ON Semi Introduces Integrated Linear Current Regulator and Controller for Automotive Lighting

ON Semiconductor has announced the release of a linear regulator and controller product. The NCV7680 consists of eight linear programmable constant current sources. It is designed for use in the regulation and control of solid state rear combination lamps of vehicles, and is capable of supporting an LED driving current of up to 75mA per channel.

Due to its high degree of integrated functionality, the NCV7680 allows support for two brightness levels - one for stop and one for tail illumination. Optional pulse width modulation (PWM) control can also be implemented if required. System designers can set the output current (global set point) with the use of just one external resistor. An optional external ballast FET allows for power distribution on designs requiring high currents.

Qualified to the AEC Q100 automotive standard, the NCV7680 has a MSL 1 moisture resistance rating, and an operating temperature range of −40 to +150°C. Typical applications for this device include rear combination lamps, daytime running lights, fog lights, center high-mounted stop lamp arrays, turn signal lamps and LCD backlighting.

"Automotive lighting systems are now expected to be more feature rich, and this requires the employment of highly integrated solutions which provide superior current regulation," said Andy Williams, Senior Vice President, Automotive Power Group, ON Semiconductor. "The release of the NCV7680 takes care of powering rear combination lamps in a single chip, delivering enhanced performance and higher levels of efficiency, in a smaller footprint than existing solutions on the market. It also allows better matching of LED outputs than would be possible with a discrete solution, as well as enabling fault identification."

The NCV7680 is offered in a SOIC-16 Pb−free package. Pricing for these devices is $1.70 per unit in 10,000 unit quantities.