Infineon introduces a linear LED driver IC with constant current

     Infineon Technologies has introduced a constant current linear LED driver IC, the BCR431U, which provides a low voltage drop when regulating LED current. This product is the second in the new generation BCR series and has a low voltage drop feature designed for low currents up to 37 mA. Typical applications for the new BCR431U include LED light strips, advertising signs, architectural LED lighting, LED displays, and emergency, retail, and appliance lighting.

     With a voltage drop of just 105 mV at 15 mA, this integrated driver IC leads the industry in performance and provides more design flexibility for lighting applications. This improves overall efficiency and provides the required voltage margin to compensate for the LED forward voltage deviation and variation in the supply voltage. The BCR431U allows lighting designs to add more leds, such as using the same IC to drive seven leds in series instead of just six leds; Alternatively, it can also be used to increase the overall length of the LED strip design, for example from 5 meters to 7 meters. Overall, the longer the LED strip, the fewer power points, and less installation work.

     The LED current can be easily adjusted by high ohm resistance on a dedicated pin, and the IC supply voltage range is between 6 V and 42 V. With intelligent overheat control circuit design, it can maintain a constant current when the temperature rises, providing safe and reliable operation performance and extending the life of the LED system. In addition, the driver will only reduce the LED current when the junction temperature becomes very high. The BCR431U has dimming brightness levels as low as 1%, making it attractive for a variety of LED strip designs.