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LED driver features fault-detection output

Maxim has announced the MAX16833, a high-voltage HB LED driver for boost, buck-boost, and buck configurations. The device's enhanced architecture offers comprehensive short-circuit protection, single-wire connection to LEDs, and internal frequency dithering. These features help in meeting demanding reliability requirements of high-power automotive lighting applications such as daytime running lights, position lights, turn signals, and high-/low-beam assemblies. The device allows the design of more fault-tolerant, reliable LED driver applications. The input-voltage range enables it to sustain battery load-dump up to 65V 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, the driver, and the battery if those events occur. This short-circuit protection is provided between the output and ground, and also between the input and output. This architecture allows a single-wire connection to the LEDs, thus reducing LED-to-driver wiring cost and complexity.

The device also includes output overvoltage and over temperature protections, as well as a fault-detection output. It features an internal frequency dithering, which improves EMI, thus reducing the board designer's task and EMI filter component costs. The MAX16833B version of this HB LED driver does not include this frequency dithering, but instead features a ±2% accurate 1.64V reference voltage output that can be used by other devices on the driver board. Both versions are available in a thermally enhanced, 16pin TSSOP package and are specified to operate over the -40 to +125°C automotive temperature range.