AL8843

40V 3A STEP-DOWN LED DRIVER

Description Pin Assignments

The DIODES™ AL8843 is a hysteresis mode DC-DC step-down (Top View)
converter, designed for driving single or multiple series connected
LEDs efficiently from a voltage source higher than the LED voltage.
The device can operate from an input supply between 4.5V and 40V SW
GND 1 8
and provide an externally adjustable output current up to 3A.
Depending upon supply voltage and external components, this GND 2 7 SW
converter can provide up to 60W of output power. EP
SET 3 6 VIN
The AL8843 integrates the power switch and a high-side output
current sensing circuit, which uses an external resistor to set the NC 4 5 CTRL
nominal average output current.

Dimming can be realized by applying an external control signal to the SO-8EP

CTRL pin. The CTRL pin will accept either a DC voltage signal or a
PWM signal.

The soft-start time can be adjusted by an external capacitor from the Applications
CTRL pin to Ground. Applying a voltage of 0.3V or lower to the CTRL
 LED retrofit for low voltage halogen
pin will shut down the power switch.
 Low voltage industrial lighting
 LED backlighting
 Illuminated signs
Features  External drivers with multiple channels

 Wide Input Voltage Range: 4.5V to 40V

 Output Current up to 3A
 Internal 40V NDMOS Switch
 Typical 4% Output Current Accuracy
 Single Pin for On/Off and Brightness Control by DC Voltage or
PWM Signal
 Recommended Analog Dimming Range: 10% to 100%
 Soft-Start
 High Efficiency (Up to 97%)
 LED Short Protection
 Inherent Open-Circuit LED Protection
 Over Temperature Protection (OTP)
 Up to 1MHz Switching Frequency
 SO-8EP Package Available in Green Molding Compound (No Br,
Sb)
 Totally Lead-Free & Fully RoHS Compliant (Notes 1 & 2)
 Halogen and Antimony Free. “Green” Device (Note 3)
 An Automotive-Compliant Part is Available Under Separate
Datasheet (AL8843Q)

Notes: 1. No purposely added lead. Fully EU Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS), 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) & 2015/863/EU (RoHS 3) compliant.
2. See https://www.diodes.com/quality/lead-free/ for more information about Diodes Incorporated’s definitions of Halogen- and Antimony-free, "Green" and
Lead-free.
3. Halogen- and Antimony-free "Green” products are defined as those which contain <900ppm bromine, <900ppm chlorine (<1500ppm total Br + Cl) and
<1000ppm antimony compounds.

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 AL8843

Typical Applications Circuit

VIN: 4.5-40V RSET

VIN SET
C1
CTRL
D1
AL8843

GND SW
L1

Pin Descriptions
Pin Number Pin Name Function
1, 2 GND Ground of IC
Set nominal output current pin. Connect resistor RSET from this pin to VIN to define nominal average output
3 SET
current.
4 NC No connection
Multi-function On/Off and brightness control pin:
 Leave floating for normal operation.
 Drive to voltage below 0.3V to turn off output current.
 Drive with DC voltage (0.4V < CTRL < 2.5V) to adjust output current from 10% to 100% of IOUT_NOM.
5 CTRL  Drive with an analog voltage > 2.6V output current will be 100% of IOUT_NOM.
 A PWM signal (Low level < 0.3V, High level > 2.6V, transition times less than 1µs) allows the output
current to be adjusted over a wide range up to 100%.
 Connect a capacitor from this pin to ground to increase soft-start time.
(Default soft-start time = 0.1ms. Additional soft-start time is approx. 1.5ms/1nF)
6 VIN Input voltage (4.5V to 40V). Decouple to ground with 10μF or higher X7R ceramic capacitor close to device.
7, 8 SW Switch pin. Connect inductor/freewheeling diode here, minimizing track length at this pin to reduce EMI.
EP EP Exposed pad/TAB connects to GND and thermal mass for enhanced thermal impedance.

