Recently, Melexis announced the development of a new generation of ultra-compact, single-chip solutions for automotive ambient lighting applications. The new configurable LIN (Local Interconnect Network) provides precise RGB lighting control from the LED driver IC to meet the needs of the individual interior, enhance driver attention and enhance the overall driving experience.
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A new generation of ultra-compact, single-chip LIN LED drivers
The single-channel MLX81112 and dual-channel MLX81115 are fully compliant with the LIN 2.x and SAE J2602 standards, providing a robust, reliable low BOM solution for driving LEDs through a constant current source. High integration means designers can streamline LINRGB module designs by combining a single mixed-signal chip with less than half the passive components of a competing solution. This helps to significantly reduce board space and allows the entire system to be implemented with a single-sided PCB.
Both new ICs are based on a 16-bit microcontroller design with 32kB of flash memory and error correction code. Additional memory resources are provided by a 16kB ROM (which contains the necessary RGB mixing algorithms and LIN drivers), a 2kB RAM and a 380B EEPROM. Other onboard features include a 10-bit A/D converter with integrated prescaler, a LIN protocol controller, a LIN transceiver, four configurable constant current outputs, and four 16-bit PWM outputs. The 24MHz RC-based clock oscillator ensures accurate timing while the regulator can be used for power management.
These new Melexis RGB slave controllers ensure consistent ambient lighting performance as voltage, temperature and LED characteristics change. Each device has robust EMC/ESD characteristics to accommodate a wide voltage input range (from 6V to 18V) and consumes very little standby current (typically 20μA). The operating temperature range is -40 ° C to 125 ° C, and both have an over temperature shutdown and load dump protection mechanism to improve continuous reliability. Both devices also offer temperature and battery monitoring. The MLX81112 is available in an 8-lead SOIC package, while the MLX81115 is available in a 12-pin DFN package.
“Environmental lighting is an increasingly important feature for today's car drivers, whether it's for fashion, safety or a personalized driving environment.†Michael Bender, Automotive Network Product Line Manager, Melexis “Malayscore continues to lead the way in mixed-signal solutions for automotive applications by providing integrated single-chip LIN slave solutions for ambient lighting design. With these new generations, we can help designers further Reduce board space, component count, and cost, and give automakers greater opportunities to benefit from LIN-based ambient lighting solutions."