CAT4238
High Efficiency 10 LED Boost Converter
FEATURES
DESCRIPTION
Drives High Voltage LED strings (38V)
The CAT4238 is a DC/DC step-up converter that delivers
an accurate constant current ideal for driving LEDs.
Operation at a fixed switching frequency of 1MHz allows
the device to be used with small value external ceramic
capacitors and inductor. LEDs connected in series are
driven with a regulated current set by the external resistor
R1. LED currents up to 40mA can be supported over a
wide range of input supply voltages up to 5.5V, making
the device ideal for battery-powered applications. The
CAT4238 high-voltage output stage is perfect for driving
mid-size and large panel displays containing up to ten
white LEDs in series.
Up to 87% Efficiency
Low Quiescent Ground Current 0.6mA
Adjustable Output Current
1MHz Fixed Frequency Low noise Operation
Soft start “in-rush” current limiting
Shutdown current less than 1μA
Open LED Overvoltage Protection
Automatic Shutdown at 1.9V (UVLO)
Thermal overload protection
Thin SOT23 5-Lead (1mm max height)
LED dimming can be done by using a DC voltage, a logic
signal, or a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The
shutdown input pin allows the device to be placed in
power-down mode with “zero” quiescent current.
APPLICATIONS
GPS Navigation Systems
Portable Media Players
Handheld Devices, Digital Cameras
Portable Game Machines
In addition to thermal protection and overload current
limiting, the device also enters a very low power
operating mode during “Open LED” fault conditions. The
device is housed in a low profile (1mm max height) 5-lead
thin SOT23 package for space critical applications.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Quantity Package
per Reel Marking
Part Number
Package
TSOT23-5
Green*
CAT4238TD-GT3
3000
MU
* NiPdAu Plated Finish
For Ordering Information details, see page 13.
TYPICAL APPLICATION CIRCUIT
PIN CONFIGURATION
L
D
VOUT
5-Lead Thin SOT23
(1mm max height)
VIN
47µH
C1
4.7µF
C2
1
2
3
5
SW
GND
FB
VIN
0.22µF
SW
VIN
CAT4238
SHDN FB
GND
4
SHDN
(300mV)
20mA
OFF ON
R1
15Ω
L: Sumida CDC5D23B-470
D: Central CMDSH05-4
C2: Taiyo Yuden UMK212BJ224 (rated 50V)
© 2006 Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.
Characteristics subject to change without notice
1
Doc. No. 5019 Rev. A