16bit LED driver improves full-color image quality

Texas Instruments Inc. has released a 16-channel, 50 mA constant-current sink LED driver, with an input voltage of up to 17V. The TLC5943's integrated enhanced spectrum pulse-width modulation (PWM) improves image quality and reduces flicker noise in monochrome, multicolor and full-color LED displays, as well as LED signboards and display backlighting.

Each of the TLC5943's 16 channels has an individually adjustable 16bit (65,536-step) grayscale PWM brightness control feature with an auto-data refresh and display repeat function. The channels are divided into four groups, and each group has an associated turn-on delay to maximize system voltage stability. All 16 channels can be adjusted with the device's 7bit brightness control feature. A designer can use a single external resistor to set the maximum current value for all channels.

The device's brightness control feature, which can be accessed through a common 30MHz interface, adjusts the average current levels to compensate for brightness variations that occur from one LED to the next.

The TLC5943 features two error information circuits. The device's LED open detection indicates a broken or disconnected LED at an output terminal. A thermal error flag indicates an over-temperature condition.

The TLC5943 is available in a 28-pin, HSSTOP package or in a 32-pin, QFN package. Suggested resale price starts at $2 in 1,000-unit quantities for the HSSTOP package and $2.20 for the QFN package.