LED driver IC that brings more freedom to light bar design

Infineon introduced the constant current linear LED driver IC BCR431U, which can provide a lower voltage drop when adjusting the LED current. This product is the second product of the new-generation BCR series, with low-voltage drop characteristics, designed for current up to 37mA. Typical applications of the new BCR431U include LED light bars, advertising signs, architectural LED lighting, LED displays, and emergency, retail and home appliance lighting.

This integrated driver IC has a voltage drop of only 105mV at a current of 15mA, leading the industry in performance and providing more design flexibility for lighting applications. In this way, the overall efficiency can be improved, and the required voltage margin can be provided to compensate the LED forward voltage tolerance and variation in the supply voltage. BCR431U can add more LEDs to the lighting design, for example, use the same IC to drive seven LEDs in series instead of just six LEDs; or, it can also be used to increase the overall length of the LED strip design, for example from 5 meters to 7 meters. On the whole, the longer the LED light bar, the fewer power points and less installation work.

The LED current can be easily adjusted through the high-ohm resistor on the dedicated pin. The IC supply voltage range is between 6V and 42V. With intelligent overheating control circuit design, it can maintain a constant current when the temperature rises, provide safe and reliable operating performance, and extend the life of the LED system. In addition, the driver will only reduce the LED current when the junction temperature becomes very high. BCR431U has a dimming brightness that can be as low as 1%, which is very attractive for a variety of LED strip designs.