Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z

Overview

MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified 8-channel WLED driver with independent 100mA per channel current sinks, 12-bit PWM + 6-bit analog dimming, I²C interface (10 configurable addresses), and integrated open/short LED and over-temperature protection. It operates from 4V–16V input and targets automotive instrument clusters and displays requiring precise, fault-tolerant LED brightness control.

For engineers reviewing the MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z datasheet, MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z pinout, MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z application in automotive lighting, or MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z equivalent for AEC-Q100 LED driver replacement, this page delivers verified electrical specs, QFN-24 pin mapping, dimming register behavior, refresh signal timing, and protection response logic - all confirmed against MPS Rev. 1.0 documentation.

Technical Context

The MPQ3324 employs eight matched internal current sinks with external ISET resistor programming (VISET = 1.2V ±2.5%), supporting up to 100mA/channel at VIN ≥ 4.5V and 150mV headroom. Each channel features independent 12-bit PWM (220–330Hz selectable) and 6-bit analog dimming registers, with phase-shifted PWM edges (80μs inter-channel delay) to reduce EMI.

Its I²C interface supports address configuration via ADDR pin resistor ratio (RADDR/RISET), enabling up to 10 devices on one bus. Fault management includes latch/hiccup mode selection (LATCH bit), programmable short-protection threshold (2–5V), and RFSH/FLT dual-mode operation - either synchronized refresh output (FLTEN=0) or active-low fault flag (FLTEN=1).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z uses a thermally enhanced QFN-24 (4mm × 4mm) package with wettable flanks for solder joint reliability in automotive thermal cycling. Pin 14 is GND; pins 7–23 include duplicated LEDx terminals (two per channel) for current sharing and reduced trace inductance.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 8-channel automotive LED driver applications.

Compared with IS31FL3728-QFLS4-TR and TPS61196RHBR, MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z uniquely combines AEC-Q100 Grade 1 compliance, per-channel 12+6-bit dimming, programmable fault thresholds, and RFSH/FLT synchronization - making it the only option qualified for safety-critical automotive display backlighting with production-ready diagnostics.

Availability

MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive instrument clusters, center display backlights, and HUD projection modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and AEC-Q100-compliant traceability.

Supply support for MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z 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

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance power management ICs, with core expertise in DC/DC converters, LED drivers, and motor drivers for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The MPQ3324 belongs to MPS's AEC-Q100-qualified LED driver product line, designed specifically for automotive display systems requiring high channel count, precise dimming control, and robust fault handling in harsh thermal and EMI environments.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for full 100mA/channel operation?

MPQ3324GRE-AEC1-Z delivers full 100mA per channel only when VIN ≥ 4.5V. Below this, current capability degrades due to reduced headroom across the internal current sinks; at VIN = 4.0V, maximum current drops to approximately 85mA/channel as specified in the Electrical Characteristics table under "LED current" test conditions.

How does the RFSH/FLT pin behave during simultaneous open- and short-LED faults?

When multiple faults occur (e.g., CH1 open + CH3 short), RFSH/FLT pulls low immediately and remains low until all fault bits (CH1O, CH3S, etc.) are read via I²C. The FLTEN bit determines mode: if FLTEN=1, it acts as a wired-OR fault flag; if FLTEN=0, it continues outputting the programmed refresh signal regardless of faults.

Can the 80μs phase shift be disabled per channel, or is it global?

The 80μs inter-channel phase shift is globally enabled or disabled via the PS_EN bit (Register 0x01, Bit 1). When PS_EN=1, all consecutive channels (CH2–CH8) are delayed by 80μs relative to the prior channel; there is no per-channel phase shift disable. This fixed stagger reduces peak input current and EMI without requiring additional timing logic.

What is the recommended PCB layout practice for the ISET pin to ensure current accuracy?

Route the ISET-to-GND resistor with short, wide traces directly adjacent to the IC; avoid routing near noisy signals (e.g., VIN switching nodes or SCL/SDA). Use a 1% tolerance metal-film resistor and place a 10nF ceramic capacitor from ISET to GND to suppress noise coupling - this maintains VISET stability within ±2.5% and ensures ±3% LED current accuracy across temperature.

Does the MPQ3324 support daisy-chained I²C addressing without external level shifters?

Yes - all 10 I²C addresses (0x30–0x39) operate at standard 3.3V logic levels compatible with automotive microcontrollers. No level shifter is needed; the ADDR resistor network configures addresses intrinsically, and the SDA/SCL pins meet I²C specification for rise/fall times and bus capacitance (≤400pF per line), supporting up to 10 devices on a single bus.

How does latch-off mode affect system recovery after an over-temperature event?

In latch-off mode (LATCH=1), OTP activation disables all channels permanently until VIN or EN is cycled - even after die cools below 150°C. This prevents uncontrolled restarts in sustained overheating conditions. Recovery requires hardware reset, ensuring system-level thermal management intervention before resuming operation.

What is the maximum number of MPQ3324 devices supported on a single I²C bus, and how is address collision avoided?

Up to 10 MPQ3324 devices can share one I²C bus, each assigned a unique address (0x30–0x39) via discrete RADDR/RISET resistor ratios. The datasheet defines 10 non-overlapping ratio ranges (e.g., <0.05 → 0x30, 0.05–0.15 → 0x31); using precision resistors within these bands guarantees zero address collision in production.