New Holtek Product Release - HT1632C High-current LED Driver

12/12/2008

Holtek’s new HT1632C LED driver has the special characteristic of being able to directly drive LEDs. In belonging to the HT1632 device type, this new device offers substantial enhancements in terms of current drive capability, IC power consumption and display uniformity making it an excellent choice for many direct drive LED applications. The HT1632C is especially suitable for use in applications such as exercise equipment, electronic dartboards, electronic calendars, information displays as well as many other digital clock etc. applications.

The HT1632C extends the functions of the already released HT1632. Its working voltage has a range of between 2.4V~5.5V and it can drive two resolution type of LED panels, namely 32 x 8 and 24 x 16. With a 16-level PWM illumination control function and an internal 256kHz RC oscillator, it is also possible to operate LED panels in cascade for increased display sizes. Its internal display RAM and serial interface for connection to external MCUs offers additional but important functions.

The HT1632C system operating frequency, as well as being supplied by the internal 256kHz RC oscillator, can also be supplied by an external clock signal for increased system flexibility. As the HT1632C has a common sink total current value of 250mA it can directly drive LED panels and does therefore not require external current boost transistors thus reducing costs.

The HT1632C, by having an integrated Segment and Common method of panel driving, allows the user easy control of the display panels and reduces the demand on MCU I/O port pins. With its many internal features and with the application circuit and external components being kept to a minimum, users are provided with an excellent and cost conscious solution for a huge range of display applications.