High voltage LED driver offers cost advantage in cooling and optics

Available from Mouser, Microchip’s HV9805 driver IC is targeted at driving high voltage LED strings from mains. High voltage LED strings offer an inherent cost advantage with respect to cooling and optics. A boundary mode boost converter provides operating voltage to the LED strings and a linear post regulator. The linear regulator is arranged as a constant current regulator and protects the LED strings from mains overvoltage. The constant current regulation provides high quality light, free from any form of modulation. The IC is specifically designed for single line voltage operation, as opposed to universal AC. The boost converter employs a cascode switch for high speed switching and convenient generation of the housekeeping (VDD) supply. The low voltage device of the cascode switch is integral to the device and is rated at a current of 1A. VDD power is derived with high efficiency and without the need for extra components or magnetic windings.