STMicroelectronics ALED6000, DC-DC converter
Integrated single-chip LED driver for automotive applications
Pulse unit protection possible in case of overcurrent


STMicroelectronics released the ALED6000, a single-chip automotive LED driver with an integrated DC-DC converter. Suitable for exterior lighting applications such as daytime running lights, headlights, taillights, stoplights, and turn signals, as well as interior lighting, it drives a single LED string at up to 3A and offers an input voltage range of 4.5 to 61V.

The ALED6000 implements digital dimming and features dedicated pins for applying PWM control signals. It also provides Enable and Sync pins, ensuring low noise in multi-device applications. Output current is within 3.2%, and efficient monitoring is possible using a sense resistor with a typical voltage drop of 250 mV.

Quiescent current is just 2.4mA during operation and 11µA in shutdown, and the VBIAS auxiliary input pin and pulse-skipping operation at light loads are also supported, ensuring high efficiency across the entire load range. The integrated converter supports buck, buck-boost, and floating-boost topologies, providing flexibility to power LED strings that require higher or lower voltages than the input voltage, and can also cope with supply voltage fluctuations.

Additionally, when the input voltage drops to or below the programmed output, it can operate in low-dropout (LDO) mode with a duty cycle close to 100%.

When an overcurrent occurs, a pulse-based protection function is invoked to limit the output current to a preset maximum. A programmable soft-start circuit limits inrush current, and automatic recovery and thermal protection are also provided. Both the output current limit and the converter's switching frequency can be selected using external components, enabling high energy efficiency, fast dynamic response, small size, low output ripple, and the use of optimized inductors with ESR capacitors.

The AEC-Q100 qualified ALED6000 automotive LED driver is currently in production in an HTSSOP16 package and is priced at $2.25 in quantities of 1,000. The STEVAL-ILL089V1 evaluation kit is also available to help designers quickly get started with their projects.