Applications Information
Selecting External Component R
SET
to Set
LED Output Current
The MAX6971 uses an external resistor, R
SET
, to set the 
LED current for outputs OUT0–OUT15. The minimum 
allowed value of R
SET
is 327.3Ω, which sets the output
currents to 55mA. The maximum allowed value of R
SET
is 5kΩ. The reference value, 360Ω, sets the output cur- 
rents to 50mA. To set a different output current, use the 
formula:
R
SET
= 18,000 / I
OUT
where I
OUT
is the desired output current in mA.
Computing Power Dissipation
The upper limit for power dissipation (PD) for the 
MAX6971 is determined by the following equation:
PD= (V+ x I+) + (V
OUT
x DUTY x I
OUT
x N)
where:
V+ = supply voltage
I+ = operating supply current when sinking I
OUT
LED
drive current into N outputs 
DUTY = PWM duty cycle applied to OE
N = number of MAX6971 outputs driving LEDs at the 
same time (maximum is 16)
V
OUT
= MAX6971 port output voltage when driving load
LED(s)
I
OUT
= LED drive current programmed by R
SET
PD= power dissipation, in mW if currents are in mA
Dissipation example:
I
OUT
= 20mA, N = 16, DUTY = 1, V
OUT
= 2V, V+ =
5.25V
P
D
= (5.25V x 25mA) + (2V x 1 x 20mA x 16) = 0.77W
Thus, for a 24-pin TSSOP package (T
JA
= 1 / 0.0122 = 
+82°C/W from the Absolute Maximum Ratings), the 
maximum allowed ambient temperature T
A
is given by:
T
J(MAX) 
= TA+ (PDx TJA) = +150°C = 
T
A
+ (0.77 x 82°C/W)
so TA= +86°C.
Overtemperature Cutoff
The MAX6971 contains an internal temperature sensor 
that turns off all outputs when the die temperature 
exceeds approximately +165°C. The outputs are 
enabled again when the die temperature drops below 
approximately +140°C. Register contents are not 
affected, so when a driver is overdissipating, the external symptom is the load LEDs cycling between on and 
off as the driver repeatedly overheats and cools, alternately turning the LEDs off and then back on again.
Power-Supply Considerations
The MAX6971 operates with a chip supply V+, and one 
or more LED supplies. Bypass each supply to GND 
with a 0.1µF capacitor as close to the MAX6971 as possible. This is normally adequate for static LED driving. 
For multiplex or PWM applications, it is necessary to 
add an additional bulk electrolytic capacitor of 4.7µF or 
more to each supply for every 4 to 16 MAX6971s. The 
necessary capacitance depends on the LED load current, PWM switching frequency, and serial-interface 
speed. Inadequate V+ decoupling can cause timing 
problems, and very noisy LED supplies can affect LED 
current regulation.
Chip Information
PROCESS: BiCMOS
MAX6971
16-Port, 36V Constant-Current LED Driver
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