Maxim introduces in-car LED controllers for exterior lighting and advanced security applications

     Maxim announced the launch of the MAX20078 synchronous buck, high-brightness LED controller, the industry's only device that provides both fast response and low electromagnetic interference (EMI), ideal for external LED lighting and advanced security products. The LED controller is ideal for matrix lighting design, providing designers with a high-performance solution, easy design, and significantly reduced time to market.

     In advanced lighting applications such as matrix lighting, if the LED switch is controlled at high speed, the LED driver and controller are prone to current overshoot and downshoot. Such applications usually install a large number of leds in highly dense areas, so the design work is a huge challenge, and it is particularly difficult to eliminate EMI. Car manufacturers often spend a lot of time, expense and manpower testing different layouts and filtering schemes in an effort to reduce EMI.

     The MAX20078 provides ultra-fast response speed, smoother transient response, no need for external compensation elements, a wide dimming ratio, and integrated fault protection and monitoring circuits. The MAX20078 supports both fast LED switching and low EMI, so designers don't have to worry about one side or the other. These features, combined with the simplicity of design and the flexibility of switching frequency selection, help designers bring products to market quickly.