SC442 Boost Device Drives up to 120 White LEDs for Large Panels and Ultra-Bright Displays

Semtech Corp  announced the SC442, its first 10-channel white LED driver with an integrated 3A boost power switch. The device is capable of driving up to 120 LEDs at up to 30mA per channel and is packaged in an ultra-small, low-profile 4x4x0.6mm, 28-pin MLPQ package. The high-density package, small external filter components, wide operating voltage range and high efficiency satisfy space constrained LED backlights serving LCD monitors and LCD-TVs. The high density LED driver is also ideal for ultra-bright displays exceeding 500Nits which serve medical, industrial, avionics and navigation markets, as well as digital signage applications.
The device extends Semtech's popular SC44x LED driver platform to address large LCD backlighting applications. The SC442 operates across a wide input voltage range of 4.5V to 21V for use with lithium ion battery packs or regulated 5V, 12V or 18V power supplies. The SC442 is capable of up to 42V output for driving up to 12 white LEDs per channel. The device is compatible with boost (step-up), or SEPIC (step-up/down) topologies. It also transitions seamlessly to bypass (or linear) mode; when the input voltage is greater than the output voltage. The synchronization feature eliminates inter-modulation noise found in backlight systems utilizing multiple driver ICs -- such as those found in large LED backlit LCD-TVs. Other features include over-temperature, overload, open and programmable short LED protection.