AN47

AN47
Getting more out of the ZXLD1350 - dimming techniques
Ray Liu, Systems Engineer, Zetex Semiconductors
Introduction
The ZXLD1350 has a versatile adjust pin that can be used in many ways to adjust the brightness
of the LED by controlling the current in the LED. This application note deals with some the ways
in which dimming the LED can be achieved and discusses the merits of the techniques. These
dimming methods discussed include PWM dimming both with a low and high frequency signals,
DC voltage control and resistive dimming.
Low frequency dimming
Low frequency dimming is preferred for LED dimming since the LED instantaneous driving
current is constant. The color temperature of the LED is preserved at all dimming levels. Another
advantage of low frequency dimming is that the dimming level can down to 1%. Hence result in
dimming range of 100:1.
Choice of frequency
To avoid visible flicker the PWM signal must be greater than 100Hz. If you choose too high a
frequency the internal low pass filter will start to integrate the PWM signal and produce a non
linear response. Also the soft start function of the ADJ pin will cause a delay on the rising a falling
edge of the PWM signal. This can give a non-linearity in the LED current which will have a greater
affect as frequency increases.
An upper limit of 1kHz is suggested. The effect of audible noise in the inductor may need to be
considered. This may happen in some inductors with loose windings and will be more noticeable
at PWM frequencies of 1kHz than 100Hz.
If the PWM frequency is less than approximately 500Hz, the device will be gated 'on' and 'off' and
the output will be discontinuous, with an average value of output current given by:
0.1 D PWM
I OUT ≈ -------------------------RS
[for 0<DWPM<1]
ADJ
PWM
ZXLD1350
GND
GND
High frequency dimming
High frequency dimming is preferred if system required low radiated emission and in/output
ripple. But dimming range is reduced to 5:1. The ZXLD1350 has an internal low pass filter which
integrates the high frequency PWM signal to produce a DC dimming control.
Issue 1 - August 2006
© Zetex Semiconductors plc 2006
1
www.zetex.com
AN47
If the PWM frequency is higher than approximately 10kHz and the duty cycle above the specified
minimum value, the device will remain active and the output will be continuous, with a nominal
output current given by:
0.1 D PWM
I OUT ≈ -------------------------RS
[for 0.16< DPWM <1]
ADJ
PWM
ZXLD1350
GND
GND
Input buffer transistor
For PWM dimming an input bipolar transistor with open collector output is recommended. This
will ensure the 200mV input shutdown threshold is achieved.
It is possible to PWM directly without a buffer transistor. This must be done with caution. Doing
this will overdrive the internal 1.25V reference. If a 2.5V input level is used at 100% PWM (DC) the
output current into the LED will be 2X the normal current which may destroy the ZXLD1350.
Overdriving with a 5V logic signal is very likely to damage the device as it exceeds the ADJ pin
voltage rating.
Soft start and decoupling capacitors
Any extra capacitor on the ADJ pin will affect the leading and falling edge of the PWM signal. Take
this into account as the rise time will be increased by approximately 0.5ms/nF.
Compare this with a 100Hz PWM. 50% duty cycle Ton and Toff are 5ms at 1% duty cycle Ton is
0.1ms. 1nF on the ADJ pin will cause 0.5ms rise time which result in an error and limitation in
dimming at low duty cycles.
www.zetex.com
2
Issue 1 - August 2006
© Zetex Semiconductors plc 2006
AN47
DC voltage dimming
The ADJ pin can be overdriven by an external DC voltage (VADJ), as shown, in order to override
the internal voltage reference and adjust the output current to a value above or below the nominal
value.
+
ZXLD1350
ADJ
GND
DC
GND
The nominal output current is then given by:
0.08 × V ADJ
I OUT ≈ -------------------------------RS
[for 0.3< VADJ <2.5V]
Note that 100% brightness setting corresponds to VADJ = VREF.
If VIN is 2.5V max the RSENSE should be increased by 2X RS. This will slightly decrease the
efficiency by 1 to 2% .
The input impedance of the ADJ pin is 200k⍀ ±20%. This may be factor if the DC voltage with a
relatively high output resistance.
