New Automotive-Grade Backlight LED Driver Optimized for LCD Panels

In recent years, to improve both visibility and design in the automotive field, LCDs are being used in an increasing number of systems including instrument clusters, head-up displays and car navigation. In addition, larger screen sizes are being demanded. They require a greater number of high brightness LEDs for backlight as well as LED drivers featuring multi-channel operation and advanced dimming features that can prevent flicker effects.

ROHM announced the availability of the latest LED driver IC, the BD81A76EFV-M, optimized for LCD backlight in instrument cluster, center information displays and car navigation. Unlike conventional drivers with 4 channels that support LCDs up to 8”, this IC provides 6 channels of output (with 120mA per channel) that can support LCD panels of up to 10-12” class. At the same time original buck-boost control ensures compatibility with both small and large LCDs using a single driver. This makes it possible to develop a common design of LCD control board suitable for conventional panels along with the latest large-size displays.

LED driver IC

In response to this increasing market need, ROHM has leveraged its industry-leading analog design technology and incorporated proprietary technologies into its LED drivers to achieve flicker-free operation and to contribute to a common control board design. The BD81A76EFV-M also allows designers to use larger LCD panels in vehicle applications.

ROHMs new LED driver allows flexibility of design in modern display architectures and ensures backwards compatibility providing cost effectiveness”, Stefan Drouzas, Product Marketing Manager Automotive Display Products, ROHM Semiconductor GmbH.

 ROHM will be committed to continuously contribute to technological innovation in the automotive sector by developing products that achieve greater optimization and energy savings in vehicle systems.

Key Features

1. Original buck-boost control supports a common control board design

2. Class-leading 6ch output enables compatibility with the latest 12” displays.

3. Low standby current minimizes power consumption

4. Spread spectrum function ensures high reliability, low noise operation

Application Examples

Car navigation  

Center information displays (CID)  

Cluster panels

Head-up displays (HUD)  

Electronic mirrors  

Small/medium LCDs

…and other automotive displays (up to 12”) requiring LED backlight

Availability: Now (samples), October 2019 (OEM quantities)