Optoelectronics
Multichannel RGB-LED driver brings automotive interior lighting to life
MLX81116 is first to support the MeLiBu high- speed communication interface enabling automotive manufacturers to provide enhanced features in new models
M A elexis, a global
microelectronics engineering company, has introduced MLX81116, a multichannel RGB-LED driver. The
MLX81116 supports the MeLiBu high speed communication IP to enable intelligent animated automotive lighting concepts. The technology is already being leveraged by leading global manufacturers to enhance the safety features of their latest models.
An increasing number of car manufacturers are looking to introduce animated lighting into the cabin, as a way of conveying important driver-assistance prompts and vehicle-status information. Current design thinking envisions using an RGB-LED lightbar to communicate to the driver, through colour coding, colour changing, and blinking sequences. Key engineering challenges include maintaining consistent colour across all the LEDs in the
lightbar, and ensuring they all change together, at the same time. The MLX81116 addresses this through its unique high-speed communication interface IP, MeLiBu. The MeLiBu controls all individual LEDs separately in the lightbar to produce the lighting effects commanded by the vehicle. The intelligent RGB-LED controller also provides real-time compensation of any LED colour drift caused by environmental changes. The MeLiBu communication interface leverages the proven CAN-FD physical layer, which ensures robustness, reliability and high speed (up to 2 Mbit); features that are key requirements for today’s car manufacturers. Support for dedicated optical parameters allows colour-mixing accuracy with a delta UV of 1% to ensure no distinguishable differences between individual LEDs in the lightbar. In addition, intelligent high resolution for temperature-related colour
drift helps maintain a consistent and non-distracting user experience under all operating conditions.
The MLX81116 driver IC has an extremely wide dimming range that allows optimal brightness adjustment for daytime and night driving. Meeting automotive ISO 26262 functional safety requirements up to safety integrity level B (ASIL B), the MLX81116 also features low EMI emission and high immunity, thanks to the use of the CAN-FD physical layer,
Anglia showcases range of opto-sensors for touch-free life after COVID
nglia is offering a full range of Omron touch sensors to reduce the need for contact and shared surfaces, as facilities adapt
to coronavirus counter-measures. The Omron B5W LCR sensors, W7ED capacitive touch sensors, and D6T non-contact temperature sensors all enable future generations of automated devices to further improve safety and help prevent the spread of disease.
David Pearson, Technical Director at Anglia Components, comments, “With social distancing set to become a new norm, there are opportunities for sensing technologies to provide extra protection. Anglia FAEs are fully trained to support this portfolio of Omron solutions which draws on the company’s expertise in presence, proximity and touch sensing. In addition to typical applications such as security and energy management, these sensors are ideal for detection of raised body surface temperature, a key symptom of Coronavirus.”
Omron’s B5W Light Convergent Reflective sensors have a wide sensing range to allow object shifting and are particularly well suited to detecting challenging objects such as those that are reflective, transparent, or diffuse. Photo sensors are widely used to automate equipment such as door openers, hand sanitiser dispensers, bathroom taps and toilet flushers. Contactless operation in such high-traffic applications is effective in reducing the spread of germs. Omron W7ED capacitive touch sensors are designed to simply fasten to the touch electrode with a screw, unlike others which usually require complex set up. They combine the simplicity of a mechanical switch with the advantages of touch control, and enable designers to create aesthetically pleasing products. By allowing use with wet hands or when wearing latex gloves as personal protective equipment, they also permit additional safety. In other
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applications such as lift controls, touch sensors provide a reliable alternative to traditional mechanical switches. Omron’s D6T thermal infrared sensors could provide a way forward for the new need to check for raised body surface temperature. This compact device is well suited to embedded applications and relieves key signal-processing workloads from the system host processor. D6T sensors can be added to an access-control system, for example, to automatically check the surface temperature of a visitor on arrival, protecting the occupants and warning the individual, who may not know that they are infected. Samples and evaluation tools are available free of charge to registered account customers within Anglia’s EZYsample service. Anglia field application engineers are trained and ready to help you select the right sensors for your needs and take full advantage of their superior features in your next project.
anglia-live.com
Components in Electronics September 2020 39
which eases compliance with applicable EMC regulations.
“Car makers need a robust solution capable of supporting advanced light functionalities,” says Michael Bender, product line manager Embedded Lighting at Melexis. “MLX81116, the first in our product family to leverage MeLiBu, is a reliable and cost-effective way to address this. We are excited to see leading manufacturers already include it in their new models to deliver a safer driving experience.”
melexis.com
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