The next generation of in-car ambient lighting will typically comprise of 10 to 30 LEDs mounted on a flexible light strip. Each 'group' consists of one red, green and blue LED to form a 'pixel', which is then intelligently controlled by the ISELED smart RGB LED driver, effectively replacing the present cumbersome and costly work-around utilizing multiple microcontrollers and a slow LIN bus.

Until now, ISELED smart LED drivers have only been available for purchase pre-integrated in an LED module. The INLC100Q16 is the first standalone driver available that enables manufacturers to custom design their own choice of external LED strips.

Several LED-related solutions for the automotive market are continuously being developed under the umbrella of the open ISELED Alliance. The current partners of the ISELED Alliance include Inova Semiconductors, Dominant Opto, Lucie Labs, NXP, TE Connectivity, the University of Pforzheim and Valeo.

The new standalone ISELED driver from Inova will be used to construct custom LED chains that can be controlled via a bidirectional two-wire differential bus, enabling up to 4079 daisy-chained driver devices in a single array. Each of these devices controls up to three LEDs by means of PWM-controlled outputs.

The Inova INLC100Q16 is very flexible, intuitive and easy to program, packing functions such as color/brightness control and low light dimming support. The driver can also be used as a signal converter in conjunction with ISELED LED modules to convert GPIOs from a microcontroller using single-ended signaling to the differential signaling used on the ISELED bus.

It supports calibration of a LED's brightness and the dominant wavelength, provides temperature compensation for red LEDs and features a built-in one-time programmable (OTP) memory for storing calibration and compensation data values. The smart driver also includes device authentication features.

The new INLC100Q16 driver from Inova is conceived with design simplicity in mind and includes a built-in oscillator, thus eliminating the need for any 'extra-cost' external components. It only requires a single supply voltage and integrates a built-in LDO (low dropout regulator). This powerful package also includes a very useful temperature sensor and comprehensive diagnostic features.

The new driver from Inova is housed in a compact 16-pin WETQFN package, measuring just 3x3 mm². It has a very broad operating temperature range from -40C to 105C and has been qualified in accordance with the AEC-Q100 automotive test specifications.