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 AL8843

Functional Block Diagram

SET SW
3 7, 8
VIN
6

VDD
4.5V
Current
AL8843
Generator 4.5V_Drv Monitor

Comp
BG & Ref Hysteresis Logic &
Reference Control PWM
Driver

PWM/DC PWM OTP

CTRL Dimming
OTP
5
1, 2

GND

Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 4)

Symbol Parameter Rating Unit
VIN Input Voltage -0.3 to +42 V
VSW, VSET SW, SET Pin Voltage -0.3 to +42 V
VCTRL CTRL Pin Input Voltage -0.3 to +6 V
TJ Operating Junction Temperature -40 to +150 °C
TSTG Storage Temperature Range -65 to +150 °C
TLEAD Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10s) +300 °C
Note: 4. Stresses greater than those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings can cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and
functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated under Recommended Operating Conditions is not implied.
Exposure to Absolute Maximum Ratings for extended periods can affect device reliability.

ESD Ratings
Symbol Parameter Rating Unit
Human-Body Model (HBM) -2500 to 2500
VESD V
Machine Model (MM) -200 to 200

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 AL8843

Recommended Operating Conditions

Symbol Parameter Min Max Unit
VIN Input Voltage 4.5 40 V
fSW Switching Frequency — 1 MHz
IOUT Continuous Output Current — 3 A
Voltage Range for 10% to 100% DC Dimming Relative to
VCTRL 0.4 2.5 V
GND
VCTRL_HIGH Voltage High for PWM Dimming Relative to GND 2.6 5 V
VCTRL_LOW Voltage Low for PWM Dimming Relative to GND 0 0.3 V
TA Operating Ambient Temperature -40 +105 °C
TJ Operating Junction Temperature -40 +125 °C

Thermal Information (Note 5)

Symbol Parameter Rating Unit
θJA Junction-to-Ambient Thermal Resistance 56 °C/W
θJC Junction-to-Case (Top) Thermal Resistance 11 °C/W
Note: 5. Device mounted on 2” x 2” FR-4 substrate PCB, 2oz copper, with minimum recommended pad layout.

Electrical Characteristics (@VIN = 16V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Symbol Parameter Condition Min Typ Max Unit
SUPPLY VOLTAGE
VIN Input Voltage — 4.5 — 40 V
IQ Quiescent Current CTRL Pin Floating, VIN = 16V — 0.35 — mA
VUVLO Under Voltage Lockout VIN Rising — 3.9 — V
VUVLO_HYS UVLO Hysteresis — — 250 — mV
HYSTERESTIC CONTROL
Measured on SET Pin with
VSET Mean Current Sense Threshold Voltage 96 100 104 mV
Respect to VIN
VSET_HYS Sense Threshold Hysteresis — — ±13 — %
ISET SET Pin Input Current VSET = VIN -0.1V — 8 — µA
ENABLE AND DIMMING
VCTRL Voltage Range on CTRL Pin For Analog Dimming 0.4 — 2.5 V
— Analog Dimming Range — 10 — 100 %
DC Voltage on CTRL Pin for Analog
VCTRL_ON VCTRL Rising — 0.45 — V
Dimming On
DC Voltage on CTRL Pin for Analog
VCTRL_OFF VCTRL Falling — 0.40 — V
Dimming Off
SWITCHING OPERATION
RON SW Switch On Resistance @ISW = 100mA — 0.2 — Ω
ISW_LEAK SW Switch Leakage Current — — — 8 μA
tSS Soft Start Time VIN = 16V, CCTRL = 1nF — 1.5 — ms
VIN = 16V, VO = 9.6V (3 LEDs)
fSW Operating Frequency L = 47μH, ΔI = 0.25A — 250 — kHz
(ILED = 1A)
Recommended Maximum Switch
fSW_MAX — — — 1 MHz
Frequency
Recommended Minimum Switch ON
tON_REC For 4% Accuracy — 500 — ns
Time
Internal Comparator Propagation Delay
tPD — — 100 — ns
(Note 6)
THERMAL SHUTDOWN
TOTP Over Temperature Protection — — +150 — °C
TOTP_HYS Temp Protection Hysteresis — — +30 — °C
Note: 6. Guaranteed by design.

