By LOU FRENZEL, Contributing Editor

LED Lighting: More

to It Than You Think
Sponsored by Digi-Key and Infineon Technologies: Today’s lighting systems are
dominated by LED technology. Though it seems a relatively simple concept, lighting
multiple LED arrays requires special driver ICs to maintain efficiency.

H
ow hard could it be to turn on an LED? Connect same voltage to all LEDs. The current in each LED should be
the LED in series with an appropriate resistor and the same, but production differences can make the same mod-
hook it up to a dc source with the correct polarity el LEDs have slightly different currents and brightness levels.
and voilà, instant LED light. Of course, you can The parallel approach isn’t the preferred solution. However,
do that with a simple LED “pilot” light, but when it comes when a large array of LEDs is needed in applications like back-
to lighting multiple LEDs or designing them into homes or lighting and signs, a combination series-parallel arrangement
vehicles, it’s more of a challenge. As it turns out, efficiency is a is common. The voltage across each series string in parallel
big issue. In most cases, the best way to light an LED is to use must be exactly the same to prevent current hogging.
specially designed linear and/or switch-mode driver ICs. The best way to turn on an LED is to use a current source.
This is especially critical when lighting multiple LEDs, usu-
LED Lighting Basics ally connected in series. The brightness is
+V
As the technology has progressed, LEDs a function of current and to have a consis-
have gradually replaced incandescent tent coherent light source, all LEDs need
bulbs and CFLs. Increased brightness and Current set to be the same brightness. A constant cur-
lower costs have expedited the change- rent driver is the solution. Fig 1 shows a
over from the older lighting technolo- R1 couple of legacy examples.
gies. Today, LEDs have found a place in In the top of Figure 1, a MOSFET is the
+
home lighting, automotive, signage, and constant-current source driven by an op-
backlighting for TV sets, video monitors, – amp circuit that sets and controls the cur-
laptops and tablets, as well as smartphone R2 rent. The bottom of Figure 1 shows how a
screens. Simply put, LED lighting has be- popular three-terminal regulator like the
R3
come the dominant method of lighting. LM317 can be configured as a constant-
Most LED lighting applications require current source. The output current is set
multiple LEDs to achieve the brightness by the value of R1 and can be anywhere in
levels demanded. LEDs may be connected the 10-mA to 1.5-V range. Such solutions
in series, parallel, or some combination. DC in are still viable, but today sophisticated IC
LM317
A series connection is usually the best LED drivers are available to simplify the
arrangement, as there’s only one current R1 application.
path that’s shared by all of the LEDs, mak- A common need in LED lighting is
ing their illumination the same. In most dimming or brightness variation; gener-
I = 1.25/R1
cases, a series connection is the easiest to ally, home-lighting systems and prod-
implement and troubleshoot. The down- 1. Typical constant current sources: An op ucts offer a dimming feature. Multiple
side is that if one LED fails (opens), the amp driver for a MOSFET (top); and using methods have been developed to control
entire string goes dark. a popular three-terminal linear IC regulator brightness. Perhaps the most effective is
A parallel connection provides the like the LM317 as a current source (bottom). pulse-width modulation (PWM), where

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a high-frequency rectangular wave signal controls the average
current in the LEDs. By varying the duty cycle of the driving
wave, brightness can be precisely controlled.
Finally, when a large number of LEDs are used, heat and
efficiency become a concern. As a result, linear constant-
current driving methods are often unacceptable. The solution
has been to develop switch-mode driver circuits that provide
not only adequate power, but also high efficiency. The related
good news is that a wide range of switch-mode LED drivers
are available for virtually all applications.
One company that offers an extensive line of LED drivers is
Infineon, and that includes multiple variations of both linear
and ac-dc and dc-dc LED switching drivers to address virtu-
ally all applications. Some unique applications include LED
strips, horticultural, and smart street lighting. In addition,
Infineon’s global lighting team supports lighting customer-
vendors in designing new LED lighting products and systems.
Sampling the Product Line
To help meet today’s lighting needs, Infineon offers an array
of topologies and features to address all types of LED lighting
designs. Some of its high-performance LED drivers include:
BCR601 Linear LED Driver
The BCR601 uses an external N-channel MOSFET or NPN
bipolar transistor to deliver and control the current to an LED
string. A key feature of the BCR601 is active headroom con-
trol that improves the efficiency of the IC. The IC monitors the
output and provides feedback to an ac-dc supply by way of an
optocoupler. As a result, the headroom for proper operation
Line filter
AC in
Flyback
BCR601
XDPL8218
UART Feedback
Optocoupler
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is reduced to its lowest possible value, thereby boosting effi-
ciency. The BCR601 usually gets its dc input from a separate
ac-dc supply such as the XDPL8218.
XDPL8218 Voltage Flyback IC
The XDPL8218 implements an ac-dc flyback switching
regulator. It includes power factor correction (PFC) and a sec-
ondary-side regulator for a solid constant-voltage output. This
IC usually works with Infineon’s CoolMOS P7 power MOS-
FETs. With dozens of configurable parameters that are easily
adjusted with the XDPL8218 GUI, users can design more ef-
ficient, reliable, and differentiated LED supplies. Typical effi-
ciency is greater than 90%.
XDPL8221 Lighting Controller
The XDPL8221 Lighting Controller, a cost-effective dual-
stage driver with advanced features and configurable param-
eters, is flexible enough to accommodate almost any LED
driver’s need. The IC uses a flyback-topology switching circuit
to achieve efficiency up to 90%. It features PFC, low harmonic
distortion, and adaptive temperature protection. Dimming
uses PWM control.
The XDPL8221 also includes a standard UART serial inter-
face that permits connection to an external microcontroller,
wireless device, or sensor. This makes it possible to monitor
the performance of the IC and control the device output. One-
time programmable (OTP) memory lets the designer set the
electrical parameters of the device.
LITIX Automotive LED Drivers
LITIX linear ICs use a constant-current regulator to stabi-
lize LED brightness over a wide range of variations encoun-
12 to 16 LEDs
500 mA
linear
2. Here, a simplified LED driver
uses a digital flyback controller in
a dual-stage combination with a
linear driver to maximize the effi-
ciency and other benefits for LED
control.
2
tered in a vehicle, such as battery/system voltage and extreme
temperatures.
The LITIX family of auto LED drivers are dc-dc convert-
ers that feature one to three outputs, each capable of deliver-
ing 120 mA of constant current. Dimming is by way of PWM
and an enable (EN) input provides easy off-on control. Out-
put current is set by an external resistor. Built-in protection
features are included for overvoltage, noise spikes, and ESD,
which often crop up in a vehicle’s hazardous environment. The
LITIX devices also have integral diagnostic capability. Ver-
sions of the LITIX ICs are available for headlights, taillights,
and interior lighting.

An Application
Figure 2 shows a highly recommended application of a two-
stage driver that uses a XDPL8218 digital flyback controller
in combination with a BCR601 linear LED driver. It offers the
constant-current output required by the LEDs, as well as a full
switch-mode controller that brings efficiency to the circuit.
The XDPL8218 gets its input from the ac line and incorpo-
rates PFC. This IC operates a flyback converter that powers the
BCR601 linear driver and LEDs. The BCR601 uses an external
MOSFET to power the LED array. A key feature of this circuit
is the feedback from the linear driver by way of the optocou-
pler. This allows the controller to minimize headroom in the
linear output to maintain the highest possible efficiency.

Related Resources:
• Infineon Linear LED Controller IC (video)
• Infineon’s Solutions for Embedded Power and Lighting in
Major Home Applications
• Product Highlights: LITIX Automotive LED Driver ICs

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