Automotive lighting LED driver chip to achieve ultra-miniaturization

     Melexis, as a leader in the field of automotive dynamic lighting LED driver chips, announced the official launch of a new product MLX81123, further expanding the LIN RGB series product line. This chip is deeply optimized on the basis of the previous product, the package design is more compact, significantly improve the cost efficiency, while maintaining stable and reliable excellent performance. In addition, by laying out the new supply chain, Melaixin not only significantly improves the competitiveness of the industry, but also ensures the business continuity of customers.

     LED dynamic lighting has become an indispensable key design element for automakers, which not only enhances the end user's driving experience, but also helps automakers provide compelling visual effects. As well-known car manufacturers widely adopt dynamic lighting in their latest models, ensuring the stability of the supply chain becomes critical.

     An upgrade of the popular MLX81113, the new third-generation MLX81123 features the SOIC 8 and the smaller DFN 8 3mm x 3mm package, a compact package innovation that allows flexible lighting anywhere in the car without space constraints. MLX81123 is manufactured using cutting-edge Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology, which not only makes the package smaller, but also significantly increases the number of chips produced per wafer. This breakthrough technology brings to market the smallest RGB LIN IC controller and significantly increases production to meet the growing needs of the automotive dynamic lighting market.

     The MLX81123 is easily integrated into existing design architectures thanks to its common software design and pin compatibility with its predecessor, the SOIC 8 package. Customers can directly use this new product to replace the current MLX81113 chip, and quickly iterate on updates without having to overturn the previous design. It also efficiently supports RGB output conforming to LIN 2.x and SAE J2602 standards. In terms of safety applications, the device is certified to the ISO 26262 standard and supports ASIL Level B system integration. This advanced 16-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) not only integrates 2KB of RAM and 32KB of application-usable flash memory, but also comes with a system ROM with boot program and LIN driver. In addition, the built-in 512B EEPROM enables efficient configuration, such as fine adjustment of the LED calibration factor to ensure uniform brightness and color in the cabin.

     The MLX81123's LIN system integrates transceivers and protocol processors to help seamlessly connect RGB environment modules to the vehicle's existing LIN network. The chip features four high-voltage I/ OS and flexibly configurable current sources up to 60mA, and supports RGB and white leds from multiple vendors, greatly improving product fit and procurement flexibility. In addition, its independent 16-bit PWM output provides precise color and brightness control for connected leds for a variety of vehicle environment applications such as door trim, floodlights and interior lights.

     In sleep mode, the typical standby current consumption of the MLX81123 is as low as 25µA. With 28V assisted start capability, integrated battery overvoltage and undervoltage detection, operating temperature ranges from -40 ° C to +125 ° C, and a built-in temperature sensor chip for real-time heat monitoring, it is ideal for harsh automotive environments.

     "Dynamic lighting has evolved from an embellishment element of high-end vehicles to a fundamental function of the automotive industry, not only setting a new benchmark for automotive customization and visual differentiation, but also driving continued growth in demand for automotive LED controllers." Michael Bender, product line Manager for Embedded Lighting at Milechip, said, "Our second-generation LIN RGB chip controllers have made remarkable progress in the market. Today, the third generation MLX81123 inherits these advantages while further achieving compact design solutions and increased production capacity. We offer a range of exceptional features at a competitive price, making it easy to meet demand in both luxury and entry-level models."