Melexis introduces MLX80142 dual RGB LED driver chip

Melexis announced the MLX80142 dual RGB LED driver chip (six channels) as the latest member of the MelEXis Intelligent state Machine LED driver chip family, which is the first product to support the MeLiBu 2.0 protocol. The chip not only features Milai's proven LED driver technology, but also supports code-free options and is designed for the next generation of smart RGB lighting applications. In addition, the in-mold assembly process can effectively cope with the stringent space constraints required, providing more flexible design for compact lighting solutions.

LED lighting has become an important part of modern automotive design, which can achieve striking visual contrast, clear visual feedback and good lighting effects in dark environments. To meet the latest application requirements, automotive manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers need to adopt cost-effective LED driver chips to support complex dynamic lighting applications while ensuring easy and efficient integration and development processes.

MLX80142 Product specifications

The MLX80142 is a six-channel chip that enables high-precision, high-speed control of dual RGB leds. The chip supports the design of simple single-layer PCBS with a cross-free PCB layout, as well as PCB-free in-mold structured electronics (IMSE) and other packaged molded components. This design simplifies the integration process and enables users to develop highly compact designs with a total width of just a few millimeters, making the MLX80142 ideal for space-constrained lighting components, such as those found in instrument panels or door linings.

To ensure reliable operation, the MLX80142 is equipped with a directly engaged internal bus. Even if any chip attached to the same bus configuration fails, it will not affect the normal function of the remaining LED driver chips. In addition, the chip is ASIL B compliant with Independent Safety Element (SEooC), so it is also suitable for vehicle safety lighting applications.

The MLX80142 successfully simplifies the deployment of complex LED systems with a code-free development approach. As the first MeLiBu driver chip to adopt a state-machine-based configuration, the MLX80142 not only simplifies the development process, but also minimizes the associated costs and effort.

MeLiBu 2.0

With the continuous upgrading of lighting requirements in the automotive industry, traditional CAN and LIN networks can no longer meet the current needs. Manufacturers are working on applying more high-speed dynamic RGB leds and developing scene - and context-based dynamic lighting capabilities to enable intelligent lighting in specific situations. Melexis' MeLiBu technology enables high-speed dynamic lighting applications beyond traditional LIN and CAN automotive networks through UART over CAN-FD communication.

MeLiBu 2.0 expands on the existing MeLiBu solution to control more than 3,500 RGB leds (i.e., more than 10,500 LED beads) throughout the vehicle's interior and exterior, with communication speeds up to 4 Mbit/s.

The MLX80142 is the first MeLiBu 2.0 protocol compatible LED driver chip, supporting up to 500 RGB leds per MeLiBu subnet, significantly improving vehicle lighting performance. This increase in performance enables automakers to deploy more complex dynamic lighting systems without increasing design complexity or cost.

Michael Bender, Product Line Director at Melexis, said: "Automotive lighting is a key element of human-car interaction, not only delivering safety information, but also enhancing visual recognition and enabling personalisation. "The combination of the second generation MeLiBu technology and the MLX80142 not only saves space, but also enables manufacturers to develop attractive new dynamic lighting solutions and integrate them into previously inaccessible areas of the vehicle."