IOUT vs VADJ (RS=300m⍀)
Series1
350
300
250
mA
200
150
100
50
0
0
0.25
0.5
0.75
1
1.25
V
Figure 1
Typical output current versus ADJ voltage with RS = 300m⍀
Issue 1 - August 2006
© Zetex Semiconductors plc 2006
3
www.zetex.com
AN47
IOUT vs VADJ (RS=600m⍀)
Series1
350
300
mA
250
200
150
100
50
0
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
V
Figure 2
Typical output current versus ADJ voltage with RS = 600m⍀
VIN
R1
4.7k
VR1
10k
ADJ
ZXLD1350
GND
ZTLV431
Figure 3
Typical circuit of DC voltage dimming
The ZTLV431 acts as a shunt regulator to generate an external 1.25V reference voltage. The
reference voltage is applied to pot VR1 to provide dimming voltage of 0-1.25V.
Using an external regulator affects the accuracy of the current setting. If a 1% reference is used
the LED current will be more accurate than using the internal reference.
www.zetex.com
4
Issue 1 - August 2006
© Zetex Semiconductors plc 2006
AN47
Resistor dimming
By connecting a variable resistor between ADJ and GND, simple dimming can be achieved.
Capacitor CADJ is optional for better AC mains interference and HF noise rejection. Recommend
value of CADJ is 0.22␮F.
RS
ADJ
ZXLD1350
RADJ
*CADJ
GND
GND
The current output can be determined using the equation:
( 0.08 ⁄ R S ) × R ADJ
I OUT = -----------------------------------------------( R ADJ + 200k )
Note that continuous dimming is not possible with a resistor. At some point the shutdown
threshold will be reached and the output current reduced to zero. This can occur below 300mV.
Note that a 1M⍀ resistor will load the VREF on the ADJ pin. The VREF will now be divided down by
the nominal 200k VREF resistance and the 1M RADJ. The nominal voltage will now be
approximately 1V. RS will need to be adjusted to set the maximum current.
The +/20% tolerance of the input resistance should also be understood. See table below:
Table 1
RADJ k⍀
Rint nom.
k⍀
Rint min.
k⍀
Rint max.
k⍀
VADJ
nominal
% error
from
nominal
Due to
Rint min.
% error
from
nominal
Due to
Rint max.
1000
200
160
240
1.041
3.4%
-3.3%
500
200
160
240
0.892
6.1%
-5.7%
200
200
160
240
0.625
11.1%
-10.0%
100
200
160
240
0.416
15.4%
-13.3%
Issue 1 - August 2006
© Zetex Semiconductors plc 2006
5
www.zetex.com
AN47
IOUT
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
IOUT
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
-0.05
0
200
Figure 4
400
600
800
1000
Typical output current against pot resistance
If linear pot is used, the output current change is not linear against shaft rotation.
In order to make the output current more linear, a log type pot is used.
IOUT vs shaft rotation
350
300
IOUT (mA)
250
200
150
100
50
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Shaft rotation (%)
Figure 5
Output current against shaft rotation of log type pot
Europe
Americas
Asia Pacific
Corporate Headquarters
Zetex GmbH
Kustermann-park
Balanstraße 59
D-81541 München
Germany
Telefon: (49) 89 45 49 49 0
Fax: (49) 89 45 49 49 49
[email protected]
Zetex Inc
700 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
USA
Zetex (Asia Ltd)
3701-04 Metroplaza Tower 1
Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong
Hong Kong
Zetex Semiconductors plc
Zetex Technology Park, Chadderton
Oldham, OL9 9LL
United Kingdom
Telephone: (1) 631 360 2222
Fax: (1) 631 360 8222
[email protected]
Telephone: (852) 26100 611
Fax: (852) 24250 494
[email protected]
Telephone: (44) 161 622 4444
Fax: (44) 161 622 4446
[email protected]
For international sales offices visit www.zetex.com/offices
Zetex products are distributed worldwide. For details, see www.zetex.com/salesnetwork
This publication is issued to provide outline information only which (unless agreed by the company in writing) may not be used, applied or
reproduced for any purpose or form part of any order or contact or be regarded as a representation relating to the products or services concerned.
The company reserves the right to alter without notice the specification, design, price or conditions of supply of any product or service.
www.zetex.com
6
Issue 1 - August 2006
© Zetex Semiconductors plc 2006