New Matrix-Type LED Drivers for Automotive LCD Backlights Enable Independent Control of up to 192 Zones

ROHM has developed LED driver ICs - the BD94130xxx-M series (BD94130MUF-ME2, BD94130EFV-ME2) - for automotive LCD backlights. The devices support large displays increasingly being used in next-generation car infotainment and instrument clusters.

In recent years, the advancement of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) together with expanding car infotainment functionality have prompted a shift towards higher resolution vehicle displays to improve visibility. As such, LED drivers with a local dimming function capable of turning off only the backlight in dark areas of the LCD improve display screen performance and reduce power consumption. They are now being considered by automotive manufacturers developing next-generation cockpits. But as the number of zones controlled with conventional direct-type LED drivers by a single IC is less than 100, the number of LED drivers and peripheral components will also increase as automotive displays become larger with more zones. This represents a significant design challenge.

To meet this need, ROHM developed products capable of controlling more zones than conventional ICs -making it possible to reduce the mounting area by reducing the number of LED drivers required. The BD94130xxx-M series of matrix LED drivers combines an 8-line switch controller with 24-channel current driver - allowing control (dimming) of up to 192 zones mini-LED for backlighting with a single IC. On top of that, the mini-LEDs in each zone can be independently adjusted by using a local dimming function - contributing to larger contrast ratio, lower power consumption displays (more info).