Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z

Overview

MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is a 16-channel AEC-Q100 Grade 1 LED driver for automotive lighting and instrument clusters, delivering up to 80mA per channel with independent 12-bit PWM and 6-bit analog dimming, I²C address configurability (10 options), and integrated LED open/short/over-temperature protection.

For engineers reviewing the MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z datasheet, MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z pinout, MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z application, or MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z equivalent, this device supports synchronized refresh signaling, 40μs per-channel phase shift, configurable slew rate (5–20μs), and fault-flagged operation via RFSH/FLT - critical for EMI-sensitive automotive display backlighting and dynamic dashboard illumination.

Technical Context

The MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z integrates 16 matched current sinks with external ISET resistor programming, supporting 1–16 parallel LED strings. Its dual-dimming architecture decouples analog amplitude control (6-bit, 0–100% ILED) from PWM duty control (12-bit, 0–99.98% duty), enabling flicker-free grayscale rendering in high-reliability displays.

It implements a hierarchical I²C register map with dedicated enable, dimming, fault status, and protection configuration registers (e.g., FPWM[1:0], SLEW[1:0], STH[1:0], LATCH), and uses an internal 1.02MHz oscillator divided by 8 to generate refresh timing - all coordinated through a single RFSH/FLT pin that toggles between synchronized refresh output and active-low fault indication based on FLTEN bit state.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z is housed in a wettable flank QFN-24 package (4mm × 4mm, 0.5mm pitch), optimized for automated optical inspection (AOI) and solder joint reliability in automotive production.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 16-channel LED driver applications.

Compared with IS31FL3728-QFLS4-TR and TLC6983RTQR, MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z uniquely combines AEC-Q100 qualification, dual-dimming precision, fault-flagged RFSH/FLT synchronization, and wettable flank packaging - making it the only option qualified for ASIL-B–aligned instrument cluster backlighting without external protection components.

Availability

MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive instrument clusters, center-stack displays, exterior lighting modules, and commercial vehicle HUD systems requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long product lifecycles.

Supply support for MPQ3326AGRE-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 design centers in the US, China, and Taiwan, and global manufacturing partnerships.

The MPQ3326A product line targets automotive-grade LED lighting control, emphasizing AEC-Q100 qualification, integrated diagnostics, and EMI-optimized dimming architectures for next-generation digital cockpits and ADAS interfaces.

FAQ

What is the maximum number of MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z devices that can be cascaded on a single I²C bus?

Up to 10 devices can be cascaded using the ADDR pin resistor network to configure unique I²C addresses (0x30–0x39). Each device requires its own RADDR resistor tied to GND, with ratios specified in Table 5 of the datasheet to ensure deterministic address assignment without bus contention.

How does the RFSH/FLT pin function in refresh mode versus fault mode?

When FLTEN = 0, RFSH/FLT outputs a rectangular refresh signal whose frequency is calculated as fREFRESH = 127500 × fPWM / FRFSH (where FRFSH is the 10-bit register value). When FLTEN = 1, the pin becomes an active-low open-drain fault flag pulled low on any detected LED open, short, or over-temperature event.

Can analog and PWM dimming be used simultaneously on the same channel?

Yes - analog dimming sets the peak current amplitude (ILED = ISET × ICHx/63), while PWM dimming modulates the duty cycle (DPWM = PWMx/4095) of that current. This enables hybrid dimming: e.g., 50% analog scale + 80% PWM duty = 40% effective luminance with reduced low-frequency ripple.

What is the minimum recommended ISET resistor value for 80mA operation?

For 80mA full-scale current, the datasheet specifies RISET = 15kΩ (±1%) with ±3% current accuracy at TA = 25°C. Lower values increase current but reduce accuracy due to VISET tolerance (1.176–1.224V); 15kΩ is the validated design point for 80mA compliance across temperature and process variation.

Does the MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z support daisy-chained fault reporting?

No - each device reports faults independently on its own RFSH/FLT pin. Daisy-chaining requires external wired-OR logic (e.g., pull-up + diode network) since the pin is open-drain. The IC does not provide I²C broadcast fault status; fault bits (CHxO, CHxS, FT_OTP) must be polled individually per device.

What is the purpose of the 40μs phase shift feature?

The 40μs per-channel phase shift staggers PWM rising edges across all 16 channels, reducing peak input current demand by up to 72% and suppressing high-amplitude harmonics in the 1–10MHz range - directly lowering conducted EMI to meet CISPR 25 Class 5 requirements in automotive EMC testing.

Is the wettable flank QFN package compatible with standard reflow profiles?

Yes - the MPQ3326AGRE-AEC1-Z uses JEDEC-standard MSAL Level 1 moisture sensitivity and is qualified for peak reflow temperatures up to 260°C. Its wettable flank geometry supports automated optical inspection of side-solder joints without requiring special stencil designs or nitrogen atmosphere.