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 AL8843

Typical Performance Characteristics (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)

Quiescent Current vs. Input Voltage Quiescent Current vs. Temperature

440
440
420
420
400
400

Quiecent Current(uA)
380
Quiescent Current (A)

380
360
360
340
340
320
320
300
300
280
280
260 VIN=16V
260
240
240
220
220
200
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
2004 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 o
Input Voltage (V) Temperature( C)

SET Threshold Voltage vs. Input voltage SET Threshold Voltage vs. Temperature

120 120
115 115
110 110
SET threshold Voltage (mV)
SET Threshold Voltage (mV)

105 105
100 100
95
95
90
90
85
85
80 Isen_H 80
75 Isen_mean Isen_H
Isen_L 75
70 Isen_mean
70 Isen_L
65
65
60
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 60
Input Voltage (V) -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
Temperature('C)

PWM Dimming (VIN = 16V, 3 LEDs, 47μH, RSET = 0.3Ω) Analog Dimming (VIN = 16V, 3LEDs, 47μH, RSET = 0.3Ω)
LED Current vs. Duty Cycle LED Current vs. CTRL Pin Voltage

340 360
320 330
300
L=47H,freq=680kHz 300
280
fPWM=100Hz
260 270
fPWM=200Hz
240
LED Current (mA)

fPWM=500Hz 240
LED Current (mA)

220
fPWM=1kHz 210
200
180
180
160
140 150
120
120
100
80 90
60 60
40
20 30
0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6
Duty Cycle (%) CTRL Pin Voltage (V)

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 AL8843

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)
Efficiency vs. Input Voltage Efficiency vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH) (RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH)

100 100
98 98
96 96
94 94
92 92
90

Efficiency (%)
90
Efficiency (%)

88 88
86 86
84 VO=3.3V
84 VO=3.3V
VO=6.6V
82 VO=6.6V 82
VO=9.9V
VO=9.9V
80 80 VO=13.2V
VO=13.2V
78 VO=16.5V
78 VO=16.5V
VO=19.8V
VO=19.8V 76
76 VO=23.1V
VO=23.1V

74 VO=26.4V 74 VO=26.4V
VO=29.7V
72
VO=29.7V 72 VO=33V
VO=33V
704 70
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

Efficiency vs. Input Voltage Efficiency vs. Input Voltage

(RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH) (RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH)

100 100
98 98
96 96
94 94
92 92
90
Efficiency (%)

90
Efficiency (%)

88 88
86 86
84 84
VO=3.3V
82 VO=6.6V 82
VO=9.9V VO=3.3V
80 80 VO=6.6V
VO=13.2V
VO=9.9V
78 VO=16.5V 78 VO=13.2V
VO=19.8V VO=16.5V
76 VO=23.1V 76 VO=19.8V
VO=23.1V
74 VO=26.4V 74 VO=26.4V
VO=29.7V
72 VO=33V 72 VO=29.7V
VO=33V
70 70
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

Efficiency vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Input Voltage

(RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH)

100 350
Vo=3.3V
98 VO=3.3V
Vo=6.6V 348
Vo=9.9V VO=6.6V
96 Vo=13.2V 346 VO=9.9V
Vo=16.5V
VO=13.2V
94 Vo=19.8V 344 VO=16.5V
Vo=23.1V
92 Vo=26.4V 342 VO=19.8V
LED Current (mA)

Vo=29.7V VO=23.1V
90 Vo=33V 340
Efficiency(%)

VO=26.4V
VO=29.7V
88 338
VO=33V
86 336
84 334
82 332
80 330
78 328
76 326
74 324
72 322
704 320
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Vin(V) Input Voltage (V)

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 AL8843

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)
LED Current vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH)

