DIODES AL58221EV1 12 Channel RGB LED Driver User Guide

DIODES AL58221EV1 12 Channel RGB LED Driver

Product Information

General Description
This user manual describes the functionality and characteristics of the AL58221 RGB LED driver using demo board, which is an alike SPI bus controlled, 12 channel, constant current LED driver. This user manual includes hardware and software setup instructions, schematic diagram, bill of materials, printed-circuit board layout drawings, and demo board images.

Key Features

• 12-channel RGB LED driver
• SPI bus controlled
• Constant current output
• Supports communication with MCU
• Additional feature: power supply via USB Type-C or AAA battery

Specifications

Usage Instructions

• Hardware Setup
  The demo board consists of two major components: AL58221 12-channel LED driver and Arduino UNO R3 microcontroller board.

• Connection Instructions
  Connect the demo board components according to the provided schematic diagram. Ensure proper power supply via USB Type-C connector or AAA batteries.

• Software Setup
  Utilize the 2-wire serial interface to send grayscale data and control commands to the AL58221 LED driver using the Arduino UNO R3 microcontroller board.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What is the input voltage range supported by the AL58221 RGB LED driver?
  A: The AL58221 operates over a 3V to 5.5V input voltage range.

• Q: How many channels does the AL58221 LED driver support?
  A: The AL58221 is a 12-channel LED driver supporting R/G/B x 4 channels.

AL58221EV1 User Guide
12-Channel RGB LED Driver

General Description

This user manual describes the functionality and characteristics of the AL58221 RGB LED driver using demo board, which is an alike SPI bus controlled, 12 channel, constant current LED driver. This user manual includes hardware and software setup instructions, schematic diagram, bill of materials, printed-circuit board layout drawings and demo board images.
This demo board characterizes the features of AL58221 RGB LED driver. The main goal is to exercise clear and bright LED effects by communicating through MCU. This demo board has an additional feature of providing supply to the LEDs using power bank connected through USB Type-C connector or AAA battery.

Key Features

• Input Voltage VDD: 3V to 5.5V
• Constant Current Output Range
• 3~60mA@5V
• 3~35mA@3.3V
• 12 Constant-Current Sink (R/G/B x 4) Output Channels
• RGB Output Current setting by 3 external resistors
• 24V Rated output channels for long LED strings
• ±1% (typ.) LED Current accuracy between channels
• ±2% (typ.) LED Current accuracy between devices
• 16 / 14 / 12 / 8 bit grayscale selection
• Grayscale clock source selection: internal or external
• PWM or APDM control selection
• Programmable Output Current Trise / Tfall time
• Output Current Bilateral Processing for EMI reduction
• Diagnosis and Protections
• Built-in internal grayscale clock supports refresh rate
• 1000Hz@16-bit grayscale, >256KHz@8-bit grayscale
• Internal Grayscale clock frequency selection for High Power LED driving application (min. 33.6KHz)
• 2-Wire Serial Interface (DI, DCKI)
• 20Mbps (max.) ~ 140 Kbps(min.) data rate for EMI reduction data transfer
• Cascaded capability (Max 1,030 devices)
• Clock duty recovery for cascading application
• Schmitt trigger input

Applications

• Indoor and Outdoor LED Video Displays
• Architectural and Decorative Lighting
• Digital Signage and Billboard Applications
• LCD Display Backlighting
• Transportation Sign

Specifications

Evaluation Board

Connection Instructions
DC Input: USB-C / AAA dry batteries

Description:
The demo board consists of the following major components.

