New power controllers designed for next-generation LED lighting applications

Microchip has announced two new digitally enhanced power analogue controllers designed for LED lighting applications. The MCP19116 and MCP19117 increase accuracy for LED lighting and allow users to carefully control LED light output levels without sacrificing colour or light quality for reliable long-life applications. Efficiency and longevity have consistently been drivers in LED adoption. However, light quality remains one of the most important system considerations. Colour, brightness, and controllability are the key to a successful lighting product. By combining the power and performance of an analogue-based controller with the flexibility of a digital interface, the MCP19116/7 is an intelligent pulse width modulation (PWM) controller with a fully integrated PIC MCU core that can deliver cost savings while still providing the highest standards in reliability, efficiency, and light quality. The digital interface also allows for communication and configuration, allowing a subsystem to report status or be remotely controlled. This functionality is necessary for adding lighting to many applications, especially high-reliability automotive and remotely accessible internet of things (IoT) devices. The LED lighting industry continues to grow in market share and reach. A report from Big Market Research from 2015 indicated strong market growth for LED lighting, anticipating the industry to grow 45 percent per year through to 2020. The market is also expected to reach over $63 billion in 2020. These predictions are consistent throughout industry analysts, says the company. In response, Microchip has also announced the MCP19117 Flyback Evaluation Board (ADM00663) with a flyback design supporting constant current loads up to 50V, for driving a medium-voltage LED string. Also available for the MCP19116 and MCP19117 is Microchip's full suite of development tool support including MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE). An MPLAB X plug-in specific to the digitally enhanced power analogue controllers is also available. The MCP19116 is in a 4m x 4mm QFN package, and the MCP19117 in a 5mm x 5mm QFN package.