700 1030
VO=3.3V VO=3.3V
695 VO=6.6V 1025 VO=6.6V
VO=9.9V VO=9.9V
690 1020
VO=13.2V VO=13.2V
685 VO=16.5V 1015 VO=16.5V

LED Current (mA)

LED Current (mA)

VO=19.8V VO=19.8V
680 VO=23.1V 1010 VO=23.1V
VO=26.4V VO=26.4V
675 1005
VO=29.7V VO=29.7V

670 VO=33V 1000 VO=33V

665 995

660 990
985
655
980
650
975
645
970
640 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 Input Voltage (V)
Input Voltage (V)

LED Current vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH)

1.56
2.10
VO=3.3V
Vo=3.3V
1.55 VO=6.6V 2.09
Vo=6.6V
VO=9.9V
2.08 Vo=9.9V
VO=13.2V Vo=13.2V
1.54 VO=16.5V Vo=16.5V
2.07
LED Current (mA)

VO=19.8V Vo=19.8V
2.06
LED Current (A)

1.53 VO=23.1V Vo=23.1V

VO=26.4V Vo=26.4V
VO=29.7V 2.05 Vo=29.7V
1.52 VO=33V Vo=33V
2.04

1.51 2.03

2.02
1.50
2.01

1.49 2.00

1.99
1.48
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 1.98
Input Voltage (V) 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V)

Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH) (RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH)

800 850
750 VO=3.3V 800 VO=3.3V
700 VO=6.6V 750 VO=6.6V
VO=9.9V VO=9.9V
650 700
VO=13.2V VO=13.2V
600 VO=16.5V
650
VO=16.5V
Frequency (kHz)

Frequency (kHz)

550 VO=19.8V 600 VO=19.8V

500 VO=23.1V 550 VO=23.1V
VO=26.4V 500 VO=26.4V
450
VO=29.7V VO=29.7V
450
400 VO=33V VO=33V
400
350
350
300
300
250
250
200 200
150 150
100 100
50 50
0 0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V) Input Voltage (V)

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 AL8843

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)
Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage
(RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH) (RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH)

900 500
850 VO=3.3V VO=3.3V
800 VO=6.6V 450
VO=6.6V
750 VO=9.9V VO=9.9V
VO=13.2V 400
700 VO=13.2V
VO=16.5V
650 VO=16.5V

Frequency (kHz)
Frequency (kHz)

VO=19.8V 350 VO=19.8V

600 VO=23.1V
550 VO=23.1V
VO=26.4V 300 VO=26.4V
500 VO=29.7V
VO=29.7V
450 VO=33V 250 VO=33V
400
350 200
300
250 150
200
150 100
100
50
50
0 0
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40
Input Voltage (V)
Input Voltage (V)

Operating Frequency vs. Input Voltage LED Current vs. Output Voltage
(RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 100μH)

350 350
Vo=3.3V 348 VIN=10V
Vo=6.6V VIN=12V
300 346
VIN=16V
Vo=9.9V 344 VIN=20V
Vo=13.2V
Vo=16.5V 342 VIN=24V
LED Current (mA)

250 VIN=28V
Frequency (kHz)

Vo=19.8V 340
VIN=32V
Vo=23.1V 338 VIN=36V
200 Vo=26.4V
336 VIN=40V
Vo=29.7V
Vo=33V 334
150
332
330
100 328
326
50 324
322
0 320
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
Input Voltage (V) Output Voltage (V)

LED Current vs. Output Voltage LED Current vs. Output Voltage
(RSET = 0.15Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.1Ω, L = 33μH)

700 1030
VIN=10V
695 VIN=10V
1025 VIN=12V
VIN=12V
VIN=16V
690 VIN=16V 1020 VIN=20V
VIN=20V VIN=24V
685 1015
VIN=24V
LED Current (mA)

VIN=28V
LED Current (mA)

680 VIN=28V VIN=32V

1010
VIN=32V VIN=36V
675 VIN=36V 1005 VIN=40V
VIN=40V
670 1000
665 995
660 990
655 985
650 980
645 975
640 970
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
Output Voltage (V) Output Voltage (V)

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 AL8843

Typical Performance Characteristics (continued) (@TA = +25°C, VIN = 16V, unless otherwise specified.)

