A family of single-stage LED drivers from Cirrus Logic, Inc, the CS1615/16, target the incandescent lamp replacement market. Through patented technology, the CS1615/16 consistently outperforms competing single-stage LED drivers in dimmer compatibility while offering a total bill-of-material cost equal to competing solutions.
Across a broad range of dimmers, the CS1615/16 consistently dims to nearly zero light output, which closely matches the dimming performance of incandescent light bulbs. Competing LED drivers are not capable of this level of deep dimming and in many cases cannot dim to below 50 percent of light output. Limited dimming range, flicker effects and the inability to turn the bulb on or off are the most common factors that lead to high rates of return of LED bulbs.
Most dimmers are designed for operation with the purely resistive load of an incandescent; however, the additional electronics in an LED bulb create significant compatibility challenges. Cirrus Logic's patented dimmer-compatibility technology identifies the type of dimmer in use and applies the appropriate operating mode. This adaptive digital technology consistently provides full functionality on even the most challenging leading edge, trailing edge and "smart" digital dimmers. Cirrus Logic's LED drivers enable next-generation bulbs to meet proposed standards from Energy Star, NEMA, California Energy Commission and other standards groups that are pursuing newer, more stringent requirements for dimmer compatibility.
The CS1615/16 provides primary-side constant current control and tight LED current regulation, high efficiency, active power factor correction and low THD. These ICs support isolated and non-isolated topologies with minimal EMI filter design requirements. Additional features include output open circuit protection, output short circuit protection and optional external over temperature protection using an NTC. The CS1615 is designed for 120VAC line voltage applications, and the CS1616 is designed for 230VAC line voltage applications.
The CS1615/16 is currently sampling to key customers and is expected to be in volume production in early summer of 2013. It is available in 16-pin SOIC and 16-pin TSSOP packages, and is priced at $0.88 (USD) in quantities of 100,000.
