LED Drivers Simplify Lighting Designs

Promising to ease a variety of LED-lighting apps, the MAX16815, MAX16828, MAX16835, and MAX16836 high-voltage, linear high-brightness LED drivers are capable of driving a long string of LEDs from a 6.5V to 40V input supply. The single-channel devices integrate a pass element with a 0.4V dropout voltage, eliminating the need for an external power transistor. Providing ±5% accurate LED current control, the pass element ensures brightness matching while reducing the size and complexity of the design. Additionally, the devices employ an external resistor in series with the LEDs to adjust output current from 35 mA to 100 mA (MAX16815), 35 mA to 200 mA (MAX16828), or 35 mA to 350 mA (MAX16835/MAX16836). Other shared features include a PWM dimming input. Prices start at $0.48 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.