LED Current vs. Output Voltage LED Current vs. Output Voltage
(RSET = 0.067Ω, L = 47μH) (RSET = 0.05Ω, L = 47μH)

1.56 2.11
VIN=10V
VIN=10V
VIN=12V 2.10 VIN=12V
1.55 VIN=16V
VIN=16V
VIN=20V 2.09 VIN=20V
VIN=24V
VIN=24V
1.54 VIN=28V 2.08 VIN=28V
VIN=32V
LED Current (A)

LED Current (A)

VIN=32V
VIN=36V 2.07 VIN=36V
1.53 VIN=40V
VIN=40V
2.06
1.52 2.05
2.04
1.51
2.03
1.50 2.02
2.01
1.49
2.00
1.48 1.99
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33
Output Voltage (V) Output Voltage (V)

Performance Characteristics (@VIN = 16V, 3 LEDs, RSET = 0.3Ω, L = 47μH, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise specified.)

Steady State Startup Delay Time

VIN
10V/div
IL
100mA/div VSW
10V/div
VCTRL
VSW 2V/div
5V/div IL
200mA/div

Time 1μs/div Time 20μs/div

PWM Dimming (100Hz, Duty = 50%) LED Open Protection

VCTRL VSW
2V/div 10V/div

VSW
IL
10V/div
200mA/div

IL VLED
200mA/div 5V/div

Time 5ms/div Time 1ms/div

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 AL8843

Application Information
AL8843 Operation

In normal operation, when normal input voltage is applied at +VIN, the AL8843 internal switch will turn on. Current starts to flow through sense
resistor RSET, inductor L1, and the LEDs. The current ramps up linearly, and the ramp-up rate is determined by the input voltage VIN, VOUT and the
inductor L1.

This rising current produces a voltage ramp across RSET. The internal circuit of the AL8843 senses the voltage across RSET and applies a
proportional voltage to the input of the internal comparator. When this voltage reaches an internally set upper threshold, the internal switch is
turned off. The inductor current continues to flow through RSET, L1, LEDs and diode D1, and back to the supply rail, but it decays, with the rate
determined by the forward voltage drop of LEDs and the diode D1.

This decaying current produces a falling voltage on RSET, which is sensed by the AL8843. A voltage proportional to the sense voltage across RSET
will be applied at the input of internal comparator. When this voltage falls to the internally set lower threshold, the internal switch is turned on again.
This switch-on-and-off cycle continues to provide the average LED current set by the sense resistor RSET.

LED Current Configuration

The nominal average output current in the LED(s) is determined by the value of the external current sense resistor (RSET) connected between VIN
and SET and is given by:

0.1
I OUTNOM 
R SET

The table below gives values of nominal average output current for several preferred values of current setting resistor (RSET) in the Typical
Application Circuit shown on Page 2.

RSET (Ω) Nominal Average Output Current (mA)

0.033 3,000
0.05 2,000
0.067 1,500
0.1 1,000
0.15 667
0.3 333

The above values assume that the CTRL pin is floating and at a nominal reference voltage for internal comparator. It is possible to use different
values of RSET if the CTRL pin is driven by an external dimming signal.

Analog Dimming

Applying a DC voltage from 0.4V to 2.5V on the CTRL pin can adjust output current from 10% to 100% of IOUT_NOM, as shown in Figure 1. If the
CTRL pin is brought higher than 2.5V, the LED current will be clamped to 100% of IOUT_NOM while if the CTRL voltage falls below the threshold of
0.3V, the output switch will turn off.

PWM Dimming

LED current can be adjusted digitally, by applying a low frequency pulse-width-modulated (PWM) logic signal to the CTRL pin to turn the device on
and off. This will produce an average output current proportional to the duty cycle of the control signal. To achieve a high resolution, the PWM
frequency is recommended to be lower than 500Hz, however higher dimming frequencies can be used at the expense of dimming dynamic range
and accuracy. Typically, for a PWM frequency of 500Hz, the accuracy is better than 1% for PWM ranging from 1% to 100%.

