New Industry Products

TI LED Driver Features Frequency Synchronization, PWM Dimming and Thermal Foldback

October 29, 2012 by Jeff Shepard

Texas Instruments Incorporated introduced a 1.5-A constant current DC/DC buck converter with an industry-leading combination of frequency synchronization, pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming and thermal foldback. The TPS92510 features a wide 3.5-V to 60-V input voltage operating range and integrated MOSFET. Together with TI's WEBENCH® LED Architect, the lighting developer can quickly design a power management circuit to drive a string of up to 17 high-brightness LEDs at up to 97-percent power efficiency in automotive, industrial and general illumination applications.

Unlike conventional buck LED drivers, TI's TPS92510 can operate with fixed frequency either by utilizing its internally-generated clock or via synchronization to an external PWM clock source. In multi-string implementations, the use of an external clock eliminates beat frequencies that may be visible in the lighting application and simplifies EMI filter design. Thermal foldback ensures some light output remains even in an LED over-temperature condition, which improves safety in the lighting environment.

The TPS92510 joins TI's LED driver portfolio that includes the 0.5-A LM3402, 1.0-A LM3404 and 1.5-A LM3406 hysteretic, non-synchronous, constant current LED buck regulators that feature LED open circuit protection, low-power shutdown and thermal shutdown.

* 3.5-V to 60-V input voltage operating range supports a wide variety of DC LED lighting applications, including area and street lighting.

* Fixed switching frequency range from 100 kHz to 2.5 MHz can be synchronized to optimize for efficiency or solution size.

* LED thermal foldback with external negative temperature coefficient (NTC) protects LED array from over-temperature while maintaining reduced light output.

* Dedicated PWM dimming input from 100 Hz to 1 kHz adjusts LED brightness without color shift or perceivable flicker.

Availability, packaging and pricing

The TPS92510 is available in volume now from TI and its authorized distributors. Offered in a 4.9-mm by 3-mm, 10-pin PowerPad™ MSOP package, the TPS92510 is priced at US$1.65 each in 1,000-unit quantities. For more information and samples, visit http://www.ti.com/tps92510-pr.