Highly integrated power solution can increase the number of electronic screens per vehicle

Designers of automotive electronic systems are now able to increase the number of displays per vehicle while decreasing design complexity by using the MAX16923 four-output display power IC with watchdog timer from Maxim Integrated Products. By substituting four or five discrete ICs with a single power management solution, the device dramatically reduces the solution size and makes it easier for automotive designers to expand the number of displays from two to five per vehicle, or even more.

The device provides high integration with four power rails, providing both a high-voltage and low-voltage buck converter, a high-voltage and low-voltage LDO regulator, EMI mitigation and a watchdog timer in a single IC. The device's high level of integration can decrease an automotive power solution from four or five ICs down to one single chip, with no significant increase in temperature rise. This also assists to ease design complexity and decreases the power solution size up to 50% in comparison to the nearest competitive solution. Furthermore, EMI mitigation and the watchdog timer improve the reliability of each display.

“Growth in the automotive display segment over the next five years will be strong as OEMs increase the number and size of displays in cars,” said Greg Basich, associate director of the Automotive Infotainment and Telematics service at Strategy Analytics. “Some premium vehicles may have as many as ten displays. In this environment, designers are also grappling with the growing number of electronics they need to integrate into cars as space constraints may limit this expansion."

“By reducing the number of ICs needed to support each display, the MAX16923 greatly reduces design complexity and board size issues,” said Szukang Hsien, executive business manager, Automotive Business Unit at Maxim Integrated. “This highly integrated power solution along with the MAX20069 TFT bias and LED driver are able to cover the power requirements needed for 12.3" and smaller displays.”