The accuracy of the low duty cycle dimming is affected by both the PWM frequency and the switching frequency of the AL8843. For best
accuracy/resolution, the switching frequency should be increased while the PWM frequency should be reduced.

The CTRL pin is designed to be driven by both 3.3V and 5V logic levels directly from a logic output with either an open drain output or push pull
output stage.

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 AL8843

Application Information (continued)

3200

RSET=0.033
2800
RSET=0.05
2400 RSET=0.067
Output Current (mA) RSET=0.1
2000
RSET=0.15
1600 RSET=0.3

1200

800

400

0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0
VCTRLVoltage (V)

Figure 1. Analog Dimming Curve

Soft-Start

The default soft-start time for AL8843 is only 0.1ms – this provides very fast turn-on of the output, improving PWM dimming accuracy.

Nevertheless, adding an external capacitor from the CTRL pin to Ground will provide a longer soft-start delay. This is achieved by increasing the
time for the CTRL voltage rising to the turn-on threshold, and by slowing down the rising rate of the control voltage at the input of hysteresis
comparator. The additional soft-start time is related to the capacitance between CTRL and GND, the typical value will be 1.5ms/nF.

Capacitor Selection

A low ESR capacitor should be used for input decoupling, as the ESR of this capacitor appears in series with the supply source impedance and
will lower overall efficiency. This capacitor has to supply the relatively high peak current to the coil and smooth the ripple on the input current.

The minimum capacitance needed is determined by input power, cable’s length and peak current. 4.7μF to 10μF is a commonly used value for
most cases. A higher value will improve performance at lower input voltages, especially when the source impedance is high. The input capacitor
should be placed as close as possible to the IC.

For maximum stability of over temperature and voltage, capacitors with X7R, X5R or better dielectric are recommended. Capacitors with Y5V
dielectric are not suitable for decoupling in this application and should NOT be used.

Diode Selection

For maximum efficiency and performance, the freewheeling diode (D1) should be a fast low capacitance Schottky diode with low reverse leakage
current. It also provides better efficiency than silicon diodes, due to lower forward voltage and reduced recovery time.

It is important to select parts with a peak current rating above the peak coil current, and a continuous current rating higher than the maximum
output load current. It is very important to consider the reverse leakage current of the diode when operating above +85°C. Excess leakage current
will increase power dissipation.

The higher forward voltage and overshoot due to reverse recovery time in silicon diodes will increase the peak voltage on the SW output. If a
silicon diode is used, more care should be taken to ensure that the total voltage appearing on the SW pin including supply ripple, will not exceed
the specified maximum value.

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 AL8843

Application Information (continued)

Inductor Selection

Recommended inductor values for the AL8843 are in the range 33μH to 100μH. Higher inductance are recommended at higher supply voltages in
order to minimize output current tolerance due to switching delays, which will result in increased ripple and lower efficiency. Higher inductance
also results in a better line regulation. The inductor should be mounted as close to the device as possible with low resistance connections to SW
pins.

The chosen coil should have saturation current higher than the peak output current and a continuous current rating above the required mean
output current.

The inductor value should be chosen to maintain operating duty cycle and switch ‘on’/‘off’ times within the specified limits over the supply voltage
and load current range. The following equations can be used as a guide.

SW Switch ‘On’ Time

𝑳∆𝑰
𝒕𝑶𝑵 =
𝑽𝑰𝑵 − 𝑽𝑳𝑬𝑫 − 𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑫 (𝑹𝑺𝑬𝑻 + 𝑹𝑳 + 𝑹𝐒𝐖 )

SW Switch ‘Off’ Time

𝑳∆𝑰
𝒕𝑶𝑭𝑭 =
𝑽𝑳𝑬𝑫 + 𝑽𝑫 + 𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑫 (𝑹𝑺𝑬𝑻 + 𝑹𝑳 )

Where: L is the coil inductance; RL is the coil resistance; RSET is the current sense resistance; ILED is the required LED current; ΔI is the coil peak-
peak ripple current (internally set to 0.26 × ILED); VIN is the supply voltage; VLED is the total LED forward voltage; RSW is the switch resistance
(0.2Ω nominal); VD is the diode forward voltage at the required load current.

