ON Semiconductor LED driver adds intelligence to connected lighting

Abstract: June 22, 2021 - ON Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ON), the company driving energy-efficient innovation, introduced two new devices that improve the performance of connected lighting systems, the NCL31000 and NCL31001 LED drivers, which allow OEMs to easily develop smart LED luminaires with visible light communication (VLC) and indoor positioning systems. These solutions will add data intelligence and accurate positioning (up to 30 cm) that will revolutionize lighting in many spaces, including supermarkets, warehouses, hospitals and airports.

The NCL31000 is a member of ON Semiconductor's family of LED drivers designed for luminaire applications. At the heart of the device is a high efficiency step-down LED driver that supports high bandwidth analog dimming and low to zero current PWM dimming. The driver includes an integrated 3V3 fixed DC-DC converter and a further adjustable DC-DC (2.5 to 24V) that can be used to power system components such as sensing and microcontrollers. The integration of these power solutions into the driver greatly simplifies system design while improving energy efficiency.

Accurate linear dimming enables visible light communication (VLC) and supports the development of light-based indoor positioning systems that can be safely implemented in many places where RF (radio frequency) -based solutions cannot be used, such as hazardous spaces like mines, or RF-sensitive areas like hospitals or airplanes. The NCL31000 can be dimming with 0.1% accuracy, ensuring no ghost light at the lowest dimming settings. It also integrates a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for highly accurate diagnostics, further reducing system complexity. The ADC measures system voltage, current, and temperature to monitor LED and overall system energy efficiency and detect any abnormalities. A serial (I2C / SPI) interface makes all diagnostic data available to an external MCU to monitor and control the intelligent lighting system. The NCL31000's architecture ensures excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance, and in tests it has demonstrated more than 14 dB below the CISPR15/EN55015 requirements.

ON Semiconductor also announced the availability of the NCL31001 as a companion driver to the NCL31000. The addition of the NCL31001 creates a solution to support multiple string lighting applications, including those with color control. The NCL31001 offers the same features as the NCL31000, but does not include a DC-DC converter to avoid unnecessary duplication.

“The demand for lighting intelligence continues to grow as LED luminaire manufacturers realize how these features can improve user convenience while reducing operating expenses and energy consumption,” said Michel De Mey, vice president of the Industrial Division at ON Semiconductor, in announcing the new solution. “The NCL31000 and NCL31001 support these features with market-leading energy efficiency and functionality that will open up a variety of new business opportunities for intelligent lighting systems.”