New Cypress Automotive LED Driver Delivers Robust Performance and Minimizes the Bill-of-Material for Headlight Systems

Small, Cost-Effective Front Lighting Solution Enables Robust Operation Even in Challenging Temperature and EMI Conditions

Cypress Semiconductor introduced an automotive LED driver that enables smaller and more cost-effective headlight systems. The new S6BL112A automotive-grade LED driver is the industry’s first to feature synchronous control, which helps it provide industry-leading conversion efficiency, enabling stable performance in a lighting system. The device is able to drive LEDs at a high 2.1-MHz switching frequency, which enables a compact headlight solution that uses small, inexpensive inductors, reducing physical size and bill-of-materials costs. The LED drivers combine with Cypress’s Traveo™ microcontrollers (MCUs) and power management ICs (PMICs) to provide a best-in-class automotive front-lighting solution.

Cypress’s S6BL112A Automotive LED driver features an input voltage range of 4.5-42 V that encompasses extreme operating conditions such as cold-cranking – when the automobile engine starter draws an excessive amount of current due to starting the engine in cold temperatures – or load dump – a power surge that occurs when an automobile battery is disconnected while the alternator is supplying current during engine operation. The LED driver also facilitates the design of electrical system safeguards by including System Safety Functions such as under current detection, over current and voltage protection, as well as the ability to mask undesired LED OPEN diagnosis during cold cranking. Additionally, its synchronous operation eliminates unstable dimming that can occur when the input voltage is low.

The S6BL112A is a one-channel 2 A output Buck LED driver that supports both analog and PWM dimming functions, enabling precise brightness control. Its switching frequency can be set between 205 kHz and 2.1 MHz, with high output current accuracy of ±2%. The device enables slew rate control without an external filter, limiting Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) generation that can harm peripherals.

Product Availability

The new S6BL112A LED driver is currently sampling, with production expected in the fourth quarter of 2016. It is available in a 16-pin, thermally-enhanced TSSOP package.