New micropower LED driver IC that features an integrated Hall-effect switch

Allegro MicroSystems has announced the release of a new micropower LED driver IC that features an integrated Hall-effect switch. The APS13568 enables compact, elegant, reliable, and fault-tolerant LED lighting with minimal electrical engineering and low component-count and cost. A single silicon chip integrates: a micropower regulator, a Hall plate, a small-signal amplifier, chopper stabilisation, a Schmitt trigger, open drain Hall-effect switch, output polarity selection, and an LED driver with soft on/off and short circuit and thermal protection with automatic recovery. The integrated solid-state Hall-effect switch supports silent, sealed, contactless activation and offers a significant upgrade from failure-prone mechanical switches and provides very low standby current (25µA). The LED driver features low-noise, adjustable, linear drive of up to 150mA into one or more LEDs. An optional external capacitor programs the turn-on/turn-off rate, adding an elegant “theater” effect. It is controlled by the Hall-effect switch and turns on and off in response to a magnet. The Hall-effect switch is omnipolar (responsive to both North and South magnetic poles) and highly sensitive (BOP = 40G) to support a wide range of mechanical configurations and enclosures with various air-gaps and degrees of mechanical misalignment. The device features selectable output polarity as well as an open drain output for connecting to additional external circuitry. The device is available in two versions: the “K” option is an automotive-grade (AEC-Q100) device that operates from -40C to +125C; the “E” option is for industrial and consumer applications that operate from -40C to 85C. Both versions feature a RoHS-compliant, thermally enhanced SOIC-8 surface-mount package.