EVALUATION KIT AVAILABLE
MAX8790A
Six-String White LED Driver with Active
Current Balancing for LCD Panel Applications
General Description
Features
The MAX8790A is a high-efficiency driver for white light-
emitting diodes (LEDs). It is designed for large liquidcrys-
tal displays (LCDs) that employ an array of LEDs as the
light source. A current-mode step-up controller drives up
to six parallel strings of multiple series-connected LEDs.
Each string is terminated with ballast that achieves ±1.5%
current regulation accuracy, ensuring even brightness for
all LEDs. The MAX8790A has a wide input-voltage range
from 4.5V to 26V, and provides a fixed 20mA or adjustable
15mA to 27mA full-scale LED current.
● Drives Six Parallel Strings with Multiple Series-
Connected LEDs per String
● ±1.5% Current Regulation Accuracy Between Strings
● Low 450mV Feedback Voltage at Full Current
Improves Efficiency
● Step-Up Controller Regulates the Output Just Above
the Highest LED String Voltage
● Full-Scale LED Current Adjustable from 15mA to
27mA, or Preset 20mA
● Wide 100:1 Dimming Range
The MAX8790A has two dimming control modes to enable
a wide variety of applications. In direct DPWM mode, the
LED current is directly turned on and off by a PWM signal.
In analog dimming mode, an internal phase-locked loop
(PLL) circuit translates the PWM signal into an analog sig-
nal and linearly controls the LED current down to 12.5%.
Below 12.5%, digital dimming is added to allow lower
average LED current down to 1%. Both control methods
provide 100:1 dimming range.
●
Programmable Dimming Control: Direct DPWM or
Analog Dimming
● Built-In PLL for Synchronized Dimming Control
● Open and Short LED Protections
● Output Overvoltage Protection
● Wide Input Voltage Range from 4.5V to 26V
● External MOSFET Allows a Large Number of LEDs
The MAX8790A has multiple features to protect the con-
troller from fault conditions. Separate feedback loops limit
the output voltage if one or more LEDs fail open or short.
The controller features cycle-by-cycle current limit to pro-
vide consistent operation and soft-start capability. A ther-
mal-shutdown circuit provides another level of protection.
per String
● 500kHz/750kHz/1MHz Switching Frequency
● Small, 20-Pin, 4mm x 4mm Thin QFN Package
Simplified Operating Circuit
L1
D1
V
OUT
The step-up controller uses an external MOSFET, which
provides good efficiency and allows for scalable output
power and maximum operating voltage. Low feedback
voltage at each LED string (450mV) helps reduce power
loss. The MAX8790A features selectable switching fre-
quency (500kHz, 750kHz, or 1MHz), which allows trade-offs
between external component size and ope-rating efficiency.
V
IN
C
IN
0.1µF
IN
SHDN
N1
EXT
CS
V
CC
FSET
ISET
R
S
The MAX8790A is available in a thermally enhanced,
lead-free, 20-pin, 4mm x 4mm, thin QFN package.
MAX8790A
GND
BRT
Applications
● Notebook, Subnotebook, and Tablet Computer
Displays
● Handy Terminals
R1
OV
N.C.
N.C.
OSC
CPLL
CCV
R2
FB1
FB2
FB3
FB4
FB5
FB6
Ordering Information
ENA
EP
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX8790AETP+
-40°C to +85°C
20 TQFN-EP*
+Denotes a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
*EP = Exposed pad.
Pin Configuration appears at end of data sheet.
19-0989; Rev 1; 10/14