Date: 10/11/2010

Chips for designing LED based automotive headlamps

NXP Semiconductors N.V. has made available LED driver ICs for vehicle LED headlights and tail lights/lamps, based on automotive-qualified technology. The new ASL1010NTK and ASL1010PHN LED driver ICs integrate functions such as direct LED temperature feedback, LED fault detection, internal PWM control for dimming, and short circuit protection - all on an automotive-qualified analog mixed-signal platform in an 8/16-pin package. NXP is displaying its new automotive LED driver IC functionality this week at electronica 2010 in Munich, Germany (Hall A4, Stand 542).

The LED based lighting solutions are prefered by automotive electric engineers. With today's technology, LED lamps are finding use in every lighting needs of cars reducing fuel and battery consumption significantly.

"Demand for LED lighting in the car is growing rapidly, as carmakers seek to reduce energy consumption and take advantage of the longevity, styling, faster turn-on times and color options offered by automotive LEDs. Regulators are also helping to drive demand - for example, in Europe, exterior daytime running lights will become mandatory on all new cars starting in 2011, and car makers are taking the opportunity to introduce LED-based daytime running lights," said Prem Sharma, marketing and business development manager for automotive SSL driver ICs, NXP Semiconductors. "NXP's strong heritage in automotive-qualified technology, our expertise in energy-efficient lighting solutions, and our customer-focused methodology has enabled us to create a compact, cost-effective solution optimized for automotive LEDs."

NXP says the core functionality for driving automotive LEDs has been integrated into the IC, making the reference design compact yet flexible enough to be used across different configurations and numbers of LEDs, without requiring a redesign of the PCB. As per NXP the integrated design eliminates redundant functionality across platforms, as well as the need for an external microcontroller.

Other key features in the NXP automotive LED driver ICs include:
Temperature feedback to enable control of the temperature and performance of the LED
Fault detection to enable feedback in the event of an LED fault
Short circuit protection of the LEDs
Elimination of the LED ripple current without external components
External current selection and PWM programming
Internal PWM generation for dimming LEDs, allowing the same LED to be used for daytime running lights and parking lights
Under-voltage and over-voltage protection of the LEDs
Small package outline

Availability: Sampling at the end November 2010

At electronica 2010 this week, NXP Semiconductors is also displaying its latest semiconductor devices for power electronics application such as lighting, automotive, solar power and power supplies, as well as smart appliances, buildings and homes.

Rick Clemmer, president and CEO, NXP Semiconductors said "At electronica 2010, we will be demonstrating how NXP is bringing High Performance Mixed Signal technologies across critical application areas to drive 'eco-engineering' and reduce power consumption significantly."