A6262
Automotive LED Array Driver
Sleep Mode
VIN
When EN is held low the A6262 will be in shutdown mode and
all sections will be in a low power sleep mode. The input current
will be typically less than 10 μA. This means that the complete
circuit, including LEDs, may remain connected to the power sup-
ply under all conditions.
A6262
LA1
A. Any LED cathode short to ground.
Current remains regulated in
non-shorted LEDs. Matching may be
affected.
LA2
LA3
LA4
Safety Features
The circuit includes several features to ensure safe operation and
to protect the LEDs and the A6262:
GND
• The current regulators between VIN and each LAx output pro-
vide a natural current limit due to the regulation.
• Each LAx output includes a short-to-ground detector that will
disable the output to limit the dissipation.
• The thermal monitor reduces the regulated current as the tem-
perature rises.
VIN
A6262
LA1
LA2
LA3
LA4
B. Any LAx output short to ground.
Shorted output is disabled. Other
outputs remain active.
• Thermal shutdown completely disables the outputs under ex-
treme overtemperature conditions.
Short Circuit Detection A short to ground on any LED
cathode (figure 1A) will not result in a short fault condition. The
current through the remaining LEDs will remain in regulation and
the LEDs will be protected. Due to the difference in the voltage
drop across the LEDs, as a result of the short, the current match-
ing in the A6262 may exceed the specified limits.
GND
VIN
Any LAx output that is pulled below the short detect voltage (fig-
ure 1B) will disable the regulator on that output. A small current
will be sourced from the disabled output to monitor the short and
detect when it is removed. When the voltage at LAx rises above
the short detect voltage, the regulator will be re-enabled.
A6262
LA1
LA2
LA3
LA4
C. Current remains regulated.
Matching may be affected.
Only the shorted LED is inactive.
A shorted LED (figure 1C) will not result in a short fault condi-
tion. The current through the remaining LEDs will remain in
regulation and the LEDs will be protected. Due to the difference
in the voltage drop across the LEDs, as a result of the short, the
current matching in the A6262 may exceed the specified limits.
GND
A short between LEDs in different strings (figure 1D) will not
result in a short fault condition. The current through the remain-
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.
VIN
A6262
LA1
D. Short between LEDs in different
strings. Current remains regulated.
Current is summed and shared by
affected strings. Intensity match
dependent on voltage binning.
LA2
LA3
LA4
Temperature Monitor A temperature monitor function,
included in the A6262, reduces the LED current as the silicon
junction temperature of the A6262 increases (see figure 2). By
mounting the A6262 on the same thermal substrate as the LEDs,
this feature can also be used to limit the dissipation of the LEDs.
GND
Figure 1. Short circuit conditions.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
6
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com