austriamicrosystems unveils innovative 8 Channel constant current LED drivers with diagnostics function

austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of analog integrated circuits (ICs) for communication, industrial, medical and automotive applications, today introduces the AS1109 8-channel constant current LED driver with advanced error diagnostic for open and shorted LED. The AS1109 uses the serial data input/output lines for the error information readback so that no additional PCB tracks are needed for LED error diagnostics.

“As the resolution of LED displays increases the market demands more accurate LED drivers in smaller packages. Additionally, LED error detection is becoming a very important factor, not only for security related applications like traffic signs, but also for more commercial applications like information displays or video walls in order to optimize maintenance cost,” said Walter Moshammer, Director Marketing Standard Linear at austriamicrosystems. “Coming in a small package and offering extremely high performance and best-in-class accuracy together with unique LED error detection, the AS1109 addresses these needs today.”

The AS1109 features eight regulated current ports which provide constant currents for driving LEDs within a wide range of forward voltage variations. The AS1109 output ports are guaranteed to endure a maximum voltage of 15V. Through an external resistor the currents can be adjusted from 0.5 to 100 mA which gives the utmost flexibility in controlling LED brightness. With best in class accuracy of ±2% between channels and ICs, the AS1109 improves picture quality of LED displays since intensity variations between LEDs and LED modules completely disappear.

Another highlight of the AS1109 is the built-in LED error detection. Easy and intuitive to use, it can even be invoked during normal operation without switching into a separate detection mode. This makes the software interface even more user-friendly while detection can be done extremely fast. The AS1109 can detect any open- or short-circuit as well as an over-temperature occurrence. For immediate detection of those errors, a global error flag is available at serial data out detecting any of those errors quickly and precisely. Furthermore, a detailed error report can be read out with the exact position of the broken LED.

In order to avoid the typical flickering of LED displays during error detection, austriamicrosystems has introduced the unique Low-Current Diagnostic mode. In this mode, a small test current of only 0.6mA is applied to the display for a very short time. As a result, LED testing is not visible and can therefore be applied during normal operation.
The fast 30MHz serial interface ensures high refreshing rates even for huge LED display modules. With an operating temperature range from -40 to +125°C, the AS1109 is also ideal for industrial and outdoor applications. The AS1109 is available in a 16-pin SOIC-150, a 16-pin SSOP-150 and a small 16-pin QFN (4x4mm) package, allowing a very small pitch between LED pixels which is ideal for indoor LED displays.

More product specific information can be downloaded from the austriamicrosystems website at www.austriamicrosystems.com/03products/AS1109/AS1109.htm

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