New LED dot-matrix driver from austriamicrosystems can drive 144 LEDs

austriamicrosystems has unveiled the AS1119, which austriamicrosystems claims is the most advanced and smallest LED dot-matrix driver (channels vs. PCB space) available. This device occupying space of 9 mm² on the PCB can drive 144 LEDs. The no of lines required to drive these 144 LEDs is reduced to 18 using a multiplexing technique called cross-plexing. austriamicrosystems also says that this driver has a 80% longer battery lifetime, more colorful effects and smoother running animations. The AS1119 is suggested for dot matrix displays in mobile phones, personal electronics and toys.

8-bit dimming control of each LED is possible from AS1119. This device also integrates an 8-bit analog current control that allows fine tuning of each matrix to compensate for different brightness of different colors, or to adjust the white balance on RGB LEDs. The AS1119 also incorporates 6 frames of memory for small animations or for use as a buffer to reduce host processor load, thereby saving energy and precious processing time. This driver also extends battery life by including an on-chip 320 mA charge pump which is required when LEDs require a higher voltage than the battery can supply.

The AS1119 operates over a power supply range of 2.7 to 5.5 V. Thes other features include control via a 1 MHz I²C compatible interface, open and shorted LED error detection, and low-power shutdown current.

The AS1119 offers two modes of operation
--Single/bicolor mode to drive the maximum number of LEDs in two 8x9 matrix
--RGB mode that offers three times 5x6 matrix, allowing white balance by adjusting the analog current in each matrix according to austriamicrosystems.

“The AS1119 is the most advanced and smallest dot matrix LED driver available on the market,” stated Rene Wutte, austriamicrosystems’ Marketing Manager for Lighting. He continued, “It enables creative light design with the longest battery lifetime through our intelligent power management for mobile applications. It allows our customers to create unique looking devices while minimizing design effort through the AS1119’s flexibility. The AS1119 also saves space & cost by reducing external component count, reducing connector pin count and the number of PCB layers.”

Package: 36-pin WL-CSP 3x3 mm

Operating temperature range: -40 to +85 °C

Price: US$5.00 for 1000 piece quantities

Availability: Now