STMicroelectronics LED bypass IC |
The ST LED bypass IC is designed to work in products with multiple strings of LEDs where each string includes several LEDs. In such a design, one LED can fail in an open-circuit manner, and can result in the entire string not working. The bypass ICs protects against such failure modes by providing a secondary path for current flow to the string.
The LBP01 also integrates a surge protector in the bypass IC. That capability can prevent failures from occurring in the first place. Both the bypass and protection functions can be required in applications where reliability of the lighting is of paramount importance.
ST says that the LBP01 is more cost effective than competitive bypass ICs because the IC is designed so that one bypass IC is used with two LEDs whereas other bypass ICs must be used on a one-for-one basis with LEDs. In 1000 piece quantities, the IC is in the $0.20 range.
The bypass IC can handle string currents to 1A and has a leakage current of only 100 nA. The surge protector meets the IEC 61000-4-2 and IEC 6100-4-5 standards.
Color ambient light
The Infineon LINLED driver IC combines both the driver functionality, and a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) interface that is a serial network that's widely used in the auto industry to link various cabin systems. LIN can carry commands to the Infineon driver IC for settings such as color and light level. Meanwhile, the driver IC integrates a three-channel current source designed to drive RGB LEDs.