NXP's new LED driver IC builds scalable vehicle lighting architecture

     NXP Semiconductors introduces a new portfolio of multi-channel LED driver ics for automotive lighting. The new multi-channel LED driver IC portfolio addresses the industry's growing need for a single, flexible and scalable platform architecture that enables new and existing full-range LED lighting capabilities for vehicle headlights and taillights.

     These features range from simple external LED lighting to various advanced features such as LED advanced high beams, LED matrix headlights, and glare-free high beams, all of which will become vital safety components in future advanced driver assistance systems. This IC portfolio is designed to enable optimal styling and design flexibility with minimal hardware and software changes, assisting automakers in developing cost-effective differentiation.

     Leds are increasingly used in automotive lighting to enable design elements, improve efficiency, and support advanced driver assistance systems. The security applications of the connected car of the future are rich and diverse. One example is non-glare high beams: When a vehicle is detected ahead, the lighting system will accurately remove part of the high beam that will shine on these vehicles.

     The LED matrix is also an example: once a pedestrian is detected in the driving area in front of the vehicle, the individual leds blink consecutively, alerting the pedestrian and enabling the driver to notice the pedestrian. These innovations also pose a challenge to vehicle manufacturers and headlight suppliers: they must build unique designs in less development time while still being cost-effective. As a result, car manufacturers and lamp manufacturers are no longer completely single-product designs, but are developing platform solutions with scalable and flexible architectures to meet many different needs.