MAX6974, MAX6975

24-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 MAX6974/MAX6975 precision current-sinking, 24-output PWM LED drivers drive red, green, and blue LEDs for full-color graphic message boards and video displays. Each output has an individual 12-bit (MAX6974) or 14-bit (MAX6975) PWM-intensity (hue) control and 7-bit (MAX6974) or 5-bit (MAX6975) global PWM intensity (luminance) control. The MAX6974/MAX6975 feature a high-speed, fully buffered cascadable serial interface, open-circuit LED fault detection circuitry, as well as a watchdog timer.

The driver has three banks of eight outputs, with each bank intended to drive a different color in RGB applications. The full-scale current for each bank of eight outputs is adjustable from 6mA to 30mA in 256 steps (0.3125% per step) to calibrate each color.

The MAX6974/MAX6975 can optionally multiplex by using outputs active-low MUX0 and active-low MUX1, which each drive an external pnp transistor. Multiplexing doubles the MAX6974/MAX6975 drive capability to 48 LEDs.

The MAX6974/MAX6975 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 MAX6974/MAX6975 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 MAX6974/MAX6975 are available in 40-pin TQFN packages and operate over the -40°C to +125°C temperature range.

Refer to the MAX6972/MAX6973 data sheet for a 16-output, 11mA to 55mA software-compatible device.
 

Data Sheet

Download this datasheet in PDF formatDownload Rev 2 (PDF, 332kB)
Send this datasheet to any email addressE-Mail
An evaluation kit is available: MAX6974EVKIT

Key Features

  • 24 LED Current Sink Outputs (Three Banks of Eight Outputs)
  • 48 LED Drive Option When Multiplexing
  • 33MHz Clock Supports Up to 63 Frames per Second of Video
  • Constant Output Current Calibration from 6mA to 30mA 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

MAX6974, MAX6975: 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
Application Note 4208   Designing an LED-Based Video-Display Board
Application Note 4473   Emulating 16-Bit Resolution for Better LED Intensity Control in a Video Display
Application Note 4549   LED Level Shifter Includes Fault Detection

Product Guides

Displays (PDF)
High-Speed Interconnect (PDF)

Reliability Reports

Reliability Report: MAX6974.pdf
Show FIT data for:
Request Reliability Report for:

Software/Models

none

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
MAX6974ATL+  
Active TQFN;40 pin;37.2 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0141 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0054 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T4066+3*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: Lead Free
Materials Analysis
MAX6974ATL+T    
Active TQFN;40 pin;37.2 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0141 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0054 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T4066+3*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: Lead Free
Materials Analysis
MAX6975ATL    
Active TQFN;40 pin;37.2 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0141 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0054 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T4066-3*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: No
Materials Analysis
MAX6975ATL+  
Active TQFN;40 pin;37.2 mm²
Outline Drawing:21-0141 (PDF)
Land Pattern: 90-0054 (PDF)
Use pkgcode/variation: T4066+3*
-40°C to +125°C RoHS/Lead-Free: Lead Free
Materials Analysis
MAX6975ATL+T    
Active QFN;

Land Pattern: Not Available

-40°C to +125°C See data sheet
MAX6975ATL-T    
Active QFN;40 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 ]


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Information Index

Document Ref.: 19-0555 Rev 2; 2007-10-17
This page last modified: 2008-06-19


 


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