Diodes Incorporated AL3644EV1

Overview

AL3644EV1 from Diodes Incorporated is an evaluation board for the AL3644 dual LED flash driver IC, designed to demonstrate hardware strobe/torch control, I²C-programmable 1.5-A flash current per channel, adaptive regulation, and NTC thermistor monitoring in camera phone applications. It supports 2.7–5.5 V input, 2-MHz/4-MHz boost switching, and operates from –40°C to +85°C ambient.

For engineers reviewing the AL3644EV1 datasheet, AL3644EV1 pinout, AL3644EV1 application, or AL3644EV1 equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of flash timing (up to 400 ms), torch current scaling (up to 180 mA/channel), IVFM low-battery compensation, and TX-synchronized RF PA pulse triggering using the included GUI and USB docking interface.

Technical Context

The AL3644EV1 implements a complete reference design for the AL3644 IC, integrating a U-WLB1713-12 packaged controller, 1 µH/2.5 A shielded inductor (L1), dual ultra-white LEDs, four 10 µF/6.3 V X5R ceramic capacitors (C1/C2/C4/C5), one 100 µF bulk capacitor (C3), and a 100 kΩ NTC thermistor (TH1). All critical power and signal paths are optimized for minimal PCB area (<16 mm² solution size).

It provides direct access to STROBE, TORCH/TEMP, and TX pins via on-board pushbuttons and adjustable pulse generators, enabling hardware-triggered flash/torch modes and real-time fault flag readback through the I²C interface (address 0x63) at 400 kHz.

Key Specifications

Availability

AL3644EV1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for camera module development, mobile phone flash subsystem validation, and embedded imaging system prototyping requiring stable component supply and full-feature demonstration capability.

Supply support for AL3644EV1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Diodes Incorporated is a global semiconductor company specializing in discrete, analog, and mixed-signal ICs for power management, signal integrity, and lighting applications.

The AL3644 product line targets high-efficiency, compact LED flash drivers for smartphone and portable imaging systems, emphasizing thermal-aware current regulation and RF-coordinated timing control.

FAQ

What power supply requirements does the AL3644EV1 board have?

The AL3644EV1 requires a DC power supply connected across J5 and J6 terminals, delivering 2.7 V to 5.5 V at sufficient current to support peak flash loads (up to 3 A total). The board accepts standard bench supplies and is compatible with USB-powered operation when used with the included USB docking board and interface software.

How is the AL3644EV1 controlled - via software or hardware?

The AL3644EV1 supports both hardware and software control: STROBE and TORCH/TEMP pins accept external logic-level signals, while the onboard GUI communicates over I²C (0x63) via USB docking board to configure registers, set flash timeout (up to 400 ms), adjust current levels (1.4 mA–1.5 A), and monitor faults including thermal warning and overvoltage events.

Does the AL3644EV1 include thermal protection features?

Yes - the board integrates a 100 kΩ NTC thermistor (TH1) connected to the TORCH/TEMP pin of the AL3644 IC, enabling real-time junction temperature monitoring. The AL3644 firmware automatically reduces LED current upon thermal threshold detection, and the GUI displays active thermal flags that clear on read-back per the device's fault register architecture.

Can the AL3644EV1 drive two different colored LEDs simultaneously?

No - the AL3644EV1 is configured with two identical ultra-white LEDs (D1/D2) and its AL3644 IC is optimized for matched white LED flash applications. While the dual current sources are independently programmable, the board layout, component selection (e.g., shared inductor, fixed OVP threshold), and thermal design assume identical forward voltage and thermal characteristics typical of white LEDs.