LM3590 Series White LED Driver
November 2003
LM3590
Series White LED Driver
General Description
The LM3590 is a White LED constant current driver capable
of supplying up to 3 White LEDs connected in series with
20mA. This device operates over a wide 6V-12.6V input
voltage range. The output can accomodate LEDs with a
combined forward voltage of up to 11.5V, from a 12V input
supply. The LED drive current is programmed by using an
external resistor on the I
SET
pin.
LED brightness can be linearly varied up to the programmed
LED current by applying a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM)
signal to the EN pin of the device. The LED output current of
the LM3590 is tightly controlled over temperature and volt-
age. LED Current matching is guaranteed due to the series
configuration of the LEDs. The series topology also simpli-
fies the connection between the White LEDs in the display
module and the LM3590 since only one connection is re-
quired.
The LM3590 typically draws only 50碌A when operating in the
no-load condition and draws less than 0.1碌A when the de-
vice is shut down.
The LM3590 is available in a small 5-pin SOT23 package.
Features
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Drives up to 3 stacked white LEDs
6.0V-12.6V input voltage range
Up to 20mA LED output current
Excellent LED current matching guaranteed by series
configuration
Single connection to the White LEDs in the display
module
Tightly controlled programmable current source
Low shutdown current (0.1碌A typ.)
PWM brightness control
Very small solution size
SOT23-5 package: 3mm x 3mm x 1.0mm (LxWxH)
Applications
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White LED Display Backlights
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Keypad Backlights
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General purpose constant current driver for high
forward-voltage LEDs
Typical Application Circuit
20081301
20081305
漏 2003 National Semiconductor Corporation
DS200813
www.national.com