16-/24-Port, Constant-Current RGB LED Drivers Integrate Intelligent Cascading and 1% Port-to-Port Current Matching to Reduce Cost and Simplify Large Graphic Display Designs
SUNNYVALE, CA-May 31, 2006-Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) introduces the MAX6972/MAX6973 (16-port) and the MAX6974/MAX6975 (24-port) constant-current LED driver family. These drivers include features to simplify the design of large RGB indoor/outdoor LED display signs. The Company's EZCascade™ intelligent cascading technology combined with a low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface enables cascading thousands of drivers over long distances. This approach cuts cost by reducing the need for multiple expensive processors and simplifies display designs.
The MAX6972-MAX6975 integrate an 8-bit DAC to provide 256-steps of programmable constant-current outputs. The outputs are matched port to port by 1%, which allows LEDs from different lots or manufacturers to be used easily in the same system. In addition, 19 bits of global and individual PWM are provided to support high resolution for intensity and hue control.
Other driver features include slew-rate-limited outputs to reduce EMI. Data transfer is through a 35Mbps LVDS serial interface to support up to 65 frames per second, enabling full-motion video on giant LED displays. Furthermore, a watchdog timer and LED fault detection enable the designer to easily identify faulty LEDs by simply reading the serial data stream.
The MAX6972/MAX6973 and MAX6974/MAX6975 operate over the extended
-45°C to +125°C temperature range, and are available in 32-pin and 40-pin TQFN packages, respectively. Prices start at $4.12 for the MAX6972/MAX6973, and $5.55 for the MAX6974/MAX6975 (1000-up, FOB USA).
EZCascade is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | 
