POWER AND LINEAR IC SOLUTIONS

Bipolar Controller for High-Current LEDs

The solid-state lighting market is turning increasingly to high-current/high-brightness LEDs in applications ranging from advertising hoardings to architectural lighting. And the cost-effective implementation of these LEDs is fuelling demand for efficient and integrated LED controllers.



In response to this requirement, Infineon Technologies has now launched a high-performance controller IC – the BCR 450. Using bipolar power technology, this LED driver can drive LEDs requiring currents of between 65mA and 2.5A and uses an external booster transistor to ensure low voltage drop.

With a maximum operating voltage of 27V, the BCR 450 is suitable for incorporation in LED-based backlighting of large scale advertising and architectural lighting systems. Since it is a linear device and does not cause ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI) issues to arise, it can also be employed within aircraft and other EMI-sensitive applications.

This LED controller is housed inside a small 6-pin SC74 package. Measuring just 2.9mm x 2.5mm x 1.1mm, the controller takes up minimal real estate on the board.



By separating the more feature-rich functionality from the simple power stage, it has been possible to make considerable savings in terms of both space and procurement expense. As a result, the BCR 450 provides an attractive option for lighting designers who have to balance performance with unit price, helping to reduce total system cost and further accelerate LED penetration in the lighting market.

Features

• High-precision output current: ±1.5% at +25°C, 10% over the entire temperature range
• Very low voltage overhead in combination with booster transistor
• Thermal shutdown facility
• Overvoltage and overcurrent protection
• Industry’s lowest cost solution
• High ESD protection class: 4kV HBM

Applications

• Advertising
• Architectural, accent and landscape lighting
• Aircraft lighting
• Gas station illumination
• Replacing fluorescent tubes with light bars/pipes
• Industrial displays
• Temperature sensitive lighting applications

For further information, including the Infineon Lighting Brochure, please click here