Diodes Incorporated AL5816W5-7

Overview

AL5816W5-7 from Diodes Incorporated is a 5-terminal adjustable constant-current linear LED controller in SOT25 package, designed to drive external bipolar transistors or MOSFETs for medium-to-high-current LED strings. It operates from 4.5V to 60V input, regulates LED current via 0.2V FB reference with ±4% tolerance, supports >200Hz PWM dimming via dedicated PWM pin, and includes UVLO, thermal shutdown, and 15mA output drive capability - used in commercial lighting systems requiring stable analog current control.

For engineers reviewing the AL5816W5-7 datasheet, AL5816W5-7 pinout, AL5816W5-7 application, or AL5816W5-7 equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, real-world design meaning of specifications, validated pin functions, application-specific implementation guidance, and confirmed alternative options - all grounded in Diodes Incorporated's DS39991 Rev. 3-2 datasheet and official packaging data.

Technical Context

The AL5816 implements a precision error amplifier with 0.2V feedback reference and 50kHz bandwidth (no external compensation required), enabling stable current regulation across temperature and input voltage variations. Its dedicated PWM pin accepts logic-level signals (VIH ≥2.7V, VIL ≤2.3V) with 0.1V hysteresis and sub-1µs turn-on/turn-off delay, supporting high-frequency dimming without soft-start limitation.

Unlike the AL5815, the AL5816 replaces the ENB pin with a PWM pin, eliminating startup delay and enabling direct PWM modulation above 200Hz. Internal thermal shutdown activates at +160°C with +30°C hysteresis, and under-voltage lockout triggers at 4.2V (rising) / 3.85V (falling), ensuring robust operation in fluctuating supply environments.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AL5816W5-7 is housed in a RoHS-compliant SOT25 (SC-74A) surface-mount package with 1.6mm × 2.8mm footprint and 1.1mm height, optimized for thermal dissipation on standard FR-4 PCBs (θ_JA = 134°C/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar linear LED controller applications.

Compared with AL5815W5-7, the AL5816W5-7 trades soft-start for high-frequency PWM capability; compared with NSI45020AZT1G, it offers programmable current, external transistor drive, and active dimming control - making it the only choice for scalable, dimmable medium-current LED systems.

Availability

AL5816W5-7 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for commercial lighting, industrial machine vision, appliance indicator lighting, and exterior signage requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant sourcing.

Supply support for AL5816W5-7 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 manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and ICs, specializing in high-reliability power management, signal integrity, and lighting solutions for industrial and consumer markets.

The AL5816 belongs to Diodes' linear LED controller product line, engineered specifically for analog-dimmable, medium-current LED drivers that demand precision regulation, thermal resilience, and simplified system integration without switching noise.

FAQ

What is the maximum LED string voltage supported by AL5816W5-7?

The AL5816W5-7 itself does not directly limit LED string voltage; instead, its 60V V_CC rating defines the maximum input supply. The actual LED string voltage is determined by the external transistor's V_CEO/V_DSS and the voltage drop across the sense resistor (0.2V). For example, with a 50V supply and 2.5V LED forward voltage per diode, up to 19 LEDs in series can be driven using a 60V-rated MOSFET - provided V_DS = V_CC − V_LED(total) − 0.2V remains within the transistor's safe operating area.

Can AL5816W5-7 drive multiple LED strings in parallel?

Yes - AL5816W5-7 supports parallel LED strings by connecting a single sense resistor to the FB pin and using matched external transistors and sense resistors per string. The datasheet confirms this configuration in Figure 2, where identical I_LED = 0.2V / R_S is maintained across channels when Q1/Q2 and R_S1/R_S2 are matched. No additional ICs or current mirrors are required, reducing system cost and board space.

What is the minimum PWM duty cycle the AL5816W5-7 can reliably achieve?

AL5816W5-7 supports PWM dimming down to 1% duty cycle at frequencies ≥200Hz, as verified by Figure 4 in DS39991. At 500Hz and 1% duty, the device maintains clean turn-on/turn-off edges (<1µs delay) and avoids current droop due to internal error amplifier bandwidth (50kHz) and lack of soft-start. Below 1%, LED thermal time constants dominate, but electrical response remains fully functional.

Does AL5816W5-7 require external compensation components in the feedback loop?

No - AL5816W5-7 features fully internal compensation, as stated in the "Feedback Loop" section of DS39991 Rev. 3-2. The error amplifier is factory-tuned for stability with typical capacitive loads (e.g., 100pF–1nF gate capacitance) and requires no external RC networks. This eliminates tuning effort and improves production yield versus controllers needing external compensation.