Melexis’ MLX81117 Multichannel RGB LED Driver Extends MeLiBu Lighting Solutions For Automotive Applications

Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, has introduced the MLX81117, its latest multichannel RGB LED driver. This new product supports the MeLiBu™ high-speed communication licence-free IP which enables intelligent animated automotive lighting concepts.

The technology is already being leveraged by leading global car manufacturers to enhance the safety features of their latest models. The MLX81117 extends the MeLiBu product family with even better color-mixing accuracy of delta UV of <0.01.

Car manufacturers continue to adopt animated lighting in the cabin, to provide important information such as driver-assistance prompts, vehicle status updates or advanced comfort functions like adaptive roof light. It is becoming increasingly mainstream to use RGB LED lightbars to communicate with the driver through color-coded, color-changing and blinking sequences. However, this presents engineering challenges, such as maintaining consistent color across all of the LEDs in the lightbar and implementing simultaneous light changes.

The MLX81117 addresses this by integrating the Melexis MeLiBu high-speed communication interface IP. MeLiBu controls individual LEDs to implement the lighting effects defined by the vehicle’s systems. The intelligent RGB-LED controller also provides real-time compensation of any color drift caused by environmental changes, and color-mixing accuracy with a delta UV of <0.01% to eliminate any distinguishable differences between LEDs.

The MeLiBu communication interface uses a CAN-FD physical layer to deliver robust and reliable performance at up to 2 Mbit speeds. MeLiBu also delivers intelligent and high resolution operation to mitigate temperature-related color drift, to maintain a consistent and non-distracting user experience under all operating conditions.

The MLX81117 LED driver IC’s additional features include brightness control across a wide dimming range, which allows adjustments for natural light levels. The MLX81117 complies with ISO 26262 functional safety requirements up to safety integrity level B (ASIL B) and the design also delivers low EMI and high levels of immunity, helping designers to meet EMC regulations.

“The MLX81117 is the second product offering from Melexis to integrate its MeLiBu technology, which enables a scalability approach of the lighting system as well as new application functions,” said Michael Bender, Product Line Manager Embedded Lighting, Melexis. “It extends our support for advanced light functionality and we are excited to see leading automotive manufacturers already include it in their new models to deliver a safer driving experience.”

Samples are available now.

For more information, visit www.melexis.com

 

About Melexis

Combining a passion for technology with truly inspired engineering, Melexis designs, develops and delivers innovative micro-electronic solutions that enable designers to turn ideas into applications that support the best imaginable future. The company’s advanced mixed-signal semiconductor sensor and actuator components address the challenges of integrating sensing, driving and communication into next-generation products and systems that improve safety, raise efficiency, support sustainability and enhance comfort.

Melexis is a world leader in automotive semiconductor sensors. Today, on average, every new car produced worldwide contains 13 Melexis chips. Melexis has used its core experience to expand its portfolio of sensors and driver ICs. Now they also meet the needs of smart appliances, home automation, industrial and medical applications. Melexis sensing solutions include magnetic sensors, MEMS sensors (pressure, TPMS, infrared), sensor interface ICs, optoelectronic single point and linear array sensors and Time of Flight. The company’s driver IC portfolio incorporates advanced DC & BLDC motor controllers, LED drivers and FET pre-driver ICs, while Melexis has the know-how and expertise to build bridges between components, allowing them to communicate in a clear and fast way.

Melexis is headquartered in Belgium and employs over 1,500 people in 18 locations worldwide. The company is publicly traded on Euronext Brussels (MELE).