Micrel Unveils New WLED Drivers for Architectural and General Lighting Use

Micrel (News - Alert), a provider of analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, announced the expansion of its lighting portfolio of products with the launch of a pair of new linear White LED (WLED) Drivers.

The new drivers, MIC4801/MIC4802 are single channel, constant-current sink LED drivers designed for architectural, landscape, and general LED lighting products. They do not require an inductor. They are designed to eliminate noise, minimize component count and simplify numerous designs. 

Doyle Slack, senior marketing director for Analog, Micrel, said, “With its Ultra Fast PWM Control interface, both the MIC4801 and the MIC4802 can achieve brightness control down to one percent duty cycle.”

The high efficiency White LED (WLED) drivers are designed to drive a single LED up to 600mA and 800mA respectively, according to company officials. They are based on the architecture that has no switching losses present in traditional charge pumps or inductive boost circuits.

Other important features include low dropout voltages which allow the LEDs to be driven directly from low voltage sources and thus eliminate switching noise/losses which accompany the use of boost circuitry.

The WLED drivers demonstrate high accuracy (±1 percent typical). They ensure uniform display illumination under all conditions. The brightness is controlled through an Ultra Fast PWM Control interface operating down to less than 1 percent duty cycle.

The MIC4801 and MIC4802 are currently available in volume quantities with pricing starting at $0.58 and $0.62 respectively for 1Ku quantities. They are available in an 8-pin SOIC package and 8-Pin ePad SOIC package respectively with a junction temperature range of -40degC to +125degC.

Earlier this month, the company also announced a pair of new linear WLED drivers. The MIC4811 and MIC4812 are six channel, constant-current sink LED drivers targeting billboard, marquee, instrument and other large, general-purpose LED displays.