LED driver eliminates the need for an MCU and dedicated PSU

While typical LED bulbs retain the same harsh white colour as they dim, the dual driver output of the iW3640 lets designers use amber LEDs in parallel with the main white LEDs allowing LED bulbs to gain warmth as they dim. Dialog’s patented, built-in digital dimming technology detects the dimmer type and phase - automatically adjusting LED colour mixing in step with light intensity to provide smooth dimming that closely matches the warmth and ambiance of a traditional dimmable incandescent bulb. The result is a much more intimate LED lighting experience in residential and commercial settings, where lighting plays an important role in setting the mood.

By integrating the driver for a second string of LEDs and using the digital engine to control transitions, the iW3640 eliminates the cost of the external MCU and dedicated power supply required by conventional warm dimming techniques. By not requiring these additional components, the LED driver reduces the bill of materials (BOM) cost for 75-150W-equivalent A19 SSL and PAR bulbs, as well as 20-45W commercial dimmable external lighting ballasts.

Dialog’s digital dimming technology allows the iW3640 to work with virtually all phase-cut wall dimmers, including leading-edge dimmers (R-type or R-L type) and trailing-edge dimmers (R-C type), as well as digital dimmers. It adjusts light temperature from bright white down to warm amber, with flicker-free dimming down to 1% of initial brightness. As the driver detects increased dimming angles, the duty cycle of the secondary LED string is also increased, creating more warmth as the design goes deeper into dimming. Additionally, cycle-by-cycle waveform analysis technology facilitates fast dimmer setting response.

The LED driver addresses bulb overheating issues by including an over-temperature protection (OTP) derating function that monitors the temperature inside the sealed SSL bulb. The OTP feature is configured via an NTC resistor and when thermal conditions in the bulb reach the temperature pre-set by the designer, the driver automatically reduces the current drive to the LEDs in small, imperceptible increments, then seamlessly restores brightness as temperature falls, with no need for a full shutdown. This allows the electrolytic capacitors in the LED circuit to operate within the maximum lifetime of the SSL bulb, resulting in a predictable bulb operating life, and helping to ensure the long-term reliability and safety consumers expect from LED replacement bulbs. Additional safety features include LED open/short circuit, over-current, current sense resistor short-circuit, and input over-voltage protection.

The iW3640 two-stage AC/DC SSL LED driver meets global regulations for power quality and efficiency, including the European Union IEC61000-3-2 standard, with a high power factor of more than 0.95, low total harmonic distortion of less than 15%, and low ripple voltage of less than 20%. It is compatible with the Zhaga hot-plug LED module for LED light interchangeability and the configurable dimming curves are compliant with the NEMA SSL 6 dimming standard.

The iW3640 is available now in production quantities. It comes in a standard, 14-lead SOIC package and is priced at $0.94 (USD) each in 1000 unit quantities.