LED driver keeps the current constant: News from Prema Semiconductor

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New from Prema Semiconductor, the PR4130 is a constant current driver for controlling up to three LEDs in series. Even if one or two LEDs are disconnected or short circuited, the current and the brightness remain constant, thus providing high reliability. The supply voltage of the PR4130 ranges from 10 to 14.4V or a maximum voltage of 21V for short time.

Only one external resistor is necessary for operation to set the LED current in a range from 5 to 30mA.

Due to the very accurate current control the brightness of the LEDs is very constant and almost independent of the supply voltage and the number of connected LEDs.

A Zener diode circuit provides a current flow also with a break of one LED and together with the current control the brightness of all connected LEDs stays smooth and constant also with short circuit or break of one or two LEDs.

The Zener diode circuit is specified for LED forward voltages up to 2.3V.

With its ability to accept a supply voltage around 12V the PR4130 is well suited to automotive applications such as drivers for centre high mount stop lights made from strings of LEDs.

In this case several PR4130 can be used in parallel.

Further applications are decorative light strings with 12V power supplies.

The PR4130 is offered as a standard cell for use in analogue ASIC designs.

Production of a custom specific standard cell IC can be reasonable for annual amounts from 10,000 units.

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