Startup
At startup, the MAX8790A checks each FB_ pin to
determine if the respective current string is enabled.
Each FB_ pin is internally pulled up with a 180µA cur-
rent source. If an FB_ pin is connected to GND, the cor-
responding string current source is disabled. This
feedback scan takes approximately 4.2ms, after which
the step-up converter begins switching.
Shutdown
When the SHDN pin is less than 0.8V, the MAX8790A
shuts down the internal LDO, the reference, current
sources, and all control circuitry. The resulting supply
current is less than 10µA. While the n-channel MOSFET
is turned off, the step-up regulator’s output is connected
to IN through the external inductor and rectifier diode.
Frequency Selection
A tri-level OSC input sets the internal oscillator frequency
for the step-up converter, as shown in Table 1. High-fre-
quency (1MHz) operation optimizes the regulator for the
smallest component size, at the expense of efficiency
due to increased switching losses. Low-frequency
(500kHz) operation offers the best overall efficiency, but
requires larger components and PCB area.
Overvoltage Protection
To protect the step-up converter when the load is open,
or the output voltage becomes excessive for any rea-
son, the MAX8790A features a dedicated overvoltage
feedback input (OV). The OV pin is connected to the
center tap of a resistive voltage-divider from the high-
voltage output (see Figure 1). When the MAX8790A is
powered up, if none of the LED strings on FB1–FB6 are
connected to the step-up converter output, the step-up
converter regulates the output voltage to VOUT =
1.23V(1 + R1 / R2). When VOV exceeds 1.23V, a com-
parator turns off N1. The step-up converter switch is
reenabled after the output voltage drops below the pro-
tection threshold.
LED Current Sources
Maintaining uniform LED brightness and dimming
capability are critical for LCD backlight applications.
The MAX8790A is equipped with a bank of six matched
current sources. These specialized current sources are
accurate to within ±1.5% and can be switched on and
off within 10µs, enabling PWM frequencies of up to
2kHz. All LED full-scale currents are identical and are
set through the ISET pin (15mA < ILED < 27mA).
The minimum voltage drop across each current source
is approximately 450mV at 20mA. The low voltage drop
helps reduce dissipation while maintaining sufficient
compliance to control the LED current within the
required tolerances.
The LED current sources can be disabled by grounding
the respective FB_ pin at startup. When the IC is pow-
ered up, the controller scans settings for all FB_ pins. If
an FB_ pin is not grounded, an internal circuit pulls this
pin high, and the controller enables the corresponding
current source to regulate the string current. If the FB_ pin
is grounded, the controller disables the corresponding
current regulator. The current regulator cannot be dis-
abled by grounding any of the FB_ pins after the IC is
powered up.
All FB_ pins in use are measured and the highest signal
(HVC) and the lowest signal (LVC) are extracted for two
feedback loops. HVC is used to identify excessive dis-
sipation across the current-source inputs. When HVC is
greater than VCC + 0.6V (typ) for greater than 65ms
(see the
Current-Source Fault Protection
section), a
fault latch is set and the MAX8790A is shut down. The
LDO output is not affected by the fault latch. LVC is fed
into the step-up converter’s error amplifier to regulate
the step-up converter’s output voltage.
Current-Source Fault Protection
The LED current sources are protected against string
open, short, and gross mismatch faults, using overvolt-
age detection circuitry on each FB_ pin. If any of these
three fault conditions persists for a preset duration, the
MAX8790A is latched off. The duration of the fault time
depends on the dimming mode and the duty cycle of
the BRT input (DBRT). In the DPWM mode, the timeout
interval is:
tTIMEOUT_DPWM = 65ms/DBRT
In analog dimming mode, the fault time is fixed at 65ms
for DBRT greater than 12.5%. When DBRT is less than
12.5%, the timeout interval is:
tTIMEOUT_ANALOG = 8.125ms/DBRT
The fault latch can be cleared by cycling the power or
toggling the shutdown pin SHDN.
MAX8790A
Six-String White LED Driver with Active
Current Balancing for LCD Panel Applications
______________________________________________________________________________________ 13
Table 1. Frequency Selection