1. AL58221_12-channels (R/G/B x 4) constant current APDM
   • The AL58221 is a 12-channels (R/G/B x 4) constant current APDM (Adaptive Pulse Density
   • Modulation) LED driver, operates over a 3V ~ 5.5V input voltage range. The device provides 12 open-drain constant current sinking outputs that are rated to 24V and delivers up to 60mA of high accuracy current to each string of LED. The current at each output is programmable by means of three external current setting resistors.
   • AL58221 features a 10MHz EMI reduction data clock input. AL58221 also offers a 2-wire serial interface to send the grayscale data, control command including 16/14/12/8-bit grayscale selection, grayscale clock frequency division selection, output polarity selection for high power LED driving, output Tr/Tf timing selection, current output waveform selection, and to realize the internal-latch function.
   • AL58221 provides adaptive pulse density modulation method to increase the visual refresh rate up to 1000 Hz @ 16-bit grayscale and reduce the flickers, and it also provides output current bilateral processing for EMI reduction.
   • AL58221 utilizes clock duty recovery technique and pulse re-timing to help long distance and multiple cascading applications. AL58221 provides typical ±1% channel-to-channel LED current accuracy. Additional features include a ±0.1% regulated output current capability and fast output transient response.
   • The device operates over –40°C to 85°C ambient temperature range. The AL58221 is available in TSSOP-24EP.
2. Arduino UNO R3_ microcontroller board
   • The Arduino UNO R3 is the best board to get started with electronics and coding. If this is your
     first experience tinkering with the platform, the UNO R3 is the most robust board you can start playing with. The UNO R333 is the most used and documented board of the whole Arduino family.

Hardware description

The AL58221 evaluation board as shown in Figure 3, : Top Section Description
, Table 1 and Table 2.

Figure 4: Bottom Section Description Table 1: EVB Section Description

Table 2: Function Select summary table

Section| Components Name| AL58221 Bit No.| Description
---|---|---|---
3| SW3| CMD [0]|

• One-shoot Select (Right= ‘0’, Left= ‘1’)
• 0: Repeat Mode: Frame cycle continuous repeat.
• 1: One-Shoot Mode: Frame cycle is executed only once (One-Shoot Mode only usable when CMD[1] = ‘1’)

4| SW4| CMD [1]|

• Counter Reset Select (Right= ‘0’, Left= ‘1’) 0: Free running mode
• 1: Counter reset mode (Only usable when CMD [3] = ‘1’)

5| SW5| CMD [2]|

• Output Polarity Select (Right= ‘0’, Left= ‘1’) 0: work as LED driver
• 1: work as MY-PWM/APDM generator

6| SW6| CMD [3]|

• Grayscale Clock Source Select (Right= ‘0’, Left= ‘1’) 0: Internal oscillator (8.6MHz) (internal GCK source)
• 1: External clock from GCKI pin (external GCK source RV4) If CMD [3] = ‘1’, set CMD [7:5] = ’000’

7| SW7|

CMD [4]

|

• Output Waveform Select (Right= ‘0’, Left= ‘1’) 0: MY-PWM output waveform
• 1: APDM output waveform

8| SW10|

CMD [9:8]

|

• Grayscale Resolution Select (Bottom= ‘0’, Top=’1’) 00: 8-bit grayscale application
• 01: 12-bit grayscale application 10: 14-bit grayscale application 11: 16-bit grayscale application

9| SW9| CMD [7:5]|

• Internal Oscillator Frequency Select (Bottom= ‘0’, Top=’1’)
• 000: Frequency= 8.6MHz                001: Frequency= 8.6MHz / 2
• 010: Frequency= 8.6MHz / 4           011: Frequency= 8.6MHz / 8
• 100: Frequency= 8.6MHz /16          101: Frequency= 8.6MHz / 64
• 110: Frequency= 8.6MHz / 128       111: Frequency= 8.6MHz / 256
• If CMD [3] = ‘1’, set CMD [7:5] = ’000’

11| SW8| CMD [10]|

• IOUT Slew-Rate Tr/Tf Select (Bottom= ‘0’, Top=’1’) 0: IOUT slow Tr/Tf mode
• 1: IOUT fast Tr/Tf mode

12| RV4| –|

• External GCK Frequency Adjustment
• Virtual External GCK Frequency Knob from 7KHz to 170KHz

Power Supply Options:
The device features two power supply options:

1. Utilizing six AAA dry batteries for portable convenience.
2. Connecting the ARDUINO control board via the USB interface (type C) to serve as the power source.
   Note : The two power supply methods cannot be used simultaneously.

Quick Start Guide
Once the power is connected to the AL58221 EVB, the RGB LED strip will display the following present sequences repeatedly.

