The MAX16832A/MAX16832C step-down constant-cur-
rent high-brightness LED (HB LED) drivers provide a
cost-effective design solution for automotive
interior/exterior lighting, architectural and ambient light-
ing, LED bulbs, and other LED illumination applications.
The MAX16832A/MAX16832C operate from a +6.5V to
+65V input voltage range. A high-side current-sense
resistor adjusts the output current up to 700mA, and a
dedicated pulse-width modulation (PWM) input
enables pulsed LED dimming over a wide range of
brightness levels.
These devices are well suited for applications requiring
a wide input voltage range. The high-side current sens-
ing and an integrated current-setting circuitry minimize
the number of external components while delivering an
average output current with ±3% accuracy. A hysteretic
control method ensures excellent input supply rejection
and fast response during load transients and PWM dim-
ming. The MAX16832A allows 10% current ripple, and
the MAX16832C allows 30% current ripple. Both
devices operate up to a 2MHz switching frequency,
thus allowing the use of small-sized components.
The MAX16832A/MAX16832C offer an analog dimming
feature that reduces the output current by applying an
external DC voltage below the internal 2V threshold volt-
age from TEMP_I to GND. TEMP_I also sources 25μA to
a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor con-
nected between TEMP_I and GND, thus providing an
analog thermal-foldback feature that reduces the LED
current when the temperature of the LED string exceeds
a specified temperature point. Additional features
include thermal-shutdown protection.
The MAX16832A/MAX16832C operate over the -40°C to
+125°C automotive temperature range and are available
in a thermally enhanced 8-pin SO package.