Diodes Incorporated AL5873T16E-13

Overview

AL5873T16E-13 from Diodes Incorporated is a three-channel linear LED driver IC designed for automotive aftermarket rear lighting systems. It delivers up to 250mA per channel (750mA total), supports independent stop/tail current setting via REF1/REF2 resistors, features ±4% LED current regulation accuracy, and integrates PWM + analog dimming control with fault reporting on FAULTB. It operates across 5V–55V input and is used in tail/stop light modules requiring dual-current switching.

For engineers reviewing the AL5873T16E-13 datasheet, AL5873T16E-13 pinout, AL5873T16E-13 application, or AL5873T16E-13 equivalent, key selection criteria include its TSSOP-16EP package thermal performance, FULL-pin–controlled dual-current mode, thermal foldback behavior above +160°C, and integrated UVLO/OTP/LED open-short protection for automotive-grade reliability.

Technical Context

The AL5873T16E-13 implements three independent low-side current sinks with bandgap-referenced current regulation, enabling common-anode LED string configurations. Its dual-reference architecture (REF1/REF2) allows hardware-selectable current levels-e.g., 125mA tail and 250mA stop-via external resistors and the FULL pin logic state.

It combines digital PWM dimming (200Hz–1kHz, internal pulldown on PWM pin) with analog dimming (0.3V–1.5V on ADIM), while monitoring junction temperature to trigger thermal foldback at +160°C and recover at +130°C. Fault conditions-including UVLO, OTP, LED open, and LED short-are reported asynchronously on the open-drain FAULTB pin.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP-16EP (Type DX) package with exposed thermal pad (EP) internally connected to GND; requires external GND connection and thermal vias for ≤45°C/W θJA performance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar three-channel linear LED driver applications.

Compared with AL5873Q-13, the AL5873T16E-13 offers identical performance at lower qualification cost-ideal for aftermarket use-while AL8863W6-7 trades channel integration and diagnostics for higher per-string current capability in non-automotive settings.

Availability

AL5873T16E-13 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive aftermarket LED inner lamps, rear turn indicators, and fog light modules requiring stable component supply, thermal robustness, and dual-current flexibility.

Supply support for AL5873T16E-13 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 manufacturer specializing in discrete, analog, and mixed-signal solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The AL5873 belongs to Diodes' automotive-grade linear LED driver product line, engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, thermally demanding aftermarket lighting applications with dual-intensity requirements.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the FULL pin on the AL5873T16E-13?

The FULL pin selects between two independently set LED current levels: when pulled high, it enables the REF2-set current (e.g., 250mA stop mode); when low or floating, it enables the REF1-set current (e.g., 125mA tail mode). This hardware-based switching eliminates MCU involvement in basic dual-intensity functions and ensures deterministic behavior during power-up or reset.

How does thermal foldback operate in the AL5873T16E-13?

When the junction temperature exceeds +160°C, the AL5873T16E-13 progressively reduces regulated LED current to limit power dissipation; recovery begins once temperature falls below +130°C. This analog foldback-not abrupt shutdown-maintains partial illumination under thermal stress and avoids cycling, supporting continuous operation in enclosed lamp housings.

Can the AL5873T16E-13 drive multiple LED strings in parallel from one channel?

No-each channel (LED1/LED2/LED3) is a dedicated low-side current sink. However, multiple channels can be paralleled externally (e.g., connecting LED1 and LED2 cathodes to one LED string) to sum current-e.g., 250mA + 250mA = 500mA-provided thermal limits and PCB copper capacity are respected. The datasheet explicitly permits this configuration for higher total current.

What fault conditions trigger the FAULTB pin, and how is it used?

FAULTB asserts low for four detectable faults: input under-voltage lockout (UVLO), overtemperature (OTP), LED string open, and LED string short. It is an open-drain output requiring an external pull-up resistor; microcontrollers monitor it for system-level fault logging or safety shutdown, eliminating need for discrete sense circuitry or polling.