The A8501 is a multioutput WLED/RGB driver for backlighting medium-size displays. The A8501 integrates a boost converter and four 100 mA current sinks. LED channels can be tied together for up to 400 mA sink capability. It can work from a single power supply of 8 to 21 V and withstand up to 40 V. The boost converter is a constant frequency, current-mode converter.
Operating frequency can be set to 2 MHz in order to avoid interference with the AM radio band. The integrated boost DMOS switch is rated for 40 V at 3.6 A. PWM dimming allows LED currents to be controlled at up to a 1000:1 ratio. Additional 4:1 dimming can be achieved by using the DIM pin.
The A8501 provides protection against output connector shorts through an integrated output disconnect switch. An optional external thermistor can be used to limit LED current based on panel temperature.
The device is supplied in a surface mount, 28-pin TSSOP package (suffix LP), with exposed thermal pad for enhanced thermal dissipation. It is lead (Pb) free, with a leadframe plating choice of 100% matte-tin (suffix T) or tin-bismuth (suffix B).