Thermal Protection

The AL8843 includes Over-Temperature Protection (OTP) circuitry that will turn off the device if its junction temperature gets too high. This is to
protect the device from excessive heat damage. The OTP circuitry includes thermal hysteresis that will cause the device to restart normal
operation once its junction temperature has cooled down by approximately +30°C.

Open Circuit LEDs

The AL8843 has by default open LED protection. If the LEDs should become open circuit, the AL8843 will stop oscillating; the SET pin will rise to
VIN and the SW pin will then fall to GND. No excessive voltages will be seen with the AL8843.

LED Chain Shorted Together

If the LED chain should become shorted together (the anode of the top LED becomes shorted to the cathode of the bottom LED), the AL8843 will
continue to switch and the current through the AL8843’s internal switch will still be at the expected current - so no excessive heat will be generated
within the AL8843. However, the duty cycle at which it operates will change dramatically and the switching frequency will most likely decrease.
See Figure 2 for an example of this behavior at 24V input voltage driving 3 LEDs.

The on-time of the internal power MOSFET switch is significantly reduced because almost all of the input voltage is now developed across the
inductor. The off-time is significantly increased because the reverse voltage across the inductor is now just the Schottky diode voltage (See Figure
2) causing a much slower decay in inductor current.

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 AL8843

Application Information (continued)

ILED
200mA/div

VSW
20V/div

VLED- VIN = 24V, TA = +25°C

10V/div L = 68µH, 3LEDs
ILED = 500mA
20µs/div

Figure 2. Switching Characteristics (Normal Operation to LED Chain Shorted Out)

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 AL8843

Ordering Information

AL8843 X – X

Product Name Package Packing

SP: SO-8EP 13: Tape and Reel

Packing
Part Number Part Number Suffix Package Code Package
Qty. Carrier
AL8843SP-13 -13 SP SO-8EP 2500 Tape & Reel

Marking Information

(Top View)

8 7 6 5
Logo YY : Year (ex: 22 = 2022)
Marking ID AL8843 WW : Week : 01 to 52; 52
represents week 52 and 53
YY WW X X E X X : Internal Code
E : SO-8EP

1 2 3 4

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 AL8843

Package Outline Dimensions

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SO-8EP

SO-8EP
Dim Min Max Typ
EXPOSED PAD
F A 1.40 1.50 1.45
A1 0.00 0.13 -
b 0.30 0.50 0.40
E1

H
C 0.15 0.25 0.20
1 D 4.85 4.95 4.90
E 3.80 3.90 3.85
E0 3.85 3.95 3.90
E1 5.90 6.10 6.00
b
E
e - - 1.27
9° (A
ll sid F 2.75 3.35 3.05

Q
e)
N
7° H 2.11 2.71 2.41

C
45°

L 0.62 0.82 0.72

4 ° ± 3°

Gauge Plane N - - 0.35

Seating Plane Q 0.60 0.70 0.65
1
0.
A

R L All Dimensions in mm
e
A1

E0
D

Suggested Pad Layout

Please see http://www.diodes.com/package-outlines.html for the latest version.

SO-8EP

X2

Value
Dimensions
(in mm)
C 1.270
X 0.802
Y1 X1 3.502
Y2
X2 4.612
X1 Y 1.505
Y1 2.613
Y2 6.500
Y

C X

Mechanical Data
 Moisture Sensitivity: Level 1 per JESD22-A113
 Terminals: Finish - Matte Tin Plated Leads, Solderable per M2003 JESD22-B102
 Weight: 0.081 grams (Approximate)

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 AL8843

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