Melexis and Geely automotive lighting design collab

With automotive lighting becoming a key visual distinction in modern vehicle design, Geely group was looking for a distinctive DRL and RGB taillight with full-colour lighting arrangement for the first EV to be launched by one of its subsidiary brands. To achieve reliable colour-changing dynamic lighting in safety-critical elements like the front DRL and full-colour taillight, a multitude of technical requirements had to be met, necessitating a high-performance solution.

This solution was the MLX81116 Smart 12-channel RGB LED driver. As a proven technology, the integrated circuit (IC) provided a mature solution that, when combined with Melexis application support, allowed the automotive manufacturer to implement a standout feature for its inaugural EV.

The MLX81116 offers self-synchronisation and provides a high-speed, robust communication system that is specifically designed for applications with numerous LEDs and a high degree of animation, complexity, and dynamic range. With the inclusion of an integrated microcontroller unit (MCU), the MLX81116 enables enhanced LED control algorithms, precise colour mixing, and thorough diagnostic functionalities. It achieves a colour mixing accuracy of 1% delta UV, while also compensating for temperature fluctuations in red/green and blue LEDs without requiring external components.

The MLX81116 uses Melexis' MeLiBu high-speed communication technology to enable the smart animated automotive lighting required by the automotive manufacturer. MeLiBu utilises the CAN-FD physical layer and UART communication. For the automotive OEM, MeLiBu served as a crucial differentiating factor in Melexis' offering and facilitated a smooth integration with the car's electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture. Furthermore, it has received additional praise from other prominent suppliers involved in the project due to its user-friendly nature.

“This model represents an exciting moment for this automotive brand, not only because it is their first EV but also because of the bold lighting design choices,” said Linhong Song, Regional Marketing Manager at Melexis. She continued: "The key for automotive OEMs is to discover innovative approaches for their cars to connect with their audience, and that is exactly what they have accomplished with the dynamic DRLs and RGB Taillight, supported by MeLiBu."

The evolution of automotive design has made dynamic lighting a key differentiator," said Geely IC expert. "Our collaboration with Melexis and the integration of their advanced RGB drive technology is a testament to our commitment to innovation. The superior performance and enhanced aesthetics this technology brings to our smart electric vehicles not only elevate the driving experience but also solidify our position at the forefront of the EV industry.