1. Red, green, and blue will fade in and out sequentially as shown in Figure 5.
2. Red, yellow, green, blue, and purple will transition smoothly in gradients as shown in Figure 6.
3. A colorful marquee light display will be shown as depicted in Figure 7.

This development board can switch between various functions using a toggle switch. All functions are summarized in Table 2, detailed description is as follows:

1. 1. CMD [0]: One-shot select
   This option is suitable for designs requiring strict synchronization of LED changes, as shown in
   Figure 8.

   • When CMD [0] = ‘0’ enter Repeat Mode. After the LED PWM data is stored, the current PWM output will cycle automatically without stopping.
   • When CMD [0] = ’1’ enter One-Shoot Mode. After the LED PWM data is stored, the current PWM output will stop automatically after executing this data.

2.  CMD [1]: Counter Reset Select
   For the counter reset function, this option is suitable for designs requiring strict synchronization of LED changes, as shown in Figure 9. When frame 2 data is updated, the current PWM output is immediately reset.

   • When CMD [1] =’0′, it enters Free Running mode, and the current PWM output runs freely without control.
   •  When CMD [1] =’1′, it enters Counter Reset mode, allowing the current PWM output to be forcibly reset, but this is only valid when CMD [3]=’1′.

3.  CMD [2]: Output Polarity Select
   This option is used to distinguish between directly driving LEDs or using as a PWM generator to drive high-power drivers, such as DC/DC.

   • When CMD [2] =’0′, current output waveform is not inverted, suitable for directly driving LEDs
   •  When CMD [2] =’1′, current output waveform is inverted, suitable for designs using as a PWM generator.

4. CMD [3]: Grayscale Clock Source Select

   • This option can be used to reduce the number of control lines or for designs with strict synchronization requirements for LEDs.
   • When CMD [3] =’0′, use internal frequency to reduce the use of external control signal lines.
   • When CMD [3] =’1′, use external frequency, suitable for designs requiring precise LED synchronization (external GCK source RV4). If CMD [3] = ‘1’, set CMD[7:5] = ‘000’. 5.

5. CMD [4]: Output Waveform Select

   • This option provides a choice between continuous and dispersed current output. Continuous, non-dispersed setting is suitable for high-power drivers, while dispersed output is suitable for low-power direct drive designs.
   • When CMD [4] =’0′, The output current waveform is continuous and non-dispersed, suitable for high-power LED drivers
   • When CMD [4] =’1′, The output current is dispersed, achieving a higher refresh rate. 6.

6. CMD [9:8]: Grayscale Resolution Select

   • Users can select the desired grayscale level based on product requirements. Lower grayscale levels are suitable for applications requiring a high frame rate.
   • When CMD [9:8] =’00’, into 8-bit grayscale application
   • When CMD [9:8] =’01’, into 12-bit grayscale application
   • When CMD [9:8] =’10’, into 14-bit grayscale application
   • When CMD [9:8] =’11’, into 16-bit grayscale application 7.

7. CMD [7:5]: Internal Oscillator Frequency Select

   • Different refresh rates can be achieved by selecting different internal frequencies.
     When CMD [7:5] =’000′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz

   • When CMD [7:5] =’001′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz /2

   • When CMD [7:5] =’010′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz /4

   • When CMD [7:5] =’011′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz /8

   • When CMD [7:5] =’100′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz /16

   • When CMD [7:5] =’101′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz /64

   • When CMD [7:5] =’110′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz /128

   • When CMD [7:5] =’111′, oscillator frequency = 8.6MHz /256 8

8. CMD [10]: IOUT Slew-Rate Tr/Tf Select

   • Improving EMI can be achieved by changing the rise and fall slew-rate of the current.
   • When CMD [0] =’0′, IOUT slow Tr/Tf mode
   • When CMD [0] =’1′, IOUT fast Tr/Tf mode

Software Programming Procedure:

1. Connect USB -C cable from PC/Laptop to Demo board (Remove battery)

2. Download the latest version of the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.

3. Item 『File』->『Open』, Importing an Arduino programming language file with『.ino』 extension.

4. Click 『Select Board』dialog box and search keyword『UNO』. Select 『UNO』（confirm that the file name of the existing version is correct）

