Illuminating the future of automotive lighting with latest LED driver technology

Melexis has unveiled the MLX80142 two RGB LED driver (six channels), the latest addition to its smart state machine LED driver portfolio and the first to include MeLiBu 2.0. Employing its proven LED driver technology and a code-free option, this new IC empowers the next generation of smart RGB lighting, especially in challenging areas where space is critical, thanks to in-mould assembly.

LED lighting is vital to modern automotive design, delivering striking visual contrast, clear visual feedback, and illuminating dark environments. To support the latest applications, automotive OEMs and Tier 1s need cost-effective LED drivers to facilitate sophisticated and dynamic lighting applications while ensuring simple integration and development.

The six-channel MLX80142 provides accurate and high-speed control of two RGB LEDs. The IC allows a cross-free PCB layout to support simple single-layer PCBs and PCB-less over-moulding assemblies like IMSE. This approach streamlines integration, allowing for the development of highly compact designs with a total width of only a few mm, making the MLX80142 ideal for lighting assemblies with limited space availability, such as those found in dashboards or door liners.

To ensure reliable operation, the IC features a direct bonded internal bus ensuring that within setups linked in series, if one IC fails, it will not impact the functionality of the remaining LED drivers. This, along with the ASIL B SEooC compliance, allows the IC to be used in vehicle safety lighting.

Through its code-free development approach, the device simplifies the deployment of sophisticated LED systems. As the first MeLiBu driver to feature a state machine-based configuration, it streamlines the development process, minimising associated costs and efforts.

The automotive industry’s lighting demands far exceed the limitations of CAN and LIN networks, with manufacturers constantly pushing for more high-speed dynamic RGB LEDs and scene and situation-based animated lighting that is activated in specific circumstances. The company MeLiBu uses a CAN-FD physical layer and UART communication to provide high-speed dynamic lighting applications that surpass the capabilities of conventional LIN and CAN automotive networks.

Building on the success of existing MeLiBu solutions, MeLiBu 2.0 extends the capabilities by enabling control of over 3,500 RGB LEDs (10,500 LEDs) throughout the vehicle (interior and exterior) and communication speeds up to 4Mbit/s.

The new MLX80142, the first LED driver compatible with MeLiBu® 2.0, supports up to 500 RGB LEDs per MeLiBu segment, contributing to this increased capability. This performance permits automotive OEMs to deploy more complex animated lighting systems without raising design complexity or costs.

“Automotive lighting is a key element of how we interact with cars, in terms of both safety, visual identity and customisation,” said Michael Bender, product line director at Melexis. He continued: “The second generation of MeLiBu and the MLX80142’s space-saving will help manufacturers to create exciting new dynamic lighting deployments that can be integrated into areas of vehicles where it was previously impossible.”