Micrel Inc, a global name in IC solutions manufacturing for the global analog, Ethernet and high bandwidth markets, released a six channel WLED Driver for backlighting applications called the MIC3263.

This tool is the first in a series of WLED drivers. It aims at small LCD panels with a highly adaptable dimming control scheme for LED brightness. The necessity for an external PLL to filter the noise of the PWM signal called for to dim the LED current is eliminated by the flicker free dimming control scheme. The MIC3263 can now be purchased in volume quantities. For 1k quantities, the price is $2.22.

Micrel's (News - Alert) senior marketing director of Analog Power, Linear and RF, Doyle Slack, said that the MIC3263 from Micrel offers the performance, flexibility and ease of use needed to meet backlighting challenges by LED lighting system designers. 16 logarithmic dimming steps are also included in the part which imitates the way the human eye recognizes brightness levels. This lets users reduce programming steps when contrasted to products which are industry standard that offer linear steps. 

With +/-3 percent current accuracy from input voltages of 6V to 40V, the MIC3263 can drive up to ten WLEDS in series per channel. The MIC3263 is positioned properly with its boost current mode control architecture and included power switch bringing 90 percent and above effectiveness to supply steady current with changes in input voltage and output load.

The operating frequency of the solution can be programmed from 400kHz to 1.8 MHz allowing design flexibility. The LED channel current can be programmed from 15 mA to 30 mA and has a dedicated PWM dimming pin that can be used to regulate the LED brightness. Multiple LED dimming options are included in the device.

The 16 logarithmic dimming levels permit the dimming ratio to 1 percent. Also a feature in the MIC3263 is an enable pin which can be used for over temperature protection, an under voltage lockout and micro power shutdown.

Many protection features are included in the IC such as a programmable over voltage protection, over temperature protection, and open and short LED protection. Contained in a 4mm x 4mm MLF-24L package, company officials said the MIC3263 also has enhanced power driving capability/reliability.