ON Semi Adds Triple-Output LED Driver with I²C Interface for Portable Devices

ON Semiconductor introduced the NCP5623 – a triple output LED driver with I²C interface and built-in gradual dimming. The device is specifically designed to drive tricolor RGB (red, green, blue) LEDs for fun lighting or enhanced LCD backlighting in portable applications such as cell phones and MP3 players. Offered in the compact LLGA-12 package, the NCP5623 is claimed to be the smallest RGB LED charge pump driver housed in a non-bump plastic package on the market.

"The use of LEDs to generate lighting patterns continues to enhance the appeal and interactivity of portable devices," said Manor Narayanan, Vice President and General Manager of ON Semiconductor’s Digital and Consumer Products Group. "ON Semiconductor’s highly efficient and ultra-small NCP5623 LED driver offers a unique built-in control algorithm that generates plug-and-play lighting effects with a vast palette of colors for portable applications."

The NCP5623 LED driver performs autonomous operations upon the command of the processor via its I²C interface. Its three independently controlled current outputs – with +/- 0.5% typical matching tolerance and 32 current levels – allow the display of more than 32,000 colors with a tricolor RGB LED. The device features an integrated gradual dimming feature, which progressively increases or decreases output current to produce a theatrical fade-in/fade-out effect. The use of a logarithmic current profile ensures the light and color changes appear smooth and linear to human eyes.

To help maximize battery life, the NCP5623 achieves 94% peak efficiency with less than 1µA standby current over the operating range of a Lithium based battery. Despite the small IC package, the device requires only four passive components to operate in a typical application. The device also features short-circuit and overvoltage protection, which protects the system in case of LED failure.

The NCP5623 is housed in the lead-free (Pb-free) 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm x 0.55 mm LLGA-12 package and is priced at $0.55 USD per unit for 3,000 unit quantities.