Automotive LED Driver Chip Solution Based on Automotive Grade Technology

NXP Semiconductors NV announced that it has introduced a fully integrated, highly flexible driver chip solution based on automotive-grade technology for automotive LED headlamps and taillight applications. The ASL1010NTK and ASL1010PHN are available in an 8/16-lead package and are the industry's first automotive LED driver ICs with integrated core functions such as direct LED temperature feedback, LED fault detection, internal pulse width (PWM) dimming control, and short-circuit protection. All of these features are based on automotive-grade analog mixed-signal platforms.

Until now, automotive LEDs have been using driver chips for general-purpose solid-state lighting (SSL) applications, which are complex and expensive, and lack the core functionality required for automotive applications. With the increasing popularity of automotive solid-state lighting in the automotive industry, lighting control device manufacturers and LED suppliers need more powerful and efficient solutions that enable OEMs to take full advantage of LED energy savings. Because LEDs can save about 50% in fuel consumption and power consumption in some applications compared to incandescent lamps (UMTRI, 2008).

The ASL1010NTK/ASL1010PHN driver chip integrates the core functions necessary for automotive LED lights and is a compact, all-in-one solution without the need for additional components. For the LED module design, it is beneficial to reduce costs, enhance aesthetics and improve reliability. In addition, NXP's system solution is extremely flexible, independent of the car's platform, configuration, output voltage and number of LEDs.

Prem Sharma, Marketing and Business Development Manager, NXP Semiconductors Solid-State Lighting Driver Chips Division, said: "The demand for LED lighting in the automotive industry is showing a rapid growth, as automakers want to reduce vehicle energy consumption and use automotive LEDs for long life. At the same time, the regulatory authorities are also pushing this demand – in Europe, for example, all new cars must be equipped with daytime running lights, and car manufacturing since 2011. Businesses have taken advantage of this opportunity to introduce LED daytime running lights. NXP has successfully developed a deep experience in automotive-grade technology, expertise in energy-efficient lighting solutions, and a customer-centric operating model. A cost-effective compact automotive LED optimization solution."

Powerful, all-in-one solution with high flexibility and no platform limitations

NXP's system solutions are highly reliable and flexible for use on different automotive platforms. The NXP LED driver chip features an automatic buck/boost topology that safely drives up to 20 LEDs with standard automotive battery voltages; the output voltage is extremely flexible, ranging from 6V to 60V, supporting the current market Class LED.

The chip has integrated the core functions of the automotive LED driver, which helps to reduce the size of the reference design, increase design flexibility, and easily handle different configurations and LED numbers without redesigning the PCB. The integrated design eliminates the redundancy of different platforms and the need for external microcontrollers. In addition, the ASL1010NTK/ASL1010PHN driver chip is based on the ABCD9 technology node - this is NXP's automotive technology platform that drives analog mixed-signal integration. As you can see, the ASL1010NTK architecture is designed to reduce system cost and development time for lighting control devices and LED designers, reducing time to market.

Other key features of this NXP LED driver chip include:

· Temperature feedback function to control LED temperature and performance

· Fault detection function to provide feedback in the event of LED failure

· LED short circuit protection

· Eliminates LED ripple current without external components

· External current selection and PWM programming

· Adjustable LED internal PWM generation function, allowing the same LED to be used as both daytime and stop lights

· LED undervoltage and overvoltage protection

· Small package