Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
LED DRIVER SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract:

Described herein are embodiments for systems and methods LED driver. In one or more embodiments, the LED driver may operate in a boost mode to charge a capacitor using a power source or in a boost mode to use the charged capacitor to provide current to a load, such as an LED string. In one or more embodiments, the LED driver uses a single inductor for boost mode operation or buck mode operation. Such embodiments simplify the LED driver and therefore provide an economic advantage. In one or more embodiments, the power source is disconnected in the buck mode, such that the capacitor may be discharged to a low voltage. Therefore, the capacitor may need smaller capacitance to deliver the same discharge energy which otherwise requires a capacitor with larger capacitance.