LED driver offers fault detection and protection features

Maxim Integrated Products announces the MAX16833, a high-voltage HB LED driver for boost, buck-boost, and buck configurations. The device's unique architecture offers comprehensive short-circuit protection, single-wire connection to LEDs, and internal frequency dithering. These features make it easier for designers to meet the demanding reliability requirements of high-power automotive lighting applications such as DRLs (daytime running lights), position lights, turn signals, and high/low-beam assemblies.

The MAX16833 allows the design of more fault-tolerant, reliable LED driver applications. Thanks to its wide input-voltage range, it can sustain battery load-dump peaks up to 65 V during normal operation. The integrated high-side dimming p-channel MOSFET driver and high-side current-sense amplifier detect short-circuit events and protect the LEDs, driver, and battery if those events occur. This short-circuit protection is provided between the output and ground, and also between the input and output.

Additionally, this architecture allows a single-wire connection to the LEDs, thus reducing LED-to-driver wiring cost and complexity. The MAX16833 also includes output overvoltage and overtemperature protections, as well as a fault-detection output.

Another feature is its internal frequency dithering, which improves EMI considerably, thus easing the board designer's task and reducing EMI filter component costs substantially. The MAX16833B version of this HB LED driver does not include this frequency dithering, but instead features a ±2%-accurate 1.64 V reference voltage output that can be used by other devices on the driver board.

Both versions are available in a thermally enhanced, 16-pin TSSOP package and are fully specified to operate over the -40° to 125° C automotive temperature range.

For more information, contact Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Phone: (408) 737-7600.