A6262
Automotive LED Array Driver
As the junction temperature of the A6262 increases, the regulated
current level is reduced, reducing the dissipated power in the
A6262 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.
100
90
80
60
40
TJM
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.
25
20
TJF
TJL
0
70
90
110
130
150
170
Junction Temperature, TJ (°C)
TJM will increase as the voltage at the THTH pin, VTHTH , is
reduced and is defined as approximately:
Figure 2. Temperature monitor current reduction.
1.46 –VTHTH
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
.
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
250
200
Figure 3 shows how the nominal value of the thermal monitor
activation temperature varies with the voltage at THTH and with
either a pull-down resistor, RTH, to GND or with a pull-up resis-
tor, RTH, to 3 V and to 5 V.
R
pull-up
to 5 V
TH
150
100
50
R
pull-down
TH
In extreme cases, if the chip temperature exceeds the overtem-
perature limit, TJF, all regulators will be disabled. The tempera-
ture will continue to be monitored and the regulators re-activated
when the temperature drops below the threshold provided by the
specified hysteresis.
to GND
V
THTH
R
pull-up
TH
to 3 V
Note that it is possible for the A6262 to transition rapidly
between thermal shutdown and normal operation. This can hap-
pen if the thermal mass attached to the exposed thermal pad is
small and TJM is increased to close to the shutdown temperature.
The period of oscillation will depend on TJM, the dissipated
power, the thermal mass of any heatsink present, and the ambient
temperature.
0
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
Thermal Monitor Activation Temperature, T (°C)
JM
Figure 3. TJM versus a pull-up or pull-down resistor, RTH, and VTHTH
.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
115 Northeast Cutoff
7
Worcester, Massachusetts 01615-0036 U.S.A.
1.508.853.5000; www.allegromicro.com