Driver built for high-power LED lighting

Catalyst Semiconductor Inc. has expanded its line of constant-current LDD (low dropout driver) products to include a new, simple-to-use, high-power device for architectural, landscape, automotive and general LED lighting products. The CAT4101 is a linear-based, constant-current LED driver, which drives long strings of LEDs and provides a high-current solution for a wide range LED applications.

Since it is a linear-based LED driver, the CAT4101 does not require an inductor, eliminating noise, minimizing component count and simplifying design. The LED current is set via an external resistor connected to the RSET pin. The LED pin is compatible with high-voltages up to 25V. This enables the CAT4101 to drive long strings of up to 10 LEDs, adjustable to 1A. The device offers high-speed, high-resolution PWM dimming, an "instant-on" PWM control mode and thermal shutdown protection in the event of an overtemperature fault condition. The CAT4101 is available in a 5-lead, TO-263 package to provide exceptional thermal dissipation.

Product features include 1A current sink with high accuracy; up to 25V operation on LED pin, low dropout voltage drive 500mV/1A and LED current set by external resistor. The device also offers high resolution PWM dimming via EN/PWM and thermal shutdown protection.

Packaged in 5-lead TO-263, the CAT4101 constant-current LDD is priced at 98 cents each in 10,000-piece quantities. CAT4101 samples and evaluation kits CAT4101 are available now. Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently six to eight weeks ARO.