Step-by-Step design process for the MAX16833 high-voltage high-brightness LED driver, Part 1

This application note is the first in a series that details a step-by-step design process for the MAX16833 high-voltage high-brightness LED driver to speed up prototyping and increase the chance for first-pass success. The MAX16833 is a peak current-mode-controlled LED driver, capable of driving an LED string in several different architectures: boost, buck-boost, SEPIC, flyback, and high-side buck topologies. The second application note in the series, application note 5659, “Step-by-Step Design Process for the MAX16833 High-Voltage High-Brightness LED Driver, Part 2,” focuses on the buck-boost converter topology. This application note, Part 1, focuses on the boost topology.

The MAX16833 offers several features: a dimming driver designed to drive an external p-channel MOSFET, extremely fast PWM current switching to the LEDs without transient overvoltage or undervoltage, analog dimming, programmable switching frequency between 100kHz and 1MHz, and the option of either a ramp output for frequency dithering or a voltage reference for precisely setting the LED current with few external components.