5.  Select item『Sketch』 -> 『Upload』, uploading it to the control board.

Evaluation Board Schematic

Evaluation Board Layout

Bill of Material

Location| Description| Manufacturer| Part Number| Package
---|---|---|---|---
U13, U14| 12-Channel RGB LED Driver| Diodes Inc| AL58221| TSSOP- 24EP
D1| \ 3A TRENCH SBR, 40V Reverse Voltage| Diodes Inc| SBRT3U40P1-7| PowerDI1 23
U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12| SINGLE-POLE DOUBLE-THROW ANALOG SWITCH, 6Ω (typical) at VCC = 4.5V| Diodes Inc| 74LVC1G3157| SOT363
LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4, LED5, LED6, LED7, LED8| ****

**** SMD RGB LED, IF= 20mA

| * HONGLI TRONIC| HL-AF- 5060H271BU46F U79GC-S1-THL| 5.45mm
LED9, LED10, LED11| SMD Green LED, IF= 5mA| Yongyu Photoelectric| ** SZYY0805G| 0805
BT1, BT2, BT3| Battery Holder| MYOUNG| BH-AAA- B5AA001| –
C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14, C17| Capacitor SMD, 0.1uF/50V X7R| Murata Electronics| GRM21BR71H10 4KA01L| 0805
C15, C16, C18| Capacitor SMD, 10uF/10V X7R| Samsung Electro- Mechanics| CL21B106KPQN NNE| 0805
R2, R3, R5, R6, R8, R9, R11, R12, R14, R15, R17, R18, R20, R21, R23, R24| Resistor SMD, 18Ω 5%, 1/4 W| ****

**** YAGEO

| AC1206JR- 0718RL|

1206

R25, R26, R27, R28, R29, R30, R37, R38, R39, R40, R41, R42| Resistor SMD, 1kΩ 1%, 1/8 W| YAGEO|

AF0805FR-071KL

| ****

0805

R31, R32, R33, R34, R35, R36, R43, R44, R45, R46, R47, R48| Resistor SMD, 100Ω 1%, 1/8 W| YAGEO|

AF0805FR- 07100RL

| 0805
R61, R68, R69, R70, R71, R72, R73, R74, R75, R76, R77, R78| Resistor SMD, 10kΩ 1%, 1/8 W| YAGEO|

AF0805FR- 0710KL

| ****

0805

---|---|---|---|---
R1, R4, R7, R10, R13, R16, R19, R22| Resistor SMD, 39kΩ 5%, 1/4 W| YAGEO| AC1206JR- 0739RL| 1206
R49, R50, R51, R52, R53, R54| Resistor SMD, 1.45kΩ 0.1%, 1/10 W| Viking| ARG03BTC1451N| 0603
R63, R64, R65, R66, R67| Resistor SMD, 100kΩ 1%, 1/8 W| YAGEO| AF0805FR- 07100KL| 0805
R55, R57, R59| Resistor SMD, 1kΩ 1%, 1/8 W| YAGEO| AC0805FR-071KL| 0805
R56, R58, R60| Resistor SMD, 510Ω 1%, 1/8 W| YAGEO| AC0805FR- 07510RL| 0805
R62| Resistor SMD, 200kΩ 1%, 1/8 W| YAGEO| AC0805FR- 07200KL| 0805
SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8| Slide Switches, SMD, SW_SPST_SKQG| SHOU HAN| MST22D18G2| SMD 3.6×9.1
SW1, SW9| 3 Bit SPST DIP Switches| Cixi Tonver Elec| VDG-03HG-R| DIP-4
SW2| Button Switch| XKB Connection| TS-1187A-C-C-B| 5.1*5.1m m
SW10| 2 Bit SPST DIP Switches| Cixi Tonver Elec| VDG-02HG-R| DIP-4
RV4| 50K Ohm Variable Resistors| –| RK097N-50K| –
A1| Arduino_UNO_R3| –| –| –

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AL58221EV1 June 2024 www.diodes.com

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