Linear LED Driver IC

The typical applications for linear LED drivers are to be found in commercial LED lighting such as signage, channel letters, LED strips and modules, but even automotive interior lights, emergency lights or multi-channel/color applications for architectural lighting. One more use case is in lighting for shops and retail equipment like fridges, freezers or vending machines. Common to all these use cases is very limited board space availability. Linear current control meets this requirement, as only few very small components are necessary.

BCR linear LED driver ICs are the best choice when you need to drive LED strings supplied by a DC voltage source. Infineon BCRs are suitable for driving currents from 10 – 250mA driving current, making the ideal solution for low and mid power LEDs. For high power LEDs linear controller ICs with external power stage allow for great flexibility in design.

In contrast to limiting the LED driving current with a simple resistor, Infineon BCR linear regulators have the advantage that the driving current is always under control, no matter at which temperature. This contributes to longevity and reliability of your system and also allows the usage in outdoor or automotive applications. Furthermore, BCR linear LED drivers are suitable for PWM dimming at high dimming frequencies, allowing flicker-free light to create always the right atmosphere.

Another important topic is to consider the superior homogenous light output with linear control in order to have the same brightness at the beginning of the LED strip to the very end despite voltage drop at LEDs and voltage drop at the IC. Our latest BCR members, feature an extra low voltage drop, ideal in cases where supply voltage and forward voltage are very close together and voltage headroom in your design is required. This enables more design flexibility e.g. more LEDs on strip and longer LED strips overall. Longer LED strips require less feeding points and thus lead to savings in the overall system.