Allegro Introduces New Automotive Grade Constant Current PWM Dimmable Buck Regulator LED Driver

Allegro MicroSystems, LLC introduces the new AEC-Q100-certified automotive-grade single-chip switching regulator that provides a constant current output to drive high-power LEDs. Allegro's A6217 device integrates a high-side N-channel DMOS transistor for DC-to-DC buck conversion. The true average current is output by a cycle-by-cycle, controlled on-time method. The new LED driver is targeted at the automotive lighting market, including daytime running lights, front and rear fog lights, steering/brake lights, navigation. Important applications such as lights and dimmable interior lighting.

With the A6217 external current sense resistor, the user can select the output current and the output voltage can be automatically adjusted to drive a single column of LEDs with different numbers of LEDs to ensure optimum system efficiency. LED dimming can be achieved by logic levels or "chopped battery" pulse width modulation and analog dimming capabilities. The A6217 device also features dithering to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).

The A6217 is a versatile A6213 enhancement that is available in the same pin-out eSOIC-8 package (LJ) or in a more compact 3x3mm flank-coated DFN-10 (EJ) package. Both packages feature exposed pads for improved heat dissipation and are lead-free, with 100% matte tin leadframe plating.