Backlight driver powers up to 32 parallel strings of leds

The mixed signal iW7032 IC features iWatt's digital adaptive switching technology with integrated mosfets. According to the company, adaptive switching reduces thermal overhead and power consumption, while the integrated mosfets reduce component count, form factors and costs for dynamic backlighting. Typical ICs can drive eight, 12 or 16 strings of leds. iWatt has integrated high voltage support (up to 56V) and adaptive switching to overcome thermal problems, enabling the new device to drive up to 32 parallel strings - numbering 15 leds per string - to power 480 total leds from one IC. The company says its adaptive switching technology solves the thermal problems of driving multiple parallel strings of leds, where a significant amount of wasted power typically heats the inside of a tv. Sensing the mismatch of the varying forward voltages of the multiple strings of leds, the iW7032 adjusts appropriately for each string. According to iWatt, this reduces the wasted power by up to 90% - saving 2 to 5W per IC) to minimise the heat inside the tv. The device features an integrated mosfet for each string of leds which is designed to halve driver pcb form factors compared to solutions relying on external mosfets. iWatt projects led tv manufacturers can save up to $3 in bill of material costs for each iW7032 used.