThinSOT package. Pricing starts at $1.40 each for 1,000-piece quantities.
