ON Semiconductor introduced the NCP5623 - a triple output LED driver with I2C interface and built-in gradual dimming. The device is specifically designed to drive tricolor RGB (red, green, blue) LEDs for fun lighting or enhanced LCD backlighting in portable applications such as cell phones and MP3 players. Offered in the LLGA-12 package, the NCP5623 is a small RGB LED charge pump driver housed in a non-bump plastic package. The LED driver performs autonomous operations upon the command of the processor via its I2C interface. Its three independently controlled current outputs - with +/- 0.5 percent typical matching tolerance and 32 current levels - allow the display of more than 32,000 colors with a tricolor RGB LED.

The device features an integrated gradual dimming feature, which progressively increases or decreases output current to produce a theatrical fade-in/fade-out effect. The use of a logarithmic current profile ensures the light and color changes appear smooth and linear to human eyes. To help maximize battery life, the device achieves 94 percent peak efficiency with less than 1 micro ampere standby current over the operating range of a Lithium based battery. Despite the small IC package, the device requires only four passive components to operate in a typical application. The device also features short-circuit and overvoltage protection, which protects the system in case of LED failure.

Packaging and Price

The NCP5623 is housed in the lead-free (Pb-free) 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm x 0.55 mm LLGA-12 package and is budgetary priced at $0.55 USD per unit for 3,000 unit quantities.