Diodes, pioneer in the fabrication and supply of standard application specific solutions within the broad discrete, logic and analog semiconductor markets, declared the release of their AL8400 LED-based linear driver controller.
The AL8400 controls LED power by means of an exterior transistor across fluctuations in intensive bright LEDs. This can be used in a wide series of LED chains in indication, illumination, or signage systems. These controllers can directly operate from 2.2V to 18V and can either activate N-channel MOSFET or NPN Bipolar transistors.
The AL8400 has a lower current sensing voltage with about 200mV that lessens the working voltage overhead and enhances performance, in contrast to the conventional system. The open collector output activates the exterior pass transistor, permitting the control of LED current ranging from tens of mA to greater than an ampere.
By employing an exterior pass transistor, the power dissipation and drive capacity can be synchronized. Lengthier LED chains having a power greater than 18V can be obtained with very few optional exterior elements.
The reduced thermal deviation of the LED driver and its 3% reference voltage at 25ºC dominates all the prevailing linear systems, with reduction in expenses. The AL8400 low profile SOT353 package, and miniature footprint provides excellent power density compared to other common packages, delivering a low EMI solution.
Source: http://www.diodes.com