MAX6972, MAX6973

16-Output PWM LED Drivers for Message Boards

EZCascade™ LVDS Serial Interface Running at 35Mbps for Easy and Economical Designing and Manufacturing of Large Displays

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Status Explanations for product status codes

Active: In Production.

Description

The MAX6972/MAX6973 precision current-sinking, 16-output PWM LED drivers drive red, green, and/or blue LEDs for full-color graphic message boards and video displays. Each output has an individual 12-bit (MAX6972) or 14-bit (MAX6973) PWM-intensity (hue) control and 7-bit (MAX6972) or 5-bit (MAX6973) global PWM intensity (luminance) control. The MAX6972/MAX6973 also feature open-circuit LED fault-detection circuitry, as well as a watchdog timer.

The driver has two banks of eight outputs, with each bank intended to drive a different color in RGB applications. The standard application uses three MAX6972/MAX6973s to drive eight RGB LEDs. The full-scale current for each bank of eight outputs is adjustable from 11mA to 55mA in 256 steps (0.3125% per step) to calibrate each color.

The MAX6972/MAX6973 can optionally multiplex by using outputs active-low MUX0 and active-low MUX1, which each drive an external pnp transistor. Multiplexing doubles the MAX6972/MAX6973 drive capability to 32 LEDs.

The MAX6972/MAX6973 operate from a 3.0V to 3.6V power supply. The LED power supply can range from 3V to 7V. The LED drivers require only 0.8V headroom above the LEDs' forward-voltage drop. Using a separate LED supply voltage for each LED minimizes power consumption.

The serial interface uses differential signaling for the high-speed clock and data signals to reduce EMI and improve signal integrity. The MAX6972/MAX6973 buffer all interface signals to simplify cascading devices in modules that use a large number of drivers.

An internal watchdog timer, when enabled, automatically clears the pixel-data registers and blanks the display if any of the signal inputs fail to toggle within 40ms.

The MAX6972/MAX6973 are available in 32-pin TQFN packages and operate over the -40°C to +125°C temperature range.

Refer to the MAX6974/MAX6975 data sheet for a 24-output, 6mA to 30mA software-compatible device.
 

Data Sheet

Download this datasheet in PDF formatDownload Rev 0 (PDF, 720kB)
Send this datasheet to any email addressE-Mail
An evaluation kit is available: MAX6972EVKIT

NOTE: This product uses the following:
MAX6972 EVKIT Software

Key Features

  • 16 LED Current Sink Outputs (Two Banks of Eight Outputs)
  • 32 LED Drive Option When Multiplexing
  • 33MHz Clock Supports Up to 63 Frames per Second of Video
  • Constant Output Current Calibration from 11mA to 55mA in 256 Steps
  • EZCascade™ Interface Simplifies Multiple Driver Cascading Without External Buffers
  • 12-Bit or 14-Bit Individual PWM LED Intensity Controls
  • 7-Bit or 5-Bit Panel PWM-Intensity Control
  • +3V to +7V LED Power Supply
  • +3.0V to +3.6V Logic Supply
  • Open-Circuit LED Fault Detection
  • Optional Watchdog Timer Blanks Display if Interface Fails
  • Standard -40°C to +125°C Operating Temperature Range
 

Applications/Uses

  • Graphic Panels
  • LED Message Boards
  • LED Video Display Panels
  • Signs
  • Variable Message Signs (VMS)
   

Diagram

MAX6972, MAX6973: Typical Operating Circuit
Typical Operating Circuit

Application Notes

Application Note 4111   Eliminating Ghost-Image Currents in Color-LED Display Systems Using the MAX6972–MAX6975 LED Drivers

Product Guides

Displays (PDF)
High-Speed Interconnect (PDF)

Reliability Reports

Reliability Report: MAX6972.pdf
Show FIT data for:
Request Reliability Report for:

Software/Models

MAX6972 EVKIT Software

Ordering Information

Filters: Part Number: Package: Temperature: Tape and Reel Sample
Part Number Free
Sample
Buy Status Explanations for product status codes Package:
TYPE PINS FOOTPRINT
DRAWING  CODE/VAR *
Temp RoHS/Lead-Free?
Materials Analysis
MAX6972ATJ    
Active TQFN;32 pin;26 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0140 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0013 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T3255-5*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: No
Materials Analysis
MAX6972ATJ+  
Active TQFN;32 pin;26 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0140 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0013 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T3255+5*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: Lead Free
Materials Analysis
MAX6972ATJ+T    
Active QFN;

Land Pattern: Not Available

-40°C to +125°C See data sheet
MAX6972ATJ-T    
Active QFN;32 pin

Land Pattern: Not Available

-40°C to +125°C See data sheet
MAX6973ATJ    
Active TQFN;32 pin;26 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0140 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0013 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T3255-5*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: No
Materials Analysis
MAX6973ATJ+  
Active TQFN;32 pin;26 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0140 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0013 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T3255+5*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: Lead Free
Materials Analysis
MAX6973ATJ+T    
Active QFN;

Land Pattern: Not Available

-40°C to +125°C See data sheet
MAX6973ATJ-T    
Active QFN;32 pin

Land Pattern: Not Available

-40°C to +125°C See data sheet

Notes:
  1. Other options and links for purchasing parts are listed at: http://www.maxim-ic.com/sales.
  2. Didn't Find What You Need? Ask our applications engineers. Expert assistance in finding parts, usually within one business day.
  3. Part number suffixes: T or T&R = tape and reel; + = RoHS/lead-free; # = RoHS/lead-exempt; -D = drypack; -U/+U on DS parts = cut tape. More: See Full Data Sheet or Maxim Product Naming Conventions.
  4. * Some packages have variations, listed on the drawing. "PkgCode/Variation" tells which variation the product uses. Note that "+", "#", "-" in the part number suffix describes RoHS status. Package drawings may show a different suffix character.

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More Information

New Product Press Release 2006-05-31 ]


Didn't Find What You Need?

Information Index

Document Ref.: 19-0534 Rev 0; 2006-05-22
This page last modified: 2007-08-03


 


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