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IC specification
MLX10803
Automotive high power LED driver
3901010803
Page 21/25
Rev 018
28/SEP/05
Author: ALX, VAR
revised: TFR/VAR
8.
Temperature regulation
In normal mode the peak current threshold voltage is defined by the lowest voltage on pins VREF, IREF2 and
IREF1. Usually the resistor connected to IREF2 pin has a small thermal coefficient and the resistor on IREF1 pin
has a big negative temperature coefficient (but they also can be connected vice versa). Both of these pins have an
output current of 50uA. When the voltage on pin IREF1 falls below the voltage on pin IREF2 or VREF, the voltage
reference for the actual maximum current is taken from pin IREF1. This makes the value of the peak current
sensitive to temperature and prevents overheating of LED or IC. When the voltage on pin IREF1 becomes higher
than voltage on IREF2 or VREF, the reference switches back to IREF2 or VREF pin.
The thermal behaviour of the system should be characterised during the design-in of the product by the user.
For a system that is designed for thermal conditions, temperature down regulation may not be needed. In this case,
It is enough to leave the IREF1 or IREF2 pin unconnected and the internal current source will pull it up to the
voltage Vdd – Vthr.
9.
Load dump protection
The MLX10803 is protected against 80V load dump, in case the application proposals described under 1.1 are
used.