19-4972; Rev 2; 4/11
Integrated, 2-Channel, High-Brightness LED Driver
with High-Voltage Boost and SEPIC Controller
General Description
Features
S Integrated, 2-Channel, 20mA to 150mA Linear LED
The MAX16838 is a dual-channel LED driver that inte-
grates both the DC-DC switching boost regulator and
two 150mA current sinks. A current-mode switching
DC-DC controller provides the necessary voltage to
both strings of HB LEDs. The MAX16838 accepts a wide
4.75V to 40V input voltage range and directly withstands
automotive load-dump events. For a 5V Q10% input volt-
Current Sinks
S Boost or SEPIC Power Topologies for Maximum
Flexibility
S Adaptive Voltage Optimization to Minimize Power
Dissipation in Linear Current Sinks
S 4.75V to 40V or 5V 10% Input Operating Voltage
Range
age, connect V to V . The wide input range allows
IN
CC
S 5000:1 PWM Dimming at 200Hz
powering HB LEDs for small-to-medium-sized LCD dis-
plays in automotive and display backlight applications.
S Open-Drain Fault Indicator Output
S LED Open/Short Detection and Protection
An internal current-mode switching DC-DC controller
supports the boost or SEPIC topologies and operates
in an adjustable frequency range between 200kHz and
2MHz. The current-mode control provides fast response
and simplifies loop compensation. The MAX16838 also
features an adaptive output-voltage adjustment scheme
that minimizes the power dissipation in the LED current
sink paths. The MAX16838 can be combined with the
MAX15054 to achieve a buck-boost LED driver with two
integrated current sinks.
S Output Overvoltage and Overtemperature
Protection
S Programmable LED Current Foldback at Lower
Input Voltages
S 200kHz to 2MHz Resistor Programmable
Switching Frequency with External
Synchronization
S Current-Mode Control Switching Stage with
Internal Slope Compensation
S Enable Input
S Thermally Enhanced, 20-Pin TQFN (4mm x 4mm)
The channel current is adjustable from 20mA to 150mA
using an external resistor. The external resistor sets both
channel currents to the same value. The device allows
connecting both strings in parallel to achieve a maximum
current of 300mA in a single channel. The MAX16838
also features pulsed dimming control with minimum
pulse widths as low as 1Fs, on both channels through a
logic input (DIM).
and 20-Pin TSSOP Packages
Ordering Information
PART
TEMP RANGE
-40NC to +125NC
-40NC to +125NC
-40NC to +125NC
PIN-PACKAGE
20 TQFN-EP*
20 TQFN-EP*
20 TSSOP-EP*
20 TSSOP-EP*
MAX16838ATP+
MAX16838ATP/V+
MAX16838AUP+
MAX16838AUP/V+ -40NC to +125NC
The MAX16838 includes an output overvoltage protec-
tion, open LED, shorted LED detection and overtempera-
ture protection. The device operates over the -40NC to
+125NC automotive temperature range. The MAX16838
is available in the 20-pin TSSOP and 4mm x 4mm, 20-pin
TQFN packages.
+Denotes a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
*EP = Exposed pad.
/V denotes an automotive qualified part.
Simplified Schematic
4.75V TO 40V
L
D
Applications
Automotive Display Backlights
C
C
OUT
IN
R2
OV
OV
LED
STRINGS
LCD Display Backlights
IN
DRAIN OV
NDRV
R1
EN
Automotive Lighting Applications
CFB
GATE
V
CC
OUT1
MAX16838
OUT2
ISET
DRV
R
ISET
FLT
CS
RT
DIM
COMP
C
COMP
R
COMP
SGND
PGND LEDGND
R
RT
R
CS
Typical Operating Circuit and Pin Configurations appear at
end of data sheet.
_______________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim Direct at 1-888-629-4642,
or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.