16-Channel LED Driver Addresses Large LED Video Displays

The first in a new family of devices targeting large LED video displays, the CAT4016 is a 16-channel, constant-current sink LED driver for billboard, marquee, instruments, and other larger, general-purpose LED displays, in both indoor and outdoor applications. The device’s channels can operate with an output voltage as low as 0.4V (for 2 to 100 mA LED currents) to enable more power-efficient designs. An external resistor sets the maximum LED current. A high-speed, four-wire serial interface with up to a 25-MHz clock controls each individual channel using a shift register and latch configuration. Designers can cascade and program multiple devices via one serial interface using a serial output data pin. The CAT4016 also features a thermal-shutdown protection function to disable the LED outputs if the die temperature exceeds a set limit. The driver comes in a wide range of package options including 24-lead SOIC, TSSOP, QSOP, and TQFN (4 mm x 4 mm). The CAT4016 costs $0.54 each in quantities of 10,000. Projected lead time for production quantities is six to eight weeks. Samples are available now. CATALYST SEMICONDUCTOR INC., Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 258-5991