Automotive LED driver supports more LEDs

Melexis has expanded its MeLiBu (Melexis Light Bus) high-speed communication portfolio with the introduction of the MLX81143 LED driver. The MeLiBu interface makes it possible to drive up to 3,000 LEDs in a car at the same time, said the company, and it improves power management thanks to advanced smart options integrated into the chip.

The fully integrated smart automotive LED controller includes 21 LED drivers and offers a wide dimming range for optimal brightness adjustments during the night or day.

Car manufacturers use animated lighting in the cabin to provide important information such as driver-assistance prompts and vehicle status updates; however, changing colors and different blinking sequences, which enhance messages for driver attention, presents engineering challenges, such as maintaining consistent color across all of the LEDs and implementing simultaneous light changes, added the company.

(Source: Melexis)

The MLX81143 addresses these challenges by integrating the Melexis CAN over UART MeLiBu (patented license-free) solution, which controls individual LEDs to implement the lighting effects. The intelligent RGB-LED controller features color-mixing accuracy of less than 1% to eliminate any distinguishable differences between LEDs and real-time compensation of any color drift caused by environmental changes, thanks to the combination of the UART and MeLiBu protocol, said Melexis.

The MeLiBu communication interface uses a CAN-FD physical layer for performance at up to 2-Mbit speeds, similar to the previous two product offerings with MeLiBu integration. Applications include highly animated light modules, animated rear light and DRL, and interior driver communication by light such as voice command signal confirmation, safety warnings, advanced navigation, and blindspot warning.

The MLX81143 is AEC-Q100 qualified and ASIL compliant. It meets ISO 26262 functional safety requirements and supports ASIL B integration. In addition, the device’s architecture helps designers to meet EMC requirements, said the company, and offers low EMI emissions and high levels of EMI immunity.

The MLX81143 is housed in a QFN32 5 × 5-mm package. Samples are available and an evaluation kit is available on request.