Linear voltage regulators to convert power to face the problem, switch the way, there are noise problems, LED driver the choice of conversion depends on what kind of application.
- Bill rypka bill rypka muzahid huda maxim hb LED drive product marketing manager.
What kind of conversion methods

Through the linear voltage regulator to convert power to face problems in this manner more suitable for the need to avoid noise (such as car audio) and therefore could not switch mode conversion circuit. The switch means is characterized by very high conversion efficiency, but it is also the problem of noise, so the choice of conversion depends on what kind of application.

Typically, the efficiency of the pump-driven approach as the input voltage changes, changes in the voltage range of applications, their efficiency is relatively low; voltage in the range of relatively small changes in the application, only when the input and output voltage of Is a multiple of the relationship between the whole, it's to achieve maximum efficiency, but in battery-powered applications is very difficult to achieve. On the other hand, the inductive voltage conversion efficiency is not subject to interference, and limit the application of less than charge pump, so currently use Inductor Circuit conversion methods.

How to evaluate the performance

An objective that hb led driver ic evaluation of the performance according to different applications, can not be generalized. For example, decorative lighting applications for change of control rgb color requested, the performance has become the main targets, while in monochrome applications do not require this. Another example is the small space required by the application of heat dispersion is capacities; alternative automotive lighting applications with both the original circuit system combined with smooth performance as well as high reliability; nb like in the show's application, led to the multi-string The balance of brightness control for each driver ic a way to have a precise current control, such as the maxim of the product control precision can reach 3%; projector requires the application of highly efficient drive circuit, the ability to quickly adjust brightness, as well as thermal protection Capacity; in the application of alternative, more performance is reflected in the program as a whole, rather than a single drive on the ic. On the whole, the integration of devices to control the amount of response time, fault diagnosis, and so are heat-resistant properties of the reference to the evaluation.

Typically, a high level of integration is aimed at improving performance, but high-power, highly integrated in order to meet the current will increase the size of the chip, the increase in the cost of cooling at the same time faced with the problem, how to balance power and the integration of The relationship between the driver is facing ic design issue. Ic drive to improve the technology to meet the cost of the chip at the same time, improved cooling package to resolve the issue.