A6261
Protected LED Array Driver
ing LEDs will remain in regulation and the LEDs will be pro-
tected. The current will be summed and shared by the affected
strings. Current matching in the strings will then depend on the
LED forward voltage differences.
A6261 and in the LEDs. The current is reduced from the 100%
level at typically 4% per degree Celsius until the point at which
the current drops to 25% of the full value, defined at TJL. Above
this temperature the current will continue to reduce at a lower
rate until the temperature reaches the overtemperature shutdown
threshold temperature, TJF.
Open Load Detection An open load condition is detected
when the voltage across the regulator, VIN – VLAx , is less than
the open load detect voltage, VOCD , but greater than the output
disable threshold voltage, VODIS . When this condition is present
for more than the open load detect time, tOCD , then all regulators
will be disabled and the fault flag allowed to go high.
The temperature at which the current reduction begins can be
adjusted by changing the voltage on the THTH pin. When THTH
is left open the temperature at which the current reduction begins
is defined as the thermal monitor activation temperature, TJM, and
is specified, in the characteristics table, at the 90% current level.
The regulators will remain disabled until either the power is
cycled off and on, the EN input is taken low then high, or the
TJM will increase as the voltage at the THTH pin, VTHTH , is
fault flag, FF, is pulled low. If the power is cycled or EN is pulsed reduced and is defined as approximately:
low, the regulators will start in the enabled state, unless disabled
1.46 –VTHTH
by tying the output to VIN, and the open load detection timer will
be reset. If the open load is still present the regulators will again
be disabled after the open load detect time.
TJM
(°C)
(3)
=
0.0039
A resistor connected between THTH and GND will reduce VTHTII
and increase TJM. A resistor connected between THTH and a refer-
ence supply greater than 1 V will increase VTHTH and reduce TJM
Pulling the fault flag low will override the open load fault action
and all enabled regulators will be switched on. This state will
be maintained while the fault flag is held low. If the fault flag is
allowed to go high the A6261 will return to the open load fault
condition and will disable all regulators.
.
Each of the four regulators includes a limiter to ensure that
the output voltage will not rise higher than the output disable
threshold voltage below VIN when driven by the regulator. This
means that the voltage across the regulator will not be less than
the output disable voltage, unless it is forced by connecting the
LAx pin to VIN. However if a load becomes disconnected, the
regulator will pull the LAx pin up to the limit, which will ensure
that the voltage across the regulator, VIN – VLAx , is less than the
100
90
80
60
open load detect voltage, VOCD
.
TJM
40
25
Note that an open load may also be detected if the sum of the for-
ward voltages of the LEDs in a string is close to or greater than
the supply voltage on VIN.
20
TJF
TJL
Temperature Monitor A temperature monitor function,
included in the A6261, reduces the LED current as the silicon
junction temperature of the A6261 increases (see figure 2). By
mounting the A6261 on the same thermal substrate as the LEDs,
this feature can also be used to limit the dissipation of the LEDs.
As the junction temperature of the A6261 increases, the regulated
current level is reduced, reducing the dissipated power in the
0
70
90
110
130
150
170
Junction Temperature, TJ (°C)
Figure 2. Temperature monitor current